Ministry is more than an organization or group that administers to others in a non-profit capacity or Church organization. It is a task wherein ministry itself expounds the will of God in all humanity based on His truth. [1] The task of ministry must be theological at its core, or it misses its actual meaning. Four important theological tasks to consider while creating a God-centered ministry are discovery, discernment, innovation, and praxis.
Theological discovery is the pro-generator of tasking any ministerial effort. It is where our motivation and function meet the will and goal of God’s divine conspiracy. This is where we find the ministry coinciding with the actions of God. We do this by “speaking and acting within the framework of human history.”[2] We discover God’s theology in our ministry, aligned with His ministry.
Theological discernment is necessary to follow in the words of God while conducting ministerial logistics. It is the ability to know that “discernment is necessary to preserve truth from becoming folly.”[3] Our ability to decipher right from wrong is essential. Understanding good from bad matters as well. Differentiating evil from holy underpins the future success of any task. These theological archetypes pervade throughout ministry with a constant seeking emphasis on what God wills over what man wants.
Theological innovation drives ministry. It exchanges biblical doctrine through time. This process includes human expansion and scientific or industrial evolution. This can, and does, become tricky while we attempt to re-invent the wheel without losing the parameters of the circle. It is a gel of relativism. Through theological absolution, we create new dynamics in reaching different people with the truth of God’s word. The new wine is the dynamic power of the ministry of God. It is revealed through God’s actions. These actions aim at restoring humanity to the fullness of the divine image and likeness.[4]
The final task of ministry is the “praxis of the Spirit of God.”[5] This is the gestalt of ministerial function mirrored in the discernment of God’s purpose. It takes on the theological accountancy of effect while examining the presentation. This is crucial. It distinguishes a non-profit ministry without a religious institution from a Judeo-Christian ministry. Such a ministry is based on the theological treatise. The effect, or intended outcome, is as important as the implied functionality of the practice. It portrays God’s ministry from a higher standard. Our ministry praises God as a causal relationship between God’s grace and mercy from goodwill.
Understanding a ministerial project that involves a theological task is crucial. It helps distinguish between acts of goodwill and divine proclamation. This project entails the communication of God’s truth as it has been expressed in humanity throughout history. It encompasses both discovery and innovation. Employing theological insight is essential. It allows the development of a practice that highlights the virtues of our Creator. This practice also effectively communicates the truth of Christ.
Bibliography
Anderson, Ray Sherman. The Soul of Ministry: Forming Leaders for God’s People. 1st ed. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997.
Footnotes:
[1] Ray Sherman. Anderson, The Soul of Ministry: Forming Leaders for God’s People, 1st ed. (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997), 6.
[2] Ibid, 3.
[3] Ibid, 12.
[4] Ray Sherman. Anderson, The Soul of Ministry: Forming Leaders for God’s People, 1st ed. (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997), 21.
[5] Ibid, 26.
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