I think a philosophy of ministry is a very powerful tool in a ministry. It serves the leaders by helping them make decisions and keep focus. It serves members and potential members by understanding what this ministry is and where it’s going.
A good philosophy of ministry has not only the top-down elements of mission and strategy, but also the bottom-up element of values and culture.
A good philosophy of ministry is a healthy mix of actual values (what we acutally are), aspirational values (what we hope to be) and core values (what we will do or die). So it is a mix of description, ideal and ethics.
And a good philosophy of ministry explains how you are unique in vibe and emphasis.
Here’s the philosophy of ministry we use for the University Fellowship of Christians:
Mission
Mission to the univeristy, missionaries to the world:
1. Empower students to thoughtful, creative, genuine and evangelistic mission to the University of Tasmania.
2. Identify and cultivate Christian leaders, especially missionaries, church planters and pastors.
Vision
1. We will be a large, diverse, long term and flexible ministry.
2. We will have a global network of missionaries, pastors, church planters and graduates committed to our ministry.
Strategy
We seek to fulfill our mission and vision with a dependence upon God’s power, and according to the methods he gives us:
1. Clear, persuasive Christ-centred proclamation of the Scriptures.
2. Prayer according to the promises of God.
3. The godly individual and community life of Christians as example, emobdiment and commendation of our message.
4. Loving willingness to serve, sacrifice and change for the good of others.
Values
1. We are not consumers, we are whole heartedly committed to the mission of the University Fellowship of Christians.
2. We are not a church, we are all members of local churches.
3. We are not activists, we rest in the grace of God and devote ourselves to prayer and meditating on Scripture.
4. We are not a ghetto, we are active members of the social life of UTAS.
5. We are not a parasite, we are diligent in our studies and involvement in the University community.
6. We are not a youth group, we expect mature and loving adult behaviour and responsibility.
The AFES philosophy of ministry is also worth checking out:
- Mission
- Values
via Blog - Christian Reflections http://genevapush.com/blogs/xian_reflections/sample-philosophy-of-ministry (NB: to comment go to thegenevapush.com/xian_reflections)
