Philosophy of Ministry

My Philosophy of Ministry

Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Purpose The purpose of this letter is to document my own philosophy of ministry. It is my intention here to answer, at least to some extent, questions such as: What is our relationship with scripture? What is our relationship with God? What is our relationship with fellow believers? What is our relationship with the world? What am I trying to accomplish? What are my overall objectives? What should be a church’s biblical priorities?

1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

Introduction - God’s Holy Word

God’s Holy Scripture is Profitable

God’s Holy Scripture is Inerrant

God’s Holy Scripture is Eternal

God’s Holy Scripture is Alive

God’s Holy Scripture is Sacred

I. The Lordship of Jesus Christ

II. The Body of Christ

III. The World

Introduction - God’s Holy Word

Paramount in my philosophy of ministry is that Holy Scripture is foundational to life and any ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. Without the inerrant, infallible, holy Word of God, we would be blindly wallowing through life, as so many are today. The Holy Scriptures are the supreme authority in each and every aspect of life. In all matters of faith, which is of things we believe, and of practice, which is the things that we do, our sole authority is the Word of God. If something, whether of faith or of practice, is contrary to the Holy Bible then no matter who pleads for it, no matter what clever arguments are produced in favor of it, it cannot be endorsed.

God’s Holy Scripture is Profitable

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God (God breathed), and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. What more could be said? Only through the diligent study of God’s Word can the man of God be equipped with the knowledge and tools to perform his duty and serve his purpose for the Glory of God.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

God’s Holy Scripture is Inerrant

Knowing that all Scripture is from God, is it possible that there is error in the Holy Scriptures? Romans 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar... Hebrews 6:18b ...it was impossible for God to lie...

God’s Holy Scripture is Eternal

1 Peter 1:23, 25 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. (25) ...The word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. John 10:35 ... the Scripture cannot be broken;

God’s Holy Scripture is Alive The Word of God cannot be contained or shackled. 2 Timothy 2:9 ...the word of God is not bound.

The Word of God lays bare the heart and exposes sin. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Word of God convicts. Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

God’s Holy Scripture is Sacred

Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: (19) And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. (21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

I. The Lordship of Jesus Christ

Having established that God’s Word must govern all aspects of life, I must acknowledge our Lord Jesus as my first priority. All else in existence pales in comparison. If I do not know and have a healthy fear of Jesus Christ then any ministry I undertake is in vain. Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.

It cannot be overemphasized that our Savior is the One to whom all creation, our very existence, must be credited. Colossians 1:16-18 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: Jesus Christ, while being apart from creation, is the centerpiece of all, holding all of creation together. (17) And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (18) And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

I must do as David wrote in Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. And Solomon as well in Proverbs 3:6-7 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (7) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

I must endeavor to be like Christ and exhort others to do the same. Both in my own life and in those whom I influence it is my desire to enforce the reverential fear and awe that are necessary to truly worship the Creator. We must never forget that it is Jesus Christ that holds power over death and the grave. Hosea 13:14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

If I acknowledge our Lord Jesus as the prevailing priority in my life, the result of that must be the study of His Word, and the sharing of it’s wondrous truth with others. Time set aside for the daily study is a must for any man of God, even more so for those that are entrusted to teach and lead His sheep. Only through diligent, prayerful study can I hope to rightly divide God’s word and avoid snares that might lead to errant teaching. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Though there are many false prophets and false teachings today, I know that there is only One Truth, One Who can redeem man’s sinful hearts and One narrow Way that leads to everlasting life in the presence of our Lord Jesus. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

My only hope lies in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 Praise the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord!

I must always strive to place Jesus as the overwhelmingly first priority in my life. We have all observed Pastors that get so carried away with their temporal duties that they lose sight of their Savior and the reason they are in the ministry in the first place. It must be the Pastor’s goal to make time to spend with God in prayer and study on a daily basis. Although the Pastor is the shepherd, he is one of the sheep as well. We all need time beside the still waters with the Master Shepherd.

II. The Body of Christ

My family must be my second priority, my immediate family, beginning with my wife, then my children and followed closely by my spiritual family. I must make my wife second only to God for two reasons. First, I am commanded to love my wife, ...even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Ephesians 5:25, 28, 30-33 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself (31) For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. (32) This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (33) Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Second, I must know and nurture my wife, for to neglect her and cause contention between us will hinder my prayer life and subsequently my ministry. 1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. Following my wife, the care and provision (physical, emotional & spiritual) for my children is essential, for to neglect them is to ignore the Pastoral requirement listed in 1 Timothy 3:4-5 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Furthermore, if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 1Timothy 5:8.

In order to ensure that the shepherd is able to tend the flock, he must be given the resources to do so 1 Timothy 5:17-18 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine. (18) For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward.

The Body of Christ, as a whole must acknowledge that Jesus Christ is their number one priority. Again, as in our personal lives, if we do not know and have a healthy fear of our Lord Jesus, then all else is in vain. Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Psalm 127:1

Any and all traditions, regardless of how long they have been in practice or how desirable they may seem, must be Scriptural. As the Bereans did, so must we search the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so Acts 17:11 (John 5:39). This principle must be followed in reverse as well. Any and all practices that are called for in the Holy Scripture that are not in practice must be implemented.

We must not be governed by tradition, not by the opinion of man, not by sentiment, nor by pragmatism, but by the Word of God alone. The attitude which says, “It doesn’t matter what the Bible says, this is the way we have always done it,” is most frightening, indeed sinful. It must be To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them Isaiah 8:20, and ...what saith the Scripture? Galatians 4:30 & Romans 4:3. It must be understood that the Scriptures are silent in many areas. We must, in these instances, lift the matter up in fervent prayer. If we cannot prove that these practices are for the glory of God and the edification of His saints, they must not be implemented or done away with altogether.

My philosophy of ministry demands the preaching/teaching of God’s Word be central in the assembly of the believers. Nothing should ever take the place of the preaching of the Word. 1 Corinthians 1:17-21 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (18) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (19) For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. (20) Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (21) For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The Word of God must forever be preached because doing so results in the salvation of souls. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (Acts 8:12) The preaching of the holy Scriptures convicts the believer as well, drawing him closer to God and helping him in his struggle to become more like Christ. There are many scriptural examples of the importance of preaching. Matthew 3:1, 4:23, 9:35, Mark 1:14, Luke 3:3, 8:1, Luke 9:6, Acts 8:4, 11:20, 15:35

It is my intention to emphasize the believer’s sanctification as necessary in a close, productive walk with our Savior. This sanctification must be emphasized in the individual, followed closely by the family and then the church family as a whole. I am concerned with the growing trend of today’s churches to have a kind of sub-church within their assembly that they label the “youth department.” I am persuaded that each family is a youth ministry, and every father a “youth Pastor.” To set aside a paid youth Pastor may cause unnecessary segregation and be dangerous to the relationships within the church body. Outreaches and programs are fine, but they must take a back seat to the health and stability of the family unit.

I am not saying that a church should have only one Pastor. Quite the contrary, I think it is a great sign of vitality in a church to be able to support two, or even several Pastors. In this way one’s strengths might complement another’s, resulting in a stronger ministry and healthier sheep within the fold. What I am saying, is that to segregate one group based on age, social status or marital status may be detrimental. The young cannot learn to be a great godly Christians unless they can learn from those who have walked with the Lord for many years. A single person cannot know how to be a good spouse from other singles. A young couple cannot know how to be good parents from other newlyweds. Godly examples are our best teachers, as Paul exhorted in Titus 2:2-8 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. (3) The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; (4) That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, (5) To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (6) Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. (7) In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, (8) Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Luke 6:39 ...Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

III. The World

Evangelism is paramount in the work of the Church. However, I am convinced that much that is called evangelism today is superficial and more akin to entertainment, psychology and salesmanship. Evangelism, as with all works performed by the Body of Christ, must be done in accordance with the Word of God. High pressure witnessing and revival meetings that use gimmickry and schemes are calculated to produce ‘decisions’ and impressive statistics and result in, if anything, an empty relationship with the Creator, severely damaging the souls of men. The results of this type of evangelism are exemplified by the seeds that ... fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: (6) And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. (7) And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: Matthew 13:5-7

Evangelism must be done by preaching the gospel of our Lord Jesus to every nation and every tribe. First at home, within our own community, and then stretching out as rings spread from the Rock splashing upon the sea. 2 Corinthians 4:3-7 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. (6) For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. The result of conviction brought on by the preaching of God’s Word is the salvation of the soul. 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: (25) And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. Hallelujah!

How the Word of God is spread varies from church to church, city to city and region to region. Preaching on a street corner is not practical in a small town, but may reap great rewards in a large city. Each situation and the character of the people there must be considered. Several methods may need to be incorporated and experimented with. What is important is that we are faithful to follow the great commission and remember that of ourselves we can do nothing, for ...neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:7

I am further persuaded that missionaries must be sent and supported by the people of God. 1 Corinthians 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. Each missionary must have a sending church and must be accountable to those who support him. Cooperative missionary programs have many benefits, but they lack the personal accountability and the blessings of being intimately involved with ‘our’ missionaries. Acts 13:2-3 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (3) And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Summary

I cannot emphasize enough, if we desire to serve God, bring glory to His beloved name and reach across the globe, sharing His grace by preaching His glorious gospel, it has to be according to His will, by His standards as laid down in His Word, for to fall short is to miss the target altogether.

May the Lord our God grant us the vision, the wisdom, the strength and perseverance to overcome the adversary and never, never, never forsake Him nor bring dishonor to the most Holy and precious of names, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

Sincerely, A Servant Of Jesus by His Grace Alone