This article is directed towards the Christian community, so if you're not a Christian and are interested in the faith or its historical and evidential basis, please visit other articles accessible from BibleIssues. If you are a Christian and likewise are concerned about excellence in ministry, please send me an e-mail and let me know your sentiments. Even if you disagree, I would be interested in your reasoning. For your information, it is not my intention to share your e-mail address as a result of any such correspondence.

From this point on I will assume you are a Christian who is concerned about the state of various ministries, and how they ought to best fulfill their missions. I submit to you that the ultimate purpose of any ministry should be to honor the Lord to the maximum extent possible in whatever it seeks to accomplish. Though many legitimate ministries are possible, if they are to truly honor the Lord the most, certain characteristics must be present.

What are the necessary characteristics a ministry must have in order for it to honor the Lord to the maximum extent possible? I would suggest that four characteristics are of paramount importance. Though not guarantees that all will be done as well as it could be when these characteristics are present, a compromise in one of these areas will prevent any ministry from honoring the name of the Lord to the fullest extent.

Scripture

First, what is the ministry's view of Scripture? Is it a high or low view? If it doesn't clearly affirm the inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility of sacred Scripture, I would submit that such a ministry is not worthy of your loyalty. When a low or ambiguous view of Scripture is maintained, the door to apostasy is swung wide open (for more information on this, see my article, "What is Your Ultimate Authority?"). Furthermore, if an explicitly low view of Scripture is held, this would invalidate the claim of such a ministry as being a manifestation of the kingdom of God. Therefore, a high view of Scripture is foundational.

What are indicators of a high view of Scripture? An obvious one is that it is explicitly stated. If it is not clearly affirmed, however, this should raise all kinds of red flags. If the leaders seem hesitant to affirm a high view of Scripture, this should not be considered to be a minor problem by any stretch of the imagination. Also, as a consequence of having a high view of Scripture, a ministry will naturally uphold the doctrines of the virgin birth of Christ, the deity of Christ, the bodily resurrection of Christ, and the Holy Trinity. Though not guarantees of a high view of Scripture, these doctrines have long been regarded as essentials of historic Christianity.

Church

Second, what about the ministry's view of the local church? Is it a high or a low view? Does the ministry respect the sacredness of the institution of the local church, including the offices of elder and deacon, or does it marginalize the importance of the local church? Does it regard membership in a local church as vital--or optional? In my studies of the New Testament, I have found that the only way to be be fully obedient to all it commands is to be accountable to elders of a true, local church. Not only that, but we are to involve our elders in our significant concerns and decisions regarding spiritual matters and do so in more than simply superficial ways (for more information on this, see the article, "Is Church Membership Optional?").

Worship

Third, what is the ministry's view of worship? For example, is it all about me, or is it about the God who I am supposedly worshipping? The Scriptures are not silent about what God requires in worship, and we do well to learn about it (for more information on this, see the article, "Pleasing God in Our Worship").

Sovereignty of God

Fourth, what is the ministry's view of the sovereignty of God? Does it teach that God is truly sovereign in all things? What about in salvation? I submit that any teaching which presents eternal salvation as being ultimately dependent on human decision is based on philosophical rather that scriptural grounds (for more information on this, see my article, "It Takes Work to be Saved!").

Conclusion

Is it possible for a ministry which lacks the above characteristics to accomplish any good? Yes, by the grace of God, it is possible. He is not limited by our failure to be obedient to Him in all things. On the other hand, does the presence of all these characteristics ensure that a ministry will be without its faults? Of course not. Many other things are commanded in Scripture. Does this mean we should settle for mediocrity in ministry? Not if we are serious about being faithful to the God we claim to serve. Our purpose ought to be to glorify God, whether or not what we are doing appears to be "working" in one sense or other.

Click here to send me an e-mail.

Click here to go to BibleIssues.