Seven questions to ask every ministry leader
Good people, who love the Lord, aren’t thinking through what God has called them to do. Ministry is too important to be done haphazardly.
Posted: Friday, February 29, 2008, 11:51 (GMT)
We have a lot of haphazard ministry being done in our churches around the world. Good people, who love the Lord, aren’t thinking through what God has called them to do. Ministry is too important to be done haphazardly. We can’t just say, “I’ll give it my best shot!” We need to think through what the ministries in our church are all about. Our ministries must be good stewards of all they’ve been given. For that to happen, we’ve got to plan ministry strategically.
There are seven important questions that need to be answered when you’re planning an effective ministry. These are questions for any healthy ministry – whether it’s your music ministry, greeters, small group leaders, or any other ministry team.
1. Why are you here?
Every ministry in your church should have a clear idea of what it’s all about. Each one needs a purpose statement. You develop that statement by asking two questions: What is the business of this ministry? And what is none of this ministry’s business?
What’s the business of Saddleback? We attract members, teach them to worship God, develop them to Christlike maturity, and mobilize them for ministry in the church and a life mission in the world. We do that in each stage and segment of their lives. If something doesn’t fit within that mission statement, we don’t do it.
Every ministry within your church needs a purpose statement like that. Ask each ministry: What do you do and what do you not do?
2. What purpose of the church does your ministry fulfill?
Every ministry in your church should be tied to at least one of the five purposes of the church. Is this ministry designed to exalt Christ (worship)? Is it designed to reach out to the community (evangelism)? Is it designed to deepen relationships within the church (fellowship)? Is it designed to build people into Christian maturity (discipleship)? Is it designed to serve the needs of the church family (ministry)?
As a pastor, you need to make sure that each of your ministries does one of these five things. If it doesn’t, your church doesn’t need to be doing it.
3. Who are you trying to reach?
You need to figure out who your ministry is trying to reach – the Community, the Crowd, the Congregation, the Committed, the Core, or the Commissioned. Ministries trying to reach the Community are evangelistic in nature. Ministries that serve those during weekend services are focused on the Crowd. Ministries focused on church members will work with the Congregation. Ministries that help people grow spiritually will center on the Committed. Ministries that meet the needs of people within the church or try to get people involved in the ministry of the church will focus on the Core. And the ministries that help those who’ve committed to be involved in missions (the P.E.A.C.E. Plan for us at Saddleback) will need to focus on the Commissioned. (For a further explanation of these audiences, see my article from the last issue.)
Have your say on this article
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Thursday, March 6, 2008, 20:49 (GMT)
I agree with Rick. Lord, I pray this English brother who commented will go to Anglican church regularly and not sit on the hedge rows there in England. Rick Warren is criticized by many in the US. My firend Pam calls me a courier. I like to drive in New Jersey for my company I work for. Rick Warren and others, like Billy Graham and Franklin Graham, have
given me purpose. They have prayed for all of us, in the body of Christ. I am thankful for leaders like the Grahams and Kay and Rick Warren, that they have handled their marriages
in a godly manner, had fun serving Christ (John 16:24) , and still reminded us of those in prison for Christ in China and other places. At least some were released in Eritrea recently, in
prison just because they loved Jesus more than the things (I JOHN 2:15,16) of this world, which is passing away. Bob Durham, Abington PA March 6, 2008 3:48 pm
Bob Durham, Abington PA USA
Added: Friday, February 29, 2008, 17:06 (GMT)
As you can see i live in England. I have a wonderful walk with the Lord. i've am a born again believer, spirit filled child of God for 25yrs. I am 62 yrs of age and have a wealth of evengelistic and teaching experience. The church in England has many problems too. The charismatic people have desended to the of the wall people where anything goes so long as you attend. The anglicans have lost the plot with regard to expected behaviour of the Church Headship. The situation is dyer and do you know why, because the ministers are more concerned about bodies on seats than your seven questions. I am without a fellowship and have been for many years and thats because i am aware of the same dynamic principles of a God given ministry just like you are. God Bless you Brother send your seven questions to the churches in england many many ministers just don't get it and those that do don't know what to do with it. I call it 'Mills and Boon' Christianity
Keith Gillard, Derby, England
