Category Archives: Reflections on Ministry

We hear a good bit about how the Church needs to be relevant in order to reach the world around us. Is relevancy something we should concern ourselves with as Christians? Perhaps the importance of being relevant in ministry depends on how we define it.

What It Means Biblically for the Church to be Relevant

Looking at synonyms for the word helps us see that being relevant is about making a connection for/with people that helps them see the significance and applicability of truth to their lives. Hence, we’re showing how pertinent or important and useful it is to them. To be relevant, then, somehow we must make a connection between where people are and where we want to take them or what we want to teach them.

We’re not talking about becoming so much like the world that people can’t distinguish between us. As followers of Jesus Christ, we’re called to be set apart — holy as He is holy (1 Pet. 1:15). We conform to Jesus, not to the world around us (Rom. 12:1-2). We remain “the pillar and foundation of truth” as the Church of the living God (1 Tim. 3:15).

Yet, being set apart doesn’t mean we’re aloof, untouchable, or superior. Think about Jesus, “who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Phil. 2:6-7). He was even criticized for patronizing with sinners and tax collectors (Matt. 11:19). Surely His incarnation provides the greatest example of what it means to be relevant. He made that connection, showing people what God is like (Jn. 1:18) and how to be in a relationship with Him (Jn. 17:20-21).

The Importance of Relevancy in Ministry

Given Jesus’ example, being relevant is a matter of Christlikeness. The Apostle Paul, who stressed how He wanted to know Christ and become like Him in all things (Phil. 3:10), provides some key commentary about the importance of relevancy in ministry. He said, “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” He then went on to mention different people groups and how he adapted to them, concluding with, ” I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” (1 Cor. 9:19-22)

The goal of making these connections with people is to affect their lives with the truth of the Gospel. Relevancy helps people better understand truth and see its importance which in turn motivates them to believe and appropriate it to their lives.

The questions we ask next will be:

• How Can We as a Church be Relevant?
• Is Anything More Important than Being Relevant?

The beginning chapters of Genesis teach us so much about our wise, powerful, and creative God who made the heavens and earth. We can also learn a good bit about the people He created. We would do well to apply these lessons to ministry and any kind of relating we have with people. It only makes sense that we do that which lines up with the way God made us.

How God Made Us

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Gen. 1:27)

Here’s what we can learn about how God made people as seen in Genesis 1-2. He made us as …

1. physical beings.
2. significant, superior beings.
3. social beings.
4. beings that have purpose.
5. beings that can make choices.

Click on the above links to look at each of these points and consider the implications for ministry.

Difference It Makes in Ministry Whether or Not We Truly Believe God Created Us

If we don’t take the creation chapters in Genesis seriously, we’ll have problems in ministry. If we don’t believe God created us …

• we won’t see the need to line up with how Scripture portrays people.
• we won’t place the value He does on each individual human being.
• we won’t sense an accountability to Him for how we treat others.

When we do, however, hold to the veracity of the creation account, we have perspective in ministry. We better understand that we should …

• reach and teach in ways that align with how God made people.
• treat people with dignity and respect as those made in the image of God.
• grasp that how we treat others matters to God.

Please Note: The intent of this series is not to debate the creation account. Should you have questions or doubts, please take time to look at the resources under the ‘Evolution’ tab at: Ministry Resources: Life Issues

Only God is infinite! When we understand that, we will stop trying to do ministry in our own strength. When we grasp how limited we are and realize how immeasurable His character, abilities, and ways are, we will cease striving with our own limited resources and know that He is God (Ps. 46:10).

Difference Between an Infinite God and Finite Human Beings

We are able to serve so much better when we acknowledge that we can’t but He can. Here are some differences between God and us:

• God doesn’t need to prepare. He can say a word and it is done. He has unlimited power to change lives. We have an infinite God!

We need to be prepared in ministry but no amount of preparation is going to give us limitless power to affect change.

• God sees the beginning from the end and knows how to get there. He has limitless wisdom and purity that keeps Him from contradicting Himself. We have an infinite God!

We aren’t always sure what to do and sometimes do the opposite of what we intend.

• God knows all things all the time. He can empathize completely. His understanding isn’t merely mental but also experiential through the advent of His Son (Heb. 4:15). We have an infinite God!

We can try to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes to gain a better understanding but we still won’t fully grasp what others experience and feel.

• God has unlimited means in bringing people to Himself. What is impossible with man is possible with God (Matt. 19:26). We have an infinite God!

We can try to “be all things to all men” to try to gain inroads into their lives but ultimately we will be limited in what we’re able to do.

Serve Better By Trusting in a God Who Alone is Infinite

Finite beings need an infinite God to accomplish anything of eternal value. Jesus said it well in John 15:5, — “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” Knowing this leads to no other recourse but to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him”. The result? “He will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5-6).

Only an infinite God is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us” (Eph. 3:20). He has limitless resources. Let’s cease striving and know that He is God (Ps. 46:10).

Nothing limits our infinite God. Consider all His various attributes using the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download to understand just how limitless He is in all aspects of His being. The more we grasp who He is, the greater will be our trust in Him.

What works with one person might not be the best approach for the next person. We have varying personalities, learning styles, backgrounds, intelligences, and we are at different places in our walk with God. Consequently, my style of doing certain things may not be your style which will have an effect on how we serve others. Taking a one size fits all approach may lessen ministry effectiveness.

My Style May Not Fit Your Style

We may have different bents or preferences. We may have differing needs. For example:

The way I came to know the Lord as my Savior might not have affected you the same way.

My approach to daily personal time with the Lord might not be as meaningful to you.

How I memorize Scripture might not work well for you.

The track I follow in training efforts might not be what you need.

How I teach or how I learn might not fit your learning style.

How I most like to worship may not be your preference.

Suggestions for Dealing with Varying Styles as We Serve

The Apostle Paul understood how people are different and provided his approach in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22 from which we can pull some implications for ourselves in serving others.

1. We must get beyond the effects of ministry on ourselves. And, we must guard against projecting our own ways onto others.

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. (1 Cor. 9:19)

2. We need to meet people where they are if we want to have the greatest impact in their lives.

To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. (1 Cor. 9:20-22a)

3. We should avoid cookie cutter approaches when possible and use a variety of means in reaching and ministering to people.

I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. (1 Cor. 9:22b)

In churches and ministries it’s important for leaders, teachers, and other workers to be on the same page in ministry in terms of basic doctrine but also the Church’s purpose, design, and mission. When they are not, confusion and conflict can easily creep in and sometimes even destroy the work.

Getting Everyone on the Same Page in Ministry in Regard to the Essentials

We must distinguish between essentials (i.e., basic doctrine, God’s purposes, design, and mission for the Church as found in the Word) and non-essentials (methods, forms, structures, means). Then we must determine which is causing the problem.

If a non-essential, perhaps we need to extend a little grace to one another. It may not be our preference or style, but it isn’t worth destroying the work of God for a non-essential (Rom. 14:12-20).

If we differ on something essential, then we have a problem that we must work through. Together we must bring the issue before God in prayer. We must learn what He says about it from His Word. Fighting for our own preferences or opinions, rather than seeking to align with God and His Word, inevitably will lead to greater conflict and consternation.

We need to lean on the Spirit for discernment (1 Cor. 2:9-16) so we see the real issue. If we don’t, we probably won’t work through our differences. Then we won’t understand why something that seems like a non-essential causes so much trouble.

Teachers have complained and quit over not having freedom to do their own thing when the real issue was not wanting to support the church’s doctrinal position or perhaps they weren’t clear on the purpose for which they were teaching.

Churches have split seemingly because of building issues or methodology when the real issue was philosophy of ministry based on differing views of the how the Church is to function.

In-fighting has ensued in board meetings over continuance or discontinuance of programs, allocation of funds, etc. when the real issue was that they didn’t have the same view of the church’s overall purpose and mission.

A Plan to Get People on God’s Page

If you’re a leader, work toward building a culture more concerned with doing ministry God’s way rather than having everybody do what’s right in their own eyes. Part of that will involve Bible teaching but also being an example of someone who continually seeks to align with the character and ways of God. Obviously that will require making sure you are on page with God’s overall purposes, design, and mission as found in His Word. And, it will undoubtedly require putting safeguards in place to keep yourself and the church or ministry on track.

When recruiting people for ministry, communicate this intent and train them on what it means to align with God’s purposes, design, and mission in their respective ministries. Here are some resources from Ministry Tools Resource Center that could give you a start in your training.

The Steering the Church Leadership Guides can be used for you own personal alignment or with your leadership team to work through biblical teaching about God’s purposes, design, and mission for the Church. The objective is to use God as our point of reference, our north star, not merely what we think should be happening or what other churches might be doing.

The Christian Education Leadership Team Training Session can help the Christian Education ministry of your church get on the same page in regard to its overall goal — that of seeing changed lives — and to understand what it will take to progressively move forward toward that goal. The session can be used with leadership who in turn can then train teachers in their sphere of influence using the Teaching for Changed Lives Workbook.

A one-time training event won’t be enough to build this kind of culture. Since we humans tend to be forgetful, we need continued reminders. And, we must keep open channels of communication with one another to prayerfully discuss issues in ways that keep bringing us back to God as the One with whom we must align.