Philosophy of Ministry
My philosophy of ministry starts with my life and doctrine, extends to my family, and then to the church.
My Life and Doctrine
My philosophy of ministry starts with paying close attention to my life and doctrine, because it is essential to fruitful ministry (1 Tim. 4:16). This means I seek to know Christ deeply through maintaining regular practices of spiritual disciplines and strive to grow in godliness, keeping my passions and desires under control, “lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:27). My family must be prioritized as my primary shepherding role. This means I shepherd my family first by living out my faith in the home, loving and pursuing my wife, and guiding family to love and pursue the glory of Christ. After prioritizing my family, shepherding the church flows through 4 primary aims.
Bible Saturated
For the church to stand as a pillar and buttress of the truth, she must know Christ deeply through the ultimate source of truth. The Bible claims to be the very words of God, breathed out by Him to provide His people with all the need for life and godliness (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Because it is the very word of God, it is the true source of understanding who God is, the final authority on all matters of life and faith, and sufficient to guide God’s people to their ultimate joy and satisfaction in Christ. The Scriptures must engulf all of ministry as that which revives a weary soul, provides wisdom, rejoices the heart, and enlightens the eyes (Ps. 19:7-8).
Purposeful Worship Gatherings
Corporate Worship Gatherings are one of the most vital aspects of church life. It is where we primarily hear the voice of God, through His word, respond to God in prayer, confession, and singing, and the primary way we fulfill various commands of Scripture. Our faith is strengthened as we join together around the Word, prayer, and worship. (Eph. 5:19; Col 3:16; 1 Tim 2:8; Heb 10:22-25)
Gatherings should seek to draw hearts to gaze upon the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:4-6), so that the bride of Christ may “rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8). Since we see the glory of God mostly clearly through the person of Jesus Christ revealed through the Scriptures, they should be deeply saturated in and centered on the truths of the revealed Word of God. Every element, whether it is preaching the word, worship in song, partaking in communion, hearing scriptures read outside of the sermon, a pastoral prayer, or closing with a benediction, should be designed to move the church to gaze upon the glory of God and rejoice in joy inexpressible.
Intentional Discipleship
The Bible is clear that God’s church is one body, with many members, called to build itself up in love, moving each other closer to mature manhood in Christ (Eph. 4:11-16). Paul tells it is when each member is functioning properly that the body is built up in love (Eph. 4:16). Discipleship should be a focus of all teaching and part of every Small group ministry, whether Home Groups, or a Sunday school. One-on-one discipleship should also be consistently pursued, in both formal and informal settings. These efforts should be modeled first within leadership, and then spread throughout the body.
Gospel Spreading
The church is called to live to make the gospel of the glory of Christ known and seen (2 Cor. 2:14-17; 4:1-18). Jesus has commanded each of us to make disciples of every nation, so every member of the church should strive to live on mission and engage their spheres of influence with the gospel (Matt. 28:18-20). Evangelism should not be seen as an event the church participates in, but part of the very culture of the church.
Local and world missions should be an emphasis for the church. Gospel fluency should be a driving goal of each ministry, so the gospel is deeply understood by each member of the church, and they always have an answer for the hope they have (1 Pet. 3:15). Every member should also be encouraged to live on mission in their workplace, neighborhood, and friend circles.