The Purpose of Ministry for Each of Us

And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until
we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature
manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,...speaking the truth in
love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom
the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when
each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
(Excerpted from Ephesians 4:11-16)

I was pondering this passage from Paul’s instruction to the Ephesians today while I was
thinking about the purpose of ministry. At New Life we have many ministry teams.
Really, each collection of saints is a ministry team. We have meal team ministry,
missions team ministry, music ministry, and Immerse is a ministry. There is Grief Share
and building and grounds as well as the finance team and the ministry of the Word.
Many couples and individuals do ministry within the hospitality of their own homes.
When it comes right down to it the way ministry is done is as diverse as the body of
Christ is. So how do we boil down exactly what a ministry is and should look like? I think
that this wisdom from God through Paul can help us. It answers several questions for
us.

1. Who does ministry?
a. The saints. Who is a saint? Eph :18-19 For through him we both have
access in one Spirit to the Father. So, then you are no longer
strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and
members of the household of God. That would be you if you are in
Christ Jesus. No Christian is exempt.

2. How are we able to do ministry?
a. He gave people with abilities of prophecy and teaching, of evangelism and
shepherding, but that was not for doing the work of ministry. That was to
equip you to do the ministry.

3. What is the actual ministry that needs to be done?
a. Building up the body of Christ. Christ Himself cannot be built up in any
way, so this must be a reference to us as the body. Those who are in
Christ. Those who can be drawn unto Christ. Remember this is not the job
of the evangelist or of the preacher. They are there to equip us to do the
work. We are to draw others in and build each other up.

4. What does it mean to build up the body of Christ?
a. Well, the end goal is stated right there. “attain to the unity of the faith
and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the
measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”. We are to move
towards unity in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God. A lofty goal.

The perfection of which no living man has ever seen but we can all
recognize movement in that direction and times when we are yet deficient
and need growth. The result will be a steadfast faith that is unmoved by
doctrinal winds, human cunning, craftiness or deceitful schemes.

5. How is it done?
a. That’s easy. Speaking the truth in love. (That’s hard. Even harder is
hearing the truth in love)

6. So, the bottom-line question is, “What does that look like in real life?”
a. Whatever group you get together with are they:

i. Seeking unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God? Faith
comes from hearing the word of God. Every group of saints that
would gather for any Godly purpose must be seeking unity in their
understanding of Christ who is, the Word made flesh.

ii. Growing up in every way into Christ? Do all the groups actions and
discussions draw people unto closeness with Christ?

iii. Is it joined and held together by Christ alone? Or do the
tasks and love for the tasks bind it together?

iv. Working to the best of their ability in thankfulness? Col 3:17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through Him.

v. Committing all their way unto Him (that He would make their
paths straight Prov 3:5-6). Praying as a group over every decision
and action.

vi. Seeing the body grow? Building itself up in love? In true
caring fellowship, others will see His true love reflected in our love
for one another.

This is my simplified version of what Paul is saying that every group that would call itself
part of the body of Christ should look like. In short, if you are not in some sort of ministry
that looks like this, you need to ask yourself why? If you are in a group that would call
itself a ministry, how do these things fit with your group? I don’t want to sound harsh,
but I know I often leave the work of ministry to the apostles, the prophets, the
evangelists, the shepherds and teachers and that is not what God through Paul is telling
us to do. This is our work as saints, and no one is excluded or exempt. As you think on
this, ponder how you are equipped and how you can be involved in “the work of His
ministry” in each and every moment of your life. And let it all be for the Glory of God
alone.

Rene Milner