by
May
Philosophy of Ministry
CHMN 201 – D03 LUO
Introduction to Church Ministries
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Submitted to Dr.
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
(i)
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Introduction
People who are called into ministry do not approach their ministry with the same
philosophy as everyone else in ministry. The meaning, motives, essentials and methods to their
ministries can be quite different. In this paper, I will convey what ministry means to me, what
motivates me in my ministry, what I believe the essentials of ministry are to me and the methods
I intend to use for a successful ministry.
Meaning of Ministry
To many, ministry means to lead a congregation and being in the pulpit preaching the
word. I agree that it is an aspect of ministry, but Jesus’ ministry was not one where He expected
to be served, but to serve (Matt 20:28). Therefore, to me, to be in ministry is to be in service to
others. Entering into ministry is a rewarding path to take while journeying with Christ
throughout our lives, but it also requires much sacrifice and getting a little dirty.
David Early explains that the Greek term, Diakonos, used in the New Testament, not only
to mean “minister”, “servant” or “deacon”, but is used to indicate “work that benefits someone
else.”1 In fact, Paul used the word to illustrate to others that he was a “servant of the Lord.”2 I
believe that having a servant’s heart and doing the work of the Lord is the meaning of Ministry.
Going into ministry takes preparation. There is a saying that God doesn’t call the
equipped, He equips the called. Many believe this to mean if you jump into service in His name
you’ll miraculously have what it takes to do the job. I do not deny the power of God in this type
of situation, however, I believe in most cases we are to do our diligence with the tools God
1 Early, D., & Gutierrez, B. Everyday Ministry: Applying the Christian Faith. Nashville, TN. B&H Publishing
Group, 2010, p 102.
2
ibid
1
provides us to become equipped. These tools include Bible study, prayer, positive mentors and
institutional learning.
Institutional learning is important to grow in not only the basics of the Bible, theology
and ministry, but also to incorporate interaction with others and to work together as a team. Bible
study and prayer prepares you for ministry in developing that close relationship with God that He
desires to have with everyone. Growing in relationship with God equips us to convey to others
the importance of developing and maintaining that relationship. Oswald Changers said, “We
actually slander and dishonor God by our very eagerness to serve Him without knowing Him.”3
Once in ministry, it is important to carve out time for those things that prepared you for
the ministry. Time will inevitably become a valuable commodity and allowing these things to
slip away is something that unknowingly happens to many in ministry. Even though my time is
ever fleeting from me, I purpose time each week for my Bible study group and spending at least
thirty minute a day in prayer and devotion with God.
Motives of Ministry
My motivation in ministry is to be an active member of Jesus’ church and to fulfill the
commandment to go and make disciples (Matt 28:19). Many people, believers and non-believers
alike, think of a building when they define church. However, there were not church buildings as
we know them when Jesus defined His church. I believe that the local church is each and every
Christian, who together assemble together in a covenant of faith and are guided by teachings of
the New Testament.
3 O. Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids: Discovery House Publishers,
1992), October 3 entry, 277.
2
The Gospel of Jesus Christ must be the foundation of the church and my ministry.
Without the Gospel of Jesus, there is no message of salvation for those that are lost. We all have
fallen short of God’s glory and can only be justified by His grace through the blood of Jesus
(Rom 3:23-24). Not only should the Gospel be the focal point of the church, but must be
presented all the time and in everything we do. The Gospel is only words spoken if not
accompanied by actions. James 2:14-26 tells us that faith without works is dead. Our actions to
do not have to be large presentations that benefit a multitude of people. But the Gospel is shown
in each of the small things we do for others. It could be in how we welcome those to our
gathering, in the act of holding open a door for someone, showing mercy to someone who may
have wronged us, or the willingness to listen; showing empathy and compassion.
One way I plan to help those in my ministry to develop a mind of Christ is through my
thoughts and actions. We find in Philippians 2:5 that Paul says we should make our own attitude
as that of Christ. Ben Gutierrez tells us that this is important to remember in that “if you claim to
have the mind of Christ but do not demonstrate a life that reflects this attitude in action, you are
not to be believed when you say you have the mind of Christ.”4
Another way is to serve humbly. To have the mind of Christ we must not serve out of
selfishness or conceit, but to humble ourselves and think of others as better than ourselves (Phil
2:3). It is important to not think we are better than the ones that serve alongside of us in our
ministry, however it is especially important that we do not convey that to the ones we serve.
Lastly, Philippians 2:4 says “Let each of you look out not only for his own
interests, but also for the interests of others.” I believe helping those develop a mind of Christ is
to be an example of selflessness in our serving, just as Christ did. Our focus should be given to
4
Gutierrez, B., Thinking Like Jesus: Understanding the Mind of Christ, (Word Search: 2014), 19.
3
those we serve with and not on ourselves. I’ve told some who minister alongside me that it is
easy to serve when it is convenient, but to serve when it is not is being selfless and obedient to
God’s call.
Essentials of Ministry
In their book Everyday Ministry: Applying the Christian Faith, the authors outline many
essentials to ministry. Of the essentials discussed, I believe that preparing oneself for the call and
the willingness to answer are the first important essentials to ministry one can possess. Without
them, the other essentials are unimportant. When God is asking ‘Whom shall I send’ or response
should be “Here I am” (Isa 6:8).
Prayer to me is the next most important essential to have, both during the preparation and
while answering the call. As I discussed earlier, prayer is important to our ministry as it allows
us to keep that close two-way relationship with God open. We see in the Bible that prayer is
emphasized throughout the Bible from Moses to the Apostles (Exodus 18:19, Acts 6:2-4). Jesus
himself made prayer a focal point of his life and ministry.
Another important aspect of ministry is to love. Jesus was the model of love throughout
His life and commands us to love one another. Many people are able to preach and stand on the
truth of God’s Word, but if it is done in the absence of love, then it will most likely fall on deaf
ears. Our motto in the Kairos Prison Ministry is to listen, listen, love, love. For many called into
ministry, having the ability to actively listen to people without passing judgement and to show
them the love of Christ, is all one needs to effectively minister to them. It is through that process
that we can share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to bring them to salvation.
4
I will incorporate these essentials in my ministry by continuing to prepare myself for the
call that I am currently answering, and the one that is yet to come. Completing my studies at
Liberty is important to the foundation and ability to respond. Weekly Bible study is also
something that is incorporated in my ministry now and will be in the future. Of these essentials, I
cannot over emphasize the importance of prayer. Dale Salwak wrote that that “Prayer is the very
life of oneness, of being on with Christ. Therefore, prayer is as necessary as the air, as the blood
in our body, as anything, to keep us alive to the grace of God.”5 However, unlike the
unconscious effort to breathe, like most people, I do not pray enough.
Methods of Ministry
Dave Early tells us that “A large part of effective ministry is the intercessory prayer.”6 As
mentioned earlier, prayer is essential in all facets of a ministry. Intercessory prayer, however, is
more specific in nature and is lifted up to God on the behalf of someone else. Jesus is the
ultimate intercessor in our lives and bringing that method of ministry helps us to be selfless in
our prayers and helps build a mind of Christ with those that serve. Intercessory prayer is done too
little by those who serve, as well as lead, yet is the “primary tool used by effective Christian
workers and leaders.”7
Another method of ministry that I will bring to my ministry is a culture of accountability.
Having this culture instilled in a ministry is very important because as Paul writes we all have
sinned (Rom 3:23) and is in our nature to do so (Gal 5:17). Creating this type of environment my
entail setting some safeguards such as, locations to avoid, daily calls to members, and list of
Scriptures to read and discuss. 8 Developing a culture of accountability will provide a spiritually
5
Salwak, Dale. The power of prayer. New York: MJF Books, 1998. p 9.
6
Early, D., & Gutierrez, B. Everyday Ministry: Applying the Christian Faith, p 2329.
7
ibid
8
Early, D., & Gutierrez, B. Everyday Ministry: Applying the Christian Faith, p 2730.
5
Bibliography
rich environment for those in the ministry to grow. While creating this type of environment
doesn’t guarantee lifelong disciples in the ministry, creating such an atmosphere is what we are
called to do, and in that sense, we have been faithful to God and the ministry.
Conclusion
Ministry comes in all shapes and sizes and have different philosophies on approach and
style. But all ministries must have a common focal point, a common purpose, and that is
spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and making disciples of all the nations. As discussed, prayer
is, and should be, an essential part of all ministries. We cannot do the job by ourselves. We must
be prepared for His call and humble ourselves before God to selflessly serve Him where He asks
us to server. Incorporating the philosophy outlined earlier, along with much prayer, I believe
God will successfully use me and the ministry in which I am called.
Word count:1828
Chambers, O., My Utmost for His Highest, Updated Edition. Grand Rapids: Discovery House Publishers,
1992.
6
7
Early, D., & Gutierrez, B. Everyday Ministry: Applying the Christian Faith. Nashville, TN. B&H Publishing
Group, 2010.
Gutierrez, B., Thinking Like Jesus: Understanding the Mind of Christ. Word Search: 2014.
Salwak, Dale. The power of prayer. New York: MJF Books, 1998
