Summer 1988
The Purpose of Ministry
Wade E Taylor

All authentic ministry is a gift from the Lord, and is given for the building up of His Body, the Church.

Each time the word "ministry" appears in Scripture, it is coupled with the word "gift" in some manner. Some examples of this are: "He GAVE apostles"(Eph 4:11); "Whereof I was made a minister, according to the GIFT of the grace of God" (Eph 4:7); "As ever man hath received the GIFT, even so minister the same" (I Peter 4:10).

Different types of ministry are needed to build up and bring the Body of Christ to maturity. There are those who are specifically called and set apart to these ministries. "And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils" Mark 3:14-15. These ministries, as listed in Ephesians 4:11 are Apostles; Prophets; Evangelists; Pastors and Teachers.

Along with these, there are many different ministries that function through the members of the Body of Christ. Some of these are; Prayer, Intercession, Testimony, Exhortation, Ministries of Music, Altar Ministries, and various forms of Ministries of Helps. These, and other ministry gifts compliment the pastoral ministries.

In addition, all of these ministries should be able to function in one or more of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will" I Cor 12:11. These gifts are: The Word of Wisdom; The Word of Knowledge; Faith; Gifts of Healing; Working of Miracles; Prophecy; Discerning of Spirits; Tongues; and the Interpretation of Tongues. I Cor 12:8-10.

"How is it then, brethren? when you come together, EVERY ONE of you HATH," I Cor 14:26. In a Gospel meeting, each member of the Body of Christ should have a ministry that is waiting for the right opportunity to fulfill a need. "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal" I Cor 12:7.

The "Gifts of the Holy Spirit" are to be specifically sought after and used. "But covet earnestly the best gifts," I Cor 12:31a. These "best gifts" that are to be diligently sought after are the ones that are needed in order to accomplish a particular purpose, but are not available at a time of need.

The Lord desires to give a ministry to each one of us. As we prayerfully commit our life to the Lord, and actively seek our portion of ministry, He will impart a ministry to us. As we wait upon the Lord, He will provide the enabling power and the anointing for its expression. No matter how limited or unqualified we may feel, as we are obedient in its use, the Lord will develop and perfect within us the ministry that He has given.

It is very important that we find our PLACE of ministry within the Body of Christ. We should prayerfully wait for the right time and opening for its expression. This latter part is very important, and many miss here. Notice that I Cor 14:26 tells us that "every one of you HATH" rather than "sayest". If what we "have" will meet a need and lift the spirit of the meeting, then with the cooperation of the leadership, it should be shared.

Our ministry gift can be considered to be the talent that we receive from the Lord. "And unto one He gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took His journey" Matt 25:15. When the one who had received the five talents returned with ten, the Lord said to him: "WELL done (not much done), thou GOOD (Godly) and FAITHFUL servant," Matt 25:21a.

A careful reading of this passage shows that the Lord not only expected to receive an increase from the ministry that had been given to this servant but, along with this, looked to see if the one who ministered had been changed as a result of their ministry. Therefore, the real and lasting reward was that which this one had BECOME. The Lord saw him as being "Godly and faithful."

What we "do" in ministry is given to us as a "ministry gift." We cannot be rewarded for what the Lord has been able to accomplish through us. However, we can be rewarded for a faithfulness that results in our being changed into "His image and likeness." Thus, there is something more that just discovering and coming into the full expression of our ministry.

In Romans 8:29 we are told that we are predestined to be "conformed to the image of His Son." Therefore, the Lord uses our ministry as a means to bring about our being changed into the image and likeness of His Son. "His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints, that they should do the work of ministering toward the building up of Christ's Body, the Church" Eph 4:12 Amplified. We will be spiritually matured through the functioning of our ministry.

Ministry is the Lord's deposit of Himself in the members of His Body. Have you discovered your ministry? Are you functioning in it? Can it be said by the Lord that you are a faithful steward of the ministry gift that you have received?

If not, do not delay any longer. Accept the ministry gift that is waiting for you, and begin to function as an active member of His Body. Your eternal state, as well as the lives of many others are dependent upon this.