Series Three: Philosophy of Ministry

The purpose of this session is to contrast the folly of man’s methods at doing ministry from God’s method of doing ministry. The content of this study will also show that although man cleverly tries to manufacture results in ministry, God alone is able to cause the growth.

1. Why is manufacturing growth so appealing?
   1. We like to be able to measure external results.
   2. We attach significance to our spiritual influence.
   3. We want to assuage guilt by saying, “I’m doing something spiritual, look and see!”
   4. It doesn’t require faith.
   5. We can claim that we played a role in it (through our innovative programs, etc.).
   6. It is short-term “success,” which is typically not hard work.
   7. We want signs of spiritual life in those we care about.

“If you want your congregation or your family or your friends to be in glory for any reason other than for Christ’s sake, then you will manufacture results, or at least be strongly tempted to.”

2. God alone causes the growth (1 Cor 3:7).
   1. Man is merely an instrument for the growth (1 Cor 3:6).
   2. Meaningful, supernatural growth happens only if God does it.
3. When man tries to manufacture growth
   1. In 1 Corinthians 2:2–5, Paul is basically saying, “If I put my finger on the tickling point of the culture and they respond positively, how do I know if they truly believed and have not just bought into my man-made message?”
   2. The “Jesus model” of ministry; i.e.,
      • He was compassionate; we are compassionate.
      • He was humble; we are humble.
      • He fed people; we feed people.
      • He cared for the sick; we care for the sick.
      • He was well loved and popular; people love us and we’re popular.
      • He was never harsh; we aren’t harsh.
      • “Dealing in these types of vague generalities is not only not in keeping with God’s plan for the church, but also serves to feed a strong desire to have a comfortable existence where following Christ isn’t costly in terms of reputation, economics, and personal influence. The world has little problem with the Jesus of the ‘Jesus model.’ The offense of the gospel has been removed and the church can convince itself that people are attracted to its Jesus when in fact the world is attracted to the humanitarian efforts and programs, not Jesus.”
   3. A program-centered ministry
      1. Duplicating a “model program.” This will always lead to a problem because the specifics of how God chooses to work in any given situation varies depending upon the nature and needs of the people and uniqueness of each circumstance.
      2. Stay with an existing program. A church keeps doing ministry a certain way because “this is the way we have always done it.” However, this will inevitably lead to frustration or failure because people and their needs constantly change.
4. Functioning as a herald prevents us from manufacturing growth.
   1. Kērússō means “to herald” or “to proclaim” (2 Tim 4:2).
   2. What are the herald’s priorities?
      1. To deliver the king’s message (meaning)
      2. To personify the king’s urgency (passion)
      3. To invoke the king’s authority
      4. To explain the king’s implications
      5. To repeat the king’s ultimatums
      6. A herald could not and would not alter the message based on any response.
      • “What we have done today is put ourselves in a position of authority, discerned whether the audience will like the king’s message, and then adapt it so that they will like it. This is not what the office of a herald did.”
      • “We must realize that if God wants to harden He will harden. If He wants to soften He will soften. The same sun that melts the wax hardens the clay. If the preaching is manufactured (anything but heralding the king’s message), then the results are manufactured.”
5. Understanding biblical leadership prevents us from manufacturing growth.
   1. Leaders must reflect the character of Christ and be exemplary for the flock (1 Tim 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9).
   2. Leaders must adequately equip the people to do the work of the ministry (Eph 4:11–12).
   3. Leaders must provide ample opportunity for the sheep to do this work (Heb 10:24–25).

“A failure to correctly understand biblical leadership leads to unbiblical discipleship and skewed ministry priorities. A lack of biblical priorities leads to ministry in sin with a focus on skills or ability rather than godly character. This will inevitably lead to disqualifying sins.”

6. How and what we pray is indicative of our view of spiritual growth and ministry.
   1. Praying for numerical growth and program success reveals that we are more concerned with our kingdom than God’s.
   2. Praying for godly convictions to be developed leading to transformation:
      • Changed affections
      • Challenged viewpoints
      • Idolatries exposed
      • Conviction of sin leading to repentance
      • New patterns of thinking and living
      • That the church would be strengthened and protected
      • That God would be glorified whether the hearts are softened or hardened