I get calls from people all the time pitching their particular approach to ministry as the secret recipe for successful church planting. I have no problem with someone who is completely convinced that the way they do things is effective. Some parent church pastors tell me that satelliting is the way they prefer to multiply. Others tell me that they prefer to start “stand alone” churches that are “on their own” from the beginning. Other leaders are committed to a particular approach to evangelism (relational or confrontational) or discipleship (systematic or organic). It is good to be strongly convinced of the ministry style or approach that you take. It becomes a problem when you insist that EVERYONE should do things your way.

A “one size fits all” approach to ministry is not supported by scripture. Jesus himself seemed to avoid any discernible pattern of ministry. Sometimes he preached on a hill. Sometimes he taught from a boat. Sometimes he used spit and dirt. Sometimes he just sent his word and healed them. I’m convinced his diversity of ministry style was no accident. It reflects the creativity of God. And God expresses His creativity in us. Each of us is a unique container of the same life changing message. It is good to tell the “old, old story” clearly in the unique style and voice that God has crafted in us. But it is not helpful when we insist that our way is the only or best way.

We need to avoid tangling up non-negotiable scriptural principles with matters of style and methodology. Relativism is not appropriate for matters of truth, but it is necessary for matters of style. “Different strokes for different folks” is actually a pretty good way to help people have an encounter with God. A good attitude to have toward various ministry approaches is “both/and.” Hold strongly to your way of doing things, but rejoice that God has led others to do things differently so that, like Paul, we become all things to all people so that we might save some!