Philosophy of Ministry
Submitted to Dr. Mark Hensley
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
CHMN201_B03_202240
Introduction to Church Ministries (B03)
by
Alan Myers
This course has given me a lot to think about as far as philosophy of ministry goes. The question
posed is how am I preparing for ministry? That seems a bit daunting because there are so many
aspects of my life that have prepared or are preparing me for this. Ephesians 2:10 says “For we
are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand,
that we should walk in them.”1
First and foremost, I know it is a calling on my life and not just an occupation. As such I know
that I was set apart or selected for this ministry before I was even born. I have gone through a lot
over the last 44 years and most things from my teens on has been a preparation of sorts.
I understand that isn’t the question. I’m sure you mean how am I preparing now. I think the
biggest preparation is going to school. I never attended college and graduated high school in
1996. It wasn’t until this year that I finally stopped running from my calling and decided to do
something about it. I am now 8 months into this, and I have gone nonstop. I am learning a great
deal about the bible that I did not know before and getting better critical thinking skills. As well
as discipline that comes with having assignments and reading to do.
I am also in constant prayer about this path and God is fortifying my soul for this.
There is also my personal evangelism which has gotten a large boost from this course as well.
I think to grow spiritually in the future I just must keep going. In Peter Scazzero’s book The
Spiritually Healthy Leader2 he talks about campers and climbers. Campers are those that get to a
certain point, maybe its graduation, a promotion and so on. When they get to some point in their
future, they stop climbing. They stop striving for more. I am constantly on guard in my life to
make sure that I climb. After my bachelor’s degree I intend to seek my masters as well as to
become a chaplain. This is the end goal. However, after my master’s I will continue the spiritual
1
2 The Spiritually Healthy Leader,
ESV Study Bible. 2008. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
Peter Scazzero, Zondervan Publishing 2015
disciplines that have been instilled in me and I will not Camp. My failsafe include my wife who
also guards my heart, my pastors and friends that have permission to speak into my life when I
am off course. I recently found a mentor as well that is here to help. If I stay vigilant and faithful
nothing will separate me from my mission.
My personal ministry has been completely overhauled by attending Liberty University. The gospel
has always had a place in my life. Now even more so as I learn more and more about it and about
how to present it. In the past I know I have been a bit of a “bible thumper”. This season of my life
I am learning better ways to present the Gospel. I’m discovering that the Gospel itself is the
center of my ministry. Whether that is my personal evangelism or my goal of being a chaplain.
Before this I didn’t look at Chaplaincy as necessarily a way to present the gospel as much to offer
comfort. Comfort however is nonexistent outside of the gospel. It is in the knowledge of the
gospel and the acceptance of it that we find comfort and peace. That will make it paramount to
my future as a chaplain.
I believe that the gospel can and should be presented to everyone. For instance, as a chaplain, I
will be presenting it to the lost that are sick, dying and their families. I will be singing its praises to
those that are saved and find themselves in need of a chaplain. I’m excited to spend my time with
those that are preparing for their eternal reward secure in their knowledge of Jesus.
The essentials of ministry to me all fall in the spiritual disciplines. Prayer, fasting, worship, study
submission and service. In the book A Celebration of Discipline, author
Richard foster says “As we enter the inner world of the Spiritual Disciplines, there will always be
the danger of turning them into laws. But we are not left to our own human devices. Jesus Christ
has promised to be our ever-present Teacher and Guide. His voice is not hard to hear. His
direction is not hard to understand. If we are beginning to calcify what should always remain
alive and growing, he will tell us. We can trust his teaching. If we are wandering off toward some
wrong idea or unprofitable practice, he will guide us back. If we are willing to listen to the
Heavenly Monitor, we will receive the instruction we need.”3
The whole of my ministry is being built on these disciplines. They are time tested and approved by
God. It will not be of me that my ministry thrives but though my co-ministry with Him.
Prayer will be utilized daily.
Fasting, dedicating one day per week and on occasion more to not eating at all as to spend more
time and thought on God and praying for those in need and around me.
Worship, I find myself already entering worship more than previously. As a chaplain I am going to
incorporate it into my daily practices. To put me in the right alignment to speak to someone on
behalf of God.
Study, not only will I be studying for the next several years just to get the degrees I need to pursue
my calling, but daily personal study is a constant.
Submission, I will be open to Gods leading as I embark on this new life. Listening to His whispers
and occasional screams is already something I am learning to lean on. As I progress, I know there
will be more.
Service, I will be using the years I have left to serve others as much as possible for as long as
possible. From my current work with my local church and personal evangelism to my future work
as a chaplain.
All of those disciplines will and are building my character and integrity. Formiing me into the man
that God wants me to be.
3 Foster, Richard J.. Celebration of Discipline: The Path To Spiritual Growth (pp. 10-12). HarperCollins.
Kindle Edition.
My methods of ministry will indeed incorporate all those disciplines because they are so much a
part of who I am and will be.
As of right now my method is fishing for men. I went on my first fishing trip a few months ago and
will continue to do so. This method involves taking specific time out of my day to go somewhere
there is a large group of people and actively seeking someone that I can have a gospel
conversation with. So far God had blessed the boldness with multiple conversations about
salvation. While thus far none of these have led to salvation I have learned it is just as important
to be the person that seeds the field as it is to be the one that harvests it.
God has provided for me a vast field, it’s up to me to put in the time and that’s what I do and
intend to keep doing.
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Bibliography
1
ESV Study Bible. 2008. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
2
The Spiritually Healthy Leader, Peter Scazzero, Zondervan Publishing 2015
3
Celebration of Discipline The Path To Spiritual Growth (pp. 10-12). Foster, Richard J.,
Harper Collins. Kindle Edition.
