The Ministry of Helps
A Manual for Local Church Organization
by
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Chapter Three
Training Programs
1. Each local church should have ongoing training programs for providing the members guidance in every area of ministry. They should be provided with on-going, up to date instruction in their specialty. If not locally sponsored, then send them to regional conferences where they can be made aware of new or improved ways of doing their jobs.
2. Thorough study and planning should precede any local training. Lesson plans, study materials, overheads etc. should all be prepared in advance. The pastor and whomever is in charge of training should all be “on the same page” and in agreement with all that is taught. Accountability should be required of instructors to stay with the lesson plans and from the attendees to make sure they learned the material and can competently perform whatever task or function is the topic of the training.
3. The church world has often given a lot of emphasis on the spiritual classes (Sunday school, ministry schools, etc.) and ignored training on audio visual, janitorial, office procedures, money counting and a myriad of other “mundane” tasks that are absolutely essential to a smooth running church.
4. In Matt 25:21 Jesus complements someone for being faithful in a little job and now that person can be considered for a bigger role. Also in Luke 16:10 Jesus again emphasizes that if a person diligently does a less important job, they prepare themselves for more responsibility and promotion. That is how we must work in the local church. Test the new person with a less glamorous job, see if they do it diligently. If so move them on to more and more responsibility. If they sluff off the less important jobs they should not be entrusted with a higher office.
5. Jesus had a lot to say about being faithful in the small things. Compared with salvation, clean restrooms are a “small thing”. However to the visitor and potential church member they are a “deal breaker”. If you aren’t faithful in the small, easy to do things, how can anyone trust you with the spiritual health of their family? ANSWER…THEY CANNOT!
6. New people should be supervised closely and trained thoroughly so they can feel confident on the job, and you can feel confident in their ability to do the job. A part of training is publishing job descriptions for each position of ministry in the church. The pages of this manual can be your starting point. You may need to retype and modify the individual job descriptions to fit your church’s technology and needs.
7. Jesus is our example, he trained the disciples before He sent them out. As we read in the Word, most of His ministry was spent teaching others. We must be no less diligent in training our helpers in the local church.
8. Whatever method of training you choose, Remember 2 Tim. 2:15 that we rightly divide the Word of truth.
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About the Book
“Have you ever had that sinking feeling that you were missing out on something very valuable in your ministry but just couldn’t put your finger on it? Well, these resources for adventures in service to God for the church are valuable assets to those seeking a dynamic experience in God’s Kingdom work. To invest yourself in Larry Spencer’s Ministry of Helps Manual and Workbook can enhance your ministry and greatly format your service with usable hands on tools that complete your tool chest. Bring these practical things home and put them to work. Great results have already been seen from individuals who respect God’s Word and value what it can bring to the Board room as well as to the church service. You will not be sorry you invested in this training for you and your ministry team.”
– Rev. Lloyd Tremain, Paradise Community Church of the Nazarene
“A thorough, practical and much needed Biblically sound treatment. Wish it had been available 20 years ago when I could have use it to a great positive effect”
– Dan Wilderman, Retired Assemblies of God Pastor
“…the order and practical instruction presented will benefit all organizational levels of any Christian Church today.”
– John Steffensen, Radio Host, Christ Today KKXX Radio Chico CA
Hopefully this manual will lay the groundwork for pastors and churches to spread the burden and get others involved in the work of the ministry. I once had a pastor that was often unprepared for a service because he was busy helping a parishioner with some needed chore, or church maintenance, or the myriad other duties needed to keep a church going. The result was that the church stayed the same size. Some leave; others enter. But no growth was apparent despite the considerable preaching talents of the pastor. God is apparently making sure he has only the amount of people that he can handle.
We learn that the ancient church had some of the same challenges we face today. Acts 6:1–4 says, “Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. (Read this as doing manual labor.) Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; (the manual labor) but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” It was even bringing strife to the local body. What did they do? And what was the result?
The first thing the apostles did was pick out people they knew to be wise and that had had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and appointed them to do practical ministerial duties (the manual labor). This freed up the apostles so they could minister the Word of God. Wow, God’s way is so simple, and our grandiose plans just waste time and get nothing done. Pastors need to learn from the apostles and appoint over this business so the pastor’s has more time to do the spiritual work that promotes God’s church. This manual gives a road map for accomplishing the goal of choosing and training people and tips for managing them.
About the Author
Lawrence “Larry” Spencer has worked in the Ministry of Helps in various churches for 33 years. He graduated from Bible School in 1983 and was ordained 2 years later. The Ministry of Helps Manual and this training program have been refined over time and used successfully in many churches. This is the first time they have been formally published. His prayer is that they will be a blessing to you and your church as you labor to bring the message of Jesus Christ to the earth today.