Ministry Process & Results | Christian Ministry Training Blog

Biblical Basis for Ministry Assessments?

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

The Staffing Ministry section of this site identifies ministry assessment as an element of an effective staffing ministry. The TrainChurchLeaders.com site lists assessments as a church leadership skill.

But, is there a Biblical Basis for Doing Ministry Assessments?

As with anything we do as individual Christians or as a Body of believers, we must ask if it’s biblical. Look at God’s Word and you will find that ministry assessments are:

1) Evidenced in the character and ways of God.

God evaluates both what is outwardly visible, as seen in the creation account (Gen. 1), and that which is unseen, such as our hearts (Ps. 139:1-3, 23-24; Heb. 4:12). As Judge, certainly God makes assessments to arrive at His conclusions in accordance with justice and righteousness (Ps. 9:8; 1 Cor. 4:5; 1 Pet. 1:17; Rev. 20:12-13).

To Read:

2) Exhorted in the Word of God.

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways … (Prov. 14:8)

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength; for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers. (Prov. 24:3-6)

Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, … Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? … (Lk. 14:28-32)

Are we lining up with God’s ways when doing ministry assessments?

It isn’t enough to say we can or should do ministry assessments because there’s biblical basis for it. How we develop and use the assessments also need to line up as well. Some of the evidences we’re lining up with God’s ways when doing ministry assessments include:

We’re enveloping the whole process with prayer. (Prov. 3:5-6)

Prayerful Assessment Needed for Steps to Change

We’re making a conscientious effort to keep God’s purposes in the forefront.

The Right Standard for Assessments
Using Assessment Results in Ways that Line Up

We’re aware of the need for assessments to line up with God’s design for the Church.

Guard Body Life When Doing Assessments

We’re concerned about how it fits into the big picture of what God is doing.

Great Commission: Encompassing or Complicated?

Ministry Methodology: Problems

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Ministry Methodology a Problem When God & His Word Relied Upon Who God is and what He says in His Word remain true and dependable throughout the ages. We would like to think we would never compromise the unchanging message but ever so subtly, if we aren’t careful, we might start doing that which shifts our focus and priorities off of God and His Word and onto our methodology.

When Our Methodology Becomes a Problem

The Ministry God’s Way Discipleship Tool suggests the following issues as problems with our methodology and gives some brief solutions. It also considers the subtle way these problems come on.

relying on methodology more than on God

To Read:

using our methodology to impress people

To Read:

Ministry Methodology: Principles

Posted on June 27, 2018 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Ministry Methodology Changes but Not God & His Word

Churches and ministries must distinguish between the message and methodology — between the non-negotiables and the negotiables. God, as seen in His Word, never changes (Ps. 90:2; Isa. 40:8; Heb. 13:8; James 1:17).

How we present the message can, and should, change as needed (1 Cor. 9:19-22). We can take creative liberties in the presentation of the message but we must never alter the message itself. We become relevant through methodology, not compromising the message. There’s a difference between being responsive to a changing world and redefining truth.

To Read:

Principles to Follow in Our Ministry Methodology

While we could probably list a number of principles to guide us in our choice and use of methods, we will narrow it down to three points that should encompass it all. Notice the phrase “whatever you do” in the Scripture verses used for each principle. Certainly that terminology includes methodology.

Make sure we can say we are doing it in Jesus’ name. — And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus … (Col. 3:17)

Make sure we can say what we do is to God’s glory. — whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31)

Make sure we remember the one to whom we are accountable. — Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human master (Col. 3:23)

The Ministry God’s Way Discipleship Tool gives a few more thoughts to consider about each of the above principles. Ministry Methodology is one of nine different key elements to doing ministry God’s ways in this resource.

Ministry Empowerment: Divine Power

Posted on June 6, 2018 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

If we’re going to do ministry effectively, we need to do it God’s way and we need His empowerment, using His wisdom, grace, and power.

Ministry Empowerment - Cease Striving for Divine Power We need to cease striving on our own and know that He is God (Ps. 46:10). Jesus clearly stated that apart from Him, we can do nothing of eternal value (Jn. 15:5). When we rely on Him, nothing is impossible (Matt. 17:20; Phil. 4:13). His divine power gives us everything we need (2 Pet. 1:3).

Why Ministry Empowerment Needs to Come from God’s Divine Power

When we try to do ministry through our own strength and power, we’re lacking what we need to effectively do ministry and make an eternal difference. Spiritual fruit requires spiritual power. Trying to do ministry through our own wisdom, strength, and power will not yield the best results.

The Ministry God’s Way Discipleship Tool provides four reasons ministry empowerment must come from God and not from our own abilities and strength. It takes a brief look at that power available to us and guides you in reading additional Scripture, reflecting on those verses, and responding. This resource also looks at eight other elements key to doing ministry God’s way.

Whereas the Ministry God’s Way Discipleship Tool can be applicable for anyone serving in any capacity, church leaders may benefit from the Steering the Church Toward God’s Power Leadership Guide which helps them steer the Body of Christ toward appropriating God’s power. It shows how they can be an example of finding ministry empowerment in the Lord in their various leadership tasks and responsibilities.

Ministry Effectiveness

Posted on May 30, 2018 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

Sometimes we think we’re effective when we’re not in God’s eyes. And, sometimes we conclude that not much is happening but God is quite pleased and working in ways we don’t see. We finite humans tend to be narrow in the scope of how we define effectiveness.

How We View Ministry Effectiveness Versus How God Defines It

We tend to look only at the results. And, by results, we often mean what is happening outwardly, what can be seen and measured.
Ministry Effectiveness - Process vs Results

God, however, while caring about the results, puts more emphasis on the process. And, by process, He means what’s happening inwardly as well as the outward methodology or steps taken. (See 1 Cor. 10:31, Col. 3:17 for how process matters. See 1 Sam. 16:7, 1 Chron. 29:17, 1 Thess. 2:4b for the importance of the heart. See Matt. 7:16-20; Jn. 15:8; Col. 1:6, 10 for how results – fruit also matter.)

For More, Read the Following:

In addition to how God views effectiveness, the Ministry God’s Way Discipleship Tool also provides some thoughts about problems with our human view of effectiveness and benefits that come from defining it God’s way. A one page Bible study guides you in determining what God identifies as spiritual fruit, or ministry effectiveness. This resource also looks at 8 other elements of 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.