Endeavor A Philosophy of Ministry Dr. Ray Lubeck 1. Priorities There are only two elements in our present world which are eternal, that outlive this present age. 1.1 word Isa. 40:8; Ps. 119:89; Mat. 5:17-18; 24:35 1.2, who are immortal, destined for eternity either with God or separated from him. 1 John 3:36; 2 Thes. 1:8-9 Therefore, the time we spend in and with people is the only time which carries eternal significance. These, then, should be the two priorities in the believer's life. 1 See C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory, pp. 1-15 in The Weight of Glory and Other Essays (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1949): 14-15. It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilization these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit immortal horrors or everlasting splendours. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption. And our charity must be a real and costly love, with deep feeling for the sins in spite of which we love the sinner no mere tolerance or indulgence which parodies love as flippancy parodies merriment. Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbour is the holiest object presented to your senses.
2. Ingredients for Growth There are four primary areas necessary for Christian growth: 2.1 : responding with our whole being to the nature and work of God. 2.2 Instruction: this involves both seeking out truth which is then lived out in our own lives, as well as being used by God to teach his truths into the lives of others. These two areas relate to reflecting upon and responding to the priority of GOD S WORD. Instruction There are two kinds of people: those who follow Christ and those who do not. 2.3 : this involves the deep sharing of lives among those who are followers of Jesus. 2.4 : bringing to those as-yet outside the faith the good news of the coming of the kingdom of God in the person and work of Jesus and the hope of new life in him.. These two areas relate to the PEOPLE priority. Instruction Note: One can arrange the first letter of each of these four areas to come up with the acronym WIFE (making it easier to remember!).
3. Balance These four areas need to be held together IN BALANCE. Overpreoccupation with any area to the neglect of others will result in stunted spiritual growth. This is true of: 3.1 Our personal lives 3.2 Our discipleship of others on an individual or small group basis. 3.3 Our programming within the local church. This tool can to strategize for balanced and healthy spiritual growth and both the individual level and in ministry communities. E.g. What is my personal worship life like on a daily basis? Am I responding to his worth in my life by offering him praise and works of joyful celebration and trust? And what is the worship climate like as the church I regularly attend does it foster true worship both on the individual level as well as when gathered together? 4. A Further on Instruction Just as the four ingredients of growth must be held together in balance to produce a spiritually healthy individual or church, so our instruction should also be balanced. Our natural tendency is to become experts in some particular field while neglecting other aspects of growth. By contrast, a mature believer has a solid foundation for his faith, lifestyle, and ministry. The three main areas of biblical instruction which lead to spiritual maturity are: (1) Bible, (2) Doctrine, and (3) Life Issues. 4.1 Bible 4.1.1 Basic Bible survey & content 4.1.2 Biblical Book Studies 4.1.3 In-depth study of specific passages 4.2 Doctrine 4.2.1 Systematic Theology (TRADITIONAL) 4.2.1.1 World view & introduction to theology 4.2.1.2 Study of the Bible: revelation, inspiration, inerrancy, interpretation, authority, canon, etc. 4.2.1.3 Study of God: his names, character, actions, the trinity, rule, problem of evil, etc. 4.4.2.1.4 Study of Christ: deity, humanity, ministry past, present, and future, etc. 4.2.1.5 Study of Salvation: election, repentance, atonement, redemption, regeneration, faith, justification, sanctification, etc. 4.2.1.6 Study of Humanity: the image of God, human nature, gender, purpose, cultural mandate, temptation, sin, etc. 4.2.1.7 Study of the Holy Spirit: his nature, his role and work in individuals & in the Church, etc. 4.2.1.8 Study of Angels & Satan: their nature, their work past and present, etc. 4.2.1.9 Study of the Church: purpose and mission, composition, leadership, functions, relationship to Israel, etc. 4.2.1.10 Study of the Future: Christ s coming, judgment, cosmic redemption, resurrection, eternal life, etc. 4.2.2 Biblical theology 4.2.2.1 Theology of Biblical Authors (eg, John), Books (eg, Revelation) or Sections (eg, Pentateuch) 4.2.2.2 Theology of a Biblical Theme ( the day of Yahweh, the remnant, etc.)
4.2.2.3 Theology of Plan through History (dispensations, covenants, salvation history, etc.) 4.2.3 Apologetics: How to defend the faith scripturally, philosophically, evidentially, versus other world views, religions, & cults 4.2.4 Historical Theology and Church History: how the Church s beliefs have been developed through the ever-changing contexts of historical 4.3 Life Issues: These are practical areas of living which are addressed topically. The Bible may or may not address these explicitly, but if so, they are usually not the main focus of a well-developed context. The list below is not exhaustive, but do provide a wide range of suggestions. 4.3.1 Ministry How-To s, i.e. training & experience in: 4.3.1.1 How to study the Bible 4.3.1.8 4.3.1.2 Christian education 4.3.1.9 Knowing will 4.3.1.3 Biblical counseling 4.3.1.10 Biblical leadership 4.3.1.4 Discipleship 4.3.1.11 Missions awareness 4.3.1.5 4.3.1.12 Homiletics (teaching &/or 4.3.1.6 preaching) 4.3.1.7 Spiritual gifts (identifying & using one s own) 4.3.2 Home & Job Life 4.3.2.1 Christian marriage: purpose, goals, commitment, headship, communication, etc. 4.3.2.2 Parenting: discipline, affirmation, education, etc. 4.3.2.3 Finances & giving 4.3.2.4 Sabbath, rest, & leisure 4.3.2.5 Family devotions & ministry 4.3.2.6 Integration of occupation with Christian faith 4.3.3 Personal Qualities, Discipline, and Devotion 4.3.3.1 Abundant living 4.3.3.9 Baptism 4.3.3.2 Bible memorization 4.3.3.10 Unity 4.3.3.3 Church involvement 4.3.3.11 Commitment 4.3.3.4 Personal Bible study 4.3.3.12 Self-discipline 4.3.3.5 Exercising faith 4.3.3.13 Habits 4.3.3.6 Submitting to Christ s lordship 4.3.3.14 Consistent & balanced prayer 4.3.3.7 Priorities & time management 4.3.3.15 Serving others 4.3.3.8 Thought life 4.3.3.16 Wisdom 4.3.4 Ethics 4.3.4.1 Abortion 4.3.4.7 Business/professional ethics 4.3.4.2 Societal responsibilities 4.3.4.8 Divorce & remarriage 4.3.4.3 Freedom & the gray areas 4.3.4.9 Government, politics, & the law 4.3.4.4 Homosexuality 4.3.4.10 Medical ethics 4.3.4.5 Racism 4.3.4.11 Sexism 4.3.4.6 War 4.3.4.12 Use of the Bible in ethics 4.3.5 Individual Problem Areas 4.3.5.1 Adjusting to changes 4.3.5.10 Doubt 4.3.5.19 Male/female tensions 4.3.5.2 Aging 4.3.5.11 Dress 4.3.5.20 Patience 4.3.5.3 Anger 4.3.5.12 Emotions 4.3.5.21 Pride, humility 4.3.5.4 Anxiety & worry 4.3.5.13 Food, exercise, rest 4.3.5.22 Sacrifice 4.3.5.5 Authority & submission 4.3.5.14 Friendship 4.3.5.23 Self-control 4.3.5.6 Criticism & judging 4.3.5.15 Grief, death, suffering 4.3.5.24 Self-control 4.3.5.7 Dating 4.3.5.16 Guilt 4.3.5.25 Self-image
4.3.5.8 Decision-Making 4.3.5.17 Loneliness 4.3.5.26 Sex-related problems 4.3.5.9 Depression 4.3.5.18 Loving Others 4.3.5.27 Worldliness, success, materialism etc. Bible Doctrine Instruction Life Issues 5. Tools Finally, God also gives to his followers additional tools or resources in order to accomplish these things. These God-given enablements relate to all of the inner circles (e.g. prayer empowers worship and instruction, fellowship, evangelism, etc.). H.S. Empowerment Creativity Prayer Material Resources Life Issues Programs & Strategies Bible Gifts Doctrine Instruction