5 Attributes of a Healthy Ministry

Healthy Ministry? What’s that?

As Christian entrepreneurs, we want to grow a healthy ministry, and to minister well and in ways that please the Lord. There are lots of interpretations for the best attributes of a healthy ministry and mission – here are my 5 from several sources.

Here are 5 attributes of a God-centered ministry and mission.

Calling is doing what God wants you to do.

Competence is being good at what you do.

Confidence is knowing what you can accomplish.

Character is good traits with the purpose of showing through.

Chemistry is fit and healthy culture!

As a Christian entrepreneur, I want them all in my ministry and workplace!

-Karen Lindwall-Bourg

God called us to ministry and to work that is aligned with our gifts, passions, and dreams. In the process of effectively cultivating our calling, we help others to discern their calling and the mission we all accomplish through God’s power and His resources.

Jesus said, “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not My own will but the will of Him who sent Me.“ John 5:30

Jesus’ will is “gelema” or “thelema” which implies what God wishes or commands. These words are found eight times in the gospels and remind us that Jesus wanted to do God’s will.

As entrepreneur and ministry leader,

-why do you do what you do?

-how has God called you to this task?

-are you more concerned about God’s will in this calling?

-how is this calling aligned with your gifts, passions, and dreams?

-how are you helping others discern their calling?

We should be more concerned with our character than with our reputation. Our personal character and that of those we encourage to work with us defines what we really are. It’s hard to determine good character in one meeting; it must be lived out and demonstrated. There must be the fruit of good character.

“You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?” Matthew 7:16

Character is a key element of Christian and biblical leadership and workmanship as evidenced in the passages of Psalms 1 and 15, Matthew 5-7 The Beatitudes, Philemon, 1 Peter, and 2 Peter 1:5-1. Psalms 1 provides us with a view of the righteous leader as the passage tells us what he does and what he does not do. Like the Proverbs 31 woman, we do a lot of work and handle a lot of different responsibilities, but we also live a life that demonstrates a fear and reverence of God in the way that we work and minister. A good leader listens well, reacts in a controlled manner, is humble, is active, and is controlled in his speech, and more.

As an entrepreneur and ministry leader,

-list some godly character traits you believe you possess.

-ask others to tell you of godly character traits they see in you.

-are you concerned about good character that reflects Christ in your work and ministry?

-how is your character aligned with your gifts, actions, and dreams?

-how are you helping others grow in godly character?

People with strong, functional competence demonstrate improved levels of experience in their field. They are an asset to the organization as they use their skills in the ministry. They understand tasks and are quick to apply new information to see the task through with excellence. They are interested in increasing their education and training. 1 Kings 7:14 teaches that first we need wisdom and understanding (competence in thought) and then we need skill (competence in craft). In Jeremiah 10:9, the reference to competence is within the terms of “craftsman” and “skilled men.”

As an entrepreneur and ministry leader,

-what are some areas of competence you believe you possess?

-ask others to tell you of competence that I see in you.

-are you concerned about strong and functional competence in your work and ministry for the Lord?

-how is your competence aligned with your gifts, actions, and dreams?

-how are you helping others increase competence in your field?

In any work or ministry we must demonstrate the desire and the ability to make a meaningful and positive contribution to the work and to do so with excellence. As a leader, it’s important to contribute well, but also to give to the organization through achieving significant results by utilizing the contributions of other people – by becoming a multiplier rather than a single contributor.

In Exodus 35:21 it states, “And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments.”

Exodus 35:25 says, “And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen.”

Our motivations is crucial. Fine Contribution is very important!

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

As an entrepreneur and ministry leader,

-what are some of the most significant contributions you have made in your organization?

-ask others to tell you of the most significant contributions they see in you.

-are you concerned about meaningful and positive contribution in your work and ministry for the Lord?

-how is your contribution aligned with your gifts, actions, and dreams?

-how are you helping others increase their contributions in your field?

– the 5th Attribute of Your Ministry & Mission

When I think of chemistry I have a vision of my father, the chemist in the oil industry, with this white lab coat on leaning over bubbling test tubes and looking at scientific formulas and the periodic table of elements.

But in your work and ministry, chemistry is the interaction between two or more people and is necessary for a peaceful and productive work environment. Chemistry allows you to interact with your team to deliver positive results over the long haul. Chemistry is the “fit”. Christian work and ministry takes a lot of energy and a lot of courage. It requires a drive to overcome cultural barriers, the heart to care for people, and the passion to keep pursuing God in the spread of the gospel. There needs to be a chemistry with the agency itself and among the team as well. I love Daren Martin’s book A Company of Owners. He describes “employees” as those who aren’t vested in the work people, or organization. He describes “owners” as those who are vested as if the company is their own, who contribute to the well-being and culture of the team. I feel he’s describing a company of owners with chemistry!

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

As an entrepreneur and ministry leader,

-how have you promoted chemistry within your organization and ministry?

-ask others to tell you how you have promoted chemistry and a team mindset where you work.

-are you concerned about good chemistry in your work and ministry for the Lord?

-how has your chemistry impact aligned with your gifts, actions and dreams?

-how are you helping others increase their chemistry in your field?

Christian Entrepreneur and Ministry Leaders,

Are you focusing on a god-ordained and sure calling, good and fruitful character, wise and skillful competence, meaningful and positive contribution, and fit and courageous chemistry where God has placed you today?