MinTools Blog Equips for Church, Ministry & Walk with God

Compassion Dissolves Excuses

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

We could come up with a number of excuses of why we can’t get involved and help those in need. Once we truly allow ourselves to feel compassion, however, it’s hard to hold on to those excuses.

An Example of How Compassion Dissolves Excuses

Why did the Good Samaritan, in Jesus’ parable, help the beaten man along the road when the priest and Levite failed to stop? They all saw the need but only of the Samaritan do we read that “he felt compassion” (Lk. 10:33-34).

We could come up with a number of excuses of why we can’t get involved and help those in need. Once we truly allow ourselves to feel compassion, however, it’s hard to hold on to those excuses. Compassion dissolves excuses, making it impossible to pass by on the other side and not get involved in People Helping Ministries.

Lack of means to help? – Compassion moves us to find something we can do to help directly or indirectly.

The priest and Levite undoubtedly had the means to personally help but if not, they could have looked to their social and religious network to do what they couldn’t. If they had compassion, they would have at least stopped and given the man some water. Or, they would have gone to get help if they truly didn’t have the means or know-how. They might have waited with the man until better help came along.

Too busy? – Compassion has a way of shifting our priorities as we make time for what we view as important.

The priest, Levite, and Samaritan were all on their way somewhere. The Good Samaritan, however, moved by compassion, did what he could, left the man in someone else’s care, and then came back when he could.

Too scared of not knowing what to say or do? – Compassion causes us to stop long enough to truly see the person and assess their needs, usually making the next step obvious.

Having gotten close enough to the injured man to see his cuts and bruises, it became clear to the Good Samaritan that the first step was to bandage the wounds. Remember, they didn’t have cell phones to call 911. They didn’t have ambulances to take the person to a hospital. Tending to the injuries was obviously the first step for the Good Samaritan.

Learn about opportunities for compassionate ministries in the People Helping Ministry Manual.

Let’s Get Honest About Serving

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Sometimes people eagerly agree to serve in a church or ministry with hopes of making a difference only to have their expectations and dreams of what it would be like dashed. Sometimes leaders, desperate to recruit workers, paint such a rosy picture that when something goes wrong, people feel disappointed and disillusioned with ministry. Sometimes seminaries and other training venues provide help with essential skills but fail to mention how, in real life, it’s not always as easy as steps 1,2,3. Inadvertently, we’re just not always being honest about serving.

If We’re Being Honest About Serving We Must Admit Certain Realities

Serving will not always go smoothly. People scheduled to help cancel at last minute. Costs for proceeding with what we’d like to do skyrocket above the budget. Equipment breaks. Not enough people show up to proceed with a planned activity. More people than we were prepared for attend. Distractions or disruptions happen.

Serving will often take more time than we realize. We may struggle to adequately prepare. The needs of those we serve may be greater than anticipated. If we aren’t careful, it can put a drain on family life or lead to personal burnout.

Disagreements and conflict happen. We may find ourselves faced with philosophical differences, theological disputes, or personality clashes. Not everyone we serve with will act and respond in a godly manner.

We will not always be treated fairly or appreciated for what we do. Deference may be given to individuals older or younger than us, of a certain gender or marital status, or in certain positions. Perhaps no one thanks us or even acknowledges all we do.

Results and the reward of serving won’t always be apparent. Not everyone will accept the truth. People won’t always change. We won’t always sense an immediate gratification. We may feel like we’re always giving but never receiving.

It’s the Other Realities that Make Ministry Worthwhile

Face it. We live in a fallen world that affects our own attitudes and responses, that of leaders and fellow ministry workers, as well those we serve (Rom. 7:14-25; Gal. 5:13-17). We have an enemy, the devil, out to discourage and defeat, “looking for someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). Jesus Himself admits that we will have trouble in this world (Jn. 16:33).

BUT, we have on our side One who has overcome the world (Jn. 16:33). He went before us and understands the problems we face, having endured so much worse yet persevered (Heb. 12:1-2). Fruitful ministry is not up to us but the Lord (Jn. 15:5).

Though ministry isn’t always easy, we can keep our “spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” (Rom. 12:11) when we “labor in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58) through whom we “can do all things” (Phil. 4:13).

In Him, through the strength He provides, ministry is worthwhile. It will not be in vain. In Him, we find the needed peace, perspective, and perseverance that enables us to rise above the negative realities in serving. Abide in Him if you want fruitful ministry (Jn. 15:5).

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Cor. 15:58)

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal. 6:9)

Holiday Resources for Making the Most of Opportunities

Posted on January 13, 2021 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Holiday Resources to Make the Most of Every Opportunity Shortly after launching the MinTools.com site in 1999, I decided to provide a few holiday resources links. Site statistics revealed a real interest in finding help over the holidays. What started as one page with holiday resources, turned into many. Go To: Ministry Resources for Holidays, Seasons, and Other Life Events

Since God’s Word does encourage us to “make the most of every opportunity” (Eph. 5:15-16; Col. 4:5), I knew this was a way to further equip believers in their ministries.

Ways Holidays are Used for Ministry

Typically we find ourselves planning special programs, activities, and events for the holidays with emphasis on:

outreach
family time
expressions of appreciation

They can also provide opportunities for sermons and teachings with targeted messages that people may be more receptive to because they’re already thinking about the topic due to the holiday. Check out this tool you can use: Holiday Reflections Discipleship Guides

How to Make the Most of the Holidays for Ministry

When reading the Bible verses about making the most of every opportunity, let’s be sure to note how both of the key passages exhorting us to do so also reference our need for wisdom. Ephesians 5:15-16 begins, “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise …” Colossians 4:5 says, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”

Here are just four issues for which we need wisdom at holidays:

We must be discerning in the type of decorations and activities we use related to the holidays so as not to send mixed messages about Truth. Do they accurately represent God and His Word?

We must be sensitive of those in our midst who find particular holidays difficult or hurtful. How can we keep the good of all in mind by the way we celebrate, the words we say, and the emphasis we put in certain aspects of it?

We must consider the best way to use church communications not only to announce programs but also to engage people about how to keep God central during the holiday. How can we utilize various means to reach people, not just the big events?

We must guard against letting members think that bringing people to big holiday events excuse them from personally witnessing, giving benevolently, spiritually nurturing their own children, etc.. What can we do to equip people to make the most of opportunities in their own spheres of influence over the holiday seasons as well as year round?

Acknowledging the need to be wise during these times, we should consider training ministry workers to at least be aware of the above points. (Example of helping Bible teachers: Holidays & Seasonal Teacher Training Resources)

And, these points certainly suggest our need to pray about the way to make the best use of these holiday opportunities. God promises to give us the wisdom we need if we ask (James 1:5).

We All Need God’s Power

Posted on January 6, 2021 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 4 Comments ↓

God’s power isn’t just for church leaders. We all need God’s power regardless of how we might serve.

That’s why the Steering the Church Toward God’s Power Leadership Guide addresses a leader’s responsibility to not just point people to God’s power but be an example of pulling on that power in all they do. (Click on the link to learn more about that resource.)

God’s power isn’t just for church ministry. We all need God’s power wherever we are, in whatever we’re doing. God’s power isn’t just for “normal” times. We all need His power during whatever the season of life in which we find ourselves.

Availability of God’s Power

God will help us live for Him no matter the circumstances, in whatever we have to do.

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him … (2 Pet. 1:3)

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know … his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead … (Eph. 1:18-20)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us … (Eph. 3:20-21)

Notice in the above verses how the power He makes available is divine (supernatural), incomparably great, and immeasurably more than we could even conceive on our own. It’s the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and will one day raise us as well (1 Cor. 15:51-58).

We All Need God's Power

Tapping into God’s Power

It begins “through our knowledge of him …” (2 Pet. 1:3). Take time to get to know Him better. The more fully we know Him as the Great God He is, — the Almighty One, the Creator of heaven and earth, — the more we will learn to rely on Him. We will cease striving and let God be God in and through our lives (Ps. 46:10).

Biblical Spirituality Reflects the Spirit’s Work in Lives

Posted on December 30, 2020 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Biblical Spirituality Reflects the Spirit's Work
While biblical spirituality ties into who we are in Christ, it’s the Holy Spirit who makes Christ known to us (Jn. 15:26). Consequently, we need the Spirit’s work, with a capital S, in and through us, to be spiritual.

How the Holy Spirit’s Work is Reflected in Us

First, we must acknowledge that the Holy Spirit is the one who makes spiritual realities known (1 Cor. 2:12-16).

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. (1 Cor. 2:14)

Second, we must walk in the Spirit in order to become who we can be in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the One who bears spiritual fruit in us, those Christ-like traits that enable us to not only “do” what we should do but “be” who we should be (Gal. 5:16-26).

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23)

Third, we must serve in accordance with the spiritual gifts distributed by and empowered by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4-11).

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. … All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Cor. 12:4, 11)

Biblical Spirituality Results in the Spirit Working Through Us

If you want to assess your spirituality, ask how loving, joyful, peaceful, and good you are but also how patient, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled you are (Gal. 5:22-23). Biblical spirituality affects how we relate with others, not only if we’re engaging in spiritual practices. Remember that who we are also affects how we serve.

The Holy Spirit teaches us and produces Christ-like qualities in us but also empowers us to impact other people’s lives.

You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Cor. 3:3-6)

… our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. (1 Thess. 1:5)

And, the Holy Spirit can bring a diverse group of people together, building us up into a spiritual house (1 Pet. 2:5) so we can “stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27).

If we don’t see these results, we have undoubtedly not attained to biblical spirituality. We cannot “grieve the Holy Spirit of God” (Eph. 4:30) or quench His work in our lives (1 Thess. 5:19) and call ourselves spiritual from a biblical standpoint.

Biblical Spirituality Tied into Who We are in Christ

Posted on December 23, 2020 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Biblical Spirituality Tied into who we are in Christ Jesus Biblical spirituality is about living in the reality of who we are in Christ who is …

our spiritual rock upon which we stand, our firm foundation (1 Cor. 10:3-4)
our spiritual drink who alone, as Living Water, can quench the thirst within us for something more, something better (1 Cor. 10:3-4; Jn. 4:13-14)
our spiritual food who alone, as the Bread of Life, can nurture and sustain us (1 Cor. 10:3-4; Jn. 6:32)

Who We Are in Christ Grows Out of What We Have in Christ

In Christ Jesus we have been given EVERY spiritual blessing.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Eph. 1:3)

Those blessings include but undoubtedly not limited to what we find as we read on in Ephesians 1:3-14.

chosen in Him … our relationship with Him is not an accident
adoption … we belong to His family
acceptance … reconciled to Him we are no longer considered unworthy
redemption … don’t have to strive for acceptance as He made it possible
forgiveness … sin not held against us
riches of His grace … freely given all we need to live in Him
knowledge of the mystery of His will … able to come to a better understanding of who we are and what we have in Him
inheritance … a future which gives us perspective now and hope for more to come
sealing of the Spirit … security

The more we grasp who we are and what we have in Christ, the more our spiritual fervor will increase (Rom. 12:11) and the more willingly we’ll make spiritual sacrifices (1 Pet. 2:5; Ps. 51:16-17; Rom. 12:1).

Attaining Biblical Spirituality

Biblical spirituality isn’t some mystical experience but rather grows out of our knowledge of the Lord. Simply put, to attain Biblical spirituality, we start by getting to know the One who makes it possible. Start with spiritual milk, the basic, elementary truths of God’s Word and life in Christ (1 Pet. 2:2; Heb. 5:12) and then move on to the more solid food of His Word. Not sure where to begin? Check out: New to Bible Reading Discipleship Tool

In addition to reading and studying God’s Word, there are a number of other ways to continue learning and growing. Check out: Getting Spiritually Fit – Engaging in Spiritual Disciplines

Then, who we are in Christ will affect us from the inside out so that all we do with our time and resources reflects our spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus.