What are we passionate about in ministry?

Doing Ministry Together: Ministry Practices at Wellington Presbyterian Church

The Good News of the gospel tells us that not only are we called back into a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ, but that Jesus has also given all Christians the joy of being called into a lifestyle of ministry individually and communally for His glory. But how do we do that? What instructions does God's Word give us? What principles should guide us when we come together to do ministry?

What follows is a short summary of how we are committed to doing ministry together- our "ministry practices".  It is to be the "sheet music" that keeps us all playing together and making beautiful music to the glory of Christ. Each of these ministry practices are derived from Scripture and represent not merely our preferences but our principles by which we hope to demonstrate our love to Christ through faithful service together in obedience to His commands. 

The Big Picture-

Before we look at the details, it helps to first fix "the big picture" in mind. You can think of our ministry practices in this fashion:

Tools — These are what actually accomplish change in our lives- i.e. ministry. Like tools used to build a house, these are what we use to "do ministry".

Target — This is what the Bible tells us God wants to produce in our lives through ministry. We are told that "ministry" is about making and growing "disciples", but what does it mean to be a disciple? Our target answers that question for us and helps us see "what we are trying to build."

How-To's — These are the biblical instructions for how to use our "tools".  Like an instruction manual for how to use say an electric drill, our "how-to's" help us understand what is Biblically paramount in how to actually use our "tools" to reach our "target".

What are our "Tools"?

These "tools" are central spiritual realities that Christians need to be dealing with or applying in most every situation they encounter in ministry. Those tools can be described under two general headings- the Scriptures and the Gospel, which include the central spiritual blessings of justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification. The gospel encompasses far more than even these spiritual blessings, but these are absolutely central and always relevant.
All of our ministries should be designed to make Scriptures and the Gospel primary. We will not rely on other strategies or means to reach our targets, but instead will design all our ministry strategies to help teach, demonstrate, and apply our tools of Scriptures and the Gospel to everyone in every situation.

What is our "Target"?

The Bible makes clear that lasting change comes from changed hearts. A disciple of Christ is one whose heart is changed and continues to be changed by Christ. Whatever controls the heart will control behavior. Everything we see in our behavior is ultimately an expression of our hearts. So our target in ministry is a changed heart.
But what kind of "heart change" does Christ want to produce in us? How can we recognize it? We can summarize this change in terms of four categories. All our ministry efforts will be aimed to see ...

Hearts that are Growing in Grace that...
• ... will show a growing pattern of repentance over sin and joyful faith in Christ's forgiveness that leads to Christ-like character.
• ... will have a growing pattern of delight in and active participation in personal and public worship and all the means of grace.

Hearts that are Growing in Fellowship and Service that...
• ... will show a growing pattern of active living in genuine Christian community.
• ... will progressively put on the identity and activity of a servant of others.

Hearts that are Growing in Evangelism and Missions that...
• ... will lovingly seek to witness to the Gospel in word and deed to our neighbors.
• ... will seek to either go or actively send missionaries for the Gospel.

Hearts that are Growing in a Biblical World and Life View that...
• ... will be learning to see all of life through the lens of God's truth.
• ... will be seeking to demonstrate and work for the Kingdom of God in all walks of their lives.

What are our "How-To's"?

The Bible is full of both specific instructions and broad principles that help us understand how to "do ministry". There are four "how-to's" that are key for us at Wellington Presbyterian Church and should practically guide how every ministry activity is planned and executed. We are committed to see that all ministry is done relationally, truthfully, prayerfully, and missionally.

Relationally Relationships must form the canvas upon which the designs of grace in our lives are revealed. Living out this "how-to" will mean...
• we will place a high priority upon ministry strategies that either build relationships or rely upon them rather than "wow events".
• we will place a high priority upon ministry strategies that pay attention to the uniqueness of people's needs and backgrounds.
• we will place a high priority upon not merely teaching, but training people in ministry.

Truthfully This "how-to" expresses three key commitments...
1st- Our ministry will reflect our Reformed convictions.
• Our methods will be shaped by the doctrines of grace.
• Our methods will be shaped by a Reformed understanding of the church.
• Our methods will be shaped by a Reformed understanding of how to live the Christian life.

2nd - Our ministry will reflect a focus on Christ-like discipleship.
• This means that our methods will reflect our conviction that the maximum amount of truth to the maximum number of people in accessible language and forms is Christ-like discipleship.

3rd- Our ministry will reflect our conviction on the importance of theology.
• This means that our methods will not be driven by expediency (what works in our eyes), but by theology (what is true and right in God's eyes).

Prayerfully Hearts and lives are not ultimately changed by our carefully constructed ministry strategies, but ultimately by the power of God working through broken people like us and broken efforts like ours. We will conduct our meetings and activities as if we really believed in both the necessity of the power of God to be poured out and willingness of our Heavenly Father to hear and answer us when we pray!

Missionally  Every ministry activity must seek to extend the power of God's grace through our lives and into our community.
• Every ministry activity must uniquely contribute to helping Wellington Presbyterian Church achieve its vision for obeying the Great Commission.
• Every ministry activity must seek to constantly welcome a new flow of people into its ranks.