Spiritual Ministry, Part 1

There are many ways we can organize the biblical teachings about ministry. The apostle Paul lists seven spiritual gifts (Romans 12:6-8), nine manifestations of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-11), and five leadership roles (Ephesians 4:11). Having to define and arrange 21 different ministries is something of a challenge; not for the faint of heart!

The apostle Peter has a simpler approach. He reduces ministries to two broad categories: speaking and serving.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 4:10-11

Both types are spiritual; one isn’t more holy than the other. The same Spirit who anoints individuals to communicate the gospel blesses those who work with their hands.

Peter holds both camps to high standards. Verbal ministers are to express God’s own thoughts and words. Practical servants are to serve with supernatural ability.

Intimidated?

Don’t be!

God won’t lower His standards, but He will elevate us. If we aim to please Him (see 2 Corinthians 5:9), He will bless our work for Him.

What does each form of ministry look like?

In this blog post, we’ll cover verbal ministry and then we’ll explore hands-on ministry next week.

Concerning communicative service, I’ve noticed a simple pattern in Scripture. Serving the Lord through speaking has two key elements: prayer and proclamation.

We see these in the life of Samuel, the man who transitioned Israel from the time of the judges to the installation of Saul, the first king.

Here’s what he told the nation toward the end of his life: “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right” (1 Samuel 12:23). 

Samuel summarized his decades-long ministry by emphasizing intercession and instruction. He talked to God about the people and he talked to the people about God.

People who serve in a communicative ministry must keep both aspects integrated. It’s not enough to pray for others; they also need to hear God’s Word. And it’s not enough to preach to them; we have to pray for them, too. If we neglect either part, we won’t see the results we and the Lord want.

This twofold commitment isn’t confined to the Old Testament. Peter reasserts it in the early days of the first church. “[We] will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” – Acts 6:4

As the church grew, it began to encounter some social and economic problems. One of them had to do with distributing food to needy widows. Acts 6:1 tells us that “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.” The complaint reached the ears of the apostles, but they didn’t want to suffer any distraction from their central calling. They weren’t ignoring the plight of the widows, but they realized they weren’t the solution.

Instead, the apostles asked for others to serve the widows. Peter declared that he and the other apostles would remain focused on their main responsibility. They were to pray and preach.

• They would pray for those who needed Christ.
• They would preach to those who needed Christ.
• They would pray for those who’d received Christ.
• They would teach those who’d received Christ.

Like the prophets of the Old Testament, the apostles had a communicative ministry. Peter’s words are similar to those of Samuel. These men knew what the Lord required of them, and they sought to fulfill it uninterrupted.

But we shouldn’t restrict this form of ministry to official church leaders. Jesus anoints many in His body to pray and to share His Word.

Paul refers to these believers in his first letter to the Corinthians.

“Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. ⁵But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head–it is the same as having her head shaved.” – 1 Corinthians 11:4-5

I don’t want to get caught up in the issue of head coverings. For various cultural and spiritual reasons, Paul recommends that the Corinthians Christians maintain a level of decorum that avoids trouble.

But what I wanted to draw your attention to is the repeated references to praying and prophesying. Paul doesn’t limit this ministry to apostles or pastors. His example is general; any disciple whom Jesus anoints with His Spirit can serve in this dual fashion. 

The key point here is that verbal ministry needs to be horizontal and vertical. We talk to the Lord and listen to Him. We share His Word with others and we guide them in their growth. Prayer reinforces our communication of the Scriptures. If we’re going to share the heart of Jesus with people, it’s best that we hear His heart first!

And let’s not forget that the Word bolsters our prayers. Rather than getting overwhelmed by problems that seem too difficult to solve, let’s get a clear grasp of the power and purposes of God. When we do, bringing up needs and issues before Him is no problem!

So when you share the mind of Jesus, make sure you’re ready. Spend time reading the Bible and talking to the Father. His Spirit will bless your efforts.