Christian Ministry
Essential Activities of Christian Ministry Christian ministry can be defined in many different ways. Ministry is often viewed as meeting a need with compassion, whether it is a spiritual, physical, or emotional need. Ministry done in a Christian context is typically done with the intention of introducing someone to the message of the Gospel or aiding them in maturing in their relationship with Jesus Christ. There are many activities that are important to Christian ministry and important for believers in Jesus Christ to participate in. The purpose of this writing is to offer a brief examination of three of these activities and seek to answer the question ‘What is the essential activity of Christian ministry?’
One important aspect of Christian ministry is education. Dr. Michael Mitchell defines education as, “the creative process of utilizing external and internal forces to facilitate the functions of teaching and training in promoting and attaining growth and development, enabling complete individuals to comprehend, contemplate, and contribute to their community and culture.”1 The growth and development that take place as a result of education typically happen in a group setting. Those being educated submit to a process that prepares them for events that come along throughout life. In the context of Christian education, this process focuses on “producing disciples who worship Jesus and proclaim Him to the world, utilizing knowledge and competencies acquired in the processes of reconciliation, restoration, correction, and perfection.”2
Another activity of Christian ministry is discipleship. Dr. Rod Dempsey defines discipleship as, “the process of guiding individual disciples to grow in spiritual maturity and to discover and use their gifts, talents and abilities in fulfillment of Christ’s mission.”3 In the original Biblical texts, “the term used for disciple refers to someone who is a learner or follower who serves as an apprentice under the tutelage of a
One important aspect of Christian ministry is education. Dr. Michael Mitchell defines education as, “the creative process of utilizing external and internal forces to facilitate the functions of teaching and training in promoting and attaining growth and development, enabling complete individuals to comprehend, contemplate, and contribute to their community and culture.”1 The growth and development that take place as a result of education typically happen in a group setting. Those being educated submit to a process that prepares them for events that come along throughout life. In the context of Christian education, this process focuses on “producing disciples who worship Jesus and proclaim Him to the world, utilizing knowledge and competencies acquired in the processes of reconciliation, restoration, correction, and perfection.”2
Another activity of Christian ministry is discipleship. Dr. Rod Dempsey defines discipleship as, “the process of guiding individual disciples to grow in spiritual maturity and to discover and use their gifts, talents and abilities in fulfillment of Christ’s mission.”3 In the original Biblical texts, “the term used for disciple refers to someone who is a learner or follower who serves as an apprentice under the tutelage of a
Bibliography: Mitchell, Dr. Michael R. Leading, Teaching, and Making Disciples: World-Class Christian Education in the Church, School, and Home. Crossbooks, Bloomington, IN, 2010 Dempsey, Dr. Rod. 25+ Ecclesiological Passages, Accessed August 27, 2013. http://bb7.liberty.edu/bbcswebdav/xid-158127518_1 Barna, George. Growing True Disciples: New Strategies for Producing Genuine Followers of Christ. Waterbrook Press, Colorado Springs, CO, 2001 Willard, Dallas. Spiritual Formation: What it is, and How it is Done, Accessed August 30, 2013, http://www.dwillard.org/articles/artview.asp?artID=58 Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary. Accessed August 30, 2013, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worship Geiger, Eric et al, Transformational Discipleship: How People Really Grow. B&H Publishing Group, Nashville, TN, 2012