A very good book that speaks of how the Lord did ministry is The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert E. Coleman. You can buy the book online about everywhere. I encourage you to get this small book and read it… and re-read it. I have noted a few of great nuggets this book gave:
- Merely because we are busy, or even skilled, doing something does not necessarily mean that we are getting anything accomplished. The question must always be asked: Is it worth doing? And does it get the job done?
- Men were His (Jesus’) method. His concern was not with programs to reach the multitudes, but with men whom the multitudes would follow. Remarkable as it may seem, Jesus started to gather these men before He ever organized an evangelistic campaign or even preached a sermon in public. Men were to be His method of winning the world to God.
- There is no evidence of haste in the selection of these desciples; just determination.
- Though He did what He could to help the multitudes, He had to devote Himself primarily to a few men, rather than the masses, in order that the masses could at last be saved. This was the genius of His strategy.
- It will mean raising up trained leadership “for the work of ministering” with the pastor (Ephesians 4:12). A few people so dedicated in time will shake the world for God. Victory is never won by the multitudes.
- It is necessary if any permanent leadership is to be trained.
- Everything that is done with the few is for the salvation of the multitudes.
- This, of course, puts a priority on winning and training those already in responsible positions of leadership. But if we can’t begin at the top, then let us begin where we are and train a few of the lowly to become the great. And let us remember, too, that one does not have to have the prestige of the world in order to be greatly used in the Kingdom of God. Anyone who is willing to follow Christ can become a mighty influence upon the world providing, of course, this person has the proper training himself.
- It will be slow, tedious, painful and probably unnoticed by men at first, but the end result will be glorious, even if we don’t live to see it. Seen this way, though, it becomes a big decision in the ministry. One must decide where he wants his ministry to count—in the momentary applause of popular recognition or in the reproduction of this life in a few chosen men who will carry on his work after he has gone. Really it is a question of which generation we are living for.
- Having called his men, Jesus made it a practice to be with them. This was the essence of His training program—just letting His disciples follow Him.
- One living sermon is worth a hundred explanations.
Here to Serve,
Jeff Bush
General Director of Vision Baptist Missions