Ministry is not about titles, buildings, or church positions. It’s a specific calling from God, a service you’ve been uniquely equipped and prepared to do for both the church and humanity. It’s a “vector quantity,” meaning it has a specific direction and duration.
The Components of a True Ministry
A true ministry must be defined to be refined. To find your calling, consider these three dimensions:
1. Direction
Direction refers to whom and where God has called you to serve. You must find your specific area of “comparative advantage,” which is a unique combination of your spiritual gifts and anointing. If you miss your direction, you will be “messed up.”
2. Duration
Duration is about the lasting effect of your ministry. While the physical presence of a minister may end, the impact should continue for generations. Dr. Charles Apoki shares an example of a man who was saved because of the influence of a missionary long after her death, and another example of a city that remains peaceful due to the lasting effect of a revivalist. Your ministry’s legacy should be felt long after you are gone.
3. Dimension
Dimension refers to the scope of your ministry. You must decide whether your ministry is local or global. Dr. Charles Apoki chose to have a global ministry, which required him to intentionally pray and plan for opportunities and platforms. This focus led him to travel to different countries, start a radio program, and now conduct online seminars with people from all over the world.
Ministry in the Hands of an Individual
Your ministry is distinct from “the ministry.” The work you do within the church is “the ministry,” but your personal ministry is the positive effect of your anointing on your family, your community, and everyone you interact with.
A person’s public ministry might be successful, but their personal ministry could fail. Dr. Charles Apoki provides an example of a minister who had a powerful healing ministry but whose children did not become Christians because they did not see God provide for their family. This is in contrast to Jonathan Edwards, who preached “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” After his death, his influence produced several clergymen, professors, and statesmen, and his grandson even became the vice president of the United States. His ministry was a generational one.
Final Thoughts
You cannot drift into greatness; you must pray and plan for it. You should:
- Define your specific calling.
- Identify your spiritual gift mix and your unique audience.
- Look beyond the pulpit. Ministry includes community development and family influence.
Your ministry’s true intensity is measured by its lasting impact. A single sermon can influence a town for over a hundred years. You should ask yourself, “Who are you becoming where you serve? Who are you influencing beyond the pulpit?” Your legacy will be defined by the lasting effect of your anointing on those around you.
