Guest Post by Nate Beaird.
A ministry tool is any way used to present, dramatize, or speak a message about Jesus. Growing up in ministry, I’ve seen a lot of ministry tools.
Tools used for the technical things, tools for dramas, and tools that inspire people to live their lives for Christ. I’ve also found it easy to become annoyed or be critical of tools that are seemingly over-used. As I ponder about different ministry tools, and even prepare to use some that are not new at all, I’m trying to be careful of the “Ministry Tool Balance.”
Read more after the jump…
I knew a friend who was a leader in a great discipleship mentoring program. They traveled to several churches and events ministering to, and recruiting young people for this ministry. The churches loved their ministry, and the tools they used to convey their individual testimonies.
Their tool of choice, the Human Video. A Human Video is a drama set to a song, any song. There are characters who play the role of the person singing (or being sung about in) the song. They “mouth” the lyrics of the song as the drama is being played out. Sometimes, there’s a dance routine with no main character. These presentations are portable, and if done well, can be very powerful!
They did them well, some better than I’d ever seen before. The issue wasn’t that they did them, it was that they did them too much. One time I asked the same friend, “Why don’t you try another creative way to present your testimonies?” The reply bothered me because there was a little sarcasm attached, “Well, what else would we do?”
I look back at that conversation and wonder if I dropped the ball, not pushing enough. Their brand (your brand is what people think of when they think of your ministry) went from; “We are an intense discipleship program,” to “We do human videos when we travel to different places.”
On the flip-side, maybe your local church has never experienced human videos. It could be a great ministry tool to use a couple times a year.
The issue is not what the tool is, the issue is; Are you continuing to be creative, communicating the power of Jesus with different ministry tools? Your ministry should be a Swiss Army Knife of ministry tools, not just a pocket knife.
In my friend’s situation, the damage was done. They were already branded. You can always re-brand yourself, but it’s painstakingly hard. Be sure that when you’re ministering to people, stay fluid, stay flexible, and learn to be OK with trying things out of your comfort zone.
If you primarily do dramas, then try a dance routine. If you normally do dance routines, try a monologue. If you’re a pro at creating videos, then try something live. These new things not only grow you in your abilities, but brand your ministry as “Creative, Fun, Awesome, and Relevant.”
This of course, inspiring people to be a part of it– generating volunteers. Ministry Tools are a great way to reach people, and supplement your speakers message, but keep the Ministry Tool Balance in mind. Remember, no matter whatever you do … do it with excellence!
[Image from FLee]
Jim says
they are a means to an end, not an end to itself…
klreed189 says
Good point and call to our tools of communication.
What strikes me about this post is the niche that we often paint ourselves in. This idea that comes to my mind is the type of ministry that finds success (like your friend with the human drama) and continues to play off of that and never let it go. Honestly I think the main reason behind this is because they found success, they found that it worked and people like what they were doing.
Often times it I think it is easy to become a one trick pony, constantly relying on what you know and what you do well.
But I like your call at the end there, "Be sure that when you’re ministering to people, stay fluid, stay flexible, and learn to be OK with trying things out of your comfort zone."
Very challenging thought. Letting go of the fear is the first step.