A Ministry Philosophy for Others to Follow
As leaders, we desire to commit the things which we have learned “to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). Using three simple steps (what, why, and who), you can express your ministry philosophy so that others can follow it and put it into practice.
In Matthew 5:16 Jesus Christ made a powerful connection that illuminates our lives and the lives of those around us. He commanded, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” With this simple statement He showed the relationship between our methods and the Master whom we praise—between our practice and the Person of God. Making this connection helps those who follow us to walk in the Light of the Lord.
Consider for instance, the way that Abraham responded to his servant’s recommendation in Genesis 24. When asked to find a bride for Isaac, the servant wisely anticipated a particular difficulty: If the bride’s parents would not send their daughter, would the servant be allowed to take Isaac there to meet them? Abraham’s profound response to this suggestion is instructive. In fact, a reading of Genesis 24 will show that the servant continually called Abraham’s instruction to mind to help him turn his problems into projects.
And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again. The Lord God of heaven, which took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence. And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again (Gen. 24:6–8).
Notice how Abraham explained the right practice (what to do) by describing the Person of God (who gets the glory) and connecting these two with the right principles (why to do it). He began by warning the servant not to take Isaac out of the land. Then he explained the foundational reasons behind his approach. He explained who God is, why to do the task, and connected that to what to do (and what not to do.)
Let’s walk through a quick overview of these three simple steps and then connect them with other passages of Scripture. In so doing we can teach ourselves how to think through passages in the Word and how to practically apply these (even cross-culturally) throughout the world.
Practice: What to Do
Let’s get practical. What should we be doing? “A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer” (Prov. 29:19). On the surface of it, the servant seems to have a problem. What is the problem? Rebellion? Laziness? Another translation sheds some light on the real issue: “A slave will not be instructed by words alone; For though he understands, there will be no response” (NASB). The problem is not with the servant’s rebellion, it is with his timidity. He isn’t certain that he can put his master’s principles into practice in a manner that pleases his master. He is willing to carry through with good practices, but he isn’t exactly sure how to do it.
This is similar to the instruction given to fathers in Ephesians 6:4: “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Using “nurture and admonition” in this way, the apostle Paul was appealing for fathers to set aside children’s frustrations by using both good practices and good principles to instruct them. With this approach, even children can understand how to connect principles to practice.
Principles: Why to Do What We Do
Let’s explain the principles behind our practices. Principles are rules or laws by which we govern our lives. These help us make the connection between who God is and what to do. Biblical doctrine helps us show how the Lord’s deity is related to our deeds. In a world that is full of false principles, Scriptural teaching keeps us on track.
In Colossians 2:8, we find these words: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments [principles] of the world, and not after Christ.” There is danger here in being carried away. If we do not use Biblical principles, we could easily follow vain, deceptive philosophies that do not honor Christ. But explaining the right motives that attach the right methods to the right Master helps our followers to be faithful.
The Person of God: Who Gets the Glory
Let’s plainly declare who is getting the glory. The Lord leads us in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake! Wisdom is, first and foremost, a personal characteristic of the All-Wise God. Our principles come from Him. This makes it simple for your followers, because it’s easier to follow a person than a set of principles. For instance, James 3 describes wisdom as “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (v. 17). All of these are personal characteristics of our great God. He is the One who receives the glory as we honor Him with the practice of this wisdom. By contrast, the “other” wisdom is “earthly, sensual and devilish” (v. 15). We can joyfully show our followers how to do good works that obey the Word of God, which comes from the God of the Word.
Practicing Your Philosophy
As we meditate upon Biblical principles, we find that we can see how they are attached to both the Person of God and personal practice. Here are a few examples:
- Faithfulness: Hebrews 10:23 exhorts us to practice holding firmly to “the profession of our faith without wavering” and then connects this to who gets the glory: “for he is faithful that promised.” We testify to His faithfulness with unwavering, confident consistency.
- Stealing/Giving: What’s wrong with stealing? Ephesians 4:28 commands us not to steal, but rather to work and give. Why? Because the God we glorify is a Giver.
- Gracious Speech: What’s wrong with corrupt speech? It doesn’t build others as the gracious God does (Eph. 4:29).
- Orderliness: First Corinthians 14:40 reminds us to do things “decently and in order.” Why? The God whom we praise is the God of order.
Using these three simple steps (what, why, and who) can help you to train “faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).
Gordon Dickson is the senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Findlay, Ohio.
(Originally published in FrontLine • September/October 2010. Click here to subscribe to the magazine.)