Ministry Monday: Building A Successful Ministry

Regardless of what type of ministry you are called to build you need a focus and direction. To know what success looks like there is the obvious resource... the BIBLE, but I believe we may be able to learn something from the Business World as well. Every successful business have a MISSION STATEMENT, VISION STATEMENT, CORE VALUES or all three.

According to Wikipedia "A mission statement is a statement of the purpose of a company or organization. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a path, and guide decision-making. It provides "the framework or context within which the company's strategies are formulated. Commercial mission statements often include the following information:Purpose and aim(s) of the organization. The organization's primary stakeholders: clients/customers, shareholders, congregation, etc. How the organization provides value to these stakeholders, for example by offering specific types of products and/or services"

There is no argument if your business has been listed on the Fortune 500 list you ARE A SUCCESS... so lets look at a few:

3 Fortune 500 Company Mission Statements

NIKE – To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world.

Microsoft - At Microsoft, we work to help people and businesses throughout the world realize their full potential. This is our mission. Everything we do reflects this mission and the values that make it possible.

Advanced Auto Parts - It is the Mission of Advance Auto Parts to provide personal vehicle owners and enthusiasts with the vehicle related products and knowledge that fulfill their wants and needs at the right price. Our friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff will help inspire, educate and problem-solve for our customers.

I had a JROTC (High School level Military Training Class) Instructor who was constantly saying this quote, "If you fail to plan then you plan to fail" There are too many ministries out there who are not practicing this good business practice. To sum up MISSION STATEMENT, VISION STATEMENT, and CORE VALUES, we can simply say that it is a DIRECTION for your ministry. 

Why is this business practice so important to ministries???

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)

The King's Queen and I work in student ministry and we have adopted this practice in our ministry.

Our pillars or Core Values are SEEKING SERVING SOCIALIZING. The idea originates from Acts 2:40-46

And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, (ACT 2:40-46 NKJV)

SEEKING:

Seeking God. We do this through scripture study and memorization, prayer and worship services.

But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:28-30 (NKJV)

SERVING:

Serving others. Jesus spent the majority of his ministry serving those in need. We do this through serving the elderly in our church, community projects and mission trips

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:12-14 (NKJV)

SOCIALIZING:

In the Garden God saw man and knew it was not good for him to be alone. God created us to be social people and rather than trying to avoid that in our Student Ministry, we embrace it. We do this through games including a large game room in our student wing, fun activities, trips, and sharing snacks and meals in our student cafe. We were made to live in community, and we believe that is vitally important to develop relationships with our students and teach them to develop healthy relationships with one another.

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-26 (NKJV)

This is what we felt God placing on our hearts as we prepared to build our student ministry.


 The Israelites wondered in the wilderness not neccesarily because they did not have direction, but because they went their own direction. As you prepare to build what God has asked you to build, SEEK his direction. Go in depth into biblical principles and build a successful ministry to accomplish the goals God has set for you.

A Monday Moment: Let There Be Light

Last night, I went to see Gungor in concert. They are a wonderfully creative band led by Micheal and Lisa Gungor. The concert was beautiful. It told the story of creation, the fall, redemption and the bride of Christ, and our final re-creation. It was the complete message of the Bible in about a 2 hour concert/worship service. It was powerful.

One of the most powerful moments of the concert was at the very beginning. With the stage completely dark, they began their song, "Let There Be." As the song built up to the introduction of light into the world, the stage and the audience were flooded with a burst of brilliant light, breaking through the darkness...washing over us! 

Genesis 1: 1-5

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Creation of the World

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. ² The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.³ And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. ⁴ And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. ⁵ God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Have you ever stopped to ponder the symbolic nature of the day and the night...of God's separating the light from the darkness in Genesis 1? He saw that the light was good. Jesus became the light to our darkness. He illuminates us. He pulls us out of the darkness of sin, the darkness of depression, the darkness of shame and fear and hiding.

"Where there is darkness...let there be light. Where there is nothing...let there be LIGHT!"

I have not stopped singing that song since we left the concert last night, and how completely appropriate is it that my reading this morning in the book, "Lioness Arising," has to do with living in the light!


Lisa Bevere says in this book:

"The enemy of your soul wants you to remain in  the shadows. Darkness complicates and confuses what is simple and obvious by light."

She writes this prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

   I come to you in the name of Jesus. Forgive me for hiding. I want to come into the light. I throw open any closed door, and I step into the light and goodness of your love. I embrace my right to be forgiven, and I choose to walk in truth because it alone establishes me in freedom. I am yours. I surrender to your love and will follow your ways. Light the path laid out before me. Amen.

In His light we have freedom, but darkness complicates and holds us captivate. Don't give in to the enemies shadows today!

I will leave you today with many scriptures about living in the light! Read them, memorize them, pray them, and live them!

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”   John 8:12

 ⁶  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not become partners with them; ⁸ for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light⁹ (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), ¹⁰ and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹  Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.¹² For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. ¹³ But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, ¹⁴ for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,
    and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

                                                     Ephesians 5:6-14

 ⁵  This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ⁶  If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.                                                  1 John 1:5-7

 ²³ And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. ²⁴ By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it,²⁵ and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.                Revelation 21:23-25

Let There Be Light!! 

Feeling Fabulous Friday: He Will Come

On this Feeling Fabulous Friday, I am reminded of God's Presence. Knowing that He is with me has been the theme of my week. On my journey to wholeness, as described in a previous post (here), I have drawn comfort and purpose from focusing on His presence. 

 I have learned that it is easy to become distracted by the noise of life and miss His presence with us. We must quiet our minds and still our bodies in order to rest in His presence and draw peace and strength from Him. Some days I do this very well, but more often than not, I let myself follow the distractions of this life instead. I have found myself praying these prayers often:

Lord, be with me. Come to me. Show me your presence!

As I study His Word, the Lord has shown me the promises of His presence with us always.

Exodus 33:12-18

¹² One day Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ ¹³ If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.”

¹⁴ The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”

¹⁵ Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. ¹⁶ How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.”

¹⁷ The Lord replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”

¹⁸ Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.”

Psalm 139: 5-12 

 You go before me and follow me.
    You place your hand of blessing on my head.
 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too great for me to understand!

 I can never escape from your Spirit!
    I can never get away from your presence!
 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
    if I go down to the grave, you are there.
 If I ride the wings of the morning,
    if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
 even there your hand will guide me,
    and your strength will support me.
 I could ask the darkness to hide me
    and the light around me to become night—
     but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
    Darkness and light are the same to you.

Matthew 28:20

²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

I love the worship song, "You'll Come." It has become a staple on Sunday nights for us. The song speaks of the Lord's willingness to respond to us when we seek Him, ask for His presence to be made known to us, and wait on Him. It reminds me of this passage in Hosea.

Hosea 6:1-3

“Come, let us return to the Lord.He has torn us to pieces;    now he will heal us.He has injured us;    now he will bandage our wounds. In just a short time he will restore us,    so that we may live in his presence. Oh, that we might know the Lord!    Let us press on to know him.He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn    or the coming of rains in early spring.”

 It is a fabulous feeling to know that no matter what our circumstances and no matter where we are in life, God is with us and His presence goes before us. He will respond to us in His time as we wait upon Him and seek His face. As we clear through the clutter of this life, we will be able to hear His still small voice calling to us and responding to us! Praise the Lord! His presence with me is the only thing holding me together.

Worship Wednesday: Light Up the Sky

I worship this week because I have this hope:

He is with me!!

Psalm 71:5-6

 O Lord, you alone are my hope.
    I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.
 Yes, you have been with me from birth;
    from my mother’s womb you have cared for me.
    No wonder I am always praising you!

2 Samuel 22: 1-37

New Living Translation (NLT)

David’s Song of Praise

22 David sang this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. ² He sang:

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
³     my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
    and my place of safety.
He is my refuge, my savior,
    the one who saves me from violence.
⁴ I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
    and he saved me from my enemies.

⁵ “The waves of death overwhelmed me;
    floods of destruction swept over me.
⁶ The grave wrapped its ropes around me;
    death laid a trap in my path.
⁷ But in my distress I cried out to the Lord;
    yes, I cried to my God for help.
He heard me from his sanctuary;
    my cry reached his ears.

⁸ “Then the earth quaked and trembled.
    The foundations of the heavens shook;
    they quaked because of his anger.
⁹ Smoke poured from his nostrils;
    fierce flames leaped from his mouth.
    Glowing coals blazed forth from him.
¹⁰ He opened the heavens and came down;
    dark storm clouds were beneath his feet.
¹¹ Mounted on a mighty angelic being,^[b] he flew,
    soaring on the wings of the wind.
¹² He shrouded himself in darkness,
    veiling his approach with dense rain clouds.
¹³ A great brightness shone around him,
    and burning coals blazed forth.
¹⁴ The Lord thundered from heaven;
    the voice of the Most High resounded.
¹⁵ He shot arrows and scattered his enemies;
    his lightning flashed, and they were confused.
¹⁶ Then at the command of the Lord,
    at the blast of his breath,
the bottom of the sea could be seen,
    and the foundations of the earth were laid bare.

¹⁷ “He reached down from heaven and rescued me;
    he drew me out of deep waters.
¹⁸ He rescued me from my powerful enemies,
    from those who hated me and were too strong for me.
¹⁹ They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress,
    but the Lord supported me.
²⁰ He led me to a place of safety;
    he rescued me because he delights in me.
²¹ The Lord rewarded me for doing right;
    he restored me because of my innocence.
²² For I have kept the ways of the Lord;
    I have not turned from my God to follow evil.
²³ I have followed all his regulations;
    I have never abandoned his decrees.
²⁴ I am blameless before God;
    I have kept myself from sin.
²⁵ The Lord rewarded me for doing right.
    He has seen my innocence.

²⁶ “To the faithful you show yourself faithful;
    to those with integrity you show integrity.
²⁷ To the pure you show yourself pure,
    but to the wicked you show yourself hostile.
²⁸ You rescue the humble,
    but your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them.
²⁹ O Lord, you are my lamp.
    The Lord lights up my darkness.
³⁰ In your strength I can crush an army;
    with my God I can scale any wall.

³¹ “God’s way is perfect.
    All the Lord’s promises prove true.
    He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
³² For who is God except the Lord?
    Who but our God is a solid rock?
³³ God is my strong fortress,
    and he makes my way perfect.
³⁴ He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
    enabling me to stand on mountain heights.
³⁵ He trains my hands for battle;
    he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.
³⁶ You have given me your shield of victory;
your help has made me great.
³⁷ You have made a wide path for my feet
    to keep them from slipping.

 Light Up The Sky

By the Afters

This video was a part of our lesson tonight with the students. We talked about the presence of God. We talk about how He is near us even when we cannot feel Him. We talked about how we often overlook the signs He gives us to show us that He is with us.

This week, I am challenging myself to pay close attention to His presence...to hear His still small voice!