Category Archives: Ministry Focus & Equipping

Having the right ministry focus & equipping involves many factors that all must be done in the power of God to His glory out of love for Him and people.

Ministry Methodology: Principles

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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.

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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.

  1. 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)
  1. 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)
  1. 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.

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Ministry Focus

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Ministry Focus on GodThe kind of ministry focus that will truly make a difference is that which centers all attention around God — His character, heart, ways. We can too easily turn the focus onto ourselves — who we are as a Church or ministry (denomination, building, pastoral staff), what we do (programs, worship style, etc.), what we view as important (attendance, style, methodology). When our focus turns to anything other than God, it’s misplaced.

Misplaced Focus Diminishes Ministry Effectiveness

Our focus in ministry matters because

. . . it’s where we point people to.

Our words can be pointing to God, but people tend to look more in the direction we’re looking.

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. . . it’s what we use as a standard.

We can do a lot of good in ministry but still get off track and miss the mark if we aren’t doing what God views as most important. (e.g., 1 Cor. 13:1-3)

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. . . it’s who or what gets the credit.

When the focus is on us and what we do rather than on God and what He does, we fail to give Him the glory.

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The above points are listed in the Ministry God’s Way Discipleship Tool along with a reminder to keep our focus on God — His character, heart, and ways — and the difference that makes. Using John the Baptist as an example, it also give us cues as to where we might be putting our attention. In addition to Ministry Focus, this resource looks at eight other key elements of doing ministry God’s way.

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Ministry Empowerment: God’s Means

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Ministry Empowerment - God's Means of Providing PowerWe’ve already established that to do ministry God’s way, we need His power. We need to cease striving to do ministry in our own strength. When we do, we’ll see the power of God unleashed in ways that are “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Eph. 3:20).

The issue is not “if” we have this power available to us but how to pull on that power. God’s provides a variety of means for ministry empowerment that we can pull on.

God’s Means of Ministry Empowerment

The TrainChurchLeaders.com site has a section devoted to different means through which God provides us, His Church, with power, which will be listed below. To get a better grasp of those means, click on the links to read articles or check helpful books. (Please note that book links may take you to books on one of our affiliate sites which may use cookies to track your activity to ensure that Ministry Tools Resource Center gets commissions from any sales.)

– Gospel Message of the Cross

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes … (Rom. 1:16)

– Grace

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. (1 Cor. 15:10)

– Holy Spirit

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses … (Acts 1:8)

– His Name

I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. (Jn. 17:11)

– Prayer

… The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

– Resurrection

I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection … (Phil. 3:10)

– Scripture

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Heb. 4:12)

– Spiritual Gifts

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. 4:10-11)

– Spiritual Weaponry

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (2 Cor. 10:4)

***Learn more about each of these means in the Steering the Church Toward God’s Power Leadership Guide along with a more general look at God at the Church’s source of power. This resource also looks at how God’s power is needed in twenty-five different tasks or responsibilities leaders must either do themselves or oversee.***

***Also check out the Ministry God’s Way Discipleship Tool which contains a section on Ministry Empowerment along with eight other elements involved in doing ministry God’s way.***

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Ministry Empowerment: Divine Power

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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 PowerWe 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.

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Ministry Effectiveness

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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.

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Ministry Alignment

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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.

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