Author Archives: Ministry Tools Resource Center

Correct Ministry Problems But Seek to Prevent When Possible

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Trouble in World But We Can Prevent or Correct Some
Ministry troubles can come from a variety of sources but how we deal with them might vary depending on the cause. Ideally we should seek to prevent problems but that isn’t always possible as some issues in ministry aren’t a result of our own choices or actions, though sometimes they might be.

Causes of Ministry Problems and How to Prevent or Correct Them

Whether preventing or correcting problems, looking at the cause can help us determine how to proceed.

  1. Sometimes we inherit problems already in existence when we became involved.

Prevent: Obviously we can’t prevent pre-exiting problems. We can turn down the ministry opportunity because of it but sometimes we’re not aware issues exist until we get involved. Or, we can accept the challenge, under God’s leading, and with His wisdom and power rise above and perhaps even help rectify the problem.

Correct: When getting involved in a ministry with pre-existing problems, we must move cautiously and slowly. Initially we should do little other than observe and learn more about the situation. We should build relationships and meet people where they are. Then we can gradually introduce change, under God’s guidance, as we are able. Read: Eph. 4:2, 32; 1 Thess. 5:11-22; Heb. 10:24; 1 Pet. 3:8-11; 5:5

  1. There may be times we’re the one who makes a mistake leading to some fallout. We may have made a wrong decision, an error in judgment, perhaps something that had a number of “good” or “acceptable” choices and we didn’t choose the best.

Prevent: Before making any decisions, we should pray first so we’re not leaning on our own understanding but rather fully trusting the Lord to guide us (Prov. 3:5-6). We can learn to be more discerning by regularly studying and aligning with God’s Word (Heb. 5:14) and following the way of love (Phil. 1:9-10).

Correct: The best thing we can do is humbly admit we made a mistake. Pride will keep us from changing course or re-building bridges in relationships that may have suffered as a result of our mistake. Read: Ps. 139:23-24; Prov. 19:20, 25

  1. Sadly we might act or react contrary to God and His ways due to our old sin nature.

Prevent: When we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Gal. 5:16-23).

Correct: We need to confess our sin to God and others, and make amends. We must rely on God to change us from the inside out by His grace and power. Read: 1 Jn. 1:5-10; Matt. 5:23-25; Jn. 8:10-11

  1. Others may sin or make mistakes, that has nothing to do with us, but causes problems in our sphere of ministry.

Prevent: Apart from denying others opportunity to be involved in the same ministry we’re in, which goes contrary to God’s ways, we have to accept the reality that we live in a fallen world, the consequences of which will even affect the Church and ministries. But, we can also do our part to spur others on the love and good deeds, seeking to build them up in their walk with God, and encouraging them to walk in the Spirit so they are more prone to align with God and His ways. And, we certainly can pray for people in our sphere of ministry … regularly, not just when they’re in crisis or problems arise.

Correct: God encourages us to talk with people privately in ways that lovingly speak truth into their lives, always enveloping any confrontation in prayer, fervently asking God to work in their hearts. Read: Eph. 4:15; Gal. 6:1-2; Heb. 10:24; James 5:13-16

Let’s remember Jesus’ words so we have a realistic view of ministry. He said, “In this world you will have trouble.” We may not always be able to prevent problems. But, we can have perspective and act and react in a Christ-like manner when we grasp hold of Jesus’ next statement. — “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33) — In Him, there’s a way forward.

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Resources for the Fall, a Time to Reap the Harvest

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Fall, Autumn Months, Time to Reap a Harvest
We can use the Fall Season, or Autumn months, to reflect on the blessings of Harvest time. We’re reminded about the principle of sowing and reaping which applies not only to crops but also to our lives. Take time to read these verses: Galatians 6:9, Hebrews 12:11, James 3:18, 5:7-8

Ideas for Reflecting on the Blessings of Harvest During the Fall Season

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1) Use displays and decorations depicting the Fall Season.

Bulletin Boards for Autumn:

Decorations for the Fall Season:

2) Provide reminders on handouts of various kinds.

Bulletins for Fall:

Offering Envelopes:

Objects or Tokens:

3) Provide hands-on activities with reminders, like crafts and games for children.

4) Hold Fall Festivals and promote activities related to Autumn.

Make the Most of the Holidays During the Autumn Months

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The Way God Made Us Gives People a Choice to Make

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God Made People Capable of Making Choices
After God created the heavens and earth and all that was in it, He put the people He made in a garden that contained all they needed (Gen. 1-2). It was also a place God walked among them (Gen. 3:8) so they enjoyed blessed fellowship with Him.

God wanted people to choose to stay in fellowship with Him because He also wanted a love relationship with them. Without being given a choice of whether to obey Him or not, the relationship would be nothing more than robotic servitude. So, God told them they could eat from any of the trees except one. And, He made it clear that a choice not to obey this one command would come with consequences.

God Made People Capable of Choosing

Being made in the image of God, humans had a will that enabled them to make choices. Would they choose to surrender to this one command of God or do what they wanted? He would not force obedience. They needed to decide if all they had with Him was enough.

Implications: Since God Himself doesn’t force people into a relationship with Himself, let’s be careful not to use tactics to coerce or manipulate people. We must faithfully speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15) but in the end, people are responsible for their own choices. We cannot make them believe or obey. Let’s be careful we don’t turn people into hypocrites by externally conforming in order to look the part.

People Won’t Always Make the Right Choice

Being omniscient, God knew what Adam and Eve would choose to do. But, He gave them the ability to choose anyway because He wanted people to want to be in a relationship with Him and to willingly participate in His plans and purposes.

God went to extremes to show people how much He loved them and wanted to be in a relationship with Him, but many still rejected Him, choosing their own way. Ultimately He sent Jesus who would die on the cross in their place. — “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (Jn. 1:11-13)

Implications: Let’s be real. Not everyone we share the Gospel with will put their trust in Jesus. Not everyone we teach will take what they learn and apply it to their lives. Not everyone we give benevolently to will be grateful and pass it forward. People won’t always make the right choices. But, let’s not get discouraged. God made people with a will to choose. We are responsible to faithfully minister to others. They are responsible for how they respond.

Choices Come with Consequences

Yes, in the end, each person is responsible for themselves. And, each person will reap the consequences of their choices. Adam and Eve chose to do the one thing God warned them about. They suffered immediate consequences, being expelled from the garden and losing that face to face intimacy with God (Gen. 3). And, their choice brought on long term consequences, with people being born thereafter with a sin nature. Sin has marred lives ever since.

Implications: Let’s not candy coat the issue. We reap what we sow. We can’t make people believe or trust God but we can help them make informed choices.

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The Way God Made Us Gives People Purpose

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God Made People to Have Purpose
In the beginning God created the heavens and earth. After separating light from darkness and gathering the water so dry land would appear, He told the land to produce different kinds of plants and vegetation. After putting lights in the sky to separate day from night, He made creatures to fill the waters and winged birds to fly in the sky. Finally, He created animals of different sorts to roam the land, culminating with His creation of human beings.

People, made in His image and likeness, would be special and superior. While all He created had a purpose, the way God made people gave them a significant purpose to fulfill for which they would be responsible.

A Participation with God’s Work

From the beginning God made it clear that He wanted people to work in cooperation with Him. He brought the animals He had created “to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name” (Gen. 2:19). Certainly God didn’t need people’s help, and could undoubtedly have done a better job Himself, but He wanted people involved. Participation, not perfection, was His goal.

Through the pages of Scripture we continue reading of God getting people involved in His work here on earth in various ways. Even today, we are to be “co-workers in God’s service” (1 Cor. 3:9).

Implications: Let’s make sure we not only provide opportunities for people to serve in the church but also help them understand that ministry is about purposefully participating with our All-Powerful, Creator God. Each person’s part is significant to Him and therefore should be to us as well.

As members of His Church, we have been given special empowerments, called spiritual gifts, to serve in cooperation with Him as dispensers of His grace. — “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Pet. 4:10) — People will be more prone to get involved when they sense a purpose in what they’re doing and they feel they are equipped to succeed. (For more on spiritual gifting, go to: Spiritual Gifts Resources)

A Purpose That’s a Stewardship

Having been made in the image and likeness of God, people had the ability to “rule over” all the other creation. God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” (Gen. 1:26). They were “to be fruitful and increase, to subdue and rule over the rest of creation” (Gen. 1:28). “God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” (Gen. 2:15)

Implications: Since God made humans to be responsible, let’s encourage one another to be faithful stewards of all He’s given us. We will one day stand before Him accountable (1 Cor. 3:9-15). Let’s make the most of every opportunity (Eph. 5:15-16).

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The Way God Made Us Makes People Social Beings

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God Made People Social Beings, Relating with InterdependenceWhen God created the heavens and earth, He weaved it together in such a way that one thing connect to or needed the other — an interdependence. The very order in which He created depicts how one thing sustains another. Though everything was made for man to enjoy and provided the needed sustenance, God determined man needed more — “a helper suitable for him” (Gen. 2:18). He noted, “it is not good for the man to be alone” (Gen. 2:18). Hence, from the beginning, people were made to be interdependent, social beings. Surely, this has implications for ministry.

God Made People Social Beings to be in a Relationship with Him and Others

God gave Adam someone to connect with on the same level, another human being. They could communicate with one another in a way not possible with other created beings. They could experience an interdependence on the mental, emotional, and spiritual levels, not just physically.

In addition to being created to relate with other humans, people were made to have fellowship with God. It appears that in the beginning, before the fall, God would walk with Adam and Eve in the garden (Gen. 3:8). They undoubtedly talked as they walked. Though such fellowship would be blocked when they chose to sin against Him, God still made a way for people to enjoy a relationship with Him.

Implications: Let’s put our primary emphasis on developing relationships, first with God and then with one another. Remember, the Greatest Commandments are to love God with all of who we are and then to love others (Matt. 22:37-40). When we focus on relationships, we get beyond mere religious activity. We stress fellowship with God as the answer to our deepest need. We follow God’s design for Body Life in the Church wherein we care for one another in meaningful ways.

God Made People to Relate with One Another in a Supplementary Way

Though another human being, Eve wasn’t exactly the same as Adam. She was compatible but differed in ways that enabled them to compliment and supplement one another. The oneness they were to experience (Gen. 2:24) didn’t require them to look and act the same. Rather, it was dependent on them being different.

Implications: Let’s remember that God’s initial intent to bring unity out of diversity continues. It can be seen in how He established the Church (Eph. 2:11-22), bringing together two very different, even hostile, people groups to be one in Him. When we celebrate each other, respecting and accepting those different from us, we learn and grow in ways not possible on our own. Let’s promote an interdependence in our relationships with one another.

For More About God’s Design for Interdependence in the Church, Go To: Resources on Body Life

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The Way God Made Us Gives People Value

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All God Created is Good and Has Value with People Most Significant

We have a creative God who made the heavens and earth (Gen. 1:1). Everything God made was “very good” (Gen. 1:31), giving value to all He created. But, His final work, mankind, had more significance than anything else. People weren’t just the culmination of His creative activity. They were special and superior.

The way God made us has implications for our ministries and relationships.

Two Reasons God’s Creation of People Gives Them Value

1) God made people special.

“God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them.” (Gen. 1:27) Of no other created being or thing do we read of it being created in God’s likeness. Having been made in the image of God gives people value unlike anything else He made. People are special.

Implications: Let’s help each other find our worth in Him. We are “fearfully and wonderfully made”, a reason to live a life of praise and thanksgiving (Ps. 139:14). And, let’s treat people with dignity and respect. No wonder Jesus said that whatever we do for even those who seem to be the least among us, it’s like we’re doing it to Him (Matt. 25:35-45).

2) God made people superior.

Having been made in the image of God, people are capable of ruling over all other creatures He made (Gen. 1:26, 28). The Psalmist prayed, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet …” (Ps. 8:4-9)

Implications: Let’s keep a people first perspective. People should take priority over programs, objects, or any other created thing. Let’s not lose sight of the value God places on people.

Bottom Line: We value the people God made because He does.

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