Why do naturally gifted ministry candidates sometimes fail and leave the ministry?
Naturally gifted candidates sometimes fail because they depend on fleshly advantages—personality, appearance, voice, and intelligence—rather than on the real call of God. Such gifts may open doors, but they cannot sustain ministry. One class favorite received a church yet was out within six months because he could not cut it.
Les explains that Paul's speech and preaching were not with enticing words, and ministry does not require ten degrees or impressive natural ability. The world may think those things are necessary, but God uses what the world looks at and scoffs at. Les recalls a young man in Bible school who had personality, looks, voice, and intelligence; his classmates voted him most likely to succeed. He got a little church, and within six months he was out of the ministry. He could not cut it because he was relying on the things of the flesh and not on the real call of God. Les emphasizes that the only thing God can start with is nothing.