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10 Ways to Improve Your Ministry Right Now

You have many options to strengthen your ministry.

Read a book. Attend a conference. Talk to another leader. Take a class, or earn another degree. Listen to a podcast. Watch a web seminar. All of these are worthwhile options, and I encourage you to consider them.

At the same time, here are some simple ways from the ministry of Jesus to improve your ministry today:

1. Agree up front to be obedient to God.

It was in the Garden of Gethsemane that Jesus prayed, “Not as I will, but as You will” (Matt. 26:39), but this cry marked His entire life. He left heaven and set His sights on a cross in Jerusalem from the beginning.

Your ministry can be stronger today if you can say with integrity, “Your will be done—whatever that is.”

2. Get over yourself.

Jesus was the Son of God, yet He pointed away from Himself to the Father. His desire was to please the Father always (John 8:29), following His commands even to His death (John 10: 17-18). Likewise, the Spirit of God points toward the Son (John 16:14).

Decide today that you are not the most important person in your ministry, and your work will be stronger.

3. Teach with clarity and relevance.

Those around Him said nobody ever taught with authority like Jesus did (Mark 1:27). He taught, though, with simple images relevant to His hearers. A farmer sowing seed. A mustard seed. Loaves and fish. Vineyards. A fig tree. Salt and light. Moths and rust. Houses and foundations.

If you want to improve your ministry today, remember your responsibility is to communicate the gospel, not impress with your knowledge or ability.

4. Take the gospel to nonbelievers.

That’s what the coming of Jesus was all about. He took on flesh to live our life and die our death. Jesus came so sinners could be redeemed. He came for the sick, not for the well (Matt. 9:12).

Take time today to tell somebody about the story of Jesus. You’ll likely find your ministry to be much more exciting because you did what Jesus did.

5. Develop gospel sensitivity to others.

Maybe you remember the story of the bleeding woman who touched Jesus’ garment in Mark 5. The Lord was quickly on His way to the home of Jairus, where a seeming emergency awaited: A little girl was dying. A large crowd pressed around Jesus, but still He felt the distinct touch of a desperate woman.

If you want to strengthen your ministry, ask God to help you today not to walk past hurting people.