{"id":4086,"date":"2010-09-15T14:00:59","date_gmt":"2010-09-15T18:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/?p=4086"},"modified":"2023-03-31T15:34:43","modified_gmt":"2023-03-31T19:34:43","slug":"effective-ministry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/effective-ministry.htm","title":{"rendered":"Defining Effective Ministry"},"content":{"rendered":"

As pastors<\/a>, teachers<\/a>, leaders<\/a>, people helpers<\/a>, evangelists<\/a>, prayer warriors<\/a> or any other kind of servant of God, we all know that we can glorify God through effective ministry.\u00a0\u00a0 What we may find harder to grasp is how to define effective ministry.<\/p>\n

How We Might Define Effective Ministry<\/h2>\n

Do we quantify ministry by looking at the number of converts, the attendance records, or the proliferation of programs we offer?<\/p>\n

If so, does that mean churches and ministries with greater quantifiable results are more effective?<\/p>\n

Do we measure by the quality of our programs and ministry efforts?<\/p>\n

If so, does that mean churches and ministries with more qualified staff, professional musicians, high technology, standards of excellence, or bigger and better facilities are more effective?<\/p>\n

Let me suggest that while the quantitative and qualitative dimensions can be indicators, effective ministry goes beyond both aspects.<\/p>\n

Ministry Objectives Based on God’s View of Effectiveness<\/h2>\n

What brings the most glory to God is when we do ministry based on His heart, His ways, His means, and His design.<\/p>\n

His Heart:<\/strong><\/p>\n

First, God is more concerned about people and their love relationship with Him than He is about programs.\u00a0 The greatest commandments, according to Jesus, are to love the Lord our God and to love our neighbor.<\/p>\n

Ministry Objective for Us:<\/em>\u00a0 Focus on Personhood<\/p>\n

Second, God is more concerned about who we are than what we do.\u00a0 “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7)<\/span><\/p>\n

Ministry Objective for Us:<\/em>\u00a0 Focus on Internal Change, not simple external conformity.<\/p>\n

His Ways:<\/strong><\/p>\n

God’s ways and our ways so often differ.\u00a0 What we consider wisdom, He views as foolishness.\u00a0 Because He knows all and sees all, God looks at the big picture, not simply what is happening in the moment. (Prov. 14:12; Isa. 55:8-9; Rom. 11:33-34; 1 Cor. 1:20-29)\u00a0 Our philosophy of ministry governs how and why we do what we do.\u00a0 Philosophy is often at the core of many church and ministry conflicts.\u00a0 If we could all somehow get on page with God, why and how He operates, perhaps we could learn to “be of same mind with one another” (Rom. 15:5).<\/span><\/p>\n

Ministry Objective for Us:<\/em>\u00a0 Build your Philosophy on the Word of God<\/p>\n

His means:<\/strong><\/p>\n

When God was about to accomplish a work among people, He often took time to prepare people for what was ahead.\u00a0 In an effort to get on with things, we can sometimes skimp on this process.\u00a0 Then we wonder why we have run into so many problems.\u00a0 This is especially important when we are trying to initiate or revitalize a ministry.<\/p>\n

Ministry Objective for Us:<\/em>\u00a0 Prioritize Preparation<\/p>\n

His Design:<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to God, the church “grows and builds itself up in love as each part does its work” (Eph. 4:16).<\/span>\u00a0 The church is a living organism, a priesthood of believers.\u00a0 God designed the church to function as a body, a team.\u00a0 Interdependence is God’s plan for effective ministry.<\/p>\n

Ministry Objective for Us:<\/em>\u00a0 Encourage Participation<\/p>\n

May we truly learn to do ALL we do for the glory of God by focusing\u00a0our ministry on what matters to the heart of God.\u00a0 And, may we to it in accordance with His ways, means, and design.<\/p>\n

Helpful Resource: Ministry God’s Way<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As pastors, teachers, leaders, people helpers, evangelists, prayer warriors or any other kind of servant of God, we all know that we can glorify God through effective ministry. What we may find harder to grasp is how to define effective ministry. Do we . . . Continue reading Defining Effective Ministry<\/span>→<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[80],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4086","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ministry-process-results"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\t