Ministry Within The
Context Of Culture – A Few Considerations
(Written by Kevin A. Hall 04.30.17)
Gene Getz wrote a fascinating book on “Sharpening the Focus
of the Church”. A review of the material suggests that there are some things
that we take for granted when it comes to the operation of ministry. According
to Getz there are 6 focus areas that church leadership can place an intentional
effort in order to achieve their desired purpose and objectives - Evangelism,
Edification, Leadership, Communication, Administration and Organization. In all
these areas a few key questions should be asked to assess effectiveness: (1)
How can biblical principles be translated into purpose? (2) How can the goals, objectives and standards
be formulated for the local church? As we make these assessments in all areas
of the ministry, we cannot afford to allow ourselves to be in bondage to the
culture and we definitely should not be separated from it. Every consideration
we make should be done in light of scripture with the intent to build bridges.
As we consider the impact of culture, the church needs to
look at her place within that culture. How does culture impact the worldview of
its members? How does the church impact society? We need to provide outlets for
the church to be incarnated into the society; adapting yet not compromising.
This means ensuring our reach extends beyond the four walls to influence
activities within the government, businesses, schools, the arts, our church
programs and especially our homes.
Regarding Evangelism, we need to consider our role in
contributing toward the Great Commission. Does the mission of the church extend
into the local community and beyond? Is there an effort to encourage corporate
witnessing? Is the church just a “Saving Station” or is it a “Place of
Empowerment – A Bridge to the World”? How are we doing in reaching families, households
and single individuals? Are we actively seeking to identify, develop and to
deploy our members’ gifts? How about our New Convert Care – what happens after
we have made converts? Is there a strategy in place to “disciple” our brothers
and sisters?
Because Edification is the channel through which we “make
mature”, then we should consider the effectiveness of our Bible teaching
programs. The strategies we use should develop levels of maturity, spiritual
awareness, sensitivity and enlightenment. These programs should help us move
beyond the knowledge level to a greater development of relational experiences.
It is our responsibility to help families grow so that they have the “spiritual
equipment to combat negative secular experiences”. Our goal then should be the equipping
of the saints for Christian Service.
Administration plays a most important role in the life and
health of the church. It may be something that most people never see, but its
effectiveness is exactly what most people see. Administrations helps the church
to establish priorities and achieve balance. Effective administration should
afford opportunities to creatively solve issues, get organized and provide
means for effective communication. We should avoid becoming concerned with “existing”
as opposed to “why we exist”; advocating external non-absolutes as opposed to
spiritual absolutes; caring more about the process than about the person.
Of course, none of this happens effectively without good
leadership. In every group, we will find the Innovators (10%), the Inhibitors (10%)and the
ever so faithful conservatives (80%). While I would prefer not to have inhibitors, we know that the wheat and tares will grow together ad they do serve a purpose. Preferably we'd all like to see a greater percentage of Innovators! Too many people just going along. The teaching of God’s Word is the means to
biblical submission. A healthy church cannot be a “one man show”. There needs
to be a working of a multiple leader model. This approach will encourage the
Pastor/Teacher to not become burnt out and overburdened. And as we select our
leaders, attention should be placed on biblical qualifications rather than
outward qualities. The Bible does stipulate qualifications for leaders of the
church (Acts, Ephesians, Titus & Timothy).
As we plan activities, programs, and curriculum, the Bible
must remain our normative source for information. We should provide ample opportunities
for the study of the Bible, and for the edification and equipping of the
saints. We live in a technological age therefore we should use all possible
technological means at our disposal for both edification and means of
evangelism. Both Jesus and Paul serves as examples in this area. We should be creative
and flexible in this postmodern generation. Getz reminds us that “a
communications revolution in the culture should also lead to a communications
revolution within the church”. Unfortunately, most times the church looks at
these advantages with disdain and fear, taking years to catch up. This can make
us seem irrelevant to the culture. Much of this I will say is tied to
leadership. If we wish to grow, then evaluation of processes and means must be
continual. It is biblical to evaluate (2 Cor. 3:15; Gal. 6:4; 1 Thes. 5:21; 1
Thes. 3:5). Our evaluations should be constant (assessing needs, mission,
resources, focus, spiritual health). Benefits from evaluation will extend to ensuring
that no believer is left behind – Every member will be helped, encouraged and
held accountable. It is difficult to grow in isolation. We all need each other,
as the goal is spiritual union, the building up of each other into Christ, the
maturity of every believer.
Reference:
Getz. G.
Sharpening The Focus Of The Church. Victor Books (1984). 9780896933934
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