By John Francis
There was a TV show a few years back called, 8 Simple Rules (for Dating my Teenage Daughter). The show was never my cup of tea. However, being a father I liked the rules and they are:
• Use your hands on my daughter and you’ll lose them after.
• You make her cry, I make you cry.
• Safe sex is a myth. Anything you try will be hazardous to your health.
• Bring her home late, there’s no next date.
• Only delivery men honk. Dates ring the doorbell. Once.
• No complaining while you’re waiting for her. If you’re bored, change my oil.
• If your pants hang off your hips, I’ll gladly secure them with my staple gun.
• Dates must be in crowded public places. You want romance? Read a book.
I was reading a devotional the other day titled, Seven Simple Rules for Business – and I thought, hmm what about ministry? So with a nod to ABC Television here are “Brother John’s Eight Simple Rules for Ministry” (feel free to add your own):
Always put God first in your life and your ministry. Matt 6:24, 33 – This is the Sunday School answer to the God priority question. We often use a well-rehearsed pecking order of God, spouse, family, church and work. However, the problem with that is each category, other than the first, is devoid of God. So consider it this way: Worshipping God, loving my spouse the way God loves her, being Jesus to my family, seeking His will for the church, godliness in the workplace – doesn’t this bring a new dimension to a well-worn list?
Spouse, second; children, third in your life. Eph. 5:22-33 – I am starting a new phase of my life, called empty-nesting. Though my adult children are in and out of our home, we can’t depend on seeing them in any regular fashion. Fortunately, my wife and I have a very sweet relationship that is not dependent on our children. I know several couples who reverse this scenario and it is never healthy. Make sure that your marriage isn’t about the mutual worship of our children. Rather, it is about loving them, and modeling Christ-likeness to them in all things, especially our mutual submissiveness to one another. Read, and re-read what Paul says about the husband’s role – and the wives’ roles – in Ephesians 5.
Get to know God’s Word and apply it constantly to your ministry. Prov. 19:7-11 – Though I was a music minister for years, I didn’t feel like it really started until I started being a devourer of God’s Holy Word. I shouldn’t have to tell pastors this; however, I have had conversations with many pastors who have confided to me that they don’t have a daily Bible study, or that it’s very shallow.
Expect big things from God. Eph. 3:20 – I would encourage you to check off the work that you have done in the past five years, and ask yourself, “Was this God-sized, or man-sized?” I am convinced that we start projects in our church, never ready for a blessing from God. I have found that many times turnout for an event or ministry project is par with expectation. But placed in the hands of God, and being prepared for a blessing, really is the way to receive His richest blessings.
Place more value in people than in programs. Col. 3:23 – Our projects that the Lord calls us to are very important, but his flock is of utmost importance. Plan your time that your ministry projects are done well before deadline, so that you have time for the person who needs your love.
Give God 100 percent credit for your success. Psa. 115:1.
Be steadfast in honesty and integrity. Prov. 16:11.
Be diligent in your pursuit of your craft. Prov. 10:4 – Always learn something new. For me, as a musician, it is important to hone my craft, and be an active musician. “Active musicians are attracted to active musicians.” Pastors, consider reading books on speaking, memorization, presentations and, of course, theology. If you consider yourself a writer, keep a daily journal and work from there. Keep learning about life as well. Take courses in everything from horticulture to time management. Hungrily seek wisdom and understanding.
I’m sure there are probably more – but if we work on these, God can reveal the rest to us. (JohnEight simple rules for Christian ministry
There was a TV show a few years back called, 8 Simple Rules (for Dating my Teenage Daughter). The show was never my cup of tea. However, being a father I liked the rules and they are:
• Use your hands on my daughter and you’ll lose them after.
• You make her cry, I make you cry.
• Safe sex is a myth. Anything you try will be hazardous to your health.
• Bring her home late, there’s no next date.
• Only delivery men honk. Dates ring the doorbell. Once.
• No complaining while you’re waiting for her. If you’re bored, change my oil.
• If your pants hang off your hips, I’ll gladly secure them with my staple gun.
• Dates must be in crowded public places. You want romance? Read a book.
I was reading a devotional the other day titled, Seven Simple Rules for Business – and I thought, hmm what about ministry? So with a nod to ABC Television here are “Brother John’s Eight Simple Rules for Ministry” (feel free to add your own):
Always put God first in your life and your ministry. Matt 6:24, 33 – This is the Sunday School answer to the God priority question. We often use a well-rehearsed pecking order of God, spouse, family, church and work. However, the problem with that is each category, other than the first, is devoid of God. So consider it this way: Worshipping God, loving my spouse the way God loves her, being Jesus to my family, seeking His will for the church, godliness in the workplace – doesn’t this bring a new dimension to a well-worn list?
Spouse, second; children, third in your life. Eph. 5:22-33 – I am starting a new phase of my life, called empty-nesting. Though my adult children are in and out of our home, we can’t depend on seeing them in any regular fashion. Fortunately, my wife and I have a very sweet relationship that is not dependent on our children. I know several couples who reverse this scenario and it is never healthy. Make sure that your marriage isn’t about the mutual worship of our children. Rather, it is about loving them, and modeling Christ-likeness to them in all things, especially our mutual submissiveness to one another. Read, and re-read what Paul says about the husband’s role – and the wives’ roles – in Ephesians 5.
Get to know God’s Word and apply it constantly to your ministry. Prov. 19:7-11 – Though I was a music minister for years, I didn’t feel like it really started until I started being a devourer of God’s Holy Word. I shouldn’t have to tell pastors this; however, I have had conversations with many pastors who have confided to me that they don’t have a daily Bible study, or that it’s very shallow.
Expect big things from God. Eph. 3:20 – I would encourage you to check off the work that you have done in the past five years, and ask yourself, “Was this God-sized, or man-sized?” I am convinced that we start projects in our church, never ready for a blessing from God. I have found that many times turnout for an event or ministry project is par with expectation. But placed in the hands of God, and being prepared for a blessing, really is the way to receive His richest blessings.
Place more value in people than in programs. Col. 3:23 – Our projects that the Lord calls us to are very important, but his flock is of utmost importance. Plan your time that your ministry projects are done well before deadline, so that you have time for the person who needs your love.
Give God 100 percent credit for your success. Psa. 115:1.
Be steadfast in honesty and integrity. Prov. 16:11.
Be diligent in your pursuit of your craft. Prov. 10:4 – Always learn something new. For me, as a musician, it is important to hone my craft, and be an active musician. “Active musicians are attracted to active musicians.” Pastors, consider reading books on speaking, memorization, presentations and, of course, theology. If you consider yourself a writer, keep a daily journal and work from there. Keep learning about life as well. Take courses in everything from horticulture to time management. Hungrily seek wisdom and understanding.
I’m sure there are probably more – but if we work on these, God can reveal the rest to us. (John Francis is the worship specialist for the Missouri Baptist Convention and produces MoWorship, a monthly worship podcast available at www.mobaptist.org/worship.)
John Francis is the worship specialist for the Missouri Baptist Convention and produces MoWorship, a monthly worship podcast available at www.mobaptist.org/worship.)
