Concise statement:
To glorify God, through the power of the Trinity, by doing what He puts upon my heart, using spiritual weapons together with the most effective tools and networks available.

  • God is good (alone) and great, and greatly loving (Matt. 19:17; Mark 10:18;Ps. 145:3; Titus 2:13; Ps. 107:43; 108:4; Eph. 2:4)
  • God does whatever He wants (Ps. 115:3; 135:6; Dan. 4:35) and has His own secrets (Dt. 29:29). He will often do the unexpected.
  • There IS no other God (Is. 45:5-6,22). I will go to Him for my needs.
  • God wants His children to serve Him as ministers (2 Cor. 5:18). He has only sinners with whom to work.
  • God is worthy of my whole life, and I exist to love and glorify Him (Matt.22:37-40; 1 Cor. 10:31).
  • I can do nothing of value to God apart from Christ (the Vine) (John 15:1)
    • I can do everything with Christ (Phil. 4:13)
      • I am obligated to maximize every gift God has given me to the fullest--to go as far as possible (1 Cor. 12:6, in proportion to faith; Matt. 25:20-21).
      • I can do a limited number of things well, therefore I must network with others who are experts in their fields for the work of the Kingdom. I must reciprocate as occasions arise.
      • More glory is brought to God by excellence (Ted Ward; Matt. 5:48;1 Cor. 10:31), than by mediocrity or failure. However, my strength is in Christ, not in myself—which is the center of weakness (2 Cor. 12:9-10).
      • Knowledge is power toward excellence (Prov. 10:14), so I will invest in information. The only fully trustworthy "truth", however, is found in the Scriptures.
      • Life is short (James 4:14). I need to use the best technology needed to assist me to accomplish the task. [I am on a "wartime" economy (Ralph Winter) spending whatever is needed on essentials for victory.] Try to accomplish at least two things at once (multi-tasking).
      • Any competency in ministry comes from God (2 Cor. 3:5-6).
    • God has all power, wisdom, resources, and goodness, and I do not (Ps.24:1; 50:12). For Him the nations are a drop in a bucket (Is. 40:15). He gives orders to the morning, and calls out the constellations (Job 38:12,31-32). He both opens and closes doors to ministry.
      • Therefore: I will go through doors He opens, if accompanied by faith and peace (1 Cor. 16:9; 2 Cor. 2:12-13; Acts 16:6-10; 18:9-11; Col. 3:15).
      • His provision will be an indication of His guidance. I will not go into debt, which is going beyond the provision for His will. I will pray for God to burden people with my particular needs (2 Cor. 8:5,16). His Grace provides financial support (Act 14:26; 15:40; 2Cor. 8:1-2,7; Ps. 81:10).
      • God will condescend to give wisdom (Prov. 2:1-6; James 1:5).
    • I must be connected to the Vine and abiding in close fellowship with the Father, using means of grace: prayer, Scripture, fellowship of believers
      • Not a little prayer. Ministry flows from interaction with God in prayer. My relationship with God is prior to that with others, and far more essential.
    • God gives "favor and honor" (Ps. 75:6-7; 84:11), and gives grace to the humble (Jas. 4:6; Is. 66:2b), but becomes an adversary to the proud (James 4:6). I do not want God opposing me. He will not share glory (Is. 42:8). I will not try to assess my reputation (search out my "glory" - Prov. 25:27). But I will do what must be done to maintain a good name, which can be lost in a moment (Prov. 22:1)
    • God does the work through us (Acts 14:27; Phil. 2:13). He is our adequacy (2 Cor. 3:5). I need to trust Him, not people (Jer. 17:5).
  • I am God's bondservant, here to serve Him—He is not here to serve me (Phil. 2:5-7) I am an errand boy. There is nothing too small nor too big for God to ask of me. He is Lord. The issue is God's will, not my preferences.
    • I must be led of the Spirit to know the specific errands (Rom. 8:14).
    • I am servant of all (Matt. 23:11). When I serve the "least" brother, I am serving God (Matt. 25:40)
    • Others are more important than I am (Phil. 2:3), but I am to fear no one (Prov. 29:25; Ps. 27:1).
    • The ministry is for the sake of the Name of Christ (3 John 7), not for the advancement of my own name or ministry.
  • The heart of ministry is relationships. This is how God connects with us, especially in the person Christ. Those who are saved are those who know (ginosko) God (John 17:3; Matt. 7:23). Relationships are built upon trust, and good will. Trust is built upon a good name and keeping your word. I will sometimes fail at this, and must rely upon God's grace. Good communication is very difficult, especially cross culturally, but important. I will try to reconcile to those who I've offended. I will seek to be kind, since kindness is desired in a relationship (Prov. 19:22), loving and compassionate.
  • I still sin (1 John 1:8). Therefore, I need accountability to others, and to listen to correction (2 Cor. 8:21; Prov. 12:1). Accountability includes the stewardship of funds, time and other resources.
  • Since we are obligated to do what is right both in the sight of God and men, clear and honest accountability will be provided for the use of funds.
  • Due to God's sovereignty and goodness, I can with integrity give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thess. 5:18; Ps. 50: 23).
  • God protects me (1 John 5:18; Ps. 91:14-16; 138:7-8; Heb. 11:32-34). But He may choose not to deliver me from death (Heb. 11:35-38).
  • The bottom line in ministry is God's grace (1 Cor. 15:10). God's grace provides spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:7). The most effective ministry will be in the direction of using those gifts. Only by grace can we serve acceptably. Since I really don't know how I'm doing, I will rely upon His communicated assessments. The goal is to please and glorify God (2 Cor. 5:9).