Church Planting

Little Survey, Big Results
In November, I did a little survey at my church on the relationship between ministering to others and spiritual growth, and I wanted to share the findings with the Into Action subscribers who are seeking to minister in our communities. 
 
I found the answers to be very interesting with regard to involving church members in serving or ministering to others.  For instance, in response to the question, "To what extent has your ministry or  service to others affected your spiritual growth?," 92% answered "Positive," 8% answered "Neutral," and zero responded that ministry had a "Negative" affect on their spiritual growth.  Personally, this was a delightful surprise.  Participants discovered the joy of serving others, but also found that it did not hinder their spiritual growth.  In fact, most said ministry to others enhanced their spiritual growth. 

63% responded that ministry or service had been an "equally significant factor" in their spiritual growth compared to other disciplines that contribute to spiritual growth (Bible study, prayer, etc.).  More amazingly, 24% responded that ministry or service to others had been "a more significant factor" to their spiritual growth than Bible study or prayer. Only 13% indicated that ministry or service to others had been a "less significant factor" than the other spiritual disciplines contributing their spiritual growth. 

Another interesting finding is in respect to the level of satisfaction people feel in regard to their spiritual growth.  Of the congregants who were ministering to others, only 12% were "not satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" with the level of their spiritual growth. In stark contrast, of the people who indicated that they were not involved in any type of ministry to others, over half (58%) felt either "not satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" with their level of spiritual growth.  So then, it would seem that ministry to others is not just benefiting the recipients of that ministry but also the "ministers" themselves.   Ministry and service to others has had a positive affect on their growth and, in most cases, they feel "satisfied" with their spiritual growth.

 1. Rediscover what the Scriptures say about "good works."  At a minimum, we need to understand that each of us is God's unique creation, created for good works   (". . . we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which he prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" Ephesians 2:10).  The person God made us (with our skills and desires) is probably an indication of the type of good works we will be passionate about.

 2. Broaden the definition of "ministry."  Most Christians have been conditioned to think of "ministry" as something that ministers do or missionaries report about.  Ministry is meeting another's needs with the resources God gives to you. Yes, it is preaching the gospel and discipling others but it is also "binding up the broken hearted. . .  comforting those who mourn" (Isaiah 61:1, 2).  It is "sharing your food with the hungry and . . . provid[ing] the poor wanderer with shelter" (Isaiah 58:7).  Ministry is being "merciful as your Father is merciful" (Luke 6:36). 

 3. Present "ministry to others" as a part of the normal Christian life.

 Every believer may not be a Bible scholar or evangelist, but every believer, no matter what their present level of maturity, can meet someone else's need with the resources God has given him or her.  Maybe Mother Theresa expresses it best - "There are no great deeds, only small deeds done with great love."

 4. Investigate the needs and dreams of your community and look for entry points where you are being "invited to serve."  In every community there are human service agencies that are morally positive and spiritually neutral.  These agencies are always looking for volunteers.  Every time we read about a need for volunteers, we could see this as in invitation from our community to "come and show us what the love of God looks and feels like."

Get in the Game
Bud Wilkinson, the legendary coach of the University of Oklahoma, was once asked, "What has football done for the fitness of the American public?"  He answered, "Absolutely nothing!  I describe football as a game being played by 22 men on the field desperately in need of rest being watched by 50,000 people in the stands desperately in need of exercise."  Coach Wilkinson expressed a physical reality that has spiritual implications-if we want to develop "fit" Christians and growing Christians, we've got to get them into the game through service and ministry to others.

Know of an innovative congregation or leader that is a Blueprint for transforming a community?  Share their story and contact information with  Into Action (christian.washington@leadnet.org) and you may see them in this publication in the future.

This article originally appeared in the Into Action Newsletter distributed by Leadership Network. For more information follow the links below.

Into Action is distributed monthly by Leadership Network.
Christian Washington, editor
christian.washington@leadnet.org