Elim Baptist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ wherever God grants us influence, by the teaching of the Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is our statement of purpose, and it helps direct the functions and decisions of our congregation.
But how do we let such a statement of purpose inform our actions and decisions? In what ways do we let these words translate into that which is tangible and practical? How are our leaders to put this statement into practice as they lead us under the Savior?
Because we are a church that believes in the authority of the Scriptures (and we want to live what we believe!) it is mandatory that we seek to understand our purpose in ways that are thoroughly biblical. In other words, if we are to be faithful stewards of the ministry God has granted us, we must work diligently to develop a God-honoring philosophy of ministry.
What is a Philosophy of Ministry?
A philosophy of ministry is a set of principles that determines how a church will function in its ministry. Simply stated, our philosophy of ministry defines why we do what we do!
Of course, as already stated, our belief dictates that biblical principles guide the choices and decisions in our ministry. Therefore, our philosophy of ministry must be drawn from a careful and proper investigation of the explicit teaching of Scripture and any implicit methodologies gleaned from observing how ministry occurred in the early church. When we define our philosophy of ministry in this way, we may not only know why we do what we do, but how to actually do it.
The Benefits
This is important because a philosophy of ministry develops a unity of direction. Once a philosophy of ministry has been established, it filters through the church to form a consistent approach to ministry. It keeps the leaders and the congregation on the same page. And while this may not happen overnight, it does assist the church in looking at ideas and goals with an overall biblical understanding of ministry. In fact, it can even assist the leadership as it delineates biblical priorities for pastoral ministry.
The Principles of Our Philosophy of Ministry
Once again, because of what we believe about the Word of God, that special revelation from the Almighty, our principles for action must come from a position of submissiveness to biblical authority. This does not mean, however, that our philosophy of ministry is a repeat of our statement of faith. Rather, the principles below are the practical directions taken from that doctrine so that we may understand how to conduct our ministry together.
Our philosophy of ministry has a biblical foundation
The Bible is the very Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16) and is therefore without error and completely trustworthy. God’s Word stands as absolute truth to be known and applied in every area of life. Scripture contains the foundation upon which the church is built, and thus comprises not only the content of the church’s message but also the methods by which the church operates. Every aspect of ministry must be submitted to the analysis of relevant biblical data.
The ramifications of the authority of Scripture upon our church are many. First, the church should never stray outside of the boundaries given in the Bible. Every aspect of ministry (worship service, sermon, counseling, fellowship activity, etc.) ought to be motivated by an understanding of the authority of Scripture. The goal will be to bring the truths of Scripture to bear upon the lives of believers. Additionally, since the Bible is completely authoritative for belief and practice, the church does not need to derive its methods from the culture nor conform its message to that which is acceptable in the eyes of the world. Rather, ministry must be dictated by principles taught in the Bible.
The Scriptures are not only authoritative over every aspect of life and ministry; they are also sufficient for the same. Second Timothy 3:16-17 asserts that the Word of God is sufficient for all areas of ministry, including preaching, teaching and counseling believers to godliness. Therefore, the primary focus of every sermon, Bible study or counseling time must be the teaching of Scripture with an exhortation to obey.
A ministry that believes in the sufficiency of Scripture will do everything possible to bring the Word to bear on the lives of the congregation. In other words, a proper view of Scripture demands our obedience and our belief. It demands our affections, our faith and our understanding. A belief in the sufficiency of Scripture prohibits any attempt to integrate it with worldly ideas or philosophies.
This also means that we understand the Bible to be totally relevant for every situation (Psa. 119:105; Isa. 40:8). It may not provide an explicit answer to every specific problem, but it will always provide the principles through which the obedient church can glorify God.
This aspect of our philosophy of ministry is essential, for a failure to recognize the inspiration, inerrancy, authority, sufficiency and relevancy of the Word may lead to several problems we wish to avoid:
- Experience as an authority rather than God‘s Word.
- Contemporary thinking as a guide for living rather than principles of divine truth.
- A church producing those who pursue their own desires based upon an ungodly, man-centered standard.
Our philosophy of ministry is God-centered
Again, this principle is developed through what our doctrine declares. We believe the Bible is God’s special revelation of Himself to mankind (the creation is a form of general revelation). It is in this revelation that God tells man precisely what He is about and what is necessary for man to know. Among the things that God declares we read the following: “I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.” (Isa. 42:8, cf. 48:11) We understand that God is totally unique and the only One worthy of our worship.
Because we possess this high view of God and are committed to Him, our church seeks to adhere to what His Word teaches for that is what comprises sound doctrine. Our ministry together will thus seek to explain the truth about God, life, death, heaven, hell, man, sin, Christ, angels, the Holy Spirit, the position of the believer, the flesh or the world. The Bible gives us the truths that we can hold on to in these areas as it points us constantly to God. This high view of God (He is holy, righteous, just and holds all other perfections) provides us the safe, secure and solid doctrinal foundation we need to build our lives on. In other words, a commitment to a high view of God leads us to view His Word as the only perfect compass for our lives.
However, a failure to hold such a high view of God also leads to practices that our church needs to reject:
- A toleration of sin because of a focus on man, rather than God, evidenced in teaching and programs.
- A man-centered ministry that attempts to please people rather than glorify God.
Our philosophy seeks to accurately understand man
The Bible paints a consistent picture of mankind, depicting all people as totally depraved. On his own, man cannot do good (Rom. 3:10-18). On his own man is unable to understand or accept the things of God (1 Cor. 2:14). Man’s heart is deceitfully wicked (Jer. 17:9-10). Man’s goal in life is selfishness and only evil continually (Gen. 6:5; Eccl. 9:3).
That man is depraved does not mean that he always acts as wickedly as possible, but rather that wickedness so permeates his entire being that he is enslaved to it and is inherently unable to respond to the Gospel in faith and repentance. This reality has profound implications for the ministry of the church, particularly in the area of evangelism. Because the unbeliever is spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1; Col. 2:13), no amount of eloquence on the part of any person or institution is able to grant him life. In light of this, the church cannot depend on her ability to convince sinners to come to Christ, for this ability simply does not exist! Simply stated, our hope for the conversion of the lost is found in the sovereignty of God.
Knowing this enables us to formulate ministry that seeks to meet real needs, not felt needs. Therefore, our goal in ministry is to lead people in a growing relationship with God through obedience to His Word.
Our philosophy seeks to understand the church accurately
The Bible tells us a great deal about God’s view of His Church. We are told that Jesus will build His Church (Matt. 16:18), which is a living organism made up of true believers who “offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:5). Christ so loved the Church that He died for her (Eph. 5:25) that He might set her apart and present her to Himself blameless and without spot or blemish (verses 26-27). The Church, having been “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” (Eph. 2:20), is to function as “a pillar and buttress of truth” (1 Tim. 3:15).
Because the Church constitutes God‘s primary vehicle for working in this age, we understand that it is vital for all genuine believers to identify with, function in, and submit to the leadership of a local church (Heb. 13:17). Believers are to build one another up with their spiritual gifts (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Pet. 4:10-11), regularly assemble together (Heb. 10:24-25) that they might devote themselves to the teaching of God’s Word, fellowship, celebration of the Lord‘s Supper, and prayer (Acts 2:42).
Because of the premium Scripture puts on this kind of involvement in the local church, our ministry should seek to foster in God’s people a deepening love for and commitment to the church, as well as a biblical understanding of what it means to act as the church:
- The church exists to worship and glorify God (1 Cor. 10:31; Heb. 13:15), and to be a repository of divine truth (1 Tim. 3:15).
- The church exists to provide a context of loving fellowship with one another for the purpose of edification (Eph. 3:16-19; 4:12-16).
- The church is a place for believers to grow through the application of teaching and the use of spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12-14; Rom. 12).
- The church is to be directly involved in the declaration of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Matt. 5:13-16; 28:19-20; Titus 2:11-15).
Obviously, a failure to correctly understand the church’s purpose may lead to superficial or counterfeit ministry, resulting in disunity, and “success” being glorified rather than God. In such situations the church becomes an organization, run by men and programs, rather than an organism of committed believers empowered by the Spirit of God.
A well-articulated philosophy of ministry that is biblical is essential to doing God’s work God’s way. Our prayer is that Elim’s philosophy of ministry is a biblical grid through which all our ministry decisions are filtered and taught in our families.
Posted on August 8th, 2007 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: Pastor's Occasional Papers
