The Ministry by Ps. Charles R. Swindoll (Chuck)

Ministry is a noble calling, yet we often misunderstand its foundation. The world measures success by titles, skills, popularity, and numbers—but in God’s view, ministry is not a stage to showcase our abilities, but an altar to offer ourselves.

Jesus Himself taught that true ministry is born from a transformed character, a heart willing to serve, and a pure motivation. Its measure is not man’s definition of success, but the willingness to sacrifice for God’s glory. Its weapons are not worldly strategies, but fervent prayer and the truth of God’s Word. Its source of power is not programs, but the Holy Spirit.

In an age that tempts us to pursue fame and comfort, we must return to the example of the Master. He is the true model of ministry—who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life.

This teaching invites us to re-examine the foundation, direction, and purpose of our ministry. For ministry is not about us… but about the One who has called us.

The Foundation of ministry is CHARACTER, not a professional skill.

• Skills are important—they may open opportunities and allow us to serve more effectively—but without godly character, skills can become dangerous tools in the wrong hands. A person can be talented in preaching, organizing, or leading, yet if their heart is filled with pride, greed, or dishonesty, their ministry will eventually crumble. Godly character—integrity, humility, purity, and faithfulness—acts as the foundation that sustains us through trials, temptations, and seasons of testing. Skills impress people for a moment; character builds trust for a lifetime.

The Nature of ministry is SERVICE, not being served.

• In the Kingdom of God, leadership is not about position but about service. Jesus demonstrated this when He washed His disciples’ feet—a task reserved for the lowest servant. Ministry is not about titles, perks, or recognition. It is about noticing the needs of others and being willing to meet them, even if it costs us comfort or reputation. The true servant-leader is not afraid to do the small, unseen acts of kindness, because they know that in serving people, they are serving Christ.

The Motive for ministry is LOVE, not money or power.

• If our motive is anything other than love for God and for people, our ministry will eventually become self-centered. Love keeps us patient when people are slow to change. Love keeps us compassionate when others hurt us. Love keeps us faithful when no one notices our efforts. Money and power may offer short-term satisfaction, but they corrupt the heart. Love, however, purifies our intentions and reflects God’s heart to the world.

The Measure of ministry is SACRIFICE, not success.

• The world measures success by numbers—attendance, budgets, influence—but God measures ministry by the cost we are willing to pay. True ministry often means giving up our time, energy, comfort, and resources for the sake of others. Sometimes it even means sacrificing our reputation or security. Heaven’s scoreboard is not based on “how much you achieved” but on “how much you gave of yourself.”

The Authority of ministry is SUBMISSION, not pulling rank.

• In God’s design, authority is not seized; it is given by Him to those who live under His authority. Spiritual authority grows when we submit to God’s Word, yield to His Spirit, and honor the leaders He has placed over us. People will follow not because of a title, but because they see a life surrendered to God. True authority serves, protects, and builds up—it never manipulates or dominates.

The Purpose of ministry is TO GLORIFY GOD, not to glorify ourselves.

• The moment ministry becomes about our name, our brand, or our recognition, it stops being ministry and becomes self-promotion. The purpose of all we do—preaching, singing, serving, leading—is to make God bigger in the eyes of people. We are not the main act; we are simply the signposts pointing toward Jesus.

The Tools of ministry are PRAYER AND SCRIPTURES, not the marketing handbook.

• Prayer aligns us with God’s heart and releases His power. Scripture anchors us in His truth and keeps us from drifting into error. Marketing strategies may attract attention, but only the Word of God and the presence of God can truly transform lives. Our ministry will only be as strong as our prayer life and as deep as our understanding of Scripture.

The Privilege of ministry is GROWTH, which may be in-depth rather than in numbers.

• We live in a culture obsessed with bigger and more, but God often works in deeper ways. Sometimes His plan is to transform a few people deeply rather than gather a crowd superficially. The privilege of ministry is seeing lives grow in maturity, faith, and holiness—even if it happens one person at a time.

The Power of ministry is THE HOLY SPIRIT, not programs.

• Programs can help us stay organized, but they cannot change the human heart. Only the Holy Spirit can convict, transform, heal, and empower. Without Him, ministry becomes routine and powerless; with Him, even the simplest act—spoken in faith—can bring eternal impact.

The Model for ministry is JESUS CHRIST, not a corporation or a man.

• We do not model our ministry after celebrities, business leaders, or church growth gurus—we look to Jesus. His humility, compassion, obedience, and sacrificial love are the blueprint for all we do. When we follow His example, we will lead, serve, and love in ways that honor God and transform people.