Determining Ministry Affiliations
Biblical Ministry
Biblical ministry begins with a commitment to sound doctrine and correct ministry philosophy and practice. We should ask ourselves: “What do we believe, and what do we want to achieve? Biblical ministry is primarily local church based and focused. How would ministry partnerships potentially help or hinder this church ministry? Biblical church ministry is to be full-orbed and balanced in its pursuit of God’s purposes. Is our church ministry deficient or imbalanced in its overall ministry or pre-occupied with one or few emphases? Do we need help from others? What can we do to help others? What can we do in ministry together? How wonderful to forge ministry friendships, praying for one another, and finding ways to serve Christ together!
Ministry Partnerships
Ministries commonly forge partnerships to advance the gospel cause in evangelism, discipleship, church planting, missions, Christian education, camping, etc. The NT letters are full of partnerships. Care must be taken in determining how to forge affiliations and associations with other ministries.
The most basic principle is that we usually associate and affiliate with those most like ourselves in doctrine and practice and with those who are most trustworthy.
Complex ministry relations develop as cooperative ministry interests multiply, diversify, and continue over time. Keep in mind that everyone has a grid, formal or informal, for evaluating associations and affiliations. One only has so much time and energy with which to build or expand trustworthy relationships. Therefore, do not feel badly if you need to say “no.”
Pastoral Responsibility
The pastor (along with his lay leaders) is responsible to protect the flock from error, compromise, and other harmful emphases (Acts 20:28-32; Eph. 4:11-16; Romans 16:17). The pastor is responsible to stay informed of dangerous religious and cultural trends and warn his lay leaders and his people. The pastor must take a right stand and keep a right spirit, “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). The pastor guides and guards his church in choosing appropriate ministry associations and affiliations.
Developing Discernment
Forging ministry relationships takes place in a local and broader context. As a youth pastor, assistant pastor, missionary, or evangelist you need to know the sensitivities of your pastor. Your pastor has lived through times you are not familiar with. As a pastor you need to know the history of the church and its sensitivities, stand, and positions from the past as well as where you personally stand on various issues. Seek to understand the historical basis for assessing current ecclesiastical issues and relationships. Understand the biblical and historical struggles within fundamentalism and evangelicalism. Understand some of the current issues facing church ministry. Ministry responsibilities will require us to exercise discernment in examining religious trends. Seek the good judgment of well-informed, godly people. Read your environment. Discernment takes time and effort. If the judgments were easy, it would not take discernment. Issues are not always clearly right/wrong or black/white. Some things are matters of wisdom, emphasis, direction (where they will lead over time), and timing. Discernment will grow over the years of reading and working with people and problems as a pastor.
Realistic Perspective
The history of the church is a history of debate and dissent. Controversy is nothing new and will not go away. Technology has increased our awareness of and access to controversial matters and has increased the speed of the debate, making it almost impossible to keep up. Be careful not to become obsessed with the endless pursuit of trivial information and incessant debate and divisiveness. This obsession can be unhealthy and off-focus, especially if constantly focused upon what is wrong with others. People bring their own agendas, personalities, heroes, tolerances, intolerances, and church experiences with them to your ministry. Be prepared.
Profound Ramifications
When you associate or officially affiliate with a ministry or movement, your choices often involved the following:
Endorsement – You are lending your name and reputation to the effort or organization.
Effort – You are showing your willingness to expend time and energy to promote the common cause.
Economics – You are giving and supporting the common cause.
Exposure – You are exposing your people to the messages, ministries, missionaries, music, and methods of those with whom you affiliate.
Entanglements – Over time you will share speakers, pulpits, teams, conferences, and camps with those with whom you affiliate. Only reciprocal relationships work long-term.
Edification (or Erosion) – Over time you will take on the characteristics of those with whom you affiliate.
Example – You are modeling or influencing how others should or will choose their associations and affiliations.
Bruce McAllister is the director of ministry relations for Gospel Fellowship Association, Greenville, South Carolina.
[Editor’s note: This article condenses principles Dr. McAllister taught in a workshop at our
annual Fellowship Meeting in Greenville, SC. You can access the audio here.]
Photo by Cytonn Photography on Unsplash