By December 1, 2006 13 Comments Read More →

Ministry in Contemporary Society, Lesson 005

Christian Ministry, Free Course, Lesson 005

Ministry in Contemporary Society


Ministry in the context of missionary activity exists for a reason.  It does not exist for its own ends.  Neither does it justify its own existence.  Both missions and ministry arise out of the acts of God and serve his ends.  Through the proclamation of the gospel, God’s will is made known.  Through the compassionate touch of human ministry, God’s love is demonstrated to the world.

The divine quality that underlies missions is compassion.  Out of compassion flows the passion that produces witnesses, who sometimes are called upon to lay down their lives for their cause.  The task of the missionary is actually to fulfill God’s mission.  God’s mission involves an extension of the ministry of Jesus.  That is, the message of Jesus is to be preached to the entire world in perpetuity.

Theological foundations are those propositions which define one’s faith.  They under gird both missions and ministry.  This is why it is important for us to understand the Bible correctly.  How we understand the task of missions and the function of ministry will define our goals for a particular activity.  Fidelity to the task properly understood will render faithful ministry.  That task is defined by the biblical text.  Our own ministerial involvement grows out of that understanding.

No matter how well read or skilled we may be, unless we are equipped spiritually, out ministry will be flawed.  The modern world presents strong challenges to spiritual formation.  On the one hand, the allurements of the world provide distractions and on the other hand, the call for righteousness makes the unrighteous uncomfortable.  Satan will find out weak spots and exploits them so the desire to engage in missions must be accompanied by prayer, concentration, and perseverance.  Wherever we choose to live, the constancy of temptation will require vigilance.

Mission strategies are a combination of divine and human plans.  The gospel itself contains a framework for Christian work.  The essential message of the gospel and the nature of the church broadly define ministry strategies.  There may even be a sense in which the Scriptures provide a pattern for the church to perform its mission.  However, within the divine limitations of Scripture exists the place for human schemes and plans.

The work of missions belong to God and people are his instruments and bear responsibility for mission activity. Good stewardship means that believers develop strategies and execute them and God chooses how to bless those efforts. More often than not, mission strategy is culturally and historically conditioned. We need to review those strategies in light of the gospel and in view of desired objectives. 

Human plans and strategies must remain true to guiding principles. Any mission strategy should include: a plan for identifying people for evangelization, a plan for presenting the gospel to these people, a plan for baptizing them, a plan for bringing them into community with other believers, a plan for maturing them spiritually, a plan for helping them develop as a church that is a believing, proclaiming, worshiping, holy, encouraging, and compassionate community.  We need to think biblically and think strategically.

As a part of strategy the missionary must make an initial commitment, get general training, go through a process of field selection, receive focused training, make initial adjustments, and put in long-term missionary service.  The omission of one or more of these steps can hinder the mission and inflict unnecessary financial costs.  Yet, even with the best training and intentions, health problems, politics, change in the support base, and other unexpected developments can still disrupt the mission effort.

 

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13 Comments on "Ministry in Contemporary Society, Lesson 005"

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  1. Shelly says:

    Where can i find lesson number 4?

  2. edward says:

    so where can i get the examination.and these degrees since they dont appear in the internet

  3. Yes indeed even Apostles where thought by Christ .The message from our Savior is to proclaim the Good News,yet Christ has told us that this work has to be carried forward from generation to generation like a flame that has guided Israel out of Egypt and lighted up the way in the night and as a cloud during the day.This flame or light if some prefer radiates not only light in our life’s and heart ,but lot more,it gives you that right to Salvation in Christ.And what is required from each individual ?yes to believe in Christ that is Him our Savior.

  4. Lesson 4 was missing Dr.Phill, so had jumped to lesson 5 here.God Bless

  5. Vernon Rose says:

    Street missions I’ve experienced. Street ministry isn’t something to be taken lightly. It’s a calling that that many are called few are chosen.

  6. Vernon Rose says:

    where’s lesson 004 by the way Dr. Phillip I’ll get on Twitter soon I’m busy with moving and repairing damages I had 7 couch surfers at one time in this last year.

  7. Bliss Mafumhe says:

    It is difficult to start a ministry wihout the Spirit of the Lord . For the trial and temptation will overcome , l have just started with a group of four but l dont know how tomake it grow

  8. It is goed to have rhythm to read the bible every day,
    you get strength every day.We belong not to the world.
    We let are sin by the cross. Jesus is the Woord and God is good.
    By the missionary activity we take care of each in word and deed.

  9. It is goed to have rhythm to read the bible every day,
    you get strength every day.We belong not to the world.
    We let are sin by the cross. Jesus is the Woord and God is good.
    By the missionary activity we take care of each in word and deed.

  10. Sunday says:

    a thrue CHURCH of God has a missionary ‘s perpective.if not this “church” is just a gathering.

  11. Pastor Dave says:

    I always believed that it is the Spirit of the Lord that one the teaching format to go out in the mission fields whereever those fields may be…..and present the Gospel to those who need to here it. If this would be true as I believe that it is based off of scripture….why would we be in concern of needing general training from a mans point of view. I believe that the Spirit of God is very well equipt to train anyone into the Ministry and out into the Mission Fields.

  12. Benita Paschel says:

    It takes a strong-will and special person to do missions, especially if you are called to go to other countries where there is much risk. One must be on guard at all times and fully equipped with the Holy Spirit. When you are doing work for the Lord under uncertain conditions Jesus will show up and show out.

  13. JSTAN says:

    MISSIONS IS GOD’S COMMAND AND LOVE TO THE LOST WORLD. TO HEED HIS WORD AND WILLING TO CARRY OUT THE WORK.

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