Church Ministries – Character (Textbook Chapter 1)

Introduction to the Textbook

Prayer

Bro. Wiersbe does say some tremendous things that I believe would be beneficial if added to your ministries.

This book is about the unchanging principles of ministry, and our thesis is that obeying these principles leads to success in ministry-15.

I cannot promise you that if you master these principles 1-10 that you will have a powerful ministry, but I do believe that the things they address (character, service, love, etc) are essential.

This can be a controversial topic.

In order to understand, one MUST distinguish difference between principle and method.

Warren Weirsbe “Methods are many, principles are few; Methods always change, principles never do.”

Illustration: transportation (The act of carrying or conveying from one place to another)>history-horses>presently-cars, trains, airplanes, bicycles>The method has changed with the invention of these new things although the basic principle of transportation is still the same.

We always need better methods for serving the Lord, but our methods must be tested by the principles laid down in Scripture. -17

Thomas Jefferson- “In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current.”

“The old is the womb out of which the new is born.”

Character

T. Austin Sparks said, “Is it not true- sad though it may be-that very often the work of the Lord is hindered or spoiled by the workers themselves?”

Ministers-especially be aware of the importance of character and conduct.

It is vitally important that you come to terms with the importance of character now for you are either developing good character or bad character while we speak.

What are we as Christians on earth for?

Are we here to do a work, or for a testimony?

We are tested every day in issues of character.

1. Faithfulness to work-Are we lazy?

2. Honesty-Do we lie with our mouth or our actions?

3. Relationships-Do we gossip?

Luke 9:1–3 “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.”

PATTERN:

1. Call-His call was to specific individuals for specific purposes.

2. Empowering-He gave them the strength to perform what He was calling them to do.

3. Sending-He does not just call them and empower them to have them “sit on a church pew.”

Notice that He sent them with a message (the kingdom of God) and a mission (to heal the sick).

RELEVANCE:

1. You must be called to be in ministry

2. The power will be there for those who respond to the call

3. It is not enough to claim titles of ministry. A minister must get actively involved.

4. You message must involve the kingdom of God. Be relevant in your ministries.

5. You mission should be to heal the sick-physically and spiritually.

Why such a strong emphasis upon character?

1. It is the foundation of ministry-what happens if you have a bad foundation?

2. You have others watching you-your character (bad or good) could have a definite influence upon someone else.

Chapter One

Every profession has its hypocrites. -19

Thought-Ministry isn’t just any profession though and that excuse doesn’t hold up anyway for you are not giving account to God for any other profession.

The public expects more out of ministers of the gospel and the officers of the church, and rightly so, since Christian ministry is associated with character-21

Thought-The quicker you come to terms with the fact that you are not part of the crowd the better off you will be.

In the lectures (Lyman Beecher Lectures on Preaching). . .the preacher’s character was made the foundation upon which all else rises or falls. Baxter. -21.

Thought-OBI is a place of character building. The foundation is being laid. You could either be constructing a solid foundation or a faulty one. You could be setting yourself up for a long, anointed ministry or for one that sputters and dies right here at the beginning.

How does OBI build character?

1. Social/prayer/study time

2. Accountability-VITAL TO CHARACTER

3. Hard work/business

Are you passing the tests?

I’m afraid that character has been overlooked and neglected in the ministry (on both sides of the spectrum).

Instead of character, we emphasize:

1. Talent

2. Training

3. Experience

4. Reputation

5. Personality

...but if we don’t have character, we don’t have anything for the foundation of ministry is character-21.

It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God-Robert Murray M’Cheyne-22

God is not nearly as interested in what you can do as He is about who you are!!!

Character is the raw material of life, out of which we either by diligence construct a temple or by negligence create a trash heap-22.

Reputation is what people think we are; character is what God and the holy angels know we are. -22

Thought-Many people spend years and valuable resources building reputation (all to the neglect of character).

[Character] is what a man is in the dark (D.L. Moody)-22.

People with character have integrity; what they say and do comes from a heart fully dedicated to God.

Integrity means inner wholeness; we’re not trying to fool others (hypocrisy) or fool ourselves (duplicity). -22.

Thought-People with integrity are open and honest with others. They are open and honest with themselves. They are open and honest with God.

They are pure and they are genuine.

Do you have character?

1. Can you be trusted?

2. Can you keep a confidence?

3. Are you faithful even when you know that no one else is watching?

Perhaps we will have more time to discuss those issues at a later point.

Character

Character=who we are (identity)

As ministers, we must pay attention to the common and ordinary.

Character is that which is involved in the everyday routines of life.

“It amazes me how little is said from pulpits or by Christian authors about our occupations” - Chuck Swindoll (Joseph-On-the-Job Integrity).

It is not just about occupations, but it is also about everything that makes up one’s everyday routine.

“It is not our behavior on Sunday morning that demonstrates the depth of our Christian faith to the world.” Swindoll

Negative traits revealed on the job: (Swindoll) *I believe they are relevant for ministers.

1. Sloth (Disinclination to action or labor)

2. Deception (misleading)

3. Dishonesty

4. Anger (constantly blowing your top)

5. Greed

6. Discord (stirring up trouble)

7. Gossip (you don’t know how to pray things through)

8. Pettiness (you make things a big deal that isn’t a big deal)

9. Lack of Confidentiality (cannot be trusted)

10. Disloyalty (holiness)

11. Impatience (inconsiderate of others’ time)

Ouch! Some of these negative tendencies may “hit home” with you. You probably have not considered some of them as being a hindrance to your character.

Positive traits revealed on the job: (Swindoll)

1. Ambition (desire)

2. Punctuality (on time)

3. Honesty (good conscience)

4. A good sense of humor (can laugh at yourself)

5. Harmony (unity is priority)

6. Diligence (no one has to make sure you are working)

7. Encouragement (words and actions)

8. Support

9. Generosity (resources and hospitality)

Do you have some of these positive traits? Do you see any room for improvement?

I. Pressure and Character.

Pressure is something that we all must deal with in our lives.

Examples: peers, finances, various other anxieties.

In the ministry there will be a lot of added (you will hear that a lot) pressures (The act of pressing or urging with force/squeezing or crushingWebster)

Swindoll (Joseph: A Man of Integrity and Forgiveness) is writing to Christians in general (to my knowledge).

However, what he says can be directly applied to those called to ministry.

“Many of you know that all too well, because right now you are living with the kind of pressure that taps and saps, drains your energy, and demands your best efforts.” Swindoll.

Three areas of pressure: by Swindoll:

1. The workload-this is spiritual business. It is declaring unto people the mind of God. Not only that, but you will never get it all done. There is the constant pressure of at least 5 multiple things that you need to be doing and they are all of equal importance!

2. Working with people-ministers must be people persons. There is the constant pressure to work with people that you may not like or who may not appreciate your efforts.

3. Falling prey to pettiness-if Satan cannot destroy your ministry, then he will settle for the next best thing: making your ministry one that does not matter. A petty ministry is one that is not focused.

Can you think of any other pressures in ministry?

The one that has been pre-dominant throughout the preparation of this lecture is the pressure of providing answers to the difficult questions in life (i.e. why?)

Pressure is often that which is imposed from without, so you have no control over it (you have no choice in the matter).

How you (as a minister) handle pressure is important (you do have a choice there).

You must not allow pressure to damage or altar Godly character.

Pressure pushes you to “cut-corners.”

True character will resist that temptation (often in the face of “legitimate” pressure, i.e. homework & prayer life).

II. Character and Integrity.

People with character have integrity; what they say and do comes from a heart fully dedicated to God. 22.

Integrity is vital to good character.

Definition of integrity: Integrity is inner wholeness. -22.

“The Oxford English Dictionary says that the word comes from the Latin integritas, which means wholeness, entireness, completeness. The root word is integer which means untouched, intact, entire.” Warren Weirsbe (The Integrity Crisis)

Another definition of Integrity:

1. Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code

2. The state of being unimpaired; soundness

3. The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness

-American Heritage Dictionary

Characteristics of integrity:

1. Remains unaffected by circumstances

2. Purposes to do right regardless

3. Does not abuse power

4. Works well and efficiently even when one is alone

5. Simple and pure (sin is complicated)

6. It is not glamorous (Bro. Calicott’s message is the only one that I have

heard on the topic)

Scriptures on integrity:

Job 2:3, 9; 27:5; 31:6. Psalm 7:8; 25:21; 26:1, 11; 41:12. Proverbs 11:3;

19:1; 20:7.

I Kings 9:3-5 And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.

There are three things that I see from this passage:

1. Integrity is not hereditary or inherited.

2. Integrity is a choice/discipline.

3. Integrity is not a “one-time” experience (it is a walk)

Conclusion:

Integrity is vital to your spiritual growth as well as to the enlarging of your ministry.

You simply MUST have it!