Church Life | Christian Ministry Training Blog

Results of Body Life

Posted on June 26, 2019 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Training Category: Body Life

Body Life Results in Unity out of Diversity Are you tired of all the petty conflicts and splits in the Church? Are you stuck in status quo? Are you concerned about what seems to be a lack of interest in being part of a local church?

God has provided a blueprint for how we are to function as His Body that enables us to flourish in the midst of all the diversity within the Church. The more we follow His plan, the greater our potential becomes to experience some very beneficial results.

3 Results of Body Life According to God’s Design

While following God’s design for the Church is a matter of obedience, the pragmatic value should provide added motivation to truly function as the Body He intends for us to be.

1) Church Unity

Only when we learn to submit to one another and truly care for one another will we see unity in the midst of all the diversity in the church.

2) Church Growth

Body life produces a healthy environment of interdependence in which people want to do their part, using their spiritual gifts. Ephesians 4:16 says that it is as everybody does their part that the church grows.

3) Church Attendance

When the church functions as a body, people gain a sense of community or belonging. This generates a commitment. People actually begin to WANT TO meet together as His Church.

The Body Life Ministry Manual includes these results but also provides some related Scripture for each point with questions for further reflection along with other input about Body Life.

3 Things People Want from the Church

Posted on June 5, 2019 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

If we surveyed everyone about what they most want from the Church, I’m sure we’d have more than three responses. If we get below the surface, we’d undoubtedly find some common threads. Here are three things to consider that have some biblical merit. Ask yourself if people would find these qualities in your church. Pray about how you can become more of this kind of Church.

What do people want from the Church?

What People Want from the Church 1) People want the Church to be an accepting community of caring and compassionate people.

Can we disagree yet still value people? Can people be different from us and still feel like they belong? Do we speak the truth in love? Churches perceived as primarily confrontational, even hostile, tend to be known more for what they’re against than what they are for. If we aren’t careful, the truth we stand for, the message we proclaim, can get lost in our approach.

Let’s remember that being grace-filled churches doesn’t mean compromising truth or godly living.

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14)

2) People want the Church comprised of, and helping others to be, authentic disciples who love Jesus and want to share His love with others.

Are people turned off by Jesus or by the way the Church represents Jesus? Is it really that people don’t want to grow spiritually or that they’re not into our programs and methods? Are people getting the impression that it’s all about Jesus or that it’s about allegiance to an institution? Churches perceived as being more concerned about external conformity or mere head knowledge versus internal transformation and a love relationship with Jesus, tend to be known as legalistic and out of touch with people’s real needs.

Let’s remember that Jesus identified love for God and others as the greatest commandments, providing the framework for the Church’s primary purpose.

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matt. 22:37-40)

3) People want the Church to be accountable stewards who are willing to be transparent about how they use their resources.

Do people really care more about the size of our budget, staff, technology, and building or about how we use what resources we have for the greatest good? Are we more concerned with impacting people or impressing them? Does the way we approach these matters showcase our great and holy God or produce more skepticism and distrust in people? Churches perceived as poor or unworthy stewards of physical resources tend to lose credibility in spiritual matters as well.

Let’s remember that the big picture matters to God and can affect our testimony.

… do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. (Rom. 14:16)

For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man. (2 Cor. 8:21)

Are We Noticing People?

Posted on May 22, 2019 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Have you ever been to a church where people walk right by you without making any kind of eye contact or acknowledgement of your presence? How are we going to enjoy fellowship with one another or meet needs if we aren’t even noticing people?

If we don’t see that furrowed brow, we may not know to ask if we can pray with them about the stress or anxiety they’re experiencing. When we don’t notice their clenched fist or tight jaw line, we probably won’t address anger eating away at them. If we don’t look at their slumped posture or glossy eyes, we may not realize their need for us to extend comfort or encouragement.

People won’t always come to us. They often won’t tell us their needs. But, a few observations give us a starting place for reaching out.

Scriptural Examples of Noticing People

As Jesus walked this earth, He would see, or notice, the people around Him and their needs and feel compassion which moved Him to action (Matt. 9:36; 14:14; 15:32). — “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” (Matt. 14:14)

The Apostle Paul, in proclaiming Jesus to the people of Athens, observed their way of life and used it to illustrate their need for Jesus. — “I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship – and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.” (Acts 17:22-23)

Why Noticing Matters

Noticing people and what’s going on in their lives can do the following:

gives us a starting point — sometimes one of the hardest parts of witnessing or meeting needs

helps us break down barriers, even bridge cultural divides

gets people’s attention

gives people a sense that we care

What Noticing Requires of Us

Truly noticing others requires that we look outside of our own little world and see what’s happening around us.

Sometimes that doesn’t come easy or naturally due to personality or issues in our own lives. We may need to make a purposeful effort to be more observant so we at least try.

Sometimes we’re too biased to see accurately. We may need to let go of our pride or insecurities so we can see clearly.

Sometimes we’re more consumed with what we need or want from people that we give little heed to what they might need or want. We may need to learn what it means to love others as we love ourselves (Matt. 22:39) so we even care about noticing people.

Sometimes we’re just too busy to look attentively. We may need to slow down some so we can be more mindful of the world around us.

If we want to touch people’s lives, we’ve got to begin by noticing them. What to do next may be obvious based on what we’ve noticed but we might need to learn more. Consequently, our next step may be listening to them. We must then ask if we not only notice people but also if we listen to them. Go to: Listening Skills

Bible Verses for Ministry Focus

Posted on April 10, 2019 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Bible Verses about Ministry Focus on God

When we focus on God’s character, heart, and ways, ministry becomes about Him and not us. Reflect on the following Bible verses for a ministry focus that helps make John the Baptist’s words a reality for us when he said about our Lord, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (Jn. 3:30, KJV).

Bible Verses that Put the Focus on God’s Character Rather Than Who We Are

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? (Num. 23:19)

I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. (Ps. 89:1-2)

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. (Ps. 105:4)

Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. (Ps. 115:1)

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal. (Isa. 26:3-4)

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5)

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith (Heb. 12:1-2)

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

Bible Verses That Point to God’s Heart and Pleasing Him Rather Than Focusing on How We Feel

… God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do. (Acts 13:22)

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. (Ps. 51:16-17)

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. (Ps. 147:10-11)

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. (Mic. 7:18-19)

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 Jn. 4:7)

Bible Verses Encouraging us to Keep our Ministry Focus on God’s Ways Instead of What We Do

As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. (Ps. 18:30)

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. (Ps. 46:10)

Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. (Ps. 86:11)

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, … (Ps. 105:4-5)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Prov. 3:5-6)

Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully. (Prov. 28:5)

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matt. 6:33)

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. (Rom. 8:5-7)

so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, (Col. 1:10)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Col. 3:1-2)

The Ministry God’s Way Discipleship Tool asks some questions about the above verses to help you further reflect on focusing on God’s character, heart, and ways. It also uses John the Baptist’s example for some cues to help us know where we might be putting our focus. This resource examines 8 other elements involved in doing ministry God’s way.

Biblical Worship

Posted on April 3, 2019 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

Paging through the Bible we find some differences in how God instructed His people, Israel, to worship in the Old Testament, and how He instructed the Church, in the New Testament.

Though worship before Christ changed after Christ, the essence of worshiping remained the same, making those realities of worship applicable for us today.

Worship in the Old Testament

For the Israelites, worship centered around God’s presence and glory in the temple with other specific locations prior to the building of the temple (Jn. 4:21). The Israelites worshiped through scheduled and regulated feasts and literal sacrifices (Leviticus).

Though they put great importance on place and method, we still find instances of individual, spontaneous, and varied means of expression.

Worship in the New Testament

For the Church, worship centered around God’s presence at any location, where even two or three gathered (Matt. 18:20) and was to be done in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:21-24). Worship involved the whole of life and spiritual sacrifices (Rom. 12:1).

Though great importance was put on the heart, we still find instances of meeting in a place and planning for a specific or designated means of expression.

Essence of Biblical Worship Today

While differences existed between the Old and New Testament worship, some truths about worship weave though both Testaments. Certainly these must be truths that take us to the essence of biblical worship and should affect worship through all times.

God’s presence could never be contained in a building or place (2 Chron. 2:6; 6:18). Though God met with the Israelites in a set place, the place was not the source of glory. He was and still is the focus no matter where we worship.

God’s character never changes (Ps. 102:25-27; Heb. 13:8; James 1:17). We worship the same God. Though the form of worship might change, He doesn’t. He is still totally worthy of all we can offer Him.

He desires a heart response from His people and not mere outward conformity. Jesus quoted from an Old Testament passage when He said, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Matt. 9:13; 12:7; Mic. 6:6-8; Hos. 6:6). Though it may be expressed outwardly, God looks for worship that flows from the inside out.

When we hold to these eternal truths, no matter what the style or location, we can still worship.

Lack Evidence of Spiritual Gifting?

Posted on December 19, 2018 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

All Gifted for Effectual Ministry but Some Lack Evidence of Spiritual GIfting

God gives believers spiritual gifts as His means of empowering them for the ministry He intends for them to do. While some may be unsure about what their spiritual gifts are, others may doubt if they’re even gifted.

The Bible says all believers have at least one spiritual gift.

Written in the context of spiritual gifting, we find verses like the following:

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Cor. 12:7)

… he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Cor. 12:11)

But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them just as He wanted them to be. (1 Cor. 12:18)

God’s Word also exhorts us to use whatever gift He has given us. The following verse can’t be clearer about God’s endowment of at least one spiritual gift on “each” believer as well as His expectations about what “each one” of us is to do with that gift(s):

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others. (1 Pet. 4:10)

If all believers have at least one gift, why do some lack evidence of spiritual gifting?

The reason could differ from one person to another. Some possible reasons include:

ignorance about spiritual gifts and God’s design for the Body (1 Cor. 12:1)
disobedience (1 Pet. 4:10-11)
neglect (1 Tim. 4:14)
not in fellowship with the Lord (Jn. 15:4-5)
failure to develop their gift (2 Tim. 1:6)
lack of love which exhibits itself in self-centeredness (Jn. 14:15; 21:15-17; Gal. 5:13)

Each person needs to examine their own heart and take appropriate steps which could include learning more, repenting, equipping, or growing spiritually.

Learn More in the Everybody Has a Part: Getting a Grip on Spiritual Gifts Book.