Reading: The Minister Way

The Way of the Minister: Embracing Personal Ministry

I am a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ, and this defines my identity. As a minister, I belong to a role open to people from all walks of life and social situations.

I do not consider myself superior to anyone; instead, I acknowledge that I am a sinner saved by grace. My family is not perfect, but we are a work in progress.

I firmly believe the Holy Spirit empowers me to fulfill my ministerial calling.

My wife, Pam, and I have been walking the ministerial path since our twenties, and we have experienced abundant blessings.

The ministerial way is not just a part of my life; it is my way of existence. By ministering, I affirm my identity.

Living according to the ministerial way requires discipline. It involves regular Bible reading and prayer and extends beyond individual practice to become a collective endeavor—the ministry.

The ministerial way is a strategic approach to fulfill the goal of spreading the message of Christ to the world.

This way of being a minister makes sense because Jesus taught that the meek inherit the earth. He emphasized that true greatness comes through servanthood, as stated in Mark 9:35.

The ministerial way provides a direction for others to look towards, pointing them to the servants of God who bring revival and transformation.

For me, the ministerial way is a path that leads me to my ultimate destination: heaven.

The Significance of the Ministerial Way

Jesus sent out seventy-two ministers who returned joyfully, reporting that even demons submitted to them. However, Jesus reminded them that their actual cause for rejoicing should be their names being written in heaven rather than the power they exercised (Luke 10:17-20).

The ministerial way is not about glamour or comfort, nor does material compensation typically accompany it. As a minister, my joy does not stem from personal achievements or struggles but from the assurance that my name is recorded in heaven.

When the Apostle Paul neared the end of his life, he declared that he had fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept his faith. He looked forward to receiving the crown of righteousness for himself and all who longed for Christ's appearing (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

When asked about my spiritual dream, I often express my desire to reach heaven and bring as many people as possible during my short time on earth.

As a minister, I have the privilege of serving Christ by proclaiming the Gospel of salvation and the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I minister to those who have not yet embraced a relationship with God and those already saved and growing in Christ. I will continue doing so until Christ returns or until my time on earth is complete. Ministering defines my being.

Do You Question Your Qualification as a Minister?

If you have been wondering whether you are called to be a minister, you may have disqualified yourself for various reasons. However, perhaps the Lord has reignited a fire within you to pursue ministry again.

Whether you are considering entering ministry or seeking to deepen your passion as an existing minister, this book can offer encouragement along your journey. The ministerial way was the path of the disciples and the Apostle Paul. Countless ministers throughout history have followed it.

The Minister Way is for those who:

• Open themselves up to reach others, inspired by their salvation.
• Walk closely with God.
• Proclaim the message of the Gospel.
• Desire to serve as ministers.
• Give generously and encourage others to do the same.
• Volunteer, serve part-time, or dedicate themselves full-time to ministry.
• Recognize and utilize their gifts for ministry.
• Engage in continuous learning through ministry training.
• Submit to ordination and seek public credibility.
• Pursue a lifestyle characterized by peace and wisdom.
• Demonstrate respect for others by being relationally astute.

Perhaps you are called to join the ministerial way. It is a path where you may lose everything but gain much more. It is captivating and challenging. In the words of the Apostle Paul from 2 Corinthians 6:4-10:

"But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and the left, By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things." (KJV)

If you seek a comfortable life, the ministerial way may not be for you. However, if you feel called to soar to new heights and depths, the ministerial way will captivate and challenge you.

The Minister Way in the New Testament

The term "minister" primarily derives from the Greek root word "diakon" used in the New Testament. For this study, let's refer to these words as "minister words." They encompass verbs, common nouns, and collective nouns.

While a deep understanding of Ancient Greek is not necessary to comprehend this book, familiarity with how the Greek root word "diakon" is employed in the New Testament can be beneficial. These minister words appear repeatedly and shape our understanding of calling, walking, studying, mentoring, commissioning, and ordaining Christian leaders.

The minister words are imbued with rich meaning. They are used in various ways throughout the New Testament, yet they always emphasize ministry.

Dr. Bill Mounce's Biblical Reference book, "Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words," presents these minister-words. Let's look at them as they appear in the New Testament. We will refer back to many of these words throughout the book as we delve into Christian leadership for today's Church.

As a Verb: I minister, I serve, I attend upon.

Diakoneo - 37x: to wait, attend upon, serve (e.g., Mt. 8:15; Mk. 1:31; Lk. 4:39); to be an attendant or assistant (Acts 19:22); to minister to, relieve, assist, or provide the necessaries of life (e.g., Mt. 4:11; 27:55; Mk. 1:13; 15:41; Lk. 8:3); to fulfill the office of a deacon, perform deacon duties (1 Tim. 3:10, 13; 1 Pet. 4:11); to convey in charge, administer (2 Cor. 3:3; 8:19, 20; 1 Pet. 1:12; 4:10); to receive service (Mt. 20:28; Mk. 10:45).

As a Common Noun: Minister, Servant, Deacon

Diakonos - 29x: one who renders service to another, an attendant, servant (e.g., Mt. 20:26; 22:13; Jn. 2:5, 9); one who executes a commission, a deputy (Rom. 13:4); a commissioned minister or preacher of the Gospel (1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 6:4); a minister charged with an announcement or sentence (2 Cor. 3:6; Col. 1:23); a minister characterized by a significant trait (Rom. 15:8); a devoted follower, servitor (Jn. 12:26); a deacon or deaconess responsible for supervising church alms and related services (Rom. 16:1; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8, 12).

As a Collective Noun: Ministry, Service, Diaconate

Diakonia - 34x: serving, service, waiting, attendance (e.g., Lk. 10:40; 2 Tim. 4:11; Heb. 1:14); relief, aid (Acts 6:1; 11:29; 2 Cor. 8:4; 9:1, 12, 13); a commission (Acts 12:25; Rom. 15:31); a commission or ministry in the service of the Gospel (Acts 1:17, 25; 20:24; Rom. 11:13; 2 Cor. 4:1; 5:18; 1 Tim. 1:12); service in the Gospel (Acts 6:4; 21:19; 1 Cor. 16:15; 2 Cor. 6:3; 11:8; Eph. 4:12; Rev. 2:19); a function, ministry, or office in the Church (Rom. 12:7; 1 Cor. 12:5; Col. 4:17; 2 Tim. 4:5); ministry involved in conveying a revelation from God (2 Cor. 3:7, 8, 9).

(Zondervan, Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Zondervan Academic; Kindle Edition).

The root word "diakon" encompasses verbs, common nouns, and collective nouns. These words are not rare occurrences in the New Testament; they appear a hundred times. They shape our perception of Christian leaders, their actions, and thoughts. These root words encapsulate one of the prevailing worldviews in the New Testament.

These ministers ' words intertwine numerous stories, instructions, and teachings.

A Culture of Ministership

Many leadership books emphasize the significance of fostering a corporate culture to ensure longevity. These discussions explore a company's overall culture, such as having integrity as a guiding principle. Some books on corporate culture also address specific cultural elements within different departments.

For instance:

• Manufacturing departments prioritize quality practices.
• HR departments recruit positive, talented, and ambitious team members.
• Customer service departments emphasize listening as a critical aspect of their service.

When choosing companies to support, we often look for specific cultures. For instance, hotels prioritizing cleanliness and exhibiting that culture tend to attract more customers. While a hotel may value cleanliness, the culture determines whether the rooms genuinely shine. Similarly, when a pilot prioritizes safety by delaying a flight for maintenance reasons, passengers experience a sense of relief. A safety culture creates practices and procedures that foster trust.

These same cultural principles can be found in any human organization, including marriages, families, and healthy churches. Moreover, these characteristics align with biblical teachings and are not new concepts.

Creating a Culture of Service

One of my mentors, Rich DeVos, co-founder of Amway, once told me the secret to their success. He mentioned several points from the list of cultural signs we discussed earlier. However, he emphasized one key aspect: "We are here to serve God and mankind." According to him, making a difference as a leader meant being a servant. He often said, "When you help others achieve their dreams, you will achieve yours." His point was that true greatness lies in being a great servant.

Jesus taught the same principle two thousand years ago in Mark 9:35. He gathered the Twelve disciples, sat them down, and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last and the servant of all."

Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel, the founders of Amway, understood that building an enduring organization required them to be "last." They viewed themselves as servants of the company, their independent distributors, and the consumers of their products and services.

Fostering a Culture of Ministry

Jesus proclaimed, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last and the servant of all." He used one of the "minister-words" we discussed earlier: "diakonos." To be first means being a servant, a minister, and a deacon to all.

Christian leaders are servants, ministers, or deacons within the most beautiful organization ever established on earth: the Church. We are responsible for sharing a message of hope with a world in desperate need of salvation and new life.

The Apostle Paul frequently emphasized that he was a "servant, minister, deacon" (diakonos) of the Gospel. For example, in Colossians 1:23 (KJV), he stated:

"If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; of which I Paul am made a minister (diakonos). . . ."

In the early Church, its leaders were known as ministers, and the term continues to be used today. However, the title itself is not the primary focus; instead, the culture of servanthood truly matters. Do we grasp the perspective of Jesus, that being first means being last, and that greatness lies in being the servant of all?

Jesus exemplified this by sacrificing His life as the ultimate serving servant to save the world. As ministers, we are also called to lay down our lives.

The Revival of Ministry Culture

Sometimes, valuable concepts become obscured or distorted over time. For example, the early Church was established by Christian leaders who served the resurrected Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Ministry was at the core of the early Church. Servant leadership was the prevailing leadership style. Jesus taught that to be first; one must be the least. The apostles acknowledged that they were all servants and ministers. The focus was not on hierarchical control but preaching Christ and serving others. The corporate culture of the early Church was characterized by giving and helping.

However, by the fourth century, a shift began to occur. Hierarchy and titles started to take precedence. A division emerged within the Church between the laity and the clergy. Nevertheless, many leaders continued to serve Christ faithfully as ministers.

The situation worsened to the point where, in the 16th century, popes were morally corrupt and deceitful even by today's standards. The Reformation marked the start of a process to reform the Catholic Church and establish Protestant churches. A new generation of ministers emerged to serve the Lord.

Over the past five centuries, the Church has splintered into numerous denominations, independent churches, and fellowships. Nevertheless, God has continued to raise ministers within this context.

The Time is Now

We live in an exciting era where more ministers are being called forth, with a renewed focus on personal ministry culture as Christian leaders.

If you resonate with this calling, welcome.

God plans you to serve whether you are called to be a volunteer, part-time, or full-time minister. However, ministering does not solely involve working within a church or ministry. Your ministerial calling can impact and transform lives wherever the Lord leads you to serve.

Can you envision yourself as a minister of the Gospel in your calling field? May God grant you insight and direction as you continue to explore the meaning of being a servant, minister, and deacon.