Ordinary ministry
The ordinary means of grace are what Christians have been practicing for two millenia worldwide, and through them God has transformed the world. There is a tendency as pastors and church leaders to want to find the latest and greatest fad, to keep up with some megachurch trend. For me, it has been immensely refreshing getting back to the ordinary.
The Good Book
The primary ordinary means of grace is the study, proclamation and application of the Scriptures. This should be a church’s central ministry. It affects the life of the church more than any other ministry.
In 2009, the Center for Bible Engagement reported that people who read or listen to the Bible at least four days a week, on average, get drunk 57% less, have sex outside of marriage 68% less, view pornography 61% less, share their faith 228% more and disciple others 231% more. Put simply, those who study the Bible more often tend to follow what the Bible says more often!
Preaching the Word, making sure it is taught well in your small group ministry, and offering biblical classes (such as a new members class) ensures the authority of the Bible in your local church.
Talking to God
Coming in at a close second is prayer as a means of grace. Guard your own prayer times, and make sure to shepherd your people into praying. Model this during worship services, provide opportunities throughout the week for corporate prayer, and teach your people how to go about personal prayer.
One thing I love about prayer is it lacks all the bells and whistles of modern spirituality. There is not a lot of creativity that comes with praying. At the end of the day, people are either willing to sit still and talk to God or not. And when you build a culture of people who are willing and eager to do just that, amazing things start to happen.
Going to church
The world might be getting bored of the Church, but Jesus Christ still adores His bride. The best place for a new Christian to be is to be connected to a Gospel-centered, Bible-believing local church. And conversely, the most dangerous place for followers of Jesus is out on their own.
Don’t use the church as the foil for “real spirituality.” So-called “churchianity” is far less of a danger than spirituality isolated from Christian community. As John Stott famously said, “An unchurched Christian is a grotesque anomaly. The New Testament knows nothing of such a person.” Praise, sing, and brag about how wonderful church gathered worship really is.
Baptism and communion
Both of these ordinances symbolize the Gospel. Baptism marks the Rubicon we cross to say, “I now believe in Jesus Christ.” The Lord’s Supper is an ongoing reminder that, “I still believe in Jesus Christ.”
Encourage your members and attenders to make good use of the only two sacraments that came straight from the mouth Jesus, onto the pens of his disciples, and have been practiced globally throughout church history. They are a tremendous, albeit ordinary, means of grace.
Evangelism
In some circles, evangelism has become passe, no longer en vogue, out of touch; the emphasis is instead on cultural engagement or renewal. All that notwithstanding, there is nothing that has replaced the importance of sharing the Gospel with clarity and calling people to personal repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
Better a church filled with laity who actively evangelize than a church of the coolest and most culturally relevant hipsters in Christendom. Evangelism does something not just for the fruitfulness of the church, but the faithfulness of the church. The only thing better than leading someone to faith in Christ, is watching someone you led to faith in Christ lead someone else to faith in Christ!
The ordinary means of grace ensures that the work being done in our churches is genuine spiritual work. It is a danger to confuse shifting the herd around from true spiritual shepherding. Maybe the ordinary isn’t the coolest or most exciting approach, but it sure has led to green pastures.
Rick Harrington is a pastor at First Baptist Church - Haverhill in Massachusetts. He is the author of the books "How to Find a Church: Seven Steps to Becoming Part of a Spiritual Family" and "The Weight of Preaching: Heralding the Gospel of Grace". You can follow his writing on his blog The Lamp Post.
