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MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES

 

1. PRAYER MINISTRY

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Effectiveness in Prayer Requires Having the Right Purposes for Praying

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Maybe you are hoping to see God take care of a list of requests.

You possibly want to see Him do great and mighty things in your midst or to bring revival.

Perhaps you simply want to be obedient to His command to pray.

Or, you may be trying to emulate the early church of the New Testament of whom it was said that they devoted themselves to prayer (Acts 2:42).

While all that and much more can happen as people meet together to pray, you will undoubtedly find a greater level of effectiveness when your purposes are centered more on God than on you. When prayer is about Him and not you, you tend to come to Him with the right heart attitudes. Your role, though important, isn’t primary. If you want people to be devoted to prayer, like the Early Church, you must be focused on the right purposes for having a prayer ministry.

 

Emphasize the following purposes and watch the difference it makes in your prayer ministry:

  1. Use prayer as a means of keeping focused on God.

  2. Use prayer as a means of acknowledging His grace in your life.

  3. Use prayer as a means of keeping His sovereignty in place in your life.

  4. Use prayer as a means of maintaining your relationship with Him.

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For More on what will help you develop and maintain an effective Prayer Ministry, read the following:

 

2. MINISTER'S DIVISION

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1. Properly, a chief servant; hence, an agent appointed to transact or manage business under the authority of another; in which sense, it is a word of very extensive application.

Moses rose up and his minister Joshua. Ex.24.

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2. One to whom a king or prince entrusts the direction of affairs of state; as minister of state; the prime minister. In modern governments, the secretaries or heads of the several departments or branches of government are the ministers of the chief magistrate.

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3. A magistrate; an executive officer.

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. Rom.13.

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4. A delegate; an ambassador; the representative of a sovereign at a foreign court; usually such as is resident at a foreign court, but not restricted to such.

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5. One who serves at the altar; one who performs sacerdotal duties; the pastor of a church, duly authorized or licensed to preach the gospel and administer the sacraments. Eph.3.

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6. Christ is called a minister of the sanctuary. Heb.8.

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7. An angel; a messenger of God.

Who maketh his angels spirits, his ministers a flaming fire. Ps.104.

 

3. MEN'S MINISTRY

 

Faithfulness

One of the best lessons fathers can pass on to their children is that of being a loving husband, faithful to their mother and the marriage relationship.  This requires learning self-control because every marriage will have its trials and temptations.

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Affirmation

Men need to communicate worth to both their spouses and children.  Learning to be respectful is one of those qualities children desperately need to learn. Speaking respectfully and treating people with dignity when pushed to one’s limit takes self-control.

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Teachable

Fathers, especially young fathers, will not always do things right.  More than a perfect parent, what children need is a father who can admit when he makes a mistake, who asks for forgiveness, and who is willing to learn.  To push through that manly pride takes self-control.

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Honesty

A father who is a man of integrity, is a good example for his children.  When children see him lie or cheat, it gives them license to do the same.  To maintain consistency in such a level of honesty takes self-control.

 

Empathy

Children want parents who understand.  They will accept decisions and discipline they don’t like better when they at least feel understood.  Men don’t tend to be as feelings based or process-oriented.  They tend to want to just move on or fix it. If fathers are going to understand where a child is coming from or simply be there for the child, they need the self-control it takes for them to step back and let go of the need to control the situation.

 

Reliability

Kids need a father who keeps his promises to them.  When a father gets so busy he doesn’t spend the promised time with his children or misses yet another of the child’s soccer games, plays or concerts, it communicates that the child isn’t worth the father’s time. To always be there when he should is going to take self-control in saying no to other pressing demands of life.

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Effectively mentoring young men to attain to the above qualities which require self-control would not only positively affect their own marriages and families but also society.

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4. WOMEN'S MINISTRY

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Maternity

Love for a child begins to develop during pregnancy and continues on through the good and bad times. How do they prepare for the changes a new child brings to the home, their marriage relationship and life in general so they don’t feel resentment or regret?

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Obligations

Titus 2 says they should be taught to be “busy at home.” How do they manage work and family life to keep it in balance?

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Toddlers & Teens

Loving children at all times seems like a given but there are certain stages children go through that can be particularly trying during which a mentor would be particularly helpful. How do they show love when the child is not acting very lovable?

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Husband

Children learn respect in the home, much of which comes through observing how their parents treat one another. How do they demonstrate love and submission toward their husbands, keeping this relationship a priority, when it seems so hard to balance life?

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Emotions

Titus 2 goes beyond the “how-to” of being a good wife and mother to inner qualities such as self-control and kindness. How do they learn to react to the stresses of life in emotionally healthy ways?

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Relationships

Titus 2 also says older women should teach younger women to be pure. Obviously self-control and purity go together. If a younger woman hasn’t learned self-control, it will be harder to maintain purity in relationships. How do they get to a point where they can turn from temptations, especially when life seems like it would be better otherwise or when they feel like they need an escape from their current realities?

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Effectively mentoring young mothers in the above areas will result in:

  • Women who become godly, exhibiting the characteristics of the woman in Proverbs 31 of whom it is written that “Her children arise and call her blessed” (Ps. 31:28)

  • Women who not only rear children who honor her but also who become lights in the world around them because of the way they live and consequently do not “malign the word of God” (Titus 2:5)

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5. DEACON'S MINISTRY

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In 1 Timothy 3:8-12 Paul lays out the qualifications for a deacon:

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  1. A deacon is self-controlled in speech, appetites, and actions (1 Tim. 3:8; see also 1 Tim. 3:11). According to Paul, deacons must be “dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.”

  2. A deacon is sound in the faith (1 Tim. 3:9). Deacons must “hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience,” which means that they must have a firm grip on the truths of the gospel and live consistently with those truths.

  3. A deacon has been tested (1 Tim. 3:10). Paul writes, “Let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.” Practically, this means that deacons should have a proven track record of faithful service before they are appointed to the office of deacon.

  4. If married, a deacon is faithful to his spouse (1 Tim. 3:12). If single, the deacon must honor Christ with his body (1 Cor. 6:18-19).

  5. A deacon manages his children and household well (1 Tim. 3:12). Does the way he manages his household indicate that he will faithfully serve the church’s needs? The basic message is that deacons are to be Christians whose trustworthiness, self-control, and soundness in the faith shows that they are able to be trusted (i) to faithfully care for the church’s physical needs and (ii) to serve as an example of faithful service to others.

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6. DEACONESS MINISTRY

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Women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. The allusion is evidently not to the wives of deacons, but to deaconesses. Why should the duties of deacons' wives be set forth when there is no allusion to the duties of ministers' wives? The omission of all mention of domestic duties in this case is significant.

I. THE ORDER OF DEACONESSES. There was evidently such an order in the Church. Phoebe of Cenchrea (Romans 16:1), Euodias and Syntyche (Philippians 4:2), and probably the association with which Dorcas was connected at Joppa (Acts 9:36-41), seem to have belonged to the order. The order did not cease to exist till the fifth century in the Latin Church, and till the twelfth in the Greek Church. It had its origin, probably, in the extreme jealousy which guarded the relations of the sexes in early times, for women were comparatively secluded from the society of men. Deaconesses were, therefore, appointed to maintain the religious intercourse of Christian women with a Church whose ministrations were in the hands of men.

II. THE QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACONESSES.

1. "Grave." Not given to levity or gay manners, but sober in speech, gesture, and dress.

2. "Not slanderers." Not too ready to take up an accusation against the poor, or too ready to use the tongue in the way of false insinuation.

3. "Sober." Not to be given to pleasures of the table, but showing a seemly abstemiousness.

4. "Faithful in all things." Faithful in all ecclesiastical duties.

       (1) Faithful to the poor, whose secrets are to be jealously kept;

       (2) faithful to the Church, which entrusts its funds to their wise and discriminating distribution; and

       (3) faithful to God in all religious obligations whatsoever.

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7. GENERATION NOW (Youth and Young Adult Ministry)

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  1. Understand youth and their culture and meet them there. We need to meet them where they are to take them to where they should be, to go deeper in their walk with the Lord.  If you don’t understand how they view life, the messages you send might not get through the way you intended.  They might be hearing something different than what you think you are communicating.

  2. Build community in your youth group, making the emphasis about relationships … first with God and then with you and the other teens. From this focus, you then strategize or plan out your youth program and meetings.  What can you do to help them “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18), to love Him more?  What can you do to help them know one another better, not to be cliquish, but to engage in true body life to help each other grow?  What can you do to let them know you care? 

  3. Disciple or mentor them in their love relationship with the Lord. Youth ministry needs to be about more than fun activities.  It even needs to be about more than simply learning “about” God or gaining head knowledge from the Bible.  Teens need help in navigating through life with Christ at the helm.  They need to see an example.  They need to be nurtured.  They need feedback and debriefing.  This can happen one-on-one and/or in small groups. 

 

8. GATEKEEPERS MINISTRY

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What was the role of the gatekeepers in the Bible?

According to the Old Testament, a gatekeeper was a Levite. ... Gatekeepers were trusted officials and high priests in the servant role of protecting the Lord's house. They were stationed at all 4 gates (N,S, E, W). They also appointed and taught others around them to guard the gate as well.

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9. MUSIC AND FINE ARTS MINISTRY

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The Purpose of Music

The Bible explains that every good gift comes from God (James 1:17). Music is one ofGod’s good gifts. God has given both man and angels the gift of music-making (Genesis 4:21;Job 38:7). The purpose of music and singing is to rejoice in and worship the Lord (Psalm 95:1-2).Believers are exhorted, do “not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:18-19). The Greek word for spiritual (pneumatikov) means: non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious:--spiritual.Therefore Christians are to avoid carnal music such as: 1)Hate 2) Sarcastic 3) Mocking 4) Wild/out-of-control 5) Gross, macabre, occult, death-culture, etc.

 

Worship and Praise throughout Scripture

In the New Testament believers sang worship songs to the Lord (Acts 16:25). They were also encouraged to teach and admonish “one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).“Is anyonecheerful? Let him sing psalms” (James 5:13). A psalm is a sacred worship song directed to the Lord in response to His great love. In the Book of Revelation, and throughout the Bible, every song was sung to God in an intelligent, understandable, reverent, God-centered way (Revelation 5:9; 15:3).God desires that we“sing praises with understanding” (Psalm 47:7; 1 Corinthians 14:7-9) and “with thanksgiving” (Psalm 147:7). We are exhorted to “play skillfully with a loud noise” (Psalm 33:3) and to “Sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of oursalvation” (Psalm 95:1) and “Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises” (Psalm 98:4). We are to “Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2). We may also “praise His name with the dance; let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp” (Psalm 149:3). Therefore, while we find the voice to be the primary instrument of song in the Scriptures, the dance and instrumentals were also used to express praise to our Creator.Worship should with unity focus on God (2 Chronicles 5:13; Romans 15:6). It should agree with God’s Word and be understandable to all (1 Corinthians 14:7-9, 14-15;Colossians 3:16; Revelation 5:12-13). It should bear the fruit of the Spirit [which] is love, joy, peace...gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Choirs are biblical (2 Chronicles 5:12-14; Nehemiah 12:31-40; Revelation 19:1-6).

 

More Biblical guidelines

Worship should not be so loud that it damages the body (there were no amplifiers until recently) (1 Corinthians 3:17). The instruments should not drown out the voices (Psalm 47:7). Worship should not direct attention to the worship leaderor team –“whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31. See also: 1 Corinthians 13:5). “You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve” (Matthew 4:10). God desires that “all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40), because “God is not the author of confusion but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Therefore music should not be chaotic or frenzied. In the Bible, God’s people sang with understanding. Therefore screaming guitars or voices,or unintelligible noise contradict God’s Word and should be avoided. By God’s grace, may we “give no offense” (1 Corinthians 10:32).

 

Satanic Music

Satan desires worship (Matthew 4:8-9). In the past, Satan used music to stir up people to worship him (Daniel 3:7-10). In the last days all the world will worship the beast (Revelation 13:3-4; 13:8; 13:12; 13:14-15; 19:20). It is quite likely that Satan will incorporate music in the worship of the beast (Ezekiel 28:13).Interestingly, the devil used “all kinds of music” (Daniel 3:5; 3:7; 3:10; 3:15) to encourage pagan worship and idolatry, and the pagans leaped and cried out in a noisy frenzy when calling to their gods (1 Kings 18:25-29). And as Solomon warns, if it happened in the past it will likely occur in the future (Ecclesiastes 1:9; Revelation 9:20).Because music is such a powerful way to stir hearts and emotions, and because experiential deceptions will be paramount in the last days (Mathew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9), we as disciples of Christ must be extra careful to avoid employing music that contradicts God’s revealed will. Believers in Christ “must worship (God) in Spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Worshipping God with surrendered hearts, in accordance with His Word, is what pleases Him.

 

Summary

Some justify worldly music and lyrics by quoting the Apostle Paul where he wrote that he became “all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22). However, this does not mean Paul disobeyed God’s Word, but that he adapted cultural customs or styles that were acceptable to those he ministered to–withoutcompromising the Scripture. Differing worship styles and various instruments are fineprovided they do not violate the biblical guidelines. However, any music that contains screaming,isfrenzied, damaging to the body, performer focused,unintelligible, or contains unbiblical lyrics should be avoided. Remember, Paul also wrote, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). By God’s grace, may we never compromise His Word to draw the lost. Biblical music can be a powerful evangelistic tool,but ultimately only God’s Spirit and Word will convictand save.May wedo our part byobeyingand clearly proclaiming His Word.

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10. CULINARY MINISTRY

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Responsibilities of the Culinary Ministry

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  • Establish and maintain policies and procedures for the use of the kitchen and its equipment.
  • Responsible for the maintenance of the kitchen and its contents.
  • Maintains an inventory of all kitchen equipment, supplies and assets.
  • Develop and recommend to the Budget Committee a budget for operation of the kitchen and for the acquisition of needed equipment and supplies.
  • Coordinates menus and meals for special fellowship dinners, various church-wide functions, hosted special events.
  • Schedule the use of the kitchen and fellowship hall by other Ministries within the Church and by outside organizations or individuals.
  • Upon request, assist with the preparations of wedding receptions, funeral repast, and other special functions.
  • Set up, clean and put away all kitchen supplies used during functions
  • Coordinate special requirements required for a visiting Minister
  • Purchase necessary food items for annual functions or other events at the request of the Pastor.

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11. BUS MINISTRY

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What is bus ministry?

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Bus ministries are designed to provide marginalized, economically challenged groups of people with free transportation to Sunday services, mid-week services and church events, fulfilling the mission of the church by reaching out to ALL people in need.

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12. SECURITY MINISTRY

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13. OUTREACH MINISTRY

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We are to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Pet. 3:15) which certainly refers to “what” we say. The Greek word itself for “to give an answer”, apologia, means a verbal defense. However, we need to go on to the next word in the verse “but” — “But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience …”

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Biblical Apologetics Isn’t Just What We Say But How We Say It......

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God’s Word exhorts us to not only defend our faith but to maintain integrity while doing so. 2 Timothy 2:24 parallels the stance Christians should take with others — “And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct …”

Biblical Apologetics involves some do’s and don’ts:

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DO:

  • Do be gentle in your approach no matter how they treat you.

  • Do treat the person with respect regardless of their views.

  • Do demonstrate kindness even if they aren’t.

 

DON’T:

  • Don’t quarrel or let a debate escalate to the point of a power struggle.

  • Don’t get resentful if people won’t budge or if they attack you rather than the issues.

 

We need to know when to bail out. 2 Timothy 2:23 says “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments because you know they produce quarrels.” If a person genuinely wants an answer, you should be able to get beyond the smoke screens and deal with the real issues in a civil manner.

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When we comprehend how central the Gospel is to God’s eternal plan, we will understand the importance of evangelizing the world around us. We will want to share God’s message of salvation with others.

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Sharing God’s Message of Salvation Because of:

 

God’s Eternal Purpose

God’s purpose from the beginning of time was to send Jesus to reconcile the world to Himself to bring people into a relationship with Himself. (2 Cor. 5:19; Eph. 3:11)

  • How can we not join Him in such an important mission as His ambassadors? (2 Cor. 5:19-20)

 

God’s High Motivation

God’s motivation in sending Jesus was unconditional love exhibited by His grace and mercy. (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8)

  • How can we not be compelled by such love to share Jesus with others so they too can know Him? (2 Cor. 5:14)

 

God’s Longing Heart

God’s heart is one that desires for all men to be saved and rejoices when even one person is found in Him. (Lk. 15:1-32; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9)

  • How can we not want to be a part of His mission by reflecting His heart to the world around us? (Jn. 17:25-26)

 

God’s Authoritative Commission

God’s commission is for His people to be witnesses, making disciples of all nations. (Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:19-20)

  • How can we not obey His command to evangelize the world around us if we love Him, the One who has done so much for us? (1 Jn. 5:3-4)

 

God’s Unlimited Power

God’s power to save is exhibited in the Gospel. Through Jesus sinful people are made right with a holy God. (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18) We cannot do enough good to secure our salvation but with God, all things are possible. (Matt. 19:17-26)

  • How can we not let go of our inhibitions and boldly proclaim Jesus as God’s solution to the sin problem if our confidence is in His power to save rather than our abilities? (Acts 1:8; Rom. 1:16)

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14. AUDIO / VISUAL MINISTRY

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15. TRUSTEE / VISION STEWARDS

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16. WE ARE ZION COMMUNITY OUTREACH / 501C3

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17. SUNDAY SCHOOL

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3 Things People Want from Their Bible Teachers

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People may not always be able to put what they want from their Bible teachers into words but their inattentiveness, and maybe even lack of attendance, suggest they aren’t finding what they want. Here are three things that have biblical merit.

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What do people want from their Bible Teachers?

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1) People want Bible teachers to provide real answers to real problems.

Bible teachers need to respond with candor rather than mere cliches, fluff, and ‘Christianized’ language. And, they need to be answering the real questions, the ones people are asking, not just the ones they think people should ask. They need to be willing to truly engage people and not shut them down or minimize their questions. If their Bible teachers aren’t going to provide realness, they may turn to the world for answers.

Let’s remember that God intends for His Word to be useful in people’s lives.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

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2) People want Bible teachers to be relational, not merely dispensers of knowledge.

Despite all the social media in our high tech world of information overload, people still feel a disconnect. Bible teachers who take a holistic approach to students will touch their lives so much more than those who merely show up and pour all they know into their students. Teachers who structure for dialog and interaction among fellow students, as well as themselves, will tap into a need people may not even acknowledge they have. If Bible teachers aren’t consciously promoting community in their class, they may be blocking it, and hence perpetuate the disconnectedness people already feel.

Let’s remember all the “one another” commands of Scripture that promote supportive relationships.

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (Rom. 12:5)

 

3) People want Bible teachers to be relevant.

Bible teachers who tap into the real needs of students will make greater inroads into their lives than those who fail to consider the implications of the lesson to people’s lives. Relevant Bible teachers tend to grab people’s attention so they can step out of the world and into the Word wherein they will find a God who not only cares about but is also able to meet their needs.

Lets remember that walking the walk goes beyond head knowledge to being able to see the implications of truth to our lives and then applying it.

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience … (Col. 1:9-11)

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