This manual is designed to encourage the local church to explore ways of performing Ministry. 

One of the greatest challenges the local church faces is involving members of all ages in ministry.  From grade school children to our most senior adult there is a place of service.  The goal of this manual is to help make ministry effective and meaningful for both the church and the volunteers who perform this work.

In this manual the have been divided into 10 categories of ministries.  These are strictly for organization purposes and are open to realignment or renaming as the local church may determine.

Administration

Christian Life

Church Growth

Discipleship and Training

Evangelism

Family Life

Helps

Missions

Music and Worship

Worship

Within each description the manual will help identify the following:

General Description of the ministry.

A Biblical Guide for the ministry.

The Spiritual Gifts that might be helpful for those involved in the ministry.

The Passion Qualities that may indicate a person’s match with the ministry.

Ways of implementing the ministry in the local church.

Organizational structure of the ministry, if any is needed.

This manual will also provide blank templates you can use to develop additional ministries.

Biblical Guide – As these ministries are defined it is important that the church not become distracted by many worthwhile projects that cannot be justified scripturally.  As an example: a local community may have a need for building parks in disadvantaged neighborhoods.  This is great community project and many church members may want to get involved.  As Ministry is defined in this manual this project would probably not be listed as a church ministry.  As you become more familiar with developing ministry you may look at this community project and see that the end result is not to just build a park but to use the park for summer outreach programs such as Bible Clubs, Recreation activities for the children and parents who use the park.   This may mean that the church would get involved in building the park but more importantly to use the park.

Spiritual Gifts – There are many lists of gifts that various churches use.  For the purpose of this manual we have identified:

Administration

Craftsmanship

Evangelism

Exhortation/Encouragement

Giving

Healing

Hospitality

Intercession

Leadership

Mercy/Helps

Missions

Music

Prophecy

Wisdom

As you develop you own manual for your local church you are encouraged to undertake a study of Spiritual Gifts and develop the list of gift that best suit your understanding of scripture and your local congregation.

Passion Qualities - This is what makes you the unique person you are.  Sometimes we confuse Spiritual Gifts with Passion or Talent.  God made us who we are.  He gave us abilities and talents when he forms us.  Then when we became a new creature in Christ through salvation he gave us unique Spiritual Gifts to fulfill his purpose in His Kingdom.  Our passions and talents are an important factor in matching us to the opportunities for ministry in a local church.

As an example of what I mean is this:  I love to teach.  I have always been a good public speaker and spent many years on the radio as a DJ and talk show host.  I when to college to college and seminary to refine these talents.  This is a God given talent.  The Gift is the ability to use this talent in a way that transforms lives of other believers and nonbelievers.

There are many instruments available to measure your Passion.  In this manual we will provide a small sampling of Passions needed for ministry.

Enjoy the rest of the manual and allow it stimulate you to look at how we minister to each other and the community in which we live.  This is by no means an exhaustive list.  You should understand that just because you may like a ministry God my not be calling you or your church to this work.  Listen to Him and let him reveal the work He has set out for you.

Outline of How the Manual will work. 

Under each of the Ministries below we will attempt to describe the following:

General Description of the Ministry –

Biblical Guide for the Ministry–

Spiritual Gifts that may be helpful in performing this ministry–

Passion Qualities –

Possible Implementation of the ministry –

Organizational structure of the ministry –

List of Ministries

Administrative

Accounting Ministry 

General Description of the Ministry –

Biblical Guide for the Ministry–

II Ki 12:13-15

13         The money brought into the temple was not spent for making silver basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, trumpets or any other articles of gold or silver for the temple of the LORD;

14         it was paid to the workmen, who used it to repair the temple.

15         They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty.

(NIV)

Spiritual Gifts the may be helpful in performing this ministry–

Passion Qualities –

Possible Implementation of the ministry –

Organizational structure of the ministry –

Building & Equipment Ministry

General Description of the Ministry –

Biblical Guide for the Ministry–

1 Chr 28:11-12

11         Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms and the place of atonement.

12         He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the LORD and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things.

(NIV)

Spiritual Gifts that may be helpful in performing this ministry–

Passion Qualities –

Possible Implementation of the ministry –

Organizational structure of the ministry –

CD/DVD/Tape Ministry

General Description of the Ministry – This ministry in some churches may be call the Duplication Ministry or be part of the Media Ministry.  Which ever name you choose the objective of this ministry is to provide copies of Worship Services, Musical Programs, Special events or other church activities on varying forms of media to members, prospects or others interested in the churches events.

Biblical Guide for the Ministry–

Luke 2:17

17         When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, (NIV)  Since the beginning of the life of Christ the actions of observers were to spread the word and the stories they hear.  In modern times the use of audio tapes, compact disks, video tapes and DVD make the spreading of the word easier and more efficient.

Spiritual Gifts that may be helpful in performing this ministry– Administration, Helps, Missions and Giving

Passion Qualities –  Letter writing, homebound visitation, organizational skills, desire to part of ministry that touches lots of peoples lives.

Possible Implementation of the ministry –

Duplicate copies of Worship Service for distribution at the end or morning service

Provide custom packaged copies of Baptismal Services to each of the participants

Provide copies to local nursing homes, retirement homes, Special Care faculties

Mail copies to homebound members along with a bulletin and a handwritten note from the volunteer.

Send copies to satellite churches, missions and missionaries for use in the field.

Organizational structure of the ministry –

This ministry could be organized by one technical person.  In larger churches additional technical people may be needed.  Depending on the number of tapes, CD’s of DVD’s to be distributed will determine the number of additional team members needed for writing notes, inserting bulletins and addressing envelopes.

Christian Life Ministry 

Church Finance Ministry

Clerical Ministry 

Communications Ministry

Computer Ministry

Costume Design Ministry

Counting Ministry

Deacons/Elder Ministry

Decorating/Furnishings Ministry

Flower Ministry

Food Service Ministry

Insurance Ministry

Marketing/Advertising Ministry

Memorial/Trust Ministry

Ministry Steering

Newsletter Ministry

Pastor Search Ministry

Personnel Ministry

Property Management Ministry

Records Ministry

Security Ministry

Set Design Ministry

Stewardship Ministry

Trustees Ministry

Christian Life

Accountability Ministry

Advent/Easter Observance Ministry

After Worship Flower Ministry

Bookstore Ministry

Business Leaders Support Ministry

Career Transition Ministry

Child Care Ministry

Children’s Ministry

College Housing Ministry

Ecumenical / Interdenominational Activities Ministry

Encouragement Ministry

Family Ministry

Fitness Ministry

History Ministry

Homebound Ministry

Intercessory Prayer Ministry

Library Ministry

Marriage Enrichment Ministry

Media Ministry

Ministerial Leadership Search Ministry

Ministry to Missionaries Ministry

Mothers Ministry

Nursery Ministry

Nutrition Ministry

Preschool Ministry

Printing Ministry

Public Relations Ministry

Retired Missionary Ministry

Retired Pastor Ministry

Showers/Receptions/Teas Ministry

Shut-Ins Ministry

Single Adults Ministry

Single Parents Ministry

Special Events Ministry

Support Groups Ministry

Technologies Ministry

TV/Video Ministry

Women's Family Ministry

Writing Ministry

Church Growth

Banner Ministry

Baptism Ministry

Drama Ministry

Graphic Arts Ministry

Hospitality/Guest Services Ministry

Internet Presence Ministry

Leadership Development Ministry

Leadership Enlistment Ministry

Long Range Planning Ministry

Membership Development Ministry

New Member Integration Ministry

Outreach/Evangelism Ministry

Prayer Chain Ministry

Preaching Ministry

Puppet Ministry

Small Groups Ministry

Telephone Calling Ministry

Visitor Reception Ministry

Discipleship and Training

Bible Study Curriculum Design Ministry

Bible Study/Sunday School Ministry

Boys Missions Training Ministry

Discipling Ministry

Fire Station Ministry

Girls Missions Training Ministry

Home Bible Study Ministry

Off Campus Bible Study Ministry

Small Group Teaching Ministry

Vacation Bible School Ministry

Youth Leadership Ministry

Evangelism

5th Quarter/10 Inning

Bible Club Ministry

School Teacher Ministry

Bread/Cookie Ministry

Chaplaincy Ministry

Church Planting Ministry

Clown Ministry

Evangelism Ministry

Homeless Ministry

Jail Ministry

Personal Ministry

Visitation Ministry

Family Life

Adoption Ministry

Birthday Greetings Ministry

Divorce Recovery Ministry

Foster Care Ministry

Grandparents Ministry

Holiday Dinner Ministry

Nearly Wed Ministry

New Parents Ministry

Photography Ministry

Recreation Ministry

Retreats Ministry

School Hospitality Ministry

Single Fathers Ministry

Single Mothers Ministry

Summer Camp Ministry

Supper Club Ministry

Team Sports Ministry

Weddings Ministry

Helps

Carpentry Ministry

Cleaning Ministry

Clothes Ministry

Coaching Ministry

College Student Support Ministry

Disaster Relief Construction Ministry

Disaster Relief Counseling Ministry

Disaster Relief Food Services Ministry

Disaster Relief Logistics Ministry

Disaster Relief Medical Ministry

Disaster Relief Shelter/Lodging Ministry

First Aid Ministry

Food and Shelter Ministry

Food Pantry Ministry

Furniture and Household Goods Distribution Ministry

Grocery Pickup Ministry

Grounds Ministry

Handyman Ministry

Language Ministry

Meal Delivery Ministry

Medical Services Ministry

Mentoring Ministry

Military Family Ministry

Movers Ministry

Nursing Home Ministry

Parking / Greeting Ministry

Party Pickup Ministry

Personal Financial Planning Ministry

Relocation and Welcome Ministry

Salvage Grocery Distribution  Ministry

Senior Adult Care Ministry

Student Educational Support Ministry

Technology Training Ministry

Transportation Ministry

Tutoring Ministry

Veterinary Visitation Ministry

Weekday Transportation for Seniors Ministry

Yard Work Ministry

Mercy

Altar Counselor Ministry

Benevolence Ministry

Bereavement Ministry

Counseling Ministry

Crisis Ministry

Funeral Dinner/Reception Ministry

Grief Ministry

Hospice Ministry

Hospital Ministry

Pregnancy Crisis Ministry

Refugee/Homeless Ministry

Missions

Domestic Missions Ministry

International Mission Trips Ministry

Local Mission Ministry

Men's Ministry

Missions Education Ministry

Missions Planning Ministry

Short Term Mission Projects Ministry

Women’s Ministry

Youth Missions Ministry

Music and Worship Ministry

Accompanist Ministry

Choral Ministry

Concerts Ministry

Instrumental Ministry

Music Ensembles Ministry

Music Men's Groups Ministry

Music Ministry

Music Sr Adult Ministry

Music Teaching Ministry

Music Women's Groups Ministry

Music Youth Group Ministry

Song Leading Ministry

Worship Leadership Ministry

Worship

Greeter & Usher Ministry

Home/Hospital Communion Ministry

Interpreting for the Deaf Ministry

Lord’s Supper Ministry

Offering Collection Ministry