The Changing Face of Ministry

As you well know, life is about transitions and changes. I just celebrated my 40th birthday this month. My daughter started 1st grade and my son began 5th. Next year, Zachary will be entering middle school, which is already giving my wife anxiety attacks! In other words, nothing in life ever stays static. Things are always moving, changing, transitioning-whether we want them to or not.

What is true in life is also true in the church. No matter how much we want things to stay the same, the reality is in a rapidly changing culture, the church must transition in order to meet the ministry needs that are around us today. Whereas in the past people came to church out of sincere faith, duty, or sometimes obligation, today people have no problem leaving church out of their lives. In other words, in past generations, we programmed church events and activities with the "come and see" approach. Now, the church must leave the confines of the building and seek out those who need to hear the gospel.

This means church ministry has to take on a totally different look and feel than in past generations. The church has to take ministry to the neighborhoods, schools, and businesses around them. Pastors and staff have to take on a community service mindset. This means establishing relationships with principals, business leaders, and community leaders to discern what the legitimate needs are in their communities. Then the pastors and staff came formulate ways their churches can meet those needs.

The cookie-cutter days of ministry are over. Churches simply cannot afford to copy another church's student ministry, outreach ministry, etc. Each church must do the hard work of establishing relationships in their respective communities, earning trust, discovering needs, and meeting those needs under God's grace and provision.

Jesus said in Matthew 9:38, "Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Will you be one of His laborers to go out into the fields of your community to advance the kingdom of God? Let us pray to the Lord of the Harvest for laborers for His glory.

Serving Christ, Loving Others & Growing Together,
Bryan