Week Six -- Effective Personal Ministry

This week we were blessed to have Dean Sherman teach us about Effective Personal Ministry. He taught during my DTS on Spiritual Warfare, and I remember more one-liners from his week of teaching than I do from any of the other weeks.  He has a way of saying things that sticks with you!

Class time

We asked ourselves, "Am I effective in personal ministry?" And, "What do I do personally that changes lives?" Dean addressed that the idea of being "called into ministry" is tradition--not Biblical truth. We are all called into ministry, in one way or another, which is exciting!

Something else he taught that made SO much sense was the difference between Greek and Hebrew thinking. I have often tried to determine the root cause of the "gap" in thinking between my generation and the generation before us. Obviously this gap can be more or less depending on where you grew up and what kind of environment you were raised in. However, Dean explained that my generation naturally leans Hebrew thinking, and the generation before us is made up of Greek thinkers.

Here's the differences between the two:

Greek                                                      ______          ______         _________Hebrew

Know/believe because your brain contains/agrees vs Know/believe by life experience

"Educated" means going to school vs Education is experiential

Categories vs Integration

"The Word" vs Experience

Understanding vs Practice

Being vs Doing

Older generations vs International Youth

Western vs Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, Animist

It's important to realize that one of these is not right or wrong. One is not better than the other. There must be both to effectively reach all people and spread the Gospel. We don't ever want to put the Word of God against Experiences with Him. But it is also incredibly helpful to understand that the reason why Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Animists are the most unreached by Christians is because we've been mostly Greek thinking. Whereas in these cultures, their religion determines their lifestyle.

A simple example that shows the difference in thinking between the two generations is whether hats should be allowed to be worn in church.  The older generation (Greek thinking--categories) says hats should not be worn in church because it calls for something different than the rest of the week. My generation (Hebrew thinking--integration) says, "I wear hats during the week, so why not Sundays?"

This made so much sense to me when Dean explained it. A way I've seen this played out today is I've heard many older people voice their disdain regarding people's experiences at places like Bethel Redding. But with my generation, that's what we need, simply because that's the way we learn! We need to have an experience that surpasses head knowledge to really "get it." I don't know where you are with your opinions about God showing up in supernatural ways or what you think about Bethel Redding and places like it. (And I'm not trying to change someone's opinion of it :)). With that being said, I have grown up in an incredible Godly home and gone to private Christian school and church all my life. I had a lot of head knowledge coming into DTS and loved God already. But I have to say, when I had an encounter with the Holy Spirit last fall and had gold dust on my hands, it ignited my faith in a way that being "educated" about it never would have. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, feel free to ask me about it :))

Some other points that Dean made were:

-There has never been a spiritual event or movement that hasn't been called demonic.

-Don't limit ministry to a position. And if you don't get the position you wanted, you might actually have more time for ministry.

-The better you get at what you do, the more choice necessary to depend on God.

-If we do things out of obligation in our own strength, we will burn out quickly. We must choose to depend on the Lord and work out of the joy He's given us to be our strength! (Nehemiah 8:10)

-Religion is doing it because we did it. It's okay to do things again. It's wrong to think we have to!

-One way we administer blessings to others is by receiving from them. (Philippians 4:17) It's a ministry to others to allow them to give to you.

-The world system is buying and selling. The kingdom is giving and receiving.

-Kingdom laws are just as reliable and true as gravity is.

-The Bible never says the evangelist is the only soul-winner. This idea has kept millions from being reached.

-There's ZERO possibility that God will not be with you when you fulfill the Great Commission.

-It's not "your" ministry. If it is "your" ministry, it's not ministry.

-If you don't know where to start in ministry, start by being a friend. Everyone needs one, and you can start right now.

-All character and behavior needs to be measured from Jesus Christ.

This was such a rich week. I recognize the depth of the content I learned and know it will take a while to truly process and put it into practice. But what a sweet time of gleaning from Dean Sherman. Thankful that this guy who is 70 years old, who has been in YWAM 46 years, and who speaks about 300 days out of the year, saw great value in investing in my school!

I'm officially halfway through this school, which is mind-blowing. I would appreciate prayer as we continue through the next six weeks and learn more about what being a leader in ministry really means.

Thankful for YOU and your prayers! :)