The Week In Review

Theology of Ministry – part 1 (Written 11/23/07)

When one speaks of ministry, several possible scenarios may come to mind. Most of those scenarios have to do with the individual and their particular calling; however, what should come to mind first is God. Ministry begins with God’s activity in the life of the individual and one should look at this calling from that perspective to understand the significant role God wants to play in the life of the minister. If ministry is examined from the understanding that it starts with God, then what does this imply to the individual in terms of what you “do” in ministry? These questions must be addressed before one can do what a particular calling requires.


The author of the book, Biblical Foundations & Contemporary Strategies: Missions, Gailyn Van Rheenen, illuminates an important point regarding ministry or as he labels it, missions. In the text he states, “Mission does not originate with human sources, for ultimately it is not a human enterprise” (14). This is a biblical truth, which is stated in this manner, “ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” (John 15:16).


When one examines this scripture it speaks of God being the initiator of the mission. Van Rheenen reiterates this point when he writes, “God the originator of the mission of deliverance, then sought a person to carry out his mission” (15). He sums up the mission in this way, God is the originator of the mission, Jesus Christ enacted the mission, the Holy Spirit gives power to the mission the church (each of us individually) carries the mission and the world hears the mission (18).

Since this mission is originated with God there are some significant points that should be understood. According to Van Rheenen, the mission first flows from God to us and does not originate in us. Since the mission is from God, he will equip and empower the believer. The Holy Spirit gives power for the mission that God originated and Jesus came and enacted. The Spirit also gives the minister and/or pastor the freedom to understand themselves in the sovereignty of God.

The minister or pastor that starts with the understanding that this mission or ministry is God’s can focus on God and not on self. Paul warns us of this in scripture when he writes, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). I must always contend to keep my focus on God so that I do not lose the heart of the calling, which is to do the mandate of God.

With this understanding and with great vigilance, I set about being careful as the scripture says, “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory; but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him” (John 7:18). This scripture implies to me that what I do in ministry must always, without fail, line up with what God is calling me to do. It does not matter how good an idea may sound, I must still seek God’s guidance to see if this is his directive.

God is the originator of the mission; therefore he knows what is needed in every situation. I could gain a false sense of comfort if I do things right and begin to rely on my own understanding, but this is not wisdom at work in my life. God’s word warns against relying on my thoughts. I can find comfort in any area of uncertainty by knowing that since this is God’s mission, it will succeed. I must, however, be willing to understand success from God’s perspective. His success may not mean that I will pastor a large congregation or that I will be well known and sought out to speak at big events and important functions. It might mean that I am a pastor that is obedient to God and not known by anyone other than those I lead. Yet, if this is the mission God is calling me to, then I can go forward with confidence that it will be accomplished.

This mission (ministry) or work of God is to reconcile sinful men and women to himself. Christ is the center of this message and as one that accepts that mission I must always seek to place God center stage of everything I do. This is the significance of ministry beginning with God. If it begins with God and stays focused on God then a pastor/minister is able to be successful in taking the next step of now walking in the special call upon his/her life.

Cited Work

Thompson, Frank Charles, D.D., PH.D. The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible, 5th ed. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbridge Bible Co., Inc., 1988.

Van Rheenen, Gailyn. Biblical Foundations & Contemporary Strategies: Missions, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996.