My Theology of Ministry

Understanding theology of ministry comes with great importance before having a good practice of ministry. Sounds like prejudicial, but I have come to realize that my struggles in the practice of ministry are caused by our poor understanding (or should I say the lacking) of theology of ministry.

On the other hand, churches that have significant growth in numbers impress small churches to examine their practice of ministry. I wouldn’t think they were just “fortunate” to attract more people within their vicinity. But I would suppose they have understood the how’s in their practice of ministry by answering the why’s of their theology of ministry.

Apparently, the small churches that struggle in ministry are mostly those who have a little understanding of the reason why they are doing what they are doing.

Ministry starts with God and ends with God

The Garden was a perfect habitat that any human being would want to live at. God provided for Adam and Eve everything that they might need in the Garden of Eden. He enjoys caring for them and for being a father to them. In return he requires their faithfulness and their obedience by taking the responsibility as managers over the rest of creation.

Consequently, when they disobeyed God, sin had caused them unworthy to live there anymore. God had to evict them and taught the great lesson that the entire human race had to learn. Despite of what they have done, God showed his love for them when He made garments and clothed them (Gen. 3:21).

But God never stop reaching for the mankind. The promise He swore to Abraham proves his undying love for fallen humanity and it shows his determination to reconcile them back to his loving embrace. The nation Israel was formed as the fulfillment of his promise. God made them his holy nation; and they were shaped according to his will and grace. They were also subject to his precepts, provision, protection, and even punishment.

Unfortunately, the Israelites have failed to live in accordance with the Law of Moses and they would be chastised for adultery and idolatry. Because of their failure as nation to model his redemptive plan of salvation, God sent his beloved son Jesus Christ to redeem the human race. Jesus is the perfect model of a holy and righteous man ever lived and the perfect sacrifice once for all (Heb. 10:1, 14). Salvation is made possible for those who will believe in his name “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men (Tit. 2:11)”.

Ministry brings glory to God

Jesus’ ministry turned the Jewish world upside down. He had two profound messages that shook their world: love God and love the people (Mk. 29:30-31). Jesus’ ultimate goal is to glorify his Father who sent him. He never failed to model the greatest commandments in his entire ministry life, even until his death on the cross.

Through his ministries of preaching, teaching, exorcism, healing the sick, discipleship and feeding the hungry; he acted out all of these out of his love for people. He also taught everything to His disciples and commanded them to do the same. History shows that the disciples’ faith and ministry had caused them a fatal death.

Therefore, our ministry must glorify no one but God; neither the minister himself nor the organization itself!

Ministry is motivated by love, governed by selflessness, and carried through obedience

The ideal ministry focuses on specific need of people. But this need-based ministry requires special people and complete resources and can also be far beyond the reality of life. We live in this fallen world and the fact of life tells us to do ministry in a practical way.

Ministry must be motivated by our love for people, governed by our selflessness and carried through obedience to the will of God.

This motivation of loving people will release us from being judgmental but will push us further to demonstrate the grace of God. We will become more effective in ministry as we draw closer to the hearts of people we are ministering to. We need to think less of ourselves but more of others. People must be our priority.

Any ministry that is self-centered prevents God from manifesting his power. On the other hand, as we obey the will of God, it keeps us discern and respond to the pressing needs of people right on time.

Ministry encompasses the ultimate purposes of the church

Rick Warren lists down the five ultimate purposes of the church: Fellowship, Discipleship, Worship, Ministry, and Evangelism and Mission. But I believe the Christian ministry must include fellowship, discipleship, worship and evangelism. Every minister must seek out to fulfill these purposes in his or her ministry whether the people are believers or unbelievers of Christ.

Ministry is dynamic, not static

Ministry may come to its tragic fall if the ministers had stopped learning. The fact that we are dealing with living human beings makes it difficult to keep up to their constantly changing environment and life situations.

The passing of time is also a great factor for ministry. Methods that could be effective a decade ago may no longer be applicable to the present condition of our people. It requires humility to accept this sad truth.

Another truth is that some people are afraid of change. But I think our right attitude for change is what makes the church vibrantly alive. If we keep on developing new strategy we can leave a lasting impact to the lives of people. We must accept reality that the church is not static, constant or a classic organization but it is a dynamic, changing, and contemporary living organism.

A dynamic ministry is governed by resilient ministers who can positively adapt to changing situations and emerging circumstances of mankind and the society.

Ministry induces transformation

Every Christian minister must know that he or she represents Christ to the people and the ministry must radiate the Lord’s glory. This kind of ministry induces transformation first for the minister, next to the people.

Christian ministry is the church strategy of drawing people to God. In fact our genuine love for them attracts them to Christ. It is important for the minister to be sensitive and supportive to the movement of the Spirit. People do not flourish in ministry that is managed by a manipulative leader.

Every minister must be aware of the Spirit of God that is at work with him or her. It must be our objective that the ministry leaves a room for people to experience the power of God in a dramatic way. Apart from this encounter, we could be easily discouraged for not seeing the tangible transformed lives of people.