“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2

Do you feel stagnate in your ministry? Do you have times when you just don’t feel like your ministry is as effective as you would like? As Ministry workers, let’s do our best not just to “do ministry” but to live a life of an effective ministry worker. Listed are some practical ways we can give the most to our ministry and the people we serve.
 
1. Pray for those in your ministry.
- The most significant way you can serve your ministry is to pray
- Besides praying for the health and physical needs of those in your class, praying for their spiritual growth.
- Sometimes as you’re praying, the Holy Spirit will remind you of a specific need to follow up on or will prompt you that this person needs some extra care. For these reasons, I keep a pad of paper with me as I pray.

“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” Colossians 4:12

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2. Live by example.‍

“Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:” 2 Corinthians 3:2

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

- “Your talk talks and your walk walks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks.”
- “I would not give much for your religion unless it can be seen. Lamps do not talk, but they do shine.”

 
3. Give acceptance
- Everyone who walks into your ministry should sense an atmosphere of, “We’re glad you’re here, and you are loved!”
     o Be friendly.
      o Say, “Hi.”
      o Ask Questions.

“So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8

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4. Grow in your ministry
- We have access to so many great resources. Take advantage of it and grow!
- “You can’t give out what you don’t put in”
       o Read good books.
       o Go to conferences.
       o Get good material in your hands.

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5. Find opportunities to be with your people
- Plan Activities
      o Part of developing relationships and encouraging growth with one another is doing things together.
      o Plan regular activities that are fun and appropriate for your class.
      o Not only are these activities fun for long-time members, but they will help newer Christians who need replacements for their old friends and activities.
- Have a meal
- Fellowship at church

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” Hebrews 10:24

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6. Be available
- One of the best abilities a ministry worker can have is availability.
- Be available, not just during ministry time, but throughout the week for prayer requests, questions, the sharing of blessings.

“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” Romans 12:15

7. Emphasize within your ministry a love for the church
- As helpful as your ministry can be to the local church, it is not the full church.
- Encourage your ministry to develop a relationship with Pastor and to participate in the larger ministries of the church—outreach, revival services, etc.
- Your ministry ought to complement the church, rather than competing with it.
- If it was not for the church, you would not have your ministry

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” Eph 5:25

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:25

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8. Push people in your ministry to love the Lord and Pastor
- We are here to fulfill the vision God has given to Pastor
- God has placed him over us, not to LORD over us, but to Lead us!

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”  Corinthians 11:1