Philosophy Of Ministry

Jesus answered, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life…” John 14:6

I am confident that a little reflection will demonstrate that every legitimate ministry in the Body of Christ mirrors at least one of these aspects of our Savior’s life and ministry. Although most ministers today major in one or another, the original Apostolic Circle no doubt exhibited all of these virtues in their mission. In our era, modern day apostles (i.e., missionaries), as well as prophets and evangelists certainly represent Christ as the Way; teachers, pastors and educators present our Lord as the Truth; and mercy ministries of all kinds and varieties manifest, to one degree or another, His abundant Life.

As for me, although I have embraced every aspect of His person and delight in being used of the Lord in any way He sees fit, the key to my personal philosophy of ministry is my regard for truth. From the time I was child (and very much a son of Adam!) up until the day I was introduced to Christ, I was passionate in my quest for truth. Then, after meeting the One who is the Truth, I had finally found a Reality that was more real then the food I ate or the chair I sat on… indeed the Reality that made possible the very existence of all other realities. Yet, a Reality that was warm, up-close and personal: I had found Jesus, and my life was transformed, never to be the same.

From the day of that first meeting until today, it has been my earnest desire to convey He who is the Truth, and the truths about He who is the Truth, to others. Eventually, in God’s good timing, our gracious Lord paired this longing with the gift of teaching. The result has been threefold:

1) A Student of the Word

…the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness… Titus 1:1

The Lord has given me the desire and ability to discover truth in His written revelation: There isn’t anything which stimulates me more than the study of God’s Word. My greatest joy is in discovering an untapped nugget of truth and realizing how it relates to the bigger picture, all the while dazzled at how it all reflects upon the One who is the Truth.

2) An Assayer of Doctrine

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6

I have set you as an assayer . . . among My people, that you may know and test their way.
Jeremiah 6:27

An unsolicited development that came about as a result of being a student dedicated to truth is what I can only call a holy jealousy: An intense desire to uphold, guard and protect truth from being abused or misused; to sound an alarm about the contrivances of men and the twisting of truth which lead to the glorification of persons and things other than our Lord. This has led me to pursue the study of everything from the philosophies of men to the discipline of apologetics resulting in being used of God to protect both individuals and institutions from the impoverishment of heresies. All the while, I have had to learn and experience God’s love for those that I deemed to be in error. A needful lesson in terms of pride and judging.

3) A Herald of the Gospel

The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to hear as the learned. Isaiah 50:4

Although it has taken several forms, my calling in life is simple: To proclaim God’s truth to others. As a result, it has been my privilege to teach the Word both on the college level and in the mission field. I have also ministered in many congregations over the years as either a pastor-teacher or teaching elder. In each instance, though, there has been one over-riding motivation: To exercise God’s gracious gift of teaching in the most efficient way possible. And this, in order that others may come to know more perfectly the truth that would set them free.