If you could strip away every program, every platform, and every plan, what would be left at the very core of ministry?
For Jesus, and for the early church, the answer was simple: people introducing people to Him. The heart of ministry was never about building an empire, but about building relationships that lead others to Christ.
The Power of a Simple Introduction
The Gospel of John gives us a beautiful glimpse into this kind of ministry. In John 1:40–42, Andrew, after spending just a short time with Jesus, immediately went to find his brother Simon (Peter) and brought him to Jesus. No fanfare, no marketing plan, no empire—just one person introducing another to the Savior.
“He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’… He brought him to Jesus.” (John 1:41–42, ESV)
Notice how personal this moment is. Andrew’s first instinct, after meeting Jesus, was to share Him with someone he loved. There’s no mention of Andrew seeking a title, a following, or a ministry brand. His focus was simply on connecting Peter with the One who could change his life.
Ministry Is About Jesus, Not Us
John the Baptist, a powerful figure in his own right, summed up the heart of ministry with remarkable humility:
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)
John’s ministry was never about gathering crowds for himself. He was content to point people to Jesus, even when it meant stepping out of the spotlight. That’s a lesson for every minister and every Christian—our mission is to make Jesus known, not to make a name for ourselves.
The Temptation of Empire-Building
In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in numbers, platforms, and influence. There’s nothing wrong with growth or using tools that help us reach more people. But when the focus shifts from introducing people to Jesus to building our own “ministry empire,” we risk losing the heart of what ministry is all about.
Jesus Himself warned about storing up treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19–21). The true treasure is a life changed by the gospel, not the size of a following or the reach of a brand.
Every Christian’s Calling
Introducing people to Jesus isn’t just the job of ministers or pastors. It’s the calling of every believer. Sometimes, the most powerful ministry happens in quiet, everyday moments—over coffee, in a text message, or through a simple act of kindness.
As Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, “The church is not a building, but a people.”
It’s not about the structures we build, but the lives we touch.
Action Steps
Reflect: Who first introduced you to Jesus? How did that change your life?
Pray: Ask God to show you someone in your life who needs an introduction to Jesus.
Act: Reach out this week—share a story, invite someone to read Scripture with you, or simply listen to their struggles.
Final Thought
The true heart of ministry is introducing people to Jesus. It’s not about building an empire, but about making Christ known, one relationship at a time. As you go about your week, remember: the greatest impact you can make may be in the simplest introduction.
Imagine a platform, specifically designed for you, where you can draw inspiration, ask questions freely, and share your wisdom with like-minded individuals, all in an uplifting, motivational environment. Wouldn’t that be something? The good news is, you don’t have to imagine it. It’s here, and it’s called the Preacher Building Private Network.
Why Join the Preacher Building Private Network?
Unique Environment: Unlike public social platforms, our private network fosters a sense of unity and confidentiality, allowing you to discuss sensitive issues freely and honestly.
Inspiring Company: Surrounded by other dedicated preachers, you will find comfort, inspiration, and motivation to continue your important work.
Resource Sharing: Share your outlines, sermons, and other materials to inspire and be inspired by the collective wisdom of the community.
Continuous Personal Growth: Engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions, and share your experiences to enhance your growth as a preacher and an individual.
The Investment
The benefits that our network provides far outweigh the minimal investment of $48 per year. Consider this not as a cost, but as an investment in your personal and spiritual growth – a step towards living your best life as a preacher.
In our journey towards personal development and holistic wellness, we all need a supportive community that understands us. The Preacher Building Private Network is that community. Don’t you want to be a part of that?
Did You Get Anything from the Sermon or Bible Class?
As a minister, one question I think about during the week is, “What will people get out of this lesson?” Or “What did people get out of last week’s lesson?” Also, as a minister, I know some lessons are better than others and people listen and respond differently, but…did you get anything out of the sermon or the Bible class?
Allow me to offer a few suggestions that might help you to get something from a lesson:
What did you put into the lesson?
Did you prepare your mind before Sunday?
Did you open your mind to the message or be as a Pharisee (Matthew 15.1-9) or a mocker (Acts 17.32)?
Did you open your Bible and follow along?
Did you take notes on the message to review later?
Did you bring a proper attitude to worship?
Just another thought: The old saying rings true, “you get out of something what you put into it.”
Why Did You Come to Worship?
Do you not come to join with the saints in mutual fellowship and mutual worship to God the Father?
Do you not come to support the preaching of God’s Word or do you always look to see what you get from it?
Do you glorify God or seek self-glorification?
Where was your mind during the lesson?
Were you thinking of how to apply or know the message or were your thoughts on how much time you are wasting? (Attitude determines altitude)
What were two points listed during the message?
Can you recall three passages of scripture during the message?
Can you recall the title of the message?
These questions will not solve all the issues with listening to a sermon, but they provide a good start. Many times, people need to look internally before looking externally.
Continuing in the photo challenge, I will let you in on the quick history of the Preacher’s Pen website.The website has become a part of my ministry, my writing, and my life. This is just a small history of how it began.
Day #4 – The Preacher’s Pen
In 2003 I began writing online with various articles and random thoughts. The site was a simple site shared with family and friends through email. The majority of the articles were coming from a small weekly email I was sending out called “Small Talk.” Along with the email “Small Talk” I was printing a newsletter edition every so often and sending it out through regular mail.
In the beginning, I had no idea what a “Blog” was; it sounded like a sickness more than a writing medium. As the articles were posted to the internet, the number of emails slowed down because people from all over the world could access the articles online.
Around mid-2006, after moving to South Carolina and changing the design of the website, the domain name preacherspen.org was purchased. From that moment; all ministry-type articles would be separated from others and posted strictly on the Preacher’s Pen.
Over the years, the site has changed several different times and have a varied amount of traffic throughout the world. Currently, I have taken a break from writing to work on some projects, but now, the writing is resuming at a slower pace.
From a small site to the site it is now, the Preacher’s Pen website continues to encourage others to create a better day today for a better life tomorrow, based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
