It is foundational that every minister should have a proper scriptural grasp and understanding of ministry. Shallow and fickle knowledge have done incalculable damage to many promising ministers and their God-given ministries.
In its full broad sense, ministry entails all the work of a professional minister, encapsulated in the five fold ministry gifts (Eph. 4:10-13). Therefore, the counseling and nurturing work of a Pastor; pioneering, training and raising work of an Apostle; evangelizing and harvesting work of an Evangelist; the foretelling and forth-telling work of a Prophet and teaching and training of a Teacher are ALL ministry work.
However, in its narrow sense, every Christian has a ministry to fulfill through their calling, giftings and special assignments from the Lord (I Tim. 4:5-8; Col. 4:17; 1 Cor. 4:1; Acts 20:20-24; Acts 1:17). This is special task from the Lord to an individual to focus on particular area of need and bring people to the kingdom of God.
Every ministry must impact the church and society for the better, but not every ministry must operate as a church.
A. 3 Levels of Ministry
Obviously, there are levels and stages in ministry. And it starts with you identifying and operating at your own peculiar type of ministry.
1. Struggling Level
Too many ministries are at this basic level, despite years of being in existence. At this level, you discover the following:-
a. Ignorant, untrained and limitation-driven minister.
b. No clarity about the kind and type of ministry.
c. Running a church instead of ministry.
d. No platform and support to start.
e. Starting big with little substance.
f. Depending on people, connections and introductions.
g. No income, materials and ideas to run the ministry.
At struggling level, the ministry revolves around only the visioneer and acceptance, credibility is very low. Membership is spasmodic and unstable. You have more liabilities than assets. Most ministries at this level are only struggling to survive.
2. Successful Level-Acts 5:35-39
In this level, you will notice the following:-
a. Spiritually lukewarm, worldly but fervent minister.
b. Gradual acceptance by people.
c. Invitations and open doors here and there.
d. Some material blessings but spiritually cold.
e. Traveling and connections.
f. Buildings, structures and styles.
g. Wealth, prosperity and breakthroughs.
h. Popularity, fame and physical blessings.
i. Reformations and shallow changes.
j. Draws a crowd and a following.
Physically, materially and financially successful ministry is termed as a success by men, but not by God. One may have all the trappings of a worldly success, yet is seen as an abysmal failure in divine estimations. Most ‘successful’ ministries are not truly healthy ministries. They are usually sick, infirm and bleeding internally – Rev. 3:15-19.
3. Significant Level of Ministry
Ministry at this level is epitomized by these traits:-
a. A truly spiritually healthy minister.
b. Doing it according to divine pattern.
c. Bringing impact and transformations to people.
d. Laying strong foundation of faith in people’s hearts.
e. Discipling, changing and equipping people.
f. Utilizing the resources to expand His kingdom.
g. Pursuing an expanded kingdom vision.
h. Raising, empowering and enabling ministers and ministries.
1. Raising an institution that will survive for a long time.
Significant ministry is healthy ministry. They are not perfect ministries, but the ones that are seeking to be the best that God created them to be.
Recommended Reading
THE GREATEST ASSET OF ANY MINISTRY – PEOPLE
Divine Favour: The Difference Between Labour and Favour
Serving God In These Last Days:OBSTACLES TO SERVICE
B. Healthy Ministry Today
In my many seminars, travels and study of many ministers and churches, I have seen many sick, infirmed and internal bleedings that eventually lead to sicknesses, chronic diseases and ultimate death of otherwise promising ministries. Either you are a struggling, successful or significant ministry, you need to avail yourself of these factors of healthy ministry, if your ministry will truly last and fulfill your divine mandate. You can bring health to your ministry by these:-
1. Open to personal, spiritual and ministerial health- If you are sick, your ministry will be sick too.
2. Open to pursuing divine vision and goal-setting Vision of a better future must continually motivate you.
3. Open to growth, development and wholeness Pursuing growth and creating the atmosphere in the ministry.
4. Open to continuous education – You need to keep knowing and doing it better.
5. Open to disciple making process – Raising quality people is crucial.
6. Open to research analysis and de-briefing You must welcome criticism and contribution from outside.
7. Open to dynamic and competent leadership Leading by skill and competency is paramount.
8. Open to ministry of the saints – Your people must be released to their God-given ministries.
9. Open to prayer ministry – Intercession and intercessors play big and vital roles.
10. Open to change and flexibility – Your change will help your ministry health.
11. Open to proper handling of money – Godly attitudes to money is a signal to health.
12. Open to successor – You must raise those who will lead the work further.
Many ministries are closed and opposed to all these, small wonder they are sick and diseased.