THE HEART OF MINISTRY
For the past 12 years I have had the very great privilege of teaching Pastoral Ministry at the International Bible Training Institute in Burgess Hill. Although I have always said that the principles we look at on the course apply to all ministries, I have just changed the course to look at MINISTRY more generally and at each of the FIVEFOLD ministries listed in Ephesians 4: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor (Shepherd), Teacher.
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Over the next few months, I would like to share some thoughts on how those ministries can function effectively in the context of the Church and the world in the 21st century.
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I also teach Church History and over the past 1900 years church leaders of all denominations have built other things on the foundations that were laid by Jesus and the apostles during the first century of the Early Church – sadly, often going far away from its origins, purpose and practice.
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Those of you who know me, will know that I am constantly looking to get back as close as possible to the HEART of Church - as God originally intended it to be.
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So, what is the heart of ministry and of the ministry gifts that Jesus has given to the Church?
The Church has a MISSION and that mission was set by Jesus.
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It has NOT CHANGED.
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The MISSION is to MAKE DISCIPLES OF JESUS
– through witness, evangelism, teaching and example.
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But it’s not just a mission for the five-fold ministry gifts.
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It’s the mission of the WHOLE CHURCH
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The gifts of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, pastors (Shepherds) and Teachers (APEST’s)
are given by Christ to His Church to:
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HELP AND ENABLE THE CHURCH TO FULFIL THAT MISSION.
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The way they (APEST’s) do this is to function within their gift and calling, and model to every believer how to be involved in making disciples of Jesus.
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Here is Jim, he is a born-again believer and he has been discipled well by his local church leaders. Jim works in a factory.
Every day he goes into work where the other guys are swearing and cursing, telling filthy jokes and blasphemously using the name of the Lord. Of course, Jim does not join in with any of that and he gets ridiculed because of it. Jim stands his ground but does not try to impose his morals onto others, and at the same time he shows himself friendly and interested in the lives of his workmates.
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Jim prays every day before he goes to work. He prays for the owner and the manager of the factory, his supervisor, and the guys he works with. He also prays for himself to be strong and a good witness (because he has been discipled well). It’s hard, but he’s also got the support of his home group who always want to know how things are going and encourage him and support him in prayer- as he does them.
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The funny thing is, whenever any of the guys he works with has a problem they always go (secretly) to Jim and tell him about it. One such person was Andy who was in such deep trouble that there seemed to be no way out. Jim promised to pray for him and asked Andy if he could ask his friends at church to pray too (without giving away any confidential details of course).
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When Andy started to see results, he wanted to know more about what Jim believed and this finally led to Jim inviting Andy to his home group who all welcomed Andy, without putting any pressure on him. Then when Andy gave his heart to the Lord the group supported Jim in discipling him. They sensitively but consciously contributed by helping and encouraging Andy to grow in his Christian life because they all know that discipleship is a process we are all involved in.
They got this understanding from the teaching of their servant leaders.
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The apostle Paul is a wonderful example of servant leadership. Firstly, he describes himself as a doulos (slave) of Jesus
“This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ” (1 Cor 4:1) and then he calls himself and other leaders as: “Your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor 4:5).
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The apostle Peter gives a clear description of servant leadership:
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“To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5v1-6)
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SHEPHERD the flock of God - with true love and care for them, giving time and attention (5v2)
EAGER TO SERVE – not for personal gain. Sacrificial service will cost us not them! (5v2)
NOT AS LORDS – not ruling over others but serving them (5v3)
BY EXAMPLE – being on fire for God
– listening to God
– working hard for the Kingdom of God
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Paul said: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Cor 11:1 NIV-UK)
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The great missionary Albert Schweitzer once said:
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“Example is not the main thing in influencing others it is the ONLY thing”
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Leaders can’t say “Respect ME, Obey ME”
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They have to earn that respect and trust and then hopefully the people will gladly follow.
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Most godly people have no problem with obeying leadership if they see:
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1) Their leaders are already doing what THEY are asking THEM to do
2) Their leaders love them
3) The servant hearts of their leaders
4) All that their leaders care about is their spiritual welfare
5) Their leaders are on fire for God - people of worship and prayer
6) Their leaders’ overarching vision is for the growth of the Kingdom of God through the church and making disciples (Matthew 28v19).
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This I would suggest is the HEART OF MINISTRY!
A congregation will be a reflection of its leaders:
If they are loving - the people will be loving
If they are obedient to Jesus and on fire for God
Many of the people will be too!
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