Serving God is a great privilege and a heavy responsibility. These four simple ingredients will lift your ministry effectiveness to new heights.
This outline was recently taught at our monthly Leadership Meeting for all ministry workers and helpers. I pray it will be a blessing to you as well.
1. Preparation
Preparation is vital to success. The servant of God must have time to prepare His mind, heart, and material. Build preparation time into your schedule.
- Preparation of Schedule
- Preparation of Walking with God
- Preparation of a Holy Life
- Preparation of Hard Work
- Preparation of Bible Material
2 Timothy 2:21 “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”
Don’t get swept up in the craziness of life. You will need to purge some things from your life in order to be thoroughly prepared to serve God. Set your life in order with enough margin to prepare for God’s work.
2. Ministry
Colossians 4:17 “And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.”
A. Set aside a specific time set aside to do your ministry work.
- Know what investment your ministry requires to be effective.
- Be early. On time is late.
- Be faithful.
- Be Spirit-filled.
- Be prepared.
- Work within ministry structure.
- Follow church procedures.
- Love people.
- Be teachable.
- Be Jesus!
B. Your ministry continues outside of your set time as you live a godly life.
You can’t separate the messenger from the message. You are the message!
2Corinthians 3:2-3 “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: For as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”
[shareable]Your ministry does not end at a set time or when you leave the church. Have a #ministry mindset every day.[/shareable]
All ministry workers are expected to conform to basic Biblical truths and principles as outlined in our Leadership Expectations that all ministry workers sign.
James 3:1 “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.”
This verse warns against those who desire a position without being willing to accept the responsibility of leadership. Biblical leadership is a privilege that requires sacrifice and sanctification. Each ministry has different levels of time, work, and preparation necessary to be effective. Some ministries need little while others require much. Find a ministry that fits your level of commitment then do your best to please the Lord!
3. Follow-up
1Sam. 3:12b “when I begin, I will also make an end.”
Our Lord finishes what He starts. From sports to business to ministry, every successful endeavor must include a well-executed follow through.
For example:
- Visitation = Follow-up on converts and prospects
- Soulwinning = Diligent Discipleship
- Preaching = Pointed Invitation
- Bus Ministry = Visit prospects every week
- Sunday School = Contact absentees, visit students in their homes quarterly
Our ministry is to capture the hearts and minds of our students and influence the whole house for God. This purpose is a greater calling than filling a spot or punching a clock. Strive to reach the entire family for God.
Acts 18:8 “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.”
There are different types of Follow-up for various ministries. Standard methods of follow-up include visits, calls, letters, emails, texts, social networking, and cards. Use common sense, propriety, and the church’s Child Abuse Protection Standards when interacting with children and the opposite gender.
What methods should you use for your ministry?
4. Accountability
Romans 14:10-12 “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
Being accountable to do what you said you would do is about as scriptural as you can be. To be a good steward of the ministry that God has given to us, we must require accountability, and even enforce it.
[shareable]You don’t get what you expect. You get what you inspect. #accountability[/shareable]
The more we build this into our thinking, the more we will accomplish and please the Lord. Remember the God’s pattern for accountability. Church leaders and every believer in Jesus Christ will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ. You had better believe right now that you will stand accountable in that day. You will be judged then for your stewardship of today. Every person who rejects Christ will be sentenced to eternal damnation at the Great White Throne Judgment. You can get your sins forgiven today if you will Accept God’s Love.
You are accountable to God. You are accountable to God-given leadership. Don’t resent accountability. See it as a guardrail to protect your life and ministry.
These Four Ingredients for Effective Biblical Leadership will increase your effectiveness in God’s work. Which one needs the most attention in your life today?