Importance of the Bible in Ministry

"The Bible is a story that preaches a message.  From the beginning to the end, the Bible tells a single story of salvation."  Sound Doctrine by Bobby Jamieson.

For example, those who wondered if The Trellis and the Vine and The Vine Project from Matthias Media discuss an every-member word ministry, a church ministry mindset in which every church member and every form of church ministry seeks to help each person hear the gospel, grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and become better equipped to share Christ with others.  

Payne and Marshall respond to the critique that this type of every-member work ministry would devalue expository preaching and the work of the preacher with the following.

In our view, the word ministry of pastoral leadership (especially in expository preaching) takes on an even greater importance when it is seen in relation to a flourishing ‘every member word ministry’. For the sermon is not just one word ministry among many; it is the foundational word ministry that feeds and regulates and builds all the others… In his preaching, a pastor sounds the tuning fork so that the whole orchestra knows in what key to play. He teaches and guards the sound deposit of the gospel so that all may know it clearly and thoroughly (for how else will they speak it?). He shows them not only what the Bible says, but how they can read and speak that truth for themselves. He constantly teaches the sound doctrinal framework that shapes the Bible reading and speaking of the whole congregation. (p. 117)

Ministry needs to be rooted in the Bible because the Bible is sufficient, clear, authoritative, and necessary.  The graphic below explains each of these.

To see the poster and more info, click on the image

What do we use the Bible for?  Many answers to this question exist, but we looked at three VERY BASIC uses in our class discussion.

1. Evangelism
2. Personal, spiritual growth
3. Corporate, spiritual growth

In teaching the lesson on Sunday morning, I wanted to allow those in attendance to encourage others with God's word.  Here is how this happened.

Each person was given one of the passages below and told to summarize what it says about the Bible.  Along with this assignment, each person shared a verse that has been an encouragement and help.

Here are short sentences explaining what each verse says about God's Word.

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17:  The Bible is from God and for the good of those who hear it.
• Romans 15:4:  The Bible was written for instruction and gives hope.
• Matthew 24:35:  The Bible will not pass away.
• Isaiah 55:11:  The Word of the Lord will not pass away.
• Hebrews 4:12—13:  The Bible is sharper than a two-edged sword.
• 2 Peter 1:19—21:  The Bible is a lamp shining in a dark place and comes from God.
• Galatians 3:21—22:  The Bible gives life and gives us Christ.
• 2 Peter 3:15—16:  The Bible can be challenging to read and used for sinful purposes.  
• Luke 24:27:  All of scripture points to Jesus Christ.
• Matthew 4:4:  The Bible gives life.

Resources:

• How Can I Get More Out of My Bible Reading by Jeremy Kimble
• Order book:  https://www.9marks.org/books/how-can-i-get-more-out-of-my-bible-reading/
• Free audiobook: https://www.crossway.org/articles/full-audiobook-how-can-i-get-more-out-of-my-bible-reading-by-jeremy-kimble/
• Why Trust the Bible? by Greg Gilbert
• Lead by Paul David Tripp—drodgersjr.blogspot.com/search/label/lead
• Class posts—https://tinyurl.com/tbc-pray-prepare
• Church Ministries Conference, March 7 and 8— grchurchministriesconference.com/

 

Ministry and Missions

Week 2 of "How do you pray for and/or prepare for ministry and/or missions?" explained what ministry and missions is.

Notes from Lead by Paul Tripp.

"Fruit in ministry is the result not of our wise planning and diligent execution but of the loving operation of God's rescuing and transforming grace." (48)

"Prayerlessness in a leadership community is always a result of putting credit where it is not due.  Your leadership community is in trouble if your leaders are more excited about a strategic planning meeting than a prayer meeting. "(48)

As we continue this study of ministry and missions, we must remember both are dependent upon God and His work.

What is essential for spiritual growth?

Contemporary church culture tells us there are so many different things.  Many "silver bullets" are being promoted through the mail and online.  The reality is the essentials for spiritual growth are the Gospel (Romans 1:16 - 17), the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:15 - 17), the Holy Spirit (John 14:26), the church (Hebrews 10:23 - 25), prayer (Philippians 1:9), and time.  

Many things can be helpful but are optional for growth.  Books other than the Bible can be beneficial, but they must point you to God and His Word.  Many people believe finding the right program is necessary.  The problem is that some people think the program must be "new and exciting," while others believe the "old and familiar" is needed.  

The Trellis and The Vine summarizes disciple-making with the following statement.  "Disciples are made by the persevering proclamation of the Word of God by the people of God in prayerful dependence on the Spirit of God."  

Another way to think about developing a disciple-making culture is developing a Biblical counseling mindset in which members share their hope in Christ with one another.

Ministry is NOT programs or events to keep people busy and entertained.

Ministry is the faithful proclamation of the Word of God, knowing that He is the one who changes people and helps them grow.

Below, there are specific prayer points in purple related to these specific levels of Biblical Counseling

ATMOSPHERE OF GRACE & SOUL CARE CULTURE

Pray that God's Word will be faithfully preached and God's people will lovingly care for one another.

Biblical counseling in a local church setting allows the church to offer real hope to church members, regular attendees, and the surrounding community.

The Sunday preaching and teaching are foundational in helping people understand and live out this hope. The BIBLICAL DOCTRINE taught and the ATMOSPHERE OF GRACE experienced during the church meeting time is essential because this is a standard meeting time for everyone. Throughout the Pastoral Epistles, Paul reminds Timothy and Titus to teach and live the truth before people. Specifically, in 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul tells Timothy to share what he has learned with faithful men who will share it with others. The preaching and teaching prepare a congregation of "mini-preachers" to proclaim the Gospel to their families, neighborhoods, and workplaces. The church's ministry on Sunday is so much more than just the pulpit ministry. It is also a "pew" ministry. Each member is a minister.

The ATMOSPHERE OF GRACE goes beyond Sunday meeting times. A church body with a growing biblical counseling mindset also has a CULTURE OF DISCIPLESHIP and SOUL CARE that is marked by a love for one another (John 13:14, 34, 35; 15:12, 17; Romans 12:10; 15:14; 16:16; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 5:21; Hebrews 3:13). This CULTURE OF DISCIPLESHIP is Spirit-led, relationship-driven, not program-directed.

This ATMOSPHERE OF GRACE, CULTURE OF DISCIPLESHIP, and DIRECTIVE COUNSELING is an every-member church ministry.

DIRECTIVE COUNSEL

Pray that EACH MEMBER OF TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH would be a biblical counselor/disciple-maker by speaking biblical truth into one another's lives.

"The body of Christ is built up because the men and women in a church family openly acknowledge their pain, hurts, and struggles. There is mutual edification. This is biblical counseling." Biblical counseling is not a silo ministry. It is not a ministry that is isolated from other ministries. The counseling ministry and discipleship ministry are two separate areas of ministry. The biblical counseling ministry of a church is interwoven throughout its disciple-making mandate.

A church will never have enough highly trained, certified counselors to meet all its counseling needs. If we genuinely believe in biblical community and the priesthood of believers, then EVERY MEMBER of the church needs to be equipped to "speak the truth in love to one another at every level in the body of believers." Every disciple is a disciple maker.

Every growing Trinity Baptist Church member needs to be involved in DIRECTIVE COUNSELING. This is counseling that is life-on-life. It happens through friendship, Sunday School classes, small groups, conversations before church, after church, and throughout the week. DIRECTIVE COUNSELING aims to encourage and obey by speaking the truth in love. Each member is a counselor. The question is, "What kind of counselor are you?"

The quotes and the basic idea of this post have been taken from Biblical Counseling and the Church.

CORRECTIVE COUNSEL

Pray that people would seek help when needed, and pray that members of Trinity Baptist Church would seek training to become even more equipped biblical counselors.

There are times when more intentional, focused help is needed. Someone may need specific help with parenting, communication, finances, or other ongoing issues. If a church member has been doing DIRECTIVE COUNSEL, he or she may notice the same problems in a person's life. CORRECTIVE COUNSEL is meant to help those "stuck in sin." At this level, the counselor has more specific education and training to help those struggling. Individuals giving DIRECTIVE COUNSEL can come alongside the individual as a helper/advocate at the CORRECTIVE COUNSEL level.

INTENSIVE COUNSEL

Pray that counselors speak God's truth and have Godly wisdom while helping those struggling with complex, intense situations. Also, pray that those working with intense problems will seek the help they need.

INTENSIVE COUNSEL is focused on issues that have become life-dominating or tragic. Some examples include addictions, significant fear, and potential divorce. 

Because of the nature of the problems, INTENSIVE COUNSEL takes more time and requires a counselor with more in-depth training. Most people think of The level of counseling when they hear the word "counseling." The challenge in the local church setting is helping the congregation understand that if people sought and gave more counsel at the DIRECTIVE COUNSEL and CORRECTIVE COUNSEL levels, it would help with how much INTENSIVE COUNSEL needs to be given.

Plans and programs do not grow disciples, but one path of discipleship is our Adult Christian Education (ACE) classes.  These classes are designed to establish believers in the faith, edify them in their walk, and equip them to do the ministry's work.

This disciple-making mindset and disciple-making movement should happen in the ministry that should occur in every church.

  

Missions is the church crossing barriers, whether they be linguistics, economics, culture, geography, or religion, to share the Gospel (adapted from Missions by Johnson and Understanding the Christian Mission by Sundquist)

Ugly Class Name

Week 1 of "How do you pray for and/or prepare for ministry and/or missions?" focused on why this class is important and who should be in this class.

"How Do I Pray AND/OR Prepare for Ministry AND/OR Missions?" may be one of the worst class titles I have ever used.

According to online sources, "AND / OR" is ugly and inelegant.
Two "AND / OR"s are even uglier and more inelegant.

The title is not only ugly but also confusing. Some people may not join the class because they don't think it is for them.  

However, the title is accurate, and I wouldn't change it.  This post will explain why it is an ugly but accurate title for the class and review what we discussed in the first session (12.01.24).

Why this class?

Churches need to be praying more for missions and ministry. 
Everyone should be praying for these things.  This class will dedicate part of each session to pray for specific ministries and missionaries of Trinity Baptist Church.  The problem is not a complete lack of prayer in our church but too little God-dependent prayer.  “When prayer is sparse and sporadic when it’s done just enough to ease the conscience and not much more, we’ve got a problem.”  (Onwuchekwa, 18)

Churches must identify, challenge, and prepare people for vocational ministry and missions.  This will help the church fulfill its disciple-making mission NOW and in the FUTURE.  To help everyone understand that whatever and wherever you work, you do it for the glory of God, the church has forgotten the significance of pursuing vocational ministry and missions.  Full-time ministry roles in the local church and missionary roles across cultural, language, and geographical lines are great works. 

So, who would benefit from this class? 

Generally, 

Anyone who wants to grow as a prayer warrior and disciple-making.  

Specifically,

Those who want to learn how to specifically pray for the ministries of Trinity Baptist Church, other churches, and the universal church.

Those who are prayerfully considering or currently pursuing vocational ministry.

Those who are prayerfully considering or currently pursuing missions work.

In this first introductory session, we examined First Corinthians 4:1 - 21, some observations from the class, and D.A. Carson's book The Cross & Christian Ministry.

This passage was broken into three parts.

First Corinthians 4:1 - 7

Carson writes that Christian leadership means being entrusted with the "mysteries of God" and being a servant of Christ.  A Christian leader's loyalty must first be to Jesus.  This loyalty is lived out as one pursues godly righteousness.  In looking through the qualifications for an elder and a deacon, note that most of the list is made up of character qualities every believer should be pursuing these things. 

The "mysteries of God" that have been entrusted to leaders is not some high, secret knowledge that is only revealed to some people.  It is the Gospel, which was a shadown in the Old Testament and is now made clear in Jesus Christ.  

First Corinthians 4:8 - 13

Carson says Christian leadership means living life in the light of the cross.  He goes on to say, "Paul's language is now steeped in biting irony."  The Corinthians thought they had all they needed. 

Christian leaders will be reviled, persecuted, and slandered.  In each of these situations the godly leader will bless, endure, and seek to bring reconciliation.

 

First Corinthians 4:14 - 21

We are reminded that Christian leadership means "encouraging, and if necessary, enforcing the way of the cross, among the people of God."  It is not only about gathering information but also about living out what one believes.  Paul encourages the church to imitate him as he follows Christ.  The goal is not more Pauls.  The goal is for more disciples living for God's glory through Jesus Christ.  Christian leaders, through encouragement and, when needed, discipline.

 BOTTOMLINE:

The Christian leader sets the example by
Proclaiming the Gospel
Living life in the light of the Gospel
Fostering genuine Christian living in the church and the world.

Praying and Preparing for Ministry and Missions

I am excited to teach a class this winter quarter entitled "How Do I Pray for and/or Prepare for Ministry and Missions?"

First, I want to tell you what this class is NOT.

It is not only for those who want to be a pastor or missionary.  

It is not an automatic seal of ministry approval.  

It is not in-depth training for a specific ministry role.

Who is this class for?

If you want to pray more for ministry and missions, this class is for you.

If you want to learn more about full-time ministry and/or missions, this class is for you.

If you want to learn more about ministries in the local church, especially Trinity Baptist Church, with the purpose of praying, refocusing on what God is doing through the ministri, and learning more about the ministry of TBC.

What is meant by "ministry and missions?"

Here is a list to think about:

• International missions
• local missions and ministry
• pastors
• elders
• deacons and deaconesses
• teachers of adults, youth, and children
• the main part of the class discussion in the first two weeks

What is the class going to cover?

Several definitions of what ministry and missions are.

Reminders and some tips related to the importance of the Bible for personal, spiritual growth and understanding ministry and mission.

Reminders and helps related the importance of prayer for personal, spiritual growth and ministry and mission.

The character of a leader, specifically as it relates to church leadership

The challenges facing a leader, specifically as it relates to church leadershp

Men in ministry and missions

Women in ministry and missions

Teaching and Serving Helps

Elders, Deacons, Deaconesses, and the Congregation  

 Here is the class description:  

This class is designed to help those interested in praying for and/or pursuing ministry (teaching a class, leading a small group, serving as an elder, deacon, or deaconess, pursuing missions, or pastoral ministry).  It wi be filled with prayer, practical ministry helps, and encouraging one another and ourselves to become even more equipped for the Gospel work in the church, community, and worldwide. 

Praying at Breakpoint

On November 19th, I had the privilege of sharing at Breakpoint, the monthly meeting of some Grand Rapids area pastors. I set two goals for the time.

1. Challenge each of us, as pastors and ministry leaders, to pray more. 
2. Give time to pray with and for each other's ministries.

Most of the material I presented was not original to me.  It was quoted or adapted from  Prayer:  How Praying Together Shapes the Church by Onwuchekwa, Praying with Paul by D.A. Carson and The Praying Church by Paul Miller.  

The time began by getting into three groups to see what the following passages say about prayer and how to pray.

• Daniel 2:17—23
• Psalm 13
• Philippians 1:9—11

Rather than sharing what we talked about, I want to encourage you and others from your church to study and pray these verses.

Here are other prayer passages from Ephesians 1:15 - 24, 3:14 - 19, 6:18 - 20.

I have been learning how praying prayers from the Bible helps with God-centeredness, specificity, and more.   Most, if not all, Bible-believing Christians would say prayer is important.  However, Bible-praying Christians see the need to pray more and live more God-dependent prayers.

“When prayer is sparse and sporadic, when it’s done just enough to ease the conscience and not much more, we’ve got a problem.”  

Here are some faulty ideas about prayer. Here are a couple of these ideas. 

• Seems like a waste of time.  
• Lie: Let's get working and doing something.
• Truth:  We are commanded to pray.  We need to grow in our dependence on God.  

• "I don't know how to pray."
• Lie:  There is an exact way that I need to pray.
• Truth:  Ask others to help you grow in your prayer life.  If you aren't sure how to pray, look to the Bible for examples of prayer.  
• If God is sovereign, why bother praying.
• Lie:  There is no reason to pray if God is sovereign.
• Truth:  We are commanded to pray.  The purpose of prayer is not to change God's mind.  
• Prayer does not work.
• Lie:  I have prayed for specific things and didn't get what I wanted.
• Truth:  ” Effective prayer is the fruit of a relationship with God, not a technique for acquiring blessings.”  D.A. Carson

KEYS TO PRAYER

• God and His Glory
• Man’s dependence on God
• God’s Word
• God's family, the church

Marks of a praying church?

• People pray more.
• Harmony and unity in Christ.
• Growing dependence upon God

• “Where prayer is abundantly present, it teaches the church that we really need the Lord.  Where prayer is absent, it reinforces that we believe we are okay without God.”

• Understanding that prayer is not ONE MORE activity of the church.  Prayer lies at the heart of all the church's ministry.  (The Praying Church, p. 28)
• Individuals pray for each other and ask others to pray for you. 

 

Here are some ways you and others in your congregation can pray for churches.

1.  Pray they will keep their eyes on God.

King Jehoshaphat faced three combined enemy armies and did not know what to do except to lock his eyes on God. That’s the answer whenever we have no clue about the next steps.

“For we are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to You.” (2 Chron. 20:12, HCSB)

2. Pray they will not take a step apart from God’s leading.

Moses prayed this prayer when God would send only an angel to lead His people after their fiasco with the golden calf. He would rather the people not start the journey if God Himself were not leading them.

“If Your presence does not go,” Moses responded to Him, “don’t make us go up from here.” (Exod. 33:15)

3. Pray they will beware of relying on their own strength instead of God's

David, who knew the Lord is the one who fights for him (1 Sam. 17:47), trusted in his own might when he took a census of the Hebrew armies. Recognizing his sin, he prayed a prayer most leaders need to pray at some point:

“I have sinned greatly in what I’ve done. Now, Lord, because I’ve been very foolish, please take away Your servant’s guilt.” (2 Sam 24:10)

4. Pray they will be wise in leading God’s people.

When Solomon might have asked for much more, he instead asked God to give him a “listening heart” as he governed the people of God. All of us who lead congregations need this wisdom.

“So give Your servant an obedient heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who can judge this great people of Yours?” (1 Kings. 3:9)

 

RESOURCES:

PERSONAL PRAYER:  Do you pray? A Question for Everybody by J.C. Ryle
Free ebook @ www.monergism.com/call-prayer-ebook

1.  I ask, `Do you pray?' because prayer is absolutely necessary to a person's salvation

2.  I ask, `Do you pray?' because a habit of prayer is one of the surest marks of a true Christian

3.  I ask, `Do you pray?' because private prayer is the most neglected Christian discipline

4.  I ask, `Do you pray?' because the Bible is full of encouragement for all who want to pray

5.  I ask, `Do you pray?' because faithfulness in prayer is the secret of true holiness

6.  I ask, `Do you pray?' because neglecting prayer is one of the great causes of backsliding

7.  I ask, `Do you pray?' because prayer is the best recipe for happiness and contentment

CHURCH—WIDE PRAYER:  A Praying Church by Paul Miller

“We’ll hear sermons on prayer, listen to a pastoral prayer, and begin meetings with prayer, but prayer seldom happens naturally in conversation.  It just feels too religious.”  (18)

“Prayer is not one more activity of the church—it lies at the heart of all the church’s ministry.” (26)

“Good preaching (and teaching) needs good praying, or we begin to rely too much on the power of our horizontal words.”  (56)

“The act of praying itself is a kind of dying, where you give up your self-will to “make things happen” and go to God with a collective “Help us.”  The initial feeling of prayer is dying to self because praying is an act of the will, a decision to shut down your activity and open the door to God’s activity.” (111)

“Prayer isn’t just another ministry; it is the ministry that sparks the rule of the Spirit of Jesus in all ministries.”  (154, emphasis authors)

Think about these questions…

• How can I grow prayerful dependence in my own life? 
• How can you help grow prayerful dependence in your church?