Ministry starts with a calling, not a desire, and that calling must be from God. A true prophet is not someone trying to become a prophet, he IS one. While "schools of prophets" can be helpful in developing those that have been anointed by God with the anointing of a prophet, one cannot simply take a course to "learn" to be a prophet. Schools for prophets may be helpful, but they will be counterproductive if they just bring forth "parrots", who all prophesy the same things.

The office of the Prophet and the "one who prophesies" (1 Cor. 14:3,5) are two distinct functions with vast differences. "One who prophesies" can be any willing believer through whom the Holy Spirit chooses to operate the simple manifestation gift of prophecy.. The fact that one is merely used by God to prophesy does not make that person a prophet by any means. Another major difference is that the simple gift of prophecy by a lay-believer (non-Fivefold Minister) must be limited to edification, exhortation, and comfort, while the ministry of a prophet is not so limited, but in addition to these may also include: revelation, foretelling of future events, divine counsel, guidance, direction, correction, admonition, and in some cases, rebuke.

There are many different kinds of prophets. All ministers do not have the same calling or emphasis of ministry. Jeremiah, for example, was called the "weeping prophet," while Ezra, Nathan, and Gad were "writing prophets," the latter two of which wrote 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Chronicles. ... There are prophets who are also teachers (Ac. 13:1).. ... There are prophets whose primary ministry is within a local body. Some prophets are called to be the local resident apostle over a work, giving it apostolic oversight. Other prophets have a traveling ministry, and some function not only as prophets but also as Missionaries (Acts 13:1-4). Prophets are SEERS; they see things supernaturally in the Spirit that other people don't see. 1 Sam. 9:9 ... Prophets can hear things that are not intended to be heard by others; if God reveals it to them, they can even hear evil plans conceived in privacy and secrecy. 2 Kgs. 6:8-12 ... Prophets pronounce judgment Jer. 1:16,17 ..Prophets can execute God's judgments.Rev. 11:3-13 ... Prophets expose sin: Nathan the Prophet exposed the sin of David. 2 Sam. 11:1 - 12:13

Rev. 10:7; 11:15 The ministry of the COMPANY OF PROPHETS will bring the culmination of the Church Age. ... Acts 3:21 When the prophets have finished their ministry, Christ will be released to return to claim His Church...When Israel was in trouble and needed a deliverer, God sent a prophet. They (Midian) invaded the land to ravage it. Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help. When the Israelites cried to the Lord because of Midian, he sent them a prophet (Jud 6:6,7).

Many of the prophets of the Old Testament found themselves confronting kings, and taking an important role in national affairs. Some also addressed their words to foreign nations. They demonstrate the ministry of the Prophet to the Nations ... A Prophet to the Nations releases God's hand of power. God cannot act, without first giving a warning through his prophets. ... Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets (Amos 3:7).

Then Amaziah said to Amos, "Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. Don't prophesy anymore at Bethel, because this is the king's sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom." Amos answered Amaziah, "I was neither a prophet nor a prophet's son, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.' Now then, hear the word of the Lord . You say, " 'Do not prophesy against Israel, and stop preaching against the house of Isaac' (Amos 7:12-16). .... Prophets may resist their calling, as Jonah did his- with dire results. ... All of Israel knew that Samuel was a prophet, because the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground (1 Samuel 3:19,20).

Money can be a cause of blindness. Prophets should be careful about giving favourable words to those who provide them with financial support. Generally, it is better if prophets can be financially independent of the church and the community. ... Materialism and money have always been a problem in prophetic ministry. Micah complained in his day, "This is what the Lord says: 'As for the prophets who lead my people astray, if one feeds them, they proclaim 'peace"; if he does not, they prepare to wage war against him" (Mic 3:5). When prophets succumb to the temptation to give good prophecies to those who treat them well and bad prophecies to those who don't show them special deference, then the Lord may cease speaking to any of the prophetic people. ... People pleasing is a killer for all ministry, and especially prophetic ministry. Prophetic people who tell people what they want to hear will lose touch with God (Gal 1:10; Ezek 13:2). A true prophet should not expect the praise of men (Luke 6:26), but seek only the approval of God. ... Human compassion can taint a word and blinds the prophet, causing him or her to give a good prophetic word when the Lord wanted to give a word of correction ... Regardless of which ministry we are called to, we must not copy or emulate other people, but rather the One whose image we are called to bear.

Biblestudent.com
Gene Lapansie