This article addresses an unbiblical approach to survival in ministry—seeking an easier church—and then explains how a minister should prepare for surviving and growing in the work of ministry—knowing where his identity lies.
Life as a sinner with other sinners is challenging and messy. How shall we respond to one another when misunderstanding happens? This article points to Christ as the picture of what ministry and discipleship look like: they involve being misunderstood and being vulnerable.
What is the fullness of the Spirit referred to by Paul in Ephesians 5:18? Often this text is read in terms of the empowerment of individual believers for discipleship and ministry, and this leads to difficulties in relating the text to its immediate literary context.
This article explains how the task of ministry involves all members of the local church. It takes its cue from Ephesians 4:11-13.
This article focuses on a fundamental principle for Christian ministry: the contrast between the glory of the new covenant ministry and the shame of the new covenant minister. This comes from 2 Corinthians 4:7.
The work of the Spirit as explained in the Pastoral Epistles is examined in this article. The author takes a look at a number of texts that call our attention to the work of the Spirit in prophecy, ministry, and renewal; e.g. 1 Timothy 1:18, 1 Timothy 4:1, 1 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:14, Titus 3:5.
For a beginning pastor, the ministry may look daunting. How should you approach pastoral ministry? This article shares six lessons: soak yourself in the Word, avoid the performance syndrome, point people to the Saviour, honour other pastors, love your wife, and love your people.
Are you using ministry for your personal fulfilment? If so, there are seven disastrous results you can expect.
This article considers both the pros and cons of a long-term ministry in one location.
This article considers Ezekiel's call in Ezekiel 2-Ezekiel 3, full of character qualifications required for a God-glorifying ministry.
Can the function of the ordained ministry be reduced to "equipping saints" for service? Ephesians 4:11-12 is often read in that way. The question is therefore whether Ephesians 4:12 teaches that the "ministry of the Church" is done by the "saints" and the only distinctive role of the officers is to equip the saints for such service. The article, through a presentation of a translation and exegesis of these verses in context, argues against such a view.
This chapter offers a history of how and why the Gospel Coalition was formed. At first it wanted to identify and strengthen the confessional foundation of evangelicalism, and so produced a confessional statement of its own that it discusses herein.
How did the apostle Paul view the scope of his ministry and mission? Bowers reviews the data available on what Paul considered within the range of his missionary calling.
What is the importance of theological education for an evangelist? How important is theological training for the ministry? This article argues that the church needs scholarly evangelists and evangelistic scholars.
How do believers understand and carry out their role in the church? This article discusses a proper perspective on individual ministry, and what ministry involves.
What does it mean to be involved in a ministry? This article shows that the modern definition of the word 'ministry' is sometimes inaccurate. The priesthood of believers should not be confused with the call to ministry, which is limited to the ministry of the word and the administration of sacraments.
This trilogy of articles are an exposition of 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 about prayer. Those involved in the ministry must be prayed for. The nature of their work requires it, because of the importance of the work and the abundance of temptations and difficulties facing them.
This trilogy of articles are an exposition of 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 about prayer. Those involved in the ministry must be prayed for. The nature of their work requires it, because of the importance of the work and the abundance of temptations and difficulties facing them.
This trilogy of articles are an exposition of 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 about prayer. Those involved in the ministry must be prayed for. The nature of their work requires it, because of the importance of the work and the abundance of temptations and difficulties facing them.
After seeing how difficult a calling the ministry can be, why would anyone want to be a minister? This article answers that God makes the pastor, and prepares the way for him from childbirth. The apostle Paul is an illustration of this. It is God's power that makes men useful to his ministry. A minister will therefore not be proud, since he is only an instrument of God's hand.
These two articles build off of the series entitled The Congregation's Support of Her Diaconate. Is it the obligation of each church member to financially support the ministry of the Gospel? The author first defines what the ministry of the Gospel is, and then discusses paying the minister, providing a place of worship, and supporting mission work.
Motherhood is a good analogy for the work of the minister. They are great principles for the ministry embedded in the role of the mother. The author discusses this concept by looking at 1 Thessalonians 2:7.
Motherhood is a good analogy for the work of the minister. They are great principles for the ministry embedded in the role of the mother. The author discusses this concept by looking at 1 Thessalonians 2:7.
When is it that someone can say he is called to the ministry? This article provides some clarity to this question. Calling is the work of God through the Holy Spirit. The author identifies three essentials aspects of the call to ministry.
What is the process behind the decision of whether an individual will go to a theological seminary? This article maintains that not only is the individual himself behind the decision, but the church federation and the church elders. Elders have the responsibility to seek out and encourage suitable individuals to consider going into the ministry.
The author of this article urges readers to financially support the work of ministry and the spreading of the gospel through mission work.
This article shows that for church ministry to continue having life, there must be a ministry of the word and Spirit. Without the Spirit the word cannot bring life - a balance between the two is needed so that one is not emphasized above the other.
The minister and his ministry depend on the work of the Holy Spirit for its success. By looking at the person of the Holy Spirit and His power, the author of this article shows that the minister can experience the work of the Holy Spirit by praying for the Holy Spirit.
The minister and his ministry depend on the work of the Holy Spirit for success. This article looks at the person of the Holy Spirit and His work of illumination, and discusses why the Holy Spirit is needed in both preparing the minister and the continued work of the minister.
This article looks at the gospel ministry to non-Christian Jews. The author discusses how the Reformed understanding of the covenant of grace, the unity of the people of God, the harmony of the law and the gospel, and eschatology has bearing on evangelism to non-Christian Jews.
This article on church history looks at the three missionary journeys and the ministry of the apostle Paul.
"I urge you, Timothy, as we live in the sight of God and of Christ Jesus (whose coming in power will judge the living and the dead), to preach the Word of God. Never lose your sense of urgency, in season or out of season.
Prayer for those in the Christian ministry is indispensable. (1 Thessalonians 5:25)
These two articles are about handling pessimism and criticism in ministry. Pride as a danger for the minister is also discussed, as well as the self-watch and self-denial of the minister. These two articles also focuses on encouragement for the ministry.
This essay paints in broad brushstrokes a picture of what ministry looked like in the early church. The author discusses the ministry's organization, purpose and authority.
