New Ministry Development
New Ministry Development: An Apostolic Spiritual Gift Definition
New Ministry Development is an entrepreneurial spiritual gift that enables people to develop new ministries, churches or mission fields. So, New Ministry Developers are risk-takers for the Kingdom of God. In this way, they seek new territories in which to start outreach ministries and are on the forefront of new ministry or program development within the local church. Often mistaken for being critical, this spiritual gift inspires the Christian to improve or expand ministry impact. Unapologetically, they are driven to expand Christ’s Kingdom in this fallen world.
The Holy Spirit called the Apostle Paul to serve as a New Ministry Developer. He describes his ministry role in 1 Corinthians 3:10…”By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds”. Likewise, in Romans 15:20 Paul asserts: “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation”.
Depending upon your personality style, you may prefer one of the following applications of your gift of New Ministry Developer.
Church Planter, Gift Expression
A Church Planter seeks to develop new missional church ministries in regions where such a ministry is lacking. Characteristically, church Planters are sensitive to regional demographics, growth trends and church-per-capita statistics. To this end, they are passionate about evangelism and reaching the unreached by extending ministry into new territories.
Cross-Cultural Missionary, Gift Expression
Cross-Cultural Missions does not necessarily infer overseas ministry, although this is the classic ministry role. In today’s cultural melting-pot, Cross-Cultural Missions may mean extending an outreach ministry to a different racial community across town. As a result, Cross Cultural Missionaries are sensitive to cultural distinctives as well as the value of cultural diversity. Typically, they are passionate about “the unity of the body of Christ”, despite cultural distinctives. Likewise, Cross Cultural Missionaries are also passionate about Evangelism.
New Campus Ministries, Gift Expression
Launching New Campus Ministries from a founding church has in recent years become a popular church growth paradigm. People called and equipped by God to develop new campus-based ministries tend to be sensitive to groups of people who are “slipping through the cracks” of the founding church. Also, a passion to reach people whom the present ministry is not positioned to serve. Typically, New Campus Ministry Developers desire to take their local church to the “next level” in its ministry impact. This is because they are likely dissatisfied with their church’s present status quo.
New Community Impact Ministries, Gift Expression
New Community Impact Ministry developers are typically passionate about social justice and local community impact, in the name of Christ. City missions, food pantries, and shelters are classic examples of Community Impact Ministries. In addition, contemporary examples also include Computer Training Centers, Vocational Training, Random acts of Kindness, after school Care Centers, etc.
New e-Church Ministries, Gift Expression
E-Church ministry is still a new and developing ministry medium. Attempting to define e-Church ministry is difficult at best. However, proponents of e-Church ministry tend to value freedom of expression and safe spiritual exploration. They are passionate about evangelism. Likewise, they also enjoy personally mentoring people’s spiritual development. To this end, they value cultural diversity. finally, proponents of e-Church ministry are usually technically astute.