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Jarvis Online

Pasco, WA

The structure of my philosophy of ministry statement has been adopted to clearly articulate my own biblical convictions that determine and control my approach to ministry. My objective is to clearly and succinctly outline the basic principles of ministry so that the church may be better equipped to glorify God and exalt Jesus Christ.

Foundations for Ministry

Every philosophy of ministry should begin with the right foundation. Mine begins with Holy Scripture. The Bible is the Word of God (2 Tim 3:16) and is therefore without error and completely trustworthy (Psalm 119:89). God’s Word stands as absolute truth and should be known and applied in every area of life (Psalm 119:160; John 17:17). Scripture is the foundation upon which the church is built and comprises not only the content of the church’s message, but also the methods by which the church operates. Every decision and aspect of ministry must come under the Word of God. The following are the biblical convictions that determine and control my approach to ministry.

The Authority of Scripture

Scripture makes it clear that God is the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice. He also has the right to establish and dictate our belief and practice because of who He is. Since Scripture is the Word of God (2 Tim 3:16), its message is absolutely authoritative for life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3). The implications of this are manifold. For example, the church must never wander outside of the boundaries of the Word of God (1 Cor 4:6). Every aspect of ministry (whether a sermon, Bible study, program, or activity) must be motivated by an understanding of the authority of Scripture and must bring that Scripture to bear upon the lives of believers. Moreover, the church must not derive its methods from the culture of the day nor conform its message to that which is acceptable in the eyes of the world. Rather, ministry must be dictated by principles taught in Scripture.

The Sufficiency of Scripture

The Scripture is not only authoritative; it is also sufficient. Second Timothy 3:16–17 states, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (nas). This means, the Word of God is sufficient for all areas of ministry, including preaching, teaching, and counseling believers with a view to godliness. As a result, the primary focus of every sermon, Bible study, or counseling opportunity must be the teaching of Scripture. Any time the church gathers together corporately, the emphasis must be on the proclamation of God’s Word and the exhortation to obey it (1 Tim 4:13). A proper view of Scripture demands our obedience and our belief. It demands our affections, our faith, and our understanding. We must be faithful to develop a ministry philosophy that upholds the sufficiency of Scripture and impacts our community, our world, and us.

The Glory of God

The chief end of God is to preserve and display His glory. The Lord proclaims, “For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act; for how can My name be profaned? And My glory I will not give to another” (Isaiah 48:11). God’s supreme purpose is to manifest His glory. God is jealous for His own glory and will not share it with anyone. We know from Scripture that the glory of God is revealed in creation (Psalm 19:1–6). It is also revealed in His Son (Heb 1:3). Additionally, it is displayed in the salvation of sinners (Eph 1:6, 12, 14), and in God’s people (1 Pet 4:10–11). Because the glory of God must be the ultimate goal of the church, it becomes both the motivation for, and the goal of a biblical ministry. As believers, individually and corporately, we must ask the question, “Will this glorify God?” In this way, the glory of God becomes the limiting factor for the activities and programs of any ministry and the primary criterion in making decisions. Thus, ministry that displays the glory of God must be done with the highest level of excellence, and reflect the excellence of His name.

The Preeminence of Christ

The Christian faith is inextricably linked to the person of Jesus Christ because of who He is and what He has done. Jesus Christ must be preeminent in the life of the church. Not only is He the sole means of salvation (John 14:6; Acts 4:12), He is also the primary focus of sanctification. Christ must be obeyed (Matt 28:20), He must be emulated (1 John 2:6), and He must be proclaimed (Col 1:28; 1 Cor 2:2; 2 Cor 4:5). The church must submit to His headship and exalt Him in all things (Eph 1:20–23; Col 1:18), whether through worship of His person, conformity to His character, or the proclamation of His name. Simply stated, the church must be single-minded and passionate for the person and work of Jesus Christ.

The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

The church must also recognize the role of the Holy Spirit as the One who produces obedience in the lives of believers. Not only does He bring sinners to Christ (John 16:13); He also produces Christlikeness in the life of every Christian (Gal 5:22–23). Therefore, a biblical philosophy of ministry must be permeated with a genuine and prayerful dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit. He alone produces the character for which all believers are to diligently strive.

The Depravity of Man

According to Scripture, the unregenerate man is unable to understand or accept the things of God (2 Cor 1:18; 2:14), his mind is depraved (Rom 1:21, 28; 3:11) and defiled (Titus 1:15), and his understanding is darkened (Eph 4:17–18). His heart is continually and exclusively evil (Gen 6:5; Eccl 9:3). He is an enemy of God and a lover of wickedness (John 3:19–20; Rom 5:10; 8:7; Col 1:21), and his intent is to carry out the desires of Satan himself (John 8:44). He is enslaved to sin (Rom 6:17, 20; John 8:34; Titus 3:3) and completely unable to please God (Rom 3:12).

The depravity of man does not mean that man will always acts as wickedly as possible, but rather that wickedness permeates his entire being so that he is enslaved to it and unable to respond to the gospel in faith and repentance. This reality has profound implications for the ministry of the church, particularly in the areas of church discipline and evangelism. In regards to evangelism, since the unbeliever is spiritually dead (Eph 2:1; Col 2:13), no argument on the part of the evangelist is able to grant him life. Because he is spiritually blind, human logic or reason is unable to convince him of the truth. And because he is spiritually enslaved to sin, human persuasion is unable to free him from his unbelief. As a result, the evangelist must depend on God who has the power to draw sinners to faith in Christ. The only hope for salvation is found in the sovereignty of God.

The Sovereignty of God in Salvation

Scripture teaches that before the foundation of the world, God unconditionally chose certain individuals to be saved (Eph 1:4). God’s choice, which was not based on His ability to look into the future and see who would one day choose Him, was totally unconditional (Rom 9:11; Eph 2:8–9) and designed to glorify Him (Eph 1:5–6) as the One who graciously bestows mercy upon whom He desires (Rom 9:14–24). Those individuals who are elected are drawn to Christ by the sovereign work of the Father (John 6:44, 65). This inward call of God is effectual and never fails to bring His chosen ones to belief in Jesus Christ (Rom 8:30). Thus, the sinner who comes to Christ comes in faith and repentance because God convicts him of his sin (John 16:8), opens his heart (Acts 16:14), and grants him faith (Acts 5:31; 11:18; 2 Tim 2:25) and the repentance to believe (Acts 13:48; 18:27; Phil 1:29; 2 Pet 1:1). In salvation, God sovereignly takes the initiative by both choosing who will be saved in eternity past and calling those who are chosen to Himself at the time of conversion.

The sovereignty of God in salvation impacts our worship and evangelism. With regard to worship, the church exalts the Lord and gives Him the praise and glory for what He has done when someone comes to salvation through Christ. Concerning evangelism, the church proclaims the gospel to depraved sinners recognizing that God is the Savior and that salvation is a demonstration of His power and sovereignty. The church must be faithful to clearly and accurately proclaim the gospel (Rom 10:14), knowing that the Lord opens the heart of the sinner to respond to the message of salvation.

The Priority of the Church

Jesus Christ said, “I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it” (Matt 16:18). The church, which is comprised of all those who have repented of their sin and placed their faith in Christ, is a living organism made up of true believers who “offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 2:5). Christ so loved the church that He died for her (Eph 5:25) that He might sanctify her and present her to Himself in all her glory, blameless and without spot or blemish (Eph 5:26–27). As head over His bride (Eph 5:23), Christ also nourishes and cherishes the church (Eph 5:29). The church, being “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Eph 2:20), functions as “the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Tim 3:15). Through the church, believers are spiritually equipped (Eph 4:11–16) and unbelievers are presented with the gospel (Matt 28:19–20).

The church is God’s primary means for advancing His kingdom in this age. Therefore, it is important that every believer identify with, function in, and submit to the leadership of a local church (Heb 13:17). Believers are to edify one another with their spiritual gifts (Rom 12:6–8; 1 Pet 4:10–11), regularly assemble together (Heb 10:24–25) and devote themselves to the teaching of God’s Word, fellowship, celebration of the Lord’s Supper, and prayer (Acts 2:42). In light of this, the church must foster a deepening love for and commitment to the church, as well as a biblical understanding of what it means to function as the church.

The Imminence of Christ’s Return

Scripture makes it clear that Christ will return in the same way He went into heaven (Acts 1:11). Believers past, present, and future, eagerly await His literal, bodily return to earth (Matt 25:31; 1 Cor 1:7; Phil 3:20; Titus 2:13; Heb 9:28; 1 Pet 1:13; Rev 1:7). The exact day and hour of His return, however, is unknown (Matt 24:36). The Lord could return at any moment to gather His people to Himself (Col 3:4; James 5:7–9; 1 Peter 4:7). Scripture compares Christ’s Second Coming to a thief who comes at night when people least expect it (Matt 24:43; 25:1–13; 1 Thess 5:2; 2 Pet 3:10). Therefore, believers must be ready and alert (Matt 24:42–44; 25:1–12), living each moment as if Christ could return today. They must live faithfully (Matt 24:45–51; 25:14–30), diligent in prayer, love, hospitality, and service of one another, that God may be glorified (1 Pet 4:7–11).

Strategies for Ministry

The following are the biblical relationships that determine and control my approach to ministry.

Our Relationship to God

A believer’s relationship to God must begin with worship, which is attributing to God the honor and glory due Him by proclaiming His worth and presenting our life. Every believer is given the mandate and privilege to worship God by proclaiming His infinite worth (Deut 6:13; Matt 4:10) “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23–24), with sincere and genuine affection rooted in biblical truth. Corporate worship of the church takes place as believers gather to declare the greatness of the Lord by offering undistracted devotion and adoration to Him. A worship service, therefore, must seek to ignite the believer’s affections with biblical truth as taught from the Word of God and offer opportunities for the heart to respond to that truth.

True believers will demonstrate their desire to worship God both personally and corporately, both through prayer and songs of praise to the Lord (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16). A church that refuses to provide this may cause individuals to abandon biblical worship for empty forms that seek to fulfill their inherent desire to worship. It is imperative that church leaders consistently teach believers what it means to worship biblically, and to provide opportunities to worship in response to the truth of who God is and what He has done for His people.

Scripture urges believers “to present [their] bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is [their] spiritual service of worship” (Rom 12:1). This means believers must refuse to pattern their lives after this present evil age, buy into the world’s philosophy, live according to the world’s standards, make decisions according to the world’s priorities, pattern one’s heart according to the world’s affections, form convictions according to the world’s beliefs, and plan one’s life according to the world’s values. It also means that believers must continually renew their mind to the truth so that they might grow in righteousness. This inner transformation will ultimately result in obedience to God’s will.

Church leaders must stimulate believers through example by ministering the Word publicly and privately (Acts 20:20), always seeking to impart spiritual truth (“teaching”), expose sin and error (“reproof”), restore those who have fallen spiritually (“correction”), and cultivate righteous living (“training in righteousness”) (2 Tim 3:16).

Our Relationship to Other Believers

It is essential to realize that every member of the body of Christ is called to full-time Christian ministry. Not everyone is called to shepherd the church, but every believer possesses God-given ministry responsibilities in the body of Christ by living out the “one-anothers” and exercising spiritual gifts. God has made it clear how we are to treat one another. We are exhorted to do the following:

Contribute to one another’s needs (Rom 12:13)
Spur one another on to love and good deeds (Heb 10:24)
Love one another (John 13:34–35; Rom 13:8; 1 Pet 1:22; 4:9; 1 John 3:11, 23; 4:7–12; 2 John 1:5)
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love (Rom 12:10; 1 Pet 3:8)
Give preference to one another in honor (Rom 12:10)
Accept one another (Rom 15:17)
Admonish one another (Rom 15:14; Col 3:16; 1 Thess 5:14)
Be united with one another (Rom 12:16; 1 Cor 1:10; 1 Pet 3:8)
Serve one another through love (Gal 5:13; 1 Pet 4:10)
Show forbearance to one another in love (Eph 4:2)
Be kind to one another (Eph 4:32; 1 Pet 3:8)
Be tender-hearted to one another (Eph 4:32)
Forgive one another (Eph 4:32; Col 3:13)
Speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Eph 5:19)
Teach one another (Col 3:16)
Encourage one another (1 Thess 5:11, 14; Heb 3:13; 10:25)
Build one another up (1 Thess 5:11)
Help one another (1 Thess 5:14)
Be patient with one another (1 Thess 5:14)
Be hospitable to one another (Rom 12:13; 1 Pet 4:9)
Be sympathetic toward one another (Rom 12:15; 1 Pet 3:8)
Restore one another (Gal 6:1)
Bear one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2)
Be humble toward one another (Phil 2:3; 1 Pet 3:8; 5:5)
Look out for one another’s interests (Phil 2:4)

Believers are also to be faithful stewards of their God-given ministry by exercising their spiritual gifts (1 Pet 4:10). According to Scripture, a spiritual gift is a special, supernatural ability given to every believer (1 Cor 12:7, 11b) by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:11a) for the purpose of serving (1 Cor 12:7) and edifying the church (1 Cor 14:12, 26). The spiritual gifts listed in God’s Word include apostleship (Eph 4:11), prophecy (Rom 12:6; 1 Cor 12:10; Eph 4:11), the distinguishing of spirits (1 Cor 12:10), wisdom (1 Cor 12:8), knowledge (1 Cor 12:8), faith (1 Cor 12:9), healing (1 Cor 12:9), miracles (1 Cor 12:10), tongues (1 Cor 12:10), the interpretation of tongues (1 Cor 12:10), evangelism (Eph 4:11), teaching (Rom 12:7), pastor and teacher (Eph 4:11), exhortation (Rom 12:8), service (Rom 12:7), mercy (Rom 12:8), giving (Rom 12:8), and leading (Rom 12:8). Although not all of these spiritual gifts are still in existence today (i.e., those which were revelatory and confirmatory in nature ceased toward the end of the first century), it is imperative that every member of the body of Christ understand their spiritual gift and diligently exercise that gift to the glory of God (1 Pet 4:10–11) and the edification of the body of Christ.

It is also the responsibility of the leadership of the church to equip believers to practice the one-anothers and exercise their spiritual gifts. In Ephesians 4:12, Paul writes that gifted men are given for “the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.” The church is edified when each individual believer is equipped to meet the needs of others. Therefore, the priority of the church must be to train and equip believers to practice the one-anothers and exercise their spiritual gifts.

This equipping process takes place in many ways. For example, believers are equipped when they are taught how to respond appropriately to the teaching of God’s Word. Believers are equipped also when they obey God’s Word (Luke 6:46–49; James 1:22–25). Moreover, believers are equipped when those in leadership demonstrate the one-anothers and exercise their spiritual gifts (1 Tim 4:12; Titus 2:7; 1 Pet 5:3). Finally, believers are equipped when they see the need for every believer to be involved in full-time Christian ministry, realizing that equipping the saints is a lifestyle and not a specialized program because it involves imparting one’s very life (1 Thess 2:7–8).

Our Relationship to Unbelievers

Through godly living in a godless age and building relationships with those without Christ, believers serve as powerful witnesses to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their sacrifice for others, their commitment to integrity, meeting needs, their hatred of sin, and their love for God affirm the testimony of God’s saving power. Scripture also makes it very clear that unbelievers cannot be saved apart from receiving the gospel in faith. Therefore, it is important how believers live before an unbelieving world. Since God has prepared the good works of every believer (Eph 2:10; Titus 2:14), we must conduct ourselves as children of light (Eph 5:8).

We must also understand that the proclamation of the gospel is indispensable to the salvation of the lost. As Paul writes, “How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom 10:14; cf. 1 Cor 1:20–25; James 1:18; 1 Pet 1:23). God has not only ordained the end, He has also ordained the means, for “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom 10:17).

God has ordained that every believer faithfully communicate the gospel and make disciples of all the nations (Matt 28:19–20). This is the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:19), pleading with sinners to repent of their sins and believe in Jesus (2 Cor 5:20). This divinely ordained role of serving as ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20) is not only a command but also a privilege and responsibility for every believer.

Methodology for Ministry

Methodology defines what we do in ministry. The danger of methodologies is a tendency to focus on programs rather than principles from God’s Word. It must be stressed that my desire is to base my methodology on sound biblical and theological convictions over and against a program-oriented ministry. Methodologies may change, but certain biblical and theological principles must not.

The Priorities of the Church

The following is a list of five non-negotiable priorities that guide my decisions about ministry goals and objectives. I believe the programs of the church should reflect these established priorities.

A High View of God: God is absolutely holy, and is the object of our worship. A commitment to a high view of God leads an individual to view His Word as the perfect guide for our lives. A church that tolerates sin and is focused on man’s felt needs is susceptible to reflect a man-centered ministry that attempts to please individuals rather than glorifying God.

A Sufficiency of View of Scripture: The Bible is the absolute authority, and is relevant for every life situation. A church that fails to recognize the absolute sufficiency of God’s Word will often be characterized as choosing to pursue comfort over obedience, personal experience over the authority of the Bible, and contemporary thinking and culture over the principles of divine truth.

A Right View of Man: Man was created to glorify God, but because of sin, he is totally depraved and seeks only to glorify himself. The only remedy is salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. A church that fails to preach Christ as the only remedy for sin, and that tries to address “felt” needs by promising human solutions, is susceptible to produce people more concerned about “practical solutions” to life’s problems rather than biblical solutions.

An Accurate View of the Church: The church exists to proclaim and protect divine truth, to provide a context of loving fellowship and mutual edification, to equip people to apply God’s Word, and to exercise their spiritual gifts as a light to the world for the evangelization of God’s elect. A church that fails to live up to its divine purpose is susceptible to produce a program-oriented, superficial ministry appealing to individual interests rather than glorify God.

A Biblical View of Church Leadership: The leadership of the church reflects the character of God as a model for the rest of the congregation. A church that fails to understand a biblical view of church leadership is susceptible to practice unbiblical discipleship and modeling, and skewed ministry priorities that tend to focus on skills and abilities rather than godly character.

These are the fundamental convictions that define my philosophy of ministry as a pastor and as a believer in Christ. May God receive all the glory!

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