The Main Things in Ministry

As a ministry leader or volunteer – have you ever wondered what you are supposed to do? What should occupy your time? What the main things should be? What your goals and objectives should look like?

This is determined for most by…

1). What you hear – What the newest buzzwords are… What your ministry friends are doing… What you hear other local ministries are doing

2). What you read – The lastest ministry twitter trend… The hottest new ministry book… The most followed blog

3). What you see – When you speak at another ministry… When you’re on sabbatical… Advertised at a ministry nearby

What should be our Main Things in ministry? We need to look to the Master Ministry Leader Jesus. What did he have as His main objectives?

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” (Matthew 9:35-38 NLT)

In these verses we see the BIG FOUR ministry focuses in Jesus ministry. We should take our cue from Him.

1. Teach …teaching in the synagogues

Paul tells Timothy:
Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. (2 Timothy 4:2-4 NLT)

It’s the Word of God that changes lives! We MUST stay faithful and consistent to teach it – literally and accurately. This is true in our preaching and our one-on-one discipleship.

2. Evangelize -…announcing the Good News

But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5 NIV84)

We can never forget the importance and life-changing power of the Gospel. We must NEVER get too busy to share in regularly. (Remember Jesus’ command to disciple – Matthew 28:19-20)

3. Minister to People’s Needs …healed every kind of disease and illness – When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them

A friend once told me, “If you minister to hurting people, you’ll never be without a congregation!”. It’s easy to get so busy doing ministry that you don’t have time for people anymore. When you loose touch with people, and loose you’re heart for them, you’ve disqualified yourself for ministry. Ministry is people!

Jesus said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” (Matthew 9:12 NLT)

4. Develop Leaders -Replace yourself! …So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields

As ministry leaders, we get so busy doing ministry, that we forget one of the most important things. Develop others to do ministry!

What adjustments do you need to make in your ministry objectives and day-to-day routine? Prayerfully and obediently follow the Leader< and watch your ministry explode!

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11, 12 NLT)

Do we think we’re smarter than God? That we know best? That no one can do it like we can? We need to obey God and make it a primary objective to develop others to do ministry.

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