We have many strategies and objectives for ministry but some things matter more than others.<\/p>\n
Let’s look to God for what matters most in ministry. According to His Word, these five things should matter more to us than other things.<\/p>\n
1) WHO we present matters more than how we present Him.<\/strong><\/p>\n When HE is the main attraction we tend to use methodology that glorifies God and draws attention to Him<\/a> more than to ourselves. We view technology and methodology as merely tools for connecting people with the Lord<\/a>.<\/p>\n And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. (Col. 1:18)<\/em><\/p>\n These (religious festivals, the Sabbath, etc.) are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. (Col. 2:17)<\/em><\/p>\n 2) Being matters more than doing.<\/strong><\/p>\n When we are who we should be, we will tend to do what we should do. If the heart<\/a> is what it should be, proper actions will follow.<\/p>\n Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Prov. 4:23)<\/em><\/p>\n As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. (Prov. 27:19)<\/em><\/p>\n A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. (Lk. 6:45)<\/em><\/p>\n 3) Heart transformation matters more than mere obedience.<\/strong><\/p>\n When we change from the inside out, we see obedience as more of a delight than a duty<\/a>. People can outwardly conform and look the part but their motivations can be all wrong which does not please the Lord.<\/p>\n A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. (Prov. 21:2)<\/em><\/p>\n The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. (1 Sam. 16:7)<\/em><\/p>\n In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 Jn. 5:3-4)<\/em><\/p>\n 4) People matter more than programs.<\/strong><\/p>\n When we make people a priority<\/a> we tend to be more flexible and accommodating with our programs but when programming matters more, we tend to be less adapting to the needs of people. When we fail to meet needs, our programs are no longer ministering.<\/p>\n But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ (Matt. 9:13)<\/em><\/p>\n ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ … And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matt. 22:36-40)<\/em><\/p>\n 5) Purposeful participation matters more than mere attendance.<\/strong><\/p>\n When we care about more than numbers, we want people to go away changed which does not happen through passivity or meaningless activity. The more we structure for purposeful participation<\/a>, the more likely people will be to apply what they learn.<\/p>\n And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We have many strategies and objectives for ministry but some things matter more than others.<\/p>\n 1) WHO we present matters more than how we present Him.<\/p>\n When HE is the main attraction we tend to use methodology that is . . . Continue reading 5 Things That Matter More<\/span>