The Role of Christian Ministry

The pastor of the author’s church has revealed a concern about the direction of the church to the author on a number of times. He revealed that more time is spent devising programs and events than on true discipleship. That concern is on many pastors surrounding the globe. Some college students also voiced their lack of interest in continuing to attend church. The writer questioned some of the college students at his church and discovered that many were discouraged by what they called “reruns.” When pressed, they continued that the Sunday School materials and the sermons were the same. It was either academically based or just “plain boring.” There was “no daily accountability or encouragement” from members or staff. There is a lack of interaction from members and it seems to have become “mandatory instead of desirable to attend church.” These concerns are not just limited to a city in the deep south United States. It is evident that something is missing in many churches. Church attendance for many has become a habit or cultural demand. The writer has also been frustrated by what he sees as a cultural Christianity in the south. What has evaded many churches is true discipleship. The writer’s pastor voiced his displeasure in the fact that his ministry had been relegated to management. He spends more time managing buildings, budgets, staff, goals, and guidelines instead of ministering. The results are evident; growth in membership plateaued a couple years ago, worship has been stagnating and giving has dropped. Dr. Michael Mitchell claims that the essential activity of Christian ministry is to “make a disciple who worships Jesus” (Mitchell 2010, 262). Dr. Mitchell’s assertion that the essential activity of Christian ministry is about...

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...disciple of Jesus. Proper education and spiritual development will lead to true worship. Paul’s example provides a sufficient picture of the mindset of a true disciple when he wrote to the Philippians, “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ,…” (Philippians 1:19-21, NKJV). (This should be in a block quote. (four or more lines.)) If the process is practiced, as it should, the churches ministry will be producing disciples whose lives are an act of worship to God. It is clear that the essential activity of Christian ministry is making disciples who worship Jesus.