Thots On Ministry Approaches

I know this can be a very "Hotbutton" issue for many people, but with the limited exposure of this blog, I'll be fortunate to have even one person read it through thoughtfully.  Nevertheless, I write - for myself as much as for the reader.  After all, "Blog" means "web log" and this is my log.

 

I receive a monthly mailing entitled "Milk and Honey" - and excellent publication with 2 or 3 short articles about biblical things.  (It is put out by those in the "Plymouth Brethren" and so sometimes contains biases that direction, but that does not warrant rejection or approval.)  October's issue contained an article that got me thinking (in a direction not necessarily intended by the author, but certainly useful to this minister of God's Word).  The article was entitled "The Word of God: The Believer And the Word of God In A World Of Defilement (Psalm 119:9-16)." 

 

What got me thinking was the opening paragraphs challenging modern Christian methods and practices (again, here is the bias, for the author obviously is "anti-denominational" to the point of being denominational in his own right - a criticism I've had of the Plymouth Brethren for many years, now.)  While I won't debate the strengths and weaknesses of each denomination, I will defend what I believe truth and godliness.  Having said that, if I haven't confused you already, or made you wonder where I'm going with this, let me say that there is truth to the idea that much of what the modern church is doing is counter-productive to the Biblical Christianity, and so ineffective if not all together a failure to genuinely lead people to Christ. 

 

Let me say this now, before I lose you (and myself) in this complicated treatise - There are two sides to Ministry:  1.  The minister  2.  The hearer. 

 

THE MINISTER.  If the minister does not emphasize the Word of God and honor it appropriately, there is no reason to believe the hearer will either.  So the minister has a responsibility to carry his duties out with the gravity and authority God gave him with that calling.  Some modern approaches diminish the honor and authority of God's Word. These are the ineffective approaches.  The article missed this point altogether, save by implication.  His answer to ineffective ministry is to blame the hearer, while he criticizes the ministry program for being poor.  The quality of the ministry program is not the "fun" level being too high for effectiveness, as this author would have us to believe.  The quality of any ministry program is the found in the high (or low) emphasis on God's Word.  There are many ways to emphasize God's Word and it's place in our hearts and lives.  Music and drama can either be weak or strong on this topic - they are mere forms of communication.  The method of communication is never to blame.  Weakness in ministry is based on weakness in message.

 

THE HEARER.  On the other hand, the hearer also has a responsibility.  And here the author of my article emphasizes well the truth - each hearer must value the Word of God, hiding it in our hearts, seeking it with our whole heart (Psa 119:9-10).  No one will be transformed by the Word of God if he does not value, trust, and follow it.  No one can possibly live a Godly life in an ungodly world apart from the Word of God.  And yes, the author is right in saying that "RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES are often used to remedy the problem [of impure living]" (emphasis mine).  More Bible Studies don't fix the problem if those studying the Bible don't follow it. 

 

So, to wrap this little thing up, let me say that ministry approach is one thing, and listener reception is another.  While there are things the minister can do to enhance reception, there are also things the listener must do to enhance reception as well.  We ALL do well to heed our responsibilities in these areas.  I need to listen better, and I need to minister better.

 

For the glory of Christ.