Ministry Objectives

Posted on July 18, 2018 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Ministry Commandments Aimed at What Matters Most to God, the Greatest Commandments When talking about ministry objectives we must consider what matters most to God. While we find many of His priorities throughout Scripture that we can turn into objectives, we’ll concentrate on that which Jesus identified as the Greatest Commandments since He said, “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matt. 22:40).

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. (Matt. 22:37-39)

Ministry Objectives That Aim at What Matters Most to God

If we break down Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:37-39, we can pull out these six objectives for ministry so we aim at what matters most to God.

We must always make sure we keep God first in ministry, not the ministry itself or the people we serve.

Ministry should be about loving God and others, not mere activity.

Our objective for ourselves and for those we serve should be that we become more fully devoted followers of Jesus who love God with ALL of who we are.

We must aim for inward change, not mere external conformity.

People should always matter more than our programs, technology, and methodology.

To be the servants God wants us to be, we must also guard our own hearts and nurture that love for God and people within ourselves.

The Ministry God’s Way Discipleship Tool provides a brief explanation for each of the above objectives along with some guidelines for establishing ministry objectives. It also looks at eight other key elements to doing ministry God’s way.

Ministry Alignment

Posted on May 23, 2018 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Ministry Alignment

To do ministry God’s way, we need to align with the right standard. That to which we align will determine what we emphasize as well as the processes we use. For example, . . .

We can align with the ways of the world.

We can align with tradition, the way our Church has always operated.

Or, we can align with God, His character and ways.

Alignment with anything or anyone other than God leaves us with purposes and priorities that fall short and processes that end up flawed. Only alignment with God provides us with a perfect standard, one that’s always true, always dependable, always best.

For more on how each of the above affects what we emphasize as well as the processes we use, check out the Ministry God’s Way Discipleship Tool. This resource also looks at what’s required to align with God and the results of doing so. In addition to Ministry Alignment, this tool looks at 8 other elements of doing ministry God’s way.

Realistic Expectations in Ministry

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

We tend to go into ministry with expectations but are they realistic expectations? Jesus sought to help His disciples gain the right perspective. He told them of pending trouble as they served Him and then said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33).

Ministry will not be problem-free. If we set our expectations too high, expecting that everything will run smoothly and that everyone will accept and agree with us, then we are in for some surprises that might disillusion or discourage us, even cause us to quit.

Ministry will not be filled with nothing but insurmountable problems. Going into ministry with too low of expectations can lead to half-hearted efforts.

Ministry will have both ups and downs but we can make it through and even thrive regardless of the circumstances. Such realistic expectations are based on two words Jesus spoke in John 16:33 — “in me” — because He is the Overcomer!

Why Maintaining Realistic Expectations is Important:

Realistic expectations are essential to our peace.
Realistic expectations are essential to wading through troubles that can come in ministry.
Realistic expectations have effects on our level of commitment
Realistic expectations have effects on how we view and treat those we serve.

If we maintain realistic expectations, we will be able to diligently serve even with joy in our hearts regardless of the circumstances.

Realistic Expectations are Not an Excuse for Lack of Faith:

Jesus is the one who suggested that we have realistic expectations when He said, “In this world you will have trouble.” We cannot, however, stop there because Jesus continued, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” With God all things are possible.

Christ-like Communication: Applicational

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

Christ-like Communication is Applicational Jesus wanted His words to affect people. Read through the Gospels and you will find the following aspects of Christ-like communication:

authoritative
awareness
available
approachable
attentive
authentic
adaptable
applicational

Jesus didn’t want people to merely know truth but to live it. Consequently . . .

He moved beyond theory to relating what He said to their every day lives.

Think of how He used objects and terminology familiar to people’s lives to get His points across to help them understand the implications for life. (farming, fishing, sheep, etc.)

He took people beyond the familiar to higher levels.

Rather than simply rehearse the commandments with them, He helped them understand the ramifications of lust to adultery, anger to murder, etc. He made the familiar commandments seem more real to their lives. They might not murder someone but they could easily get angry. (Matt. 5:20-29)

He went beyond seeking verbal commitments or good intentions to steps people could take immediately.

When Jesus asked people to follow Him, He expected them to immediately leave what they were doing. He questioned the intentions of people who wanted to turn back for some reason and do something else first. (Matt. 4:19-20; Lk. 9:57-62)

Obviously Jesus didn’t just like to hear Himself speak when He communicated with others. He wanted to see changed lives. He wanted to build up the lives of those with whom he spoke.

Implications for Us in Ministry:

Think through the implications of this for the teaching-learning process. Bible teachers can get help through the Application: It’s God’s Idea, Not Merely a Good Idea Worksheet.

Also think through the implication of this for church leadership. Leaders will find help in the Christ-like Communication Guide for Church Leaders.

What Really Matters in Ministry?

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 5 Comments ↓

What really matters in ministry? —

Having smooth-running programs and classes?
Doing things right, doing them well?
Keeping people interested and coming back?

Good management is important. That is why you will find leadership training on the MinTools.com site. That is why you will find classroom discipline resources for effectively managing the classroom.

Good methodology is important. That is why you will find a sample teaching method on the MinTools.com site. That is why you will find an article dealing with methodology in ministry.

Yet, we must ask if that’s what matters most to God.

What Matters Most in Ministry According to God

In God’s economy, “being” who you should be is more important than doing. That is why you find a sample Be-Attitude on the MinTools.com site, as well as articles stressing leader qualities on the TrainChurchLeaders.com site.

When you are who you should be, you will be a blessing to others. Who you are can be a greater blessing than what you do. As you become more and more conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, others will be encouraged in their walk. That is the greatest benefit anyone can receive from you. Proverbs 10:7 says that even “the memory of the righteous will be a blessing.”

Further, when we the church are who we should be, others who do not know the Lord will notice and be drawn to Him. The early church devoted themselves to what was important and “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42-47).

What really matters in ministry? —

Being who God wants us to be!
Lining up with Him and His ways!
Reflecting Jesus in all we say and do!

Be who you should be and you will tend to do what you should do!

Ministry Expectations

Posted on October 6, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

Ministry Expectations Check List Sometimes we go into ministry with high expectations that soon begin to crumble.

We expect God to bless our work …. on our terms.
We expect people to cooperate and agree …. with our agenda.
We expect all will go well … according to our standards.

When it doesn’t, we become discouraged and possibly disillusioned. Consequently, we then fail to experience and extend the full potential of life in Christ.

Jesus said, “. . . I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (Jn. 10:10).

Ministry Expectations in Line with the Life Jesus Came to Give Us

Life abundant doesn’t necessarily mean a lot of wealth and material goods but rather the things that really matter which are sufficient regardless of our circumstances.

The Apostle Paul understood this when he said, “I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Phil. 4:12). Paul experienced the full life Jesus came to give!

Paul went on to say in Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Earlier in chapter three, he stated his life ambition: “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death” (Phil. 3:10). Paul knew that living in the fullness of Christ would not put him on “Easy Street.”

Jesus never said that the abundant life would be problem-free. And, He certainly never said that it would be defined by our expectations. When we accept these realities, we are ready to experience the full life He came to give. We will not only get the most out of life but we will also put our all into life through ministry. All we do will reflect the full life He came to give.

Right before informing us about that abundant life He came to give, Jesus said . . .

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” (Jn. 10:10).

Thieves minimize life. Jesus came to maximize it. Let’s not let our own ministry expectations become those thieves that rob us and others of the true blessing of life in Christ.

Let’s put all of who we are into all of who He is. Then we will have all that truly matters and will be free to extend that to others as we serve.