In a short article entitled “Minimize Maintenance to Maximize Ministry,” Rick Warren states, “Maintenance is church work: budgets, buildings, and organizational matters. Ministry is the work of the church.” Warren insists that priority must be given to the “work of the church,” rather than “church work.”
The primary work of the church is to “make disciples” for Christ—that is, to help people establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and become his devoted followers. In his final instruction to the church, commonly called the Great Commission, Jesus declares: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28.19–20 TNIV, emphasis added).
The apostle Paul describes the process of making disciples as follows: Christ “personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints in the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4.11–12 HCSB, emphasis added). Every member is a minister. Ministry is the work of the church, not of some select few in the church. Every member is called to do his part.
In instructing Timothy, his “minister-in-training,” Paul tells him: “You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others” (2Timothy 2.2 NLT-SE). Discipleship is not just a matter of receiving instruction but also, and especially, living out what one learns and then passing it on to others.
The second declaration in the purpose statement of Vallejo International Baptist Church seeks to affirm these truths: the church is to “progressively empower believers to become faithful disciples and effective ministers.” We are able to accomplish this through the church functions of Education and Relationship. Formal opportunities for education include Sunday School, Bible studies, seminars, and trainings. And the more intimate and personal discipleship groups help the follower of Christ to go deeper in his or her faith. Building of relationships within the church and with other churches provides opportunities to practice the truths we learn as we interact with people of various backgrounds and personalities. Church picnics and camps, inter-church events, all contribute to the process of making disciples and equipping ministers.
We all must ask ourselves: Where am I in this process of growing toward becoming a faithful disciple and effective minister? Am I doing everything I can, fulfilling my responsibility, to receive proper instruction in the faith and then passing it on to others?
—Keith Y. Jainga