What is a Biblical Philosophy of Ministry?

By Robb Brunansky

Published March 13, 2025

What is your philosophy of ministry?

A philosophy of ministry is simply an explanation for how and why one conducts ministry. While every church, pastor, and spiritual leader has a philosophy of ministry, not everyone can articulate what it is. Nevertheless, something is driving the what and the why, even if people are not fully cognizant of those underlying factors themselves.

The apostle Paul had a very intentional philosophy of ministry as we see in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 – and into chapter 2. He knew exactly what he was appointed to do (preach the gospel), and he knew that he was called to do it in a certain way for certain reasons (not called to preach in cleverness of speech). It was Christ who commissioned Paul to preach the gospel. Paul was not at liberty to preach whatever way he thought might be most effective, powerful, or persuasive. Paul was constrained to preach a certain message using a certain method. If Paul changed the message or the method, then he would be unfaithful to his calling.

Tragically, many people and churches have lost this principled, Christ-centered philosophy of ministry. Rather than preach Christ’s message Christ’s way, churches often share Christ’s message in their own way, leading to some of the most outlandish things that have been done in the name of preaching the gospel – though not always at the same level of sophistication or expense. When churches substitute popular movies or television series for sermons, use secular music in the service, or seek to communicate the message in a way that is more palatable to their target market, they jettison the method Jesus gave for ministry and replace it with their own ingenuity and creativity.

We might call these attempts the ‘pragmatic approach’ to ministry. This approach is not based on biblical principles to guide and determine what method will be used, but instead on what appears to be most effective. Those employing this pragmatic approach are often consumed with externals, numbers of professions of faith or baptisms, financial giving, attendance, and other short-term results. Studies have shown, however, that a focus on apparent effectiveness results in many false conversions, a lack of discipleship, and a general spiritual decline.

A sole or primary focus on effectiveness within a church or ministry is wrong because it misses the standard set in this early section of 1 Corinthians by Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We see in this passage that we must get the message and the method right. The true test of a ministry is not its apparent effectiveness in the moment, but its faithfulness to the Word of God over time. The prophet Jeremiah, who likely had very few conversions credited to his ministry, had an effective ministry because he was faithful to the Lord, even if the people to whom he preached were not.

Furthermore, it becomes evident as we go through this passage that people cannot tamper with the method without ultimately tampering with the message. The reason Christ commissioned the message and the method was because both are inextricably linked. The message of the gospel has a certain character and quality to it. When the method is tampered with, the content and meaning of the message is undermined. (Please note that many churches using pragmatic methods of ministry are probably not attempting to tamper with the message of the gospel, but they are missing the fundamental reality that the method cannot be changed without changing the message itself.)

A principled, rather than a pragmatic, approach to ministry is therefore required by the nature of the gospel itself.

It is important to remember that Paul inserts this discussion of his philosophy of ministry in the context of church conflict. The Corinthians were enamored with human wisdom, innovation, ingenuity, methodology, and cleverness. Their love of these human qualities drove the conflict in the church because they were crediting the apostles and other church leaders with greatness (or lack thereof) based on human value systems. That is why Paul puts forward his example of ministry so his readers might have a relentless focus on Christ and submit to the gospel of Jesus and His way of living it out in the church.

As Paul said in verse 17, when believers use cleverness of speech, they void the cross of Christ, empty it of its power, and point people to something other than Christ – namely themselves. When the focus is on self, rather than Christ, then division, quarrelling, factions, and all kinds of evil will infiltrate and contaminate the church. Ministry must be done Christ’s way to preserve unity in the church.

Throughout the next several posts, we will concentrate on this vital passage in 1 Corinthians to discover Paul’s philosophy of ministry as we strive to apply his God-given teachings in our own churches and ministries. I pray that our churches and ministries would be filled with leaders and congregants who are supremely concerned with a correct view and application of God’s intent for His truth to be shared in the hearts and minds of all who hear the words of Scripture.