SCRIPTURAL READING : Gen 1:2: Jer 4:23: Job 10:23: 1 Cor 14:40: 1 Tim 3:15 : Acts 21:23: 1 Tim 1:8,9: Heb 13: 17: Rom 14:12: Lk 16:2: Math 12:36: 1Pet 4:5:
Salutations beloved brethren in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus. It is very important to understand how you do or run things even as you endeavour daily to serve God and his Kingdom. It is not wisdom to do things in darkness or in spiritual blindness and you expect God to be pleased in what you are doing. Even if it is a worthy cause, like evangelism and any other works of God, you have to run it according to the principles laid down in the word of God. Like Apostle Paul said: I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air "( 1 Cor 9: 26). See?
This discourse will also touch the element of money. It is one of the most often abused commodities by even many servants of God. There is a lot of assumption and misunderstanding connected to it. ( 1 Tim 6:10). See? Without a proper understanding of how it should be handled and utilised to serve the purpose of God, it has caused many to fall into big trouble.They have messed up the work of God and brought reproach.
Therefore, it is important for everyone involved in the service of God, especially those who are entrusted with authority in the ministry of God, to try to understand well the processes of how things are managed. For example, how a team is built. Not only that, but also how the efforts and sacrifices of everyone are harnessed in a productive manner following the righteousness of God. There is accountability for stewardship ( Lk 16:2: 1 Cor 4:1,2). See? Ministers especially should take note of how at the end of the road, they will be expected to give account of their stewardship in the way they ran their ministries and the way they handled resources including finances that were committed to their charge. They should then remain sober and be prayerful ( 1 Pet 4:7). See?
Remember, if you are truly a child of God, the Spirit of God guides you to walk in the righteousness of God ( Ps 23:3). See? And like Job said: I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgement was as a robe and a diadem( Job 29:14). See?
It must be the same with us. That’s why the question comes: What is the process of organization, especially activities and programs in the house of God? How do you run your own ministries and church programs in line with the word of God? And how do you manage your own life? We shall take the Ugandan context for this study.
DEFINITION OF TERMS:
Perhaps for better understanding, let us try to define some key terms in our topic:
PROCESS:
According to online sources, a process is a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end. It is in simple terms something you do in order to achieve a certain result. For instance, in our main interest of missionary work, focused on evangelism, it is important for us to understand the process in which it is conducted in line with the word of God.
Yes, you are right to think of winning a number of souls in your campaigns. But you should never forget to first consider the process by which you are going about achieving your desired results. There are cardinal principles in the word of God that you must observe very carefully! Things have to be done following the perfect will of God! God word is the Blueprint. You have to follow it to the letter! God honours only that, which is done according to his word. You have to understand the will of God in all matters of your spiritual life and aspects of service to God ( Eph 5:17). See?
ORGANISATION:
One source defines organization as a group of people ( in our context) who work together. It can be used to refer to a group or business or to the act of forming or establishing something. So in simple terms, a setting like a church or ministry can be understood as believers who have come together in fellowship around the word of God and are committed to serve God and his Kingdom ( Math 6:24). Yes, we are all called to serve God ( Col 3:23, 24). As a church organization located in different corners of the world, we are to serve the Lord Jesus Christ! Right!
Indeed, putting this together, whatever we do or the process by which we are endeavouring to serve God and his Kingdom , and management of things must be shaped by the principles of the word of God. See? Otherwise, we are bound to fall into trouble and mess up things! Already, a lot of things have come into scrutiny of the Spirit of God especially among the people who claim to believe the Message of the hour, that God gave Elijah to deliver to his Gentile Bride at the end of time ( Mal 4:5,6: Rev 10:7). See? There is a lot of mess that needs to be cleaned up!
Notice! Let it be clearly stated here that organization is not merely about one having a vision or zeal to do the work of God. It is much more about order, lawful process, accountability, legitimacy, and having in place credible structures! All works of God, including evangelism, must follow those principles! Exactly!
It is important that you use this opportunity to examine how things are run in your church or ministry in line with the aspects of process, structure, and legitimacy( 2 Cor 13:5). Legitimacy underlines the aspect of doing everything according to the law, in this case according to the word of God( Col 3:17). It also denotes endeavours to do things according to the laid down standards in the word of God. ( 1 Tim 3:15). See?
Leadership and ministry demands doing things in established order of the word of God. It demands proper transparency and accountability in all areas, including in money matters. You have to have credible structures in place. As we go along, follow me carefully as we are dealing with all these aspects in the Ugandan context. See? To be continued.
For now , take note of what the Bible teaches us: But seek first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you "( Math 6: 33). Put God first and his righteousness! See? What is the process of your organization? Even though you are eying great results, do you consider the best way to achieve your results? Do you consider putting in place order and solid foundations built on the word of God? Or is what you are doing compromised ? Think!
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you . Amen . One more soul . We work till Jesus comes.
Pastor Charles Obwoon
