Paradigm 16: Leading with a clear philosophy of ministry (18/10/19)
In this chapter Edmund Chan defines "philosophy of ministry" as the foundational ministry values ("Why") that give rise to the ministry vision ("What") that gives focus, as well as the ministry vehicles ("how") that function to fulfill that vision.
Values are what we regard as really important to us: they establish clarity about our identity and conviction. They give us passion and purpose, inspiration and motivation to face discouragement, and a focus on what really matters. If we share values, we will have resonance even though the outward expressions of those values can differ.
Vision is looking beyond the present to a greater future. Fulfillment of spiritual vision always requires God for success, so we learn to depend on Him. Vision must be realistic (based on reality), credible (believable to be relevant), attractive (inspiring and motivational), and future-oriented (drawing people to see what lies ahead).
Vehicles are specific ways to realize the vision, within a specific time-frame and infrastructure. Good vehicles lead to excitement and involvement.
I felt that we could profit from studying some part of Paul's philosophy of ministry in Acts 20:17-38.
1. Paul's values (Why was he in Ephesus?)
There was both humility (v.19) and resolute boldness (v.20, 27) in his ministry - qualities we do not always think will fit together.
"I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself,if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." (v.24).
This is a stunning contrast to that of almost every man - we tend to value our lives above everything else in the world! He can say this because 1) he has counted everything as loss compared to Christ (Phil 3:7-8) 2) he has been crucified with Christ and longer counts his life as his own.
"I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified" (v.32)
There was a complete reliance on the power of Scripture to preserve what he had sought to build up.
"I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel." (v.33)
He did not serve for material possessions.
"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (v.35)
Like Jesus, Paul sought to serve rather than to be served (Mt 20:28)
2. Paul's vision (What did he want to accomplish in Ephesus?)
"testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." (v.21)
"Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all," (v.26)
We had a brief digression here to ask whether a vision can be a 'negative' one (i.e. part of Paul's goal was to have a good conscience with respect to faithfully discharging his responsibility to preach the gospel (c.f. 1 Cor 9:16). Although it is always better to be motivated by pleasures and joy than fear and duty, Scripture does not shrink from both encouraging us with promises and warning us with punishment (c.f. Dt 11:29, Mt 7:24).
3. Paul's vehicles (What did he do in Ephesus to accomplish his goals?)
"I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials (v.18-19)
This speaks of complete identification - cultural immersion. "the whole time", "from the first day". His service was marked by tears, because he identified with and was emotionally invested in his ministry. We have to ask ourselves if we feel enough for some ministry or effort or group to weep over it in our labours.
"I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks" (v.20-21)
Paul had a varied ministry- he taught in public in the Hall of Tyrannus (Ac 19:9) and also did small group and individual work.
"I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God" (v.27, also v.20a)
We may be tempted to teach and discuss only what is 1) easy to understand 2) easy to do and 3)pleasant rather than to hear. But here Paul tells us that the pastor/shepherd who does this is guilty of the blood of his hearers.
"I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears" (v. 31)
His warnings and encouragements were never from a morally superior, detached viewpoint. They came from a heart of love and concern.
You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. (v.34)
Paul was the original tentmaker (Ac 18:3)- one who pays his own way. He laboured physically with his own hands. His life must have been full - teaching, spending time with smaller groups of people, and working for his own upkeep and serving others with him.
My concluding comment is that Paul foresaw that the church would be troubled by false teaching (v.29), even because of individuals from amongst the select group of Christian leaders that had gathered to meet with him and who were weeping at their separation from Paul. Rev 2:1-7 warns us that even when we do everything right in ministry, we cannot always be assured of 'success' as the world sees it. This is both warning against assumptions and arrogance as well as encouragement that God measures our faithfulness and love, not visible evidence of accomplishment.
Values are what we regard as really important to us: they establish clarity about our identity and conviction. They give us passion and purpose, inspiration and motivation to face discouragement, and a focus on what really matters. If we share values, we will have resonance even though the outward expressions of those values can differ.
Vision is looking beyond the present to a greater future. Fulfillment of spiritual vision always requires God for success, so we learn to depend on Him. Vision must be realistic (based on reality), credible (believable to be relevant), attractive (inspiring and motivational), and future-oriented (drawing people to see what lies ahead).
Vehicles are specific ways to realize the vision, within a specific time-frame and infrastructure. Good vehicles lead to excitement and involvement.
I felt that we could profit from studying some part of Paul's philosophy of ministry in Acts 20:17-38.
1. Paul's values (Why was he in Ephesus?)
There was both humility (v.19) and resolute boldness (v.20, 27) in his ministry - qualities we do not always think will fit together.
"I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself,if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." (v.24).
This is a stunning contrast to that of almost every man - we tend to value our lives above everything else in the world! He can say this because 1) he has counted everything as loss compared to Christ (Phil 3:7-8) 2) he has been crucified with Christ and longer counts his life as his own.
"I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified" (v.32)
There was a complete reliance on the power of Scripture to preserve what he had sought to build up.
"I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel." (v.33)
He did not serve for material possessions.
"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (v.35)
Like Jesus, Paul sought to serve rather than to be served (Mt 20:28)
2. Paul's vision (What did he want to accomplish in Ephesus?)
"testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." (v.21)
"Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all," (v.26)
We had a brief digression here to ask whether a vision can be a 'negative' one (i.e. part of Paul's goal was to have a good conscience with respect to faithfully discharging his responsibility to preach the gospel (c.f. 1 Cor 9:16). Although it is always better to be motivated by pleasures and joy than fear and duty, Scripture does not shrink from both encouraging us with promises and warning us with punishment (c.f. Dt 11:29, Mt 7:24).
3. Paul's vehicles (What did he do in Ephesus to accomplish his goals?)
"I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials (v.18-19)
This speaks of complete identification - cultural immersion. "the whole time", "from the first day". His service was marked by tears, because he identified with and was emotionally invested in his ministry. We have to ask ourselves if we feel enough for some ministry or effort or group to weep over it in our labours.
"I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks" (v.20-21)
Paul had a varied ministry- he taught in public in the Hall of Tyrannus (Ac 19:9) and also did small group and individual work.
"I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God" (v.27, also v.20a)
We may be tempted to teach and discuss only what is 1) easy to understand 2) easy to do and 3)pleasant rather than to hear. But here Paul tells us that the pastor/shepherd who does this is guilty of the blood of his hearers.
"I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears" (v. 31)
His warnings and encouragements were never from a morally superior, detached viewpoint. They came from a heart of love and concern.
You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. (v.34)
Paul was the original tentmaker (Ac 18:3)- one who pays his own way. He laboured physically with his own hands. His life must have been full - teaching, spending time with smaller groups of people, and working for his own upkeep and serving others with him.
My concluding comment is that Paul foresaw that the church would be troubled by false teaching (v.29), even because of individuals from amongst the select group of Christian leaders that had gathered to meet with him and who were weeping at their separation from Paul. Rev 2:1-7 warns us that even when we do everything right in ministry, we cannot always be assured of 'success' as the world sees it. This is both warning against assumptions and arrogance as well as encouragement that God measures our faithfulness and love, not visible evidence of accomplishment.
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