Most pastors are in the ministry because they want to make a difference. When you talk to them about what this “difference” means, most will say something that has to do with helping people to know and follow Jesus faithfully. There is little disagreement about what we are doing. The how… that’s another story.
As a pastor, my head is full of ideas on how to have a strategic ministry. Books abound that seek to help us reimagine, reinvent, and rethink the Church. Of course, I am not against thinking, evaluating, and trying to minister faithfully in our changing context. But I do get tired of the rush of new ideas. We are not the first Christians, nor are we the first to face challenges. On the other hand, we have not been given a different set of Scriptures to guide and govern the church today. If we believe in the sufficiency of the Scriptures, then we must hold that we have been given all we need to equip ourselves and sail with fidelity, and even to prosper, in our respective contexts.In light of this, what did the apostles do when faced with challenges? Prayed Read the Epistles to the churches and observe what they do (ex, Ephesians 1: 15-22, 3: 14-21, Phil 1: 9-11, Col. 1: 9-13). Why? Because they understood that the nature of the battle was not carnal. It could not be won by demonstrations of wisdom, innovation, personal ability, or some other way. The nature of the battle is spiritual. Therefore, work is spiritual (Ephesians 6: 10-20).
My advice to a strategic ministry is not really very creative. They are certainly not innovative. They are, Biblical.
If you want to hit the target and help people know and follow Jesus faithfully, then you need to pray.
I want to give you three aspects of the sentence that I believe are especially strategic.
1. The Private Prayer
2. Pastoral Prayer
3. The Body Prayer
Until next time, where we will share this biblical strategy together.
God bless you,
Walter Bustamante, (Men’s Ministry Leader 2016-2017)