Unconventional Ministry
Essentials for Effective Ministry
Dennis Wiens
Senior Impact Catalyst at SAT-7 USA, Host of the…
If you are like me, you follow various ministries, both local and international. Maybe these are ministries your church supports. At least, I hope you are. As you look at various ministry models, how do you determine what a good model is for you? Some have been around for a long time. Others are new innovative models. Some ministry models work better in certain regions of the world, depending on culture and leadership structure.
From Lifeway Research, there are "5 Essentials for Effective Ministry in Any Location". They are:
- The encouragement of a team.
- To share the gospel message clearly.
- A tenacity to overcome adversaries.
- A confidence found only in a word from God.
- The patience to help people mature in their faith.
I work for SAT-7 USA, a support office of SAT-7, a Middle East and North Africa broadcast media ministry. When it comes to producing programs for the people of the Middle East and North Africa, SAT-7 is very intentional about what it broadcasts and how it works. Regardless of channel, language, or country, fourteen Broadcast Principles guide all SAT-7 broadcasts.
While SAT-7 is based in the Middle East, a similar ministry in Pakistan is PAK7 . I invited Shawn P. Wright President of PAK7 USA, to join the Unconventional Ministry podcast to share their unique ministry approach.
Here is the podcast episode:
From listening to this Unconventional Ministry podcast episode, you understand the innovative and transformative media initiative PAK7. With Pakistan ranking as the world's fifth-largest country, a powerful medium to convey God's love and foster understanding was needed. Shawn Wright shares the journey of PAK7 in leveraging television and social media to empower the Pakistani Christian community, enabling them to craft and share stories that bridge divides, heal wounds, and bring hope to millions.
PAK7 is changing the narrative while revolutionizing how faith is communicated in a country rich in culture but marked by religious complexity. PAK7 has a strategic approach and empowers indigenous content creation that resonates with local audiences, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance. Through PAK7, the power of media to transform societies is demonstrated.
Lifeway Research has distilled the essence of effective ministry into five core essentials that transcend geographical and cultural barriers, offering a blueprint for success in any setting. Among these, the encouragement of a team highlights the invaluable role of collective effort and mutual support in ministry. This principle acknowledges that a cohesive and motivated team can significantly amplify the impact of their ministry, fostering a sense of unity and purpose that resonates deeply within communities.
Additionally, the importance of clearly sharing the gospel message cannot be overstated, as it ensures that the foundational purpose of ministry is understood and embraced by all. Coupled with the tenacity to overcome adversaries, this essential speaks to the resilience required in facing internal and external challenges. Confidence that stems from divine assurance, or a word from God, empowers ministry leaders with the conviction and strength to persevere in their mission. Finally, the patience to help people mature in their faith recognizes the gradual and often challenging process of spiritual growth, emphasizing the need for compassionate guidance and steadfast support. Together, these five essentials form a versatile and robust framework for effective ministry in any location, underpinning the success of both time-honored and innovative models.
What innovation in ministry have you observed that is implementing the Lifeway Research 5 Essentials for Effective Ministry in Any Location?
Exploring various ministry models reveals a fascinating landscape of methods that have stood the test of time, adapting to the unique cultural, societal, and leadership frameworks that define different regions around the world.
Each month, the SAT-7 USA Beyond Borders PrayerZoommeeting connects you with on-the-ground SAT-7 staff from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
It is a time to hear firsthand about the challenges of ministering in a region where 97% of people are non-Christian and how to pray more effectively to make God’s love visible.
Unconventional Ministry News
Created by Dennis Wiens
Senior Impact Catalyst at SAT-7 USA, Host of the Unconventional Ministry podcast
