People Spots
Online
Produced by James W.
Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants
Provided as a service by New Life Ministries
A Philosophy of Ministry
by James W. Moss, Sr.A philosophy of ministry encompasses several different components that, taken together, give shape and direction to what you are called to do.
Values dictate behavior
I was talking with a pastor. He asked me a simple question. It deserved a simple response. However, I nearly blew him away. Why? Because the simple question touched upon one of my core values that had recently been challenged. Even I was surprised by my reaction; I apologized and explained what was happening. He said, "I was shocked by your response," but he understood as I explained my behavior.
Have you ever asked yourself, "Why was that so important to me?"
Core values are at the heart of our existence. They are the important issues. Sometimes we can’t even articulate them unless they are challenged. Introspection is required to know our core values. It is seldom as simple as it seems. There is a proverbial truth: "What you are dealing with is not what you think." As we realize what is truly important to us, we look for people who will share these same values. In addition, we will strive to teach others the values that are important to us. A person’s checkbook, calendar, and conversation will give witness to his/her values.
We are constantly telling our stories over and over again until people near us get tired of hearing them. I have a friend who says repeatedly, "We can’t not tell our story."
Try this: What is most important to you? List the five most critical issues of your ministry. In doing so, you’ll begin to discover what you really value.
Mission is doing
Our mission is doing the things God calls us to. It is not complicated. A Christian’s mission must be based in biblical principles. A mission statement is brief and to the point. It will reflect our values in action. The Willow Creek mission statement is "to turn irreligious people into fully devoted followers of Christ." My personal mission statement is "Jim Moss exists to glorify God by training Christian leaders." There is a direct correlation between what we value and what we are doing. I am not talking about what ought to be. I am not even talking about what is biblical. Our action will be driven by our values.
Try this: Write a personal mission statement in 12 words or less. Your mission statement has to pass the "t-shirt test." Would it fit a t-shirt? If not, shorten it.
Vision: a picture of the future
Every present positive reality was first a vision. Vision is a picture of the future of your ministry. In architectural terms it is the rendering. Blue prints don’t sell building projects. The rendering or picture of the building as it is projected to be enlists volunteers and raises money.
A vision must be clear and challenging. I have found it sometimes difficult to get a church to look to the future. That is the role of vision.
However, it is not always wise for a Christian leader to share the whole vision. Nehemiah waited until the people were ready before he shared his vision. A Christian leader needs to have the big picture. If the vision is too large for those following to comprehend, they will turn away. Sometimes it is wise to share portions of the larger vision.
The leader needs to keep in mind the big vision as strategies are built. Followers frequently can swallow portions of the vision but not the whole. It is nearly impossible for the people in a church averaging 50 to comprehend what it would mean to be a church averaging 250. In fact, sharing that large a vision may create resistance to any effort to move to achieve the great picture. Leaders in a church of 50 may have to stretch to dream of being a church of 75. Your vision is rooted in your values and actions.
Try this: Dream some big dreams about your ministry. Write a description of the vision of where your ministry will be five years from now.
Strategy: making the vision reality
A strategy is the design by which the vision becomes a reality. To achieve the strategy, it is necessary to complete the homework. The homework is the important "behind the scenes" effort that nobody recognizes unless it isn’t completed.
The leader must express the idea assertively and without apology. Be careful to pick the right time and follow the proper protocol for the ministry. Many strategies are defeated because the proponents are suggesting an end run around the proper ways to function. Believe that the vision can be accomplished. People will never take the first step to achieve a vision they don’t believe is achievable. Stick to the program. Only depart from the program when it is apparent it isn't working.
Here are some key principles to remember in developing a strategic plan:
 | A strategy is only a real strategy when it is written down. Until then it is just a fantasy. |
| A strategy begins with a clearly stated goal. The key is that the goal is written so it is measurable and achievable. Goals are vehicles to make your vision come true. |
| Define the purpose. Why are you doing this? |
| Write the method of achievement in a short paragraph. |
| Structure a checklist. This includes breaking the large goal into its component parts. |
| Establish a reasonable time line. Remember that projects with volunteers generally take longer to accomplish than anticipated. |
| Formulate a realistic budget. Never separate the approval of a project from the approval of the funding to achieve that project. |
| Identify a project manager. A project manager is always one person. A committee or even a couple will have difficulty in managing projects. |
| State the benefits to be achieved by the completion of the goal. |
The following are the characteristics of good strategy designs.
| The authority base has given its approval. Sometimes the authority is elected, but in smaller churches it may be unofficial. |
| The strategy must be clearly explained and comprehensive. |
| Please keep it simple. The more complicated the strategy, the less likely it will be achieved. |
| There must be a strict and realistic time line. |
| The bottom line is: "What price are you willing to pay to achieve the strategy?" In many instances the cost may have nothing to do with money. You will only pay the price if it is consistent with your vision, mission, and values. |
| Review the strategy regularly until it is achieved, modified or discarded. |
| Strategies must be consistent and enable vision, mission, and core values. |
Try this: Design a strategy on a project that will help bring your vision to pass using these guidelines.
A good book
Aubrey Malphurs. Ministry Nuts and Bolts. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1997.
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Read about Jim's seminars and books.
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November 26, 2001. Volume 4, Issue 13. People Spots Online is prepared by James W. Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants. It is provided as a service by New Life Ministries, www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org. Articles may be duplicated and reproduced in any way with proper credit. A new article is produced about every two weeks. To be added to a list to receive these messages directly by e-mail, send a request to churchconsultants@yahoo.com.