Methods in Ministry

"...We must remember that methods work because of the principles behind them." Wiersbe

Some would argue that there is no bad method to "doing church," there are only "different" methods. I would suggest this is only partially true. Yes, there are varying methods of ministry from church to church and there is more than one way to achieve the same goal. But it remains that some methods are bad methods because of the principles behind them.

Some ministries place an emphasis on "staying relevent" and therefore adopt a method or style of ministry that fits in with current trends. This can be good, but great care and self examination should be taken when going this route because it can be a subtle shift from a sound principle. The principle at the forefront should be on ministering to eternal souls. We keep in mind the times and culture those souls live in so that they are reached in their own context. However, "staying relevent" isn't the principle; its a secondary thing; its a means to an end - a method. Thus, you have ministries who work hard at "staying relevent" and miss the principle. You'll see them look really "cool," trendy, and youthful, but no real ministry takes place. They've drifted from the principle and adopted a carnal motive. They are not focussed on saving souls or bringing people into maturity. They are simply cool ministries for cool people to congregate in. Their method is bad because it isn't properly attached to a principle and is motivated by the flesh.

Any method not birthed from principle or any method birthed from an unsound principle will prove itself unhealthy, even though it might yeild temporary results. The emphasis of a ministry shouldn' t be on a method but rather on the principle. Methods will vary but if you stay anchored to sound principles you will avoid bad methods (which do exist) and might breed carnality and shallowness in a church. Cultural context is helpful to consider in ministry, but we cannot drift from the solid biblical principles that we see in scripture. Today's church might look different outwardly, but inwardly it should not cease from being exactly the same as the early church we read about in Acts. "They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers...praising God...and the Lord added to the church..." (Acts 2:42, 47). The principles must be the same or we'll employ unhealthy methods. Its all about Jesus, the salvation He offers, and His profitable Word. We must use good methods to get people to know & glorify Him, receive salvation, and be submitted to His Word.