There are many reasons for why people shape their ministries the way they do.  Common reasons may include “because that’s how I got saved”, “because that’s what they taught me at Bible college”, “because that’s the way we’ve always done it” and perhaps even more commonly “because it works”.  Of all the reasons to do ministry a certain way, the “it works” reason can be the most dangerous.  Let me give you a couple of reasons why:

1. Often we use the language “because it works” in regards to a certain outcome or result we are aiming for.  Unfortunately a lot of the time this outcome revolves around numbers.  If there is numerical growth, particularly through conversions, we think that the ministry is ‘working’.  Whilst this is not the place to discuss the ‘numbers’ debate, it is worth mentioning that numbers are not always a good indication of a healthy or biblical ministry.  There are plenty of ministry examples with large numbers and people being ‘saved’ without the slightest mention of the Gospel, the very means by which people are saved.  There are also many examples of ministry around the world where faithful people have shared the Gospel for many years without seeing numerical growth.  Numerical growth is not reason enough to continue doing the things you are doing.
2. The second reason is that God uses even sinful means to achieve His purposes.  This is one of the great encouragements of ministry.  We see this consistently throughout the Bible.  We see the fall of humanity as a means of God revealing his salvific nature through Christ.  We see the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart as a means to bring forth a miraculous deliverance for God’s people.  We see the Babylonians rising up against Israel to fulfil God’s judgment.  We see Judas’ betrayal of Jesus being used as part of God’s plan to redeem His people through the cross.  Whilst God will not endorse our sinful activities, His plans will certainly not be thwarted by them.  God’s work amongst our ministries needs to be received as a sign of grace from God rather than a sign that we’ve got it ‘right’.

“Because it works” can be the greatest deception in achieving a ministry that honours God.  As ministers of the Gospel there should be only one driving reason that shapes the way we do ministry.  That reason is, “because that’s how God wants me to do ministry”.  We find out how God wants us to serve Him by digging deep into His Word and asking questions such as, “What does the Bible say about:

• How and what I should preach;
• The role of family in raising children in the faith;
• The importance of mentoring relationships;
• The shape and nature of the church;
• How to evangelise the community;
• The purpose and expression of gifts in the church; and
• How to train and equip others?”

The great trap in our society today is to jump on the pragmatic ministry bandwagon.  For God desires that we would seek His will for our ministries rather than chasing after the latest and greatest ministry fad.

Lisa Brown is the Lecturer in Youth Ministry and Coordinator of CYCM at Ridley Melbourne: Mission & Ministry College.