Foundations For Successful Ministry: Organizing for Ministry

Introduction:

The fledgling church of the Lord Jesus Christ faced many challenges during it's early years. If it was not persecution from the outside world, then it was the threat of division from within. In the previous two chapters, the leaders of the church face persecution from the Jewish religious establishment. The church also faced the issues of jealousy, selfish ambition and the desire for recognition by immature believers.

In chapter 6 we see the problems that arise in a rapidly growing church filled with new believers. One of the major issues facing church leaders was the inadequacy of their organizational structure to meet ministry needs. At some point, it becomes impossible for a limited organizational structure to minister to all of the needs present within the congregation.

I'm sure that the apostles desired to be able to minister to all the people.It is, however, impossible for 12 apostles to take care of the needs present in a church with a membership in the thousands. In the first part of the chapter we see the solution offered by the apostles to the church at Jerusalem. It was a good suggestion for ministry based organizational leadership. The design at this point was dictated by the needs present in the church.

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Notice some vital Facts about early church foundational ministry:

1. There are always growing pains In the growing ministry ().

A- One size does not fit all situations in ministry.

1- Every church should not attempt to have the same structure.

2- One structure may not fit the same church at different points in time.

B- As needs surface, organization and leadership structure must be adjusted.

1- Organization and leadership structure should be dictated by ministry needs.

2- We need to ask ourselves some pointed and searching questions:

What types of ministry are needed to make us more effective in reaching our community and world?

What types of leaders do we need in order to carry out the ministries that are needed?

How does our present structure need to be adjusted to answer the needs?

2. There are limitations to the load that leaders can carry ().

A- Adding additional duties will necessarily detract from others. (vs. 2)

1- While all leadership functions are important and needed, all cannot be equally performed by the same people.

B- Setting aside leaders to deal with new ministry needs is the key to keeping things going well. (vs. 3a)

1- God always supplies the needed gifted individuals to lead his people.

2- We must be willing to look among ourselves to find the leaders.

C- Upholding leadership standards is vital. (vs. 3b, 5-6).

1- It is NEVER wise to compromise spiritual standards in order to fill leadership roles.

2- Notice the key standards:

Well-respected (a good testimony)

Full of the Holy Spirit

Full of Godly Wisdom

3- Notice the operative word:

Responsibility

D- Proper leadership structure will increase the effectiveness of all ministries. (vs. 4, 7).

1- The proper workload will be maintained (vs. 4).

2- God’s message will continue to spread (vs. 7a).

3- The number of disciples will continues to increase (vs. 7b).

3. Those who are leaders should be completely committed to Christ and His cause ().

A- The key traits for any church leader:

1- Full of God’s grace.

2- Fully living in God’s power.

3- Full of God’s wisdom.

4- Full of God’s Spirit.

B- The world should be able to see evidence of the leader’s transformed life (vs. 11-15).

1- This should be evident even in the most negative of circumstances (vs. 11-14).

2- Question: (vs. 15)

When other look at us what do they see?