The True Heart of Ministry
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.
Just my thoughts,
