Ministry

•  What is ministry?

•  Who should be involved in ministry?

•  Is the clergy/laity distinction and the gap between them defensible? Can we really justify this using the Bible?

•  What should be the purpose and focus of the "clergy"?

•  What are the qualifications for ministry?

•  What is the authority for ministry?

•  What is the context for ministry?

•  What will be the results of effective ministry?

•  Is there a ministry for Coaches, Mentors and Counsellors?

We cannot be efficient and effective in ministry unless we have biblical philosophy of ministry.  It never ceases to amaze me to find so many "full-time" ministers who do not have a carefully thought out philosophy of ministry.  This is one of the reasons why so many have failed and are frustrated.  I have found the basis and basics of a biblical philosophy of ministry in Ephesians 4:11-16. Add to this the Great Commission of Matthew 28:16-20, Colossians 1:28-29 and 2Timothy 2:1- 7.

Study and meditate on these verses and let the Holy Spirit guide you as you think about these principles in the context of your Spiritual Gifts, Station in Life and the Opportunities that are presented to you on a daily or regular basis. Carefully write it down the results of this exercise and this should give you a fairly good idea of what your Philosophy of Ministry should be like.

Here are those verses:

Ephesians 4:11-16: ¹¹It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, ¹²to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
¹⁴Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Matthew 28:16-20: ¹⁶Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Colossians 1:28-29: ²⁸We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. ²⁹To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

2Timothy 2:1-7: ¹You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ²And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. ³Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. ⁵Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. ⁷Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

The best description and advise I have found on ministry is given to us  by Warren Wiersbe from Back to the Bible in his book: Making Sense of the Ministry.  Here is a summary of what he says:

1. The Foundation of ministry is Character

2. The Nature of ministry is Service

3. The Motive of ministry is Love

4. The Measure of ministry is Sacrifice

5. The Authority of ministry is Submission

6. The Purpose of ministry is the Glory of God

7. The Tools for ministry are the Word of God and Prayer

8. The Privilege of ministry is Growth

9. The Power of ministry is the Holy Spirit

10. The Model for ministry is Jesus Christ

We will be hard pressed to improve on this! The call to ministry is a holy and the highest calling. May God bless you as you seek Him and serve others! (Col 1:9-14)

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 Last modified: Wednesday December 26, 2007 .