Philosophy of Ministry

Mike’s Philosophy of ministry includes four central points.

The First is to see lost people saved, and this is based out of Matthew 28:19-20. This means to help them understand what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Many people have been “saved” in their life but it does not mean anything to them because it is based out of a feeling. You need to ask them to explain what it means to be saved and to be a follower of Jesus Christ. We need to foster opportunities for people to come to Jesus at the church and away from the church. In order to teach people what salvation means, we need to have a strong understanding of it ourselves.

The second point is to see saved people growing in their relationship with Jesus Christ. The verses that are the basis for this are Colossians 1:9-10, 28-29, and 2:6-8. The pastor needs to teach students to have discipline. Including quiet time, prayer, meditation, prayer, scripture memory, note taking, and accountability for starters. Discipleship process is the process of sanctification, not an event. Fun and games do not grow maturity. The biblical model for discipleship is that the parents would be the primary disciplers of their children. Mike uses small groups to achieve discipleship.

The third point is to see students and leadership become disciple makers, which is based out of 2 timothy 2:2. This is where students are taught and encouraged to not only lead someone into a relationship with Jesus Christ but also being able to disciple that person and having a vision to. This is an overflow of their daily walk with Christ. A person does not have to be called to vocational ministry to be a disciple maker, they need to have a vision for life as ministry. This point is about investing in those that God has brought us. This is the great commission. To disciple someone through intentional relationships.

The fourth point is to do all of the above through relationships. This is based out of John 1:14. Everything that we do has to have an emphasis on relationships. The emphasis is not on events but relationships. The youth minister needs to work with their pastor and their staff and show them the importance of this principle. Relational ministry is the most effective way to do ministry.

Vision

We need to look at youth ministry with 6 to 7 years in mind. Where do you want your sixth or seventh graders to be when they graduate. What do you want them to do or be exposed to? Where do you want them to be spiritually? This is an open ended and long term vision. The place to start your philosophy of ministry is the end, not the beginning.