Where to Begin
"The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision."-- Hellen Keller
Ask yourself, if your church were to stop meeting, if the doors were to shut and never open again would it have an effect on your community. Where would the people be if the church were to discontinue getting together on a regular bases? Is the church simply "white noise" in the community? A building where people get together at appointed times yet those very people, who live in the very community the church is located at, are not taking the message of the gospel out.
Can the people of your congregation share the mission and vision of the leadership? Do the people in your congregation feel that they have a purpose and a mission in the Kingdom of God? Do they feel that they are part of the Kingdom of God? Or do they simply feel that they are a number who occupies a seat Sunday morning who gives their money in the plate but does not know or understand how that money is being used? Do the people of your congregation know how to share the gospel message? Do they know how to defend what they believe? Or do your congregants followers or are they merely fans of Christianity?
The job of a pastor is far more than to simply preach encouraging, challenging, and convicting messages to the congregation. The minister needs to challenge congregants in the world by preaching sermons that pulls people out of their comfort zones. The minister needs to make God and Jesus real in people's lives and help people stop seeing God as simply an idea. The minister needs to present the word of God that is applicable to the listeners while at the same time help them see and learn what the author's intent was.
The minister needs to do more than develop programs. He needs to do more than visit the sick and reach the lost. He needs to inspire the congregation and equip them to grow in their faith and in the knowledge of the Lord. He needs to motivate them to go out into the community they live in and share their faith with others. The pastor is the leader and the congregation are the workers. His primary mission is a develop leaders to continue the mission of the church. In order to develop those leaders the minister needs to develop productive relationships.
Ask yourself, if your church were to stop meeting, if the doors were to shut and never open again would it have an effect on your community. Where would the people be if the church were to discontinue getting together on a regular bases? Is the church simply "white noise" in the community? A building where people get together at appointed times yet those very people, who live in the very community the church is located at, are not taking the message of the gospel out.
Can the people of your congregation share the mission and vision of the leadership? Do the people in your congregation feel that they have a purpose and a mission in the Kingdom of God? Do they feel that they are part of the Kingdom of God? Or do they simply feel that they are a number who occupies a seat Sunday morning who gives their money in the plate but does not know or understand how that money is being used? Do the people of your congregation know how to share the gospel message? Do they know how to defend what they believe? Or do your congregants followers or are they merely fans of Christianity?
The job of a pastor is far more than to simply preach encouraging, challenging, and convicting messages to the congregation. The minister needs to challenge congregants in the world by preaching sermons that pulls people out of their comfort zones. The minister needs to make God and Jesus real in people's lives and help people stop seeing God as simply an idea. The minister needs to present the word of God that is applicable to the listeners while at the same time help them see and learn what the author's intent was.
The minister needs to do more than develop programs. He needs to do more than visit the sick and reach the lost. He needs to inspire the congregation and equip them to grow in their faith and in the knowledge of the Lord. He needs to motivate them to go out into the community they live in and share their faith with others. The pastor is the leader and the congregation are the workers. His primary mission is a develop leaders to continue the mission of the church. In order to develop those leaders the minister needs to develop productive relationships.
Philosophy of Ministry
The word philosophy is a noun, plural, that means “the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct. Philosophy is a particular system of thought based on such study or investigation. The critical study of the basic principles and concepts of a particular branch of knowledge, especially with a view to improving or reconstituting them.”
As a minister I take my philosophical view from the scriptures where Paul writes to the church in Ephesus saying, “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4: 11-13)
My philosophy of ministry stems from building in three areas of focus on the central purpose of the gospel; relationships, the teaching of the word of God, and care. For the Christian the truths we stand on is the word of God and through the knowledge of His word our conduct is to become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. In other words to become more Christ like in our thoughts and actions. As we study the word of God and develop relationships with one another as the body of Christ we witness the power of God through our experiences.
The general purpose of the gospel connected to relationships is in discipleship. Relationships develop personal connections that exhibit Christian character and behavior. This direction avoids a feeling that the gospel is being forced on someone with the familiar notion that God is waiting to punish people for making mistakes. These type of relationship provide opportunities to experience what being part of the Christian faith is about. When people are valued for who they are and what they can do are they more willing to make themselves available to use those skills and talents for something more? These experiences will lead to being connected that offers them purpose that prayerfully will lead the person to confess Christ as the Son of the Living God.
My philosophy is supported on the two pillars of the Christian faith, The Great Commandment and the Great Commission. We have all heard these topic preached in church many Sundays but have we taken into consideration what they really mean and how we are to apply them to our mission?
Matthew 22: 37-39, "You shall love the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commands depend all the Law and Prophets."
To love others is also a means of loving God. To meet people where they are and provide them what they need. The message of hope is a strong message. To love others demands making sacrifices that leads to developing relationships. Suffering is a common denominator in people's lives. People are seeking hope, they want answers to their troubles, and they want to know that things will get better. People want a sense of purpose, they want value, and to be valued. They wish for someone to listen to them in their times of suffering.
Christ came to be the final sacrifice for sins because God valued us. God made a way that man can reconnect with Him. The means to know that connection is through the church. Though the church cannot save anyone they can hear their gospel message that can bring them to the knowledge of hope in Christ. Through Christ man's prayers are heard, man has hope, man has life. The church shows the love of God through the gifts they have been given to lift others up and bring them to a renewed sense of purpose and find a new found strength to overcome adversity by going through them with a new sense of peace that only Christ can provide.
In order to make this possible the church must go out and reach the lost. Man does not wish to seek the true and living God but wishes to follow after the god of their own understanding. The world rejects the authority of the scriptures and justifies itself through following another authority that is their own or devised by man.
Matthew 28: 19-20, "God therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Too often the assumption of making a disciple is to convince people that they need to change the way they think, change their behavior, and then become part of the crowd. When in truth Jesus shows us that we are to accept others as they are, love them regardless of their sins and develop a relationship that offers Christ into their life. This takes time. Once they express that they are open to know more than we are open to move deeper into their life with Christ. We are to plant and water the seed. We cannot convince them that they need to change the way they think or the way they behavior. Through our love for them are they willing to come to the knowledge of Christ?
Scripture tells us that "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). How will they know less they are told? Many in our nation both in the church and outside of it possess a tremendous amount of presuppositions about the Scriptures. Many are due to traditional teachings and others are based on bias frustration of the Christian faith. Paul says that we are study to show ourselves approved, meaning worthy to be heard (2 Timothy 2:15) because such are able to handle the word of God with authority. Generations of mishandling of the word of God the church has reverted to the ways of the Pharisees and Scribes, looking for opportunities to attack others for their personal convictions. The truth about the word of God is when it takes root into the lives of those who listen the result is to promote freedom, not bondage. In relation to limiting traditional teaching people continue to fill the pews to listen to what they already know and believe. The Word of God should encourage people to "be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light? He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1: 9-14).
Finally, the gospel should be centered on care. Suffering is a natural part of the sinful nature in mankind. Life is not easy nor does the Scriptures allude to any notion that to be faithful in Christ one will be void of all suffering. Christ informs the church that temptations are necessary. Paul describes the thorns in his flesh that he prayed three time to have removed. God responded that his grace is sufficient enough for Paul. The same is true for us as well. However, we are called to bear one another's burdens, pray for each other, and be of an account to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet, sometimes the struggles people face require a specialized care. The integration of Theology, Spirituality, and Psychology provides the necessary care for the whole person or persons. Proper training and education enables the minister to provide counseling for not only the general congregation but for the community as well.
As a minister I take my philosophical view from the scriptures where Paul writes to the church in Ephesus saying, “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4: 11-13)
My philosophy of ministry stems from building in three areas of focus on the central purpose of the gospel; relationships, the teaching of the word of God, and care. For the Christian the truths we stand on is the word of God and through the knowledge of His word our conduct is to become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. In other words to become more Christ like in our thoughts and actions. As we study the word of God and develop relationships with one another as the body of Christ we witness the power of God through our experiences.
The general purpose of the gospel connected to relationships is in discipleship. Relationships develop personal connections that exhibit Christian character and behavior. This direction avoids a feeling that the gospel is being forced on someone with the familiar notion that God is waiting to punish people for making mistakes. These type of relationship provide opportunities to experience what being part of the Christian faith is about. When people are valued for who they are and what they can do are they more willing to make themselves available to use those skills and talents for something more? These experiences will lead to being connected that offers them purpose that prayerfully will lead the person to confess Christ as the Son of the Living God.
My philosophy is supported on the two pillars of the Christian faith, The Great Commandment and the Great Commission. We have all heard these topic preached in church many Sundays but have we taken into consideration what they really mean and how we are to apply them to our mission?
Matthew 22: 37-39, "You shall love the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commands depend all the Law and Prophets."
To love others is also a means of loving God. To meet people where they are and provide them what they need. The message of hope is a strong message. To love others demands making sacrifices that leads to developing relationships. Suffering is a common denominator in people's lives. People are seeking hope, they want answers to their troubles, and they want to know that things will get better. People want a sense of purpose, they want value, and to be valued. They wish for someone to listen to them in their times of suffering.
Christ came to be the final sacrifice for sins because God valued us. God made a way that man can reconnect with Him. The means to know that connection is through the church. Though the church cannot save anyone they can hear their gospel message that can bring them to the knowledge of hope in Christ. Through Christ man's prayers are heard, man has hope, man has life. The church shows the love of God through the gifts they have been given to lift others up and bring them to a renewed sense of purpose and find a new found strength to overcome adversity by going through them with a new sense of peace that only Christ can provide.
In order to make this possible the church must go out and reach the lost. Man does not wish to seek the true and living God but wishes to follow after the god of their own understanding. The world rejects the authority of the scriptures and justifies itself through following another authority that is their own or devised by man.
Matthew 28: 19-20, "God therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Too often the assumption of making a disciple is to convince people that they need to change the way they think, change their behavior, and then become part of the crowd. When in truth Jesus shows us that we are to accept others as they are, love them regardless of their sins and develop a relationship that offers Christ into their life. This takes time. Once they express that they are open to know more than we are open to move deeper into their life with Christ. We are to plant and water the seed. We cannot convince them that they need to change the way they think or the way they behavior. Through our love for them are they willing to come to the knowledge of Christ?
Scripture tells us that "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). How will they know less they are told? Many in our nation both in the church and outside of it possess a tremendous amount of presuppositions about the Scriptures. Many are due to traditional teachings and others are based on bias frustration of the Christian faith. Paul says that we are study to show ourselves approved, meaning worthy to be heard (2 Timothy 2:15) because such are able to handle the word of God with authority. Generations of mishandling of the word of God the church has reverted to the ways of the Pharisees and Scribes, looking for opportunities to attack others for their personal convictions. The truth about the word of God is when it takes root into the lives of those who listen the result is to promote freedom, not bondage. In relation to limiting traditional teaching people continue to fill the pews to listen to what they already know and believe. The Word of God should encourage people to "be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light? He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1: 9-14).
Finally, the gospel should be centered on care. Suffering is a natural part of the sinful nature in mankind. Life is not easy nor does the Scriptures allude to any notion that to be faithful in Christ one will be void of all suffering. Christ informs the church that temptations are necessary. Paul describes the thorns in his flesh that he prayed three time to have removed. God responded that his grace is sufficient enough for Paul. The same is true for us as well. However, we are called to bear one another's burdens, pray for each other, and be of an account to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet, sometimes the struggles people face require a specialized care. The integration of Theology, Spirituality, and Psychology provides the necessary care for the whole person or persons. Proper training and education enables the minister to provide counseling for not only the general congregation but for the community as well.
Mission
Know, Grow, and Go!
"Know" the gospel message and what being a Christian is about. It isn't a religion but a relationship. The method by which they will know is through the scriptures, spiritual disciplines, Christian character, church and biblical history and leadership development.
Through "knowing" Christians "grow" in their faith and knowledge of the message. They will be able to give an account as to why they believe and what they believe. If you were to ask the average Christian why they are saved the usual answer would be that Jesus died for their sins or He died on the cross of me or something to that affect. Such a response is self-focused. Many people do not have a deep understanding of our purpose.
As they continue to grow in that knowledge then they will be encouraged to "go" and make disciples of others without being legalistic and religious. This is the core purpose of our mission. God does not call us to sit around to watch the signs of the end times and wait for His return. No, we are called to "go" out into the world to make disciples of others.
"Know" the gospel message and what being a Christian is about. It isn't a religion but a relationship. The method by which they will know is through the scriptures, spiritual disciplines, Christian character, church and biblical history and leadership development.
Through "knowing" Christians "grow" in their faith and knowledge of the message. They will be able to give an account as to why they believe and what they believe. If you were to ask the average Christian why they are saved the usual answer would be that Jesus died for their sins or He died on the cross of me or something to that affect. Such a response is self-focused. Many people do not have a deep understanding of our purpose.
As they continue to grow in that knowledge then they will be encouraged to "go" and make disciples of others without being legalistic and religious. This is the core purpose of our mission. God does not call us to sit around to watch the signs of the end times and wait for His return. No, we are called to "go" out into the world to make disciples of others.
What is Our Purpose
Our purpose has two parts. First our purpose is to fulfill what Christ came to do; to seek and save the lost. Through the Great Commission the church must get out into the world to develop those relationship that will lead people to knowing Christ. Second, through our actions as Christians we glorify the Father by being spiritually productive in bearing spiritual fruit. In the Great Commission Jesus never calls the world into the church but commands the church to go into the world.
John 15:8, "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."
I stated above that if you ask the average Christian why they are saved they will give you an answer to is self-focused. If you go on to ask them what their purpose is still very few have a biblical understanding of that. Many people in and out side the church wonder what is the purpose of being a Christian. Is it to go to church? Is it to pray? Is it to worship a God we cannot see? Is it to be good to others and not judge? Those are not the purpose of being a Christian. We are to "bear much fruit." How do we "bear much fruit"?
Paul tells us in Galatians 5: 22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
As you read that list can you say that the world can do that? Sure they can but the real question that needs to be asked is what is their motivation? When you read that list can you say that doing such things is being religious? No, producing such fruit does not make a person religious. For the Christian the Holy Spirit is our motivator to produce fruit. The world does not produce such fruit for a greater good. The root to their actions is for self, not others. The root to the Christian is to others. This is where the first pillar of my philosophy of ministry stems from, to love others and we love others because God loved us first. The Christian attitude is never for self.
John 15:8, "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."
I stated above that if you ask the average Christian why they are saved they will give you an answer to is self-focused. If you go on to ask them what their purpose is still very few have a biblical understanding of that. Many people in and out side the church wonder what is the purpose of being a Christian. Is it to go to church? Is it to pray? Is it to worship a God we cannot see? Is it to be good to others and not judge? Those are not the purpose of being a Christian. We are to "bear much fruit." How do we "bear much fruit"?
Paul tells us in Galatians 5: 22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
As you read that list can you say that the world can do that? Sure they can but the real question that needs to be asked is what is their motivation? When you read that list can you say that doing such things is being religious? No, producing such fruit does not make a person religious. For the Christian the Holy Spirit is our motivator to produce fruit. The world does not produce such fruit for a greater good. The root to their actions is for self, not others. The root to the Christian is to others. This is where the first pillar of my philosophy of ministry stems from, to love others and we love others because God loved us first. The Christian attitude is never for self.
Target Statement
Come see what's growing!
As church leaders our responsibility is not to make people believe or to change their opinion. The culture outside the church has their objections as to why they want nothing to do with the church. We don't need to add to those objections. As the church goes out to share its faith through their interaction with the community. The church doesn't need to stand on the street corner with signs telling people how the world is coming to an end or how terrible the world is. The church needs to interact with their communities and through interactions the church develops relationships. Through our Christian character, not through proselytizing, we will cause others to wonder why we do what we are doing. When they question the response can simply be, "Come see what's growing!" Inviting them to church is not forcing our faith on others, it is not forcing them to convert. If they make objections we can simply tell them that we don't have the responsibility to make them change their views or make them believe anything. We are simply inviting them to see what is going on.
As church leaders our responsibility is not to make people believe or to change their opinion. The culture outside the church has their objections as to why they want nothing to do with the church. We don't need to add to those objections. As the church goes out to share its faith through their interaction with the community. The church doesn't need to stand on the street corner with signs telling people how the world is coming to an end or how terrible the world is. The church needs to interact with their communities and through interactions the church develops relationships. Through our Christian character, not through proselytizing, we will cause others to wonder why we do what we are doing. When they question the response can simply be, "Come see what's growing!" Inviting them to church is not forcing our faith on others, it is not forcing them to convert. If they make objections we can simply tell them that we don't have the responsibility to make them change their views or make them believe anything. We are simply inviting them to see what is going on.