22Sep 2009 by Nigel Ring

The Poor deserve the Best – part 6 – practical skills

Administration in the Church, Administrative Skills, Christian ministry, Equipping, Good Practice, Planning, Poor
We have been looking at 20 Key Indicators of Good Practice. In previous postings we have considered 8 Indicators that are peculiar to the church and spiritual matters related to ministry embracing the poor. Now we shall consider some of the skills that enhance Good Practice and enable us to pursue excellence in all that we do. There are 12 key Indicators which we shall address under this heading. Only an overview will be given in this and the next series of postings but some of these will be dealt with in greater depth in future. 1 Project Cycle Management. 2 Finance 3 Mature leadership. 4 Responding to gifting/passion. 5 Pastoral support. 6 Training. 7 Impact. 8 Partnering/networking. 9 Local community ownership. 10 Sustainability. 11 Scaling up and multiplication. 12…
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15Sep 2009 by Nigel Ring

The Poor deserve the Best – part 5

Biblical Administration, Christian ministry, Equipping, General, Good Practice, Leadership, Poor
We shall now consider the final three Indicators of Good Practice for ministries among the Poor which come under the category of Church and Leadership. 6. Kingdom extension to be intentional Ministry with the poor provides a fertile context for God’s rule and government to be made manifest. People who already recognise their weakness and need of help are often more receptive to the gospel than those who are surrounded with apparent material security. Ministry embracing the Poor can make a significant contribution to extending the Kingdom of God not only by demonstrating Kingdom rule as we plant churches in disadvantaged communities but also by challenging injustice, changing culture through education, demonstrating God’s provision by careful stewarding of His resources (e.g. through Farming) and so on. It is helpful to…
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11Sep 2009 by Nigel Ring

The Poor deserve the Best – part 4

Biblical Administration, Christian ministry, Equipping, General, Good Practice, Leadership, Poor
Continuing our series on Indicators of Good Practice for ministries among the Poor we shall now consider the next three under the category of Church and Leadership. 3. Hearing God Jesus did nothing ‘on his own authority .. but always ..the things that are pleasing to Him’ (Jn 8:28, 29). It is vital that we are clear that we are in the centre of God’s will for at least two reasons. First, any ministry we undertake should be the result of seeking God and walking in obedience to Him. So, there needs to be a very clear sense of leading. This needs to be specific, which leads us to the second reason. When the going gets tough (and it will!) we need to be able to have the confidence that…
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08Sep 2009 by Nigel Ring

The Poor deserve the Best – part 3

Biblical Administration, Christian ministry, Equipping, General, Good Practice, Leadership, Poor
We are looking at the principle of having Key Indicators of good practice when ministering to the Poor. Many of these Indicators would apply to ministry in general but the context for us is one of mercy ministries. The 20 Indicators we are exploring fall into 2 sections. In the first section, Church and Leadership issues, there are 8 Indicators. Having listed these we shall expand on the first two. 1. Apostolic endorsement 2. Local church eldership oversight 3. Hearing God 4. Vision to be clear 5. Gospel impact 6. Kingdom extension to be intentional 7. Individuals changed from poverty to active mission 8. Biblical principles to be clearly applied 1. Apostolically endorsed When writing to the gentile church in Galatia Paul told them of his commission from the apostles…
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