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Ministry Sciences Connections

by Henry Reyenga

With over two billion Christians worldwide, it’s a big mission to grow our faith even more. At Christian Leaders Institute, we focus on seven key connections to help Christians share their faith better. These ministry sciences connections are foundational and help Christian leaders spread the Gospel and make more disciples. Christians of all types—volunteers, part-time, and full-time ministers—are called to live out these connections.

A ministry partner and long-time friend, Steve Elzinga, created this approach to a reproducible walk with God back in the 1990s. This approach, taught at the Christian Leaders Institute and through the Christian Leaders Alliance since the 2000s, has had a huge impact.

1. Personal Connection

Concept

The personal connection is the foundation of a Christian leader’s life. It means having a close relationship with God through prayer, Bible reading, and daily communion with the Holy Spirit. This connection is essential for personal spiritual growth and setting an example for others.

Biblical Foundation

  • Prayer: “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, WEB).
  • Bible Reading: “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105, WEB).
  • Communion with the Holy Spirit: “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you” (John 14:26, WEB).

Reproduction Strategy

  1. Model Personal Devotion: Show a consistent and authentic personal walk with God. Share stories of how daily interactions with the Word and the Holy Spirit have transformed your life.
    • Scripture Application: “Be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12b, WEB).
  2. Mentorship: Help others develop a personal relationship with God. Provide resources such as Bible study plans, prayer guides, and accountability partners.
    • Scripture Application: “And the things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2, WEB).
  3. Training: Christian Leaders Institute features the free Christian Leaders Connections course that features this training. Click here.   Teach the importance of personal devotion and provide practical tools for deepening one’s relationship with God.
    • Scripture Application: “Train yourself in godliness. For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:7b-8, WEB).

2. Marital Connection

Concept

For those who are married, their spiritual journey is closely tied to their spouse’s. A Christ-centered marriage grows through shared prayer, Bible study, and inviting God into the relationship. This spiritual connection helps marriages flourish.

Biblical Foundation

  • Shared Prayer: “Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 18:19, WEB).
  • Bible Study Together: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16, WEB).
  • Inviting God into the Relationship: “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12, WEB).

Ministry Sciences Connections Reproduction Strategy

  1. Romance and Marriage: Give free ministry training for  Wedding officiants and Romance Officiants to start dating ministries and marriage ministries. Create Soul Centers or online spaces for love topics. Mobile officiants, ministers and coaching ministers .
    • Scripture Application: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it” (Ephesians 5:25, WEB).
  2. Marriage Devotions: Create and lead marriage enrichment programs that focus on spiritual and marital growth as a couple. Encourage couples to pray and study the Bible together.
    • Scripture Application: “Submitting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ” (Ephesians 5:21, WEB).
  3. Marriage Thriving: In this minister sciences connections approach, Offer marriage ministry that includes devotional support. Deal with marriage issues like communications and sexual intimacy and hot monogamy. Open a ministry practice in a church or soul center.
    • Scripture Application: “Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established” (Proverbs 15:22, WEB).

3. Family Connection

Concept

Families play a crucial role in passing down the faith with Ministry Sciences Connections. Teaching children the Word of God and modeling a Christian life can impact future generations.

Biblical Foundation

  • Teaching Children: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6, WEB).
  • Modeling a Christian Life: “And these words which I command you today shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, WEB).

Reproduction Strategy

  1. Family Devotions: Encourage families to have regular devotional times. Provide resources such as family Bible study guides and prayer journals.
    • Scripture Application: “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105, WEB).
  2. Christian Education: Promote faith-based educational programs. Offer curricula that integrate biblical principles with academic subjects. Develop ways to create Christian academies and schools everywhere.
    • Scripture Application: “All your children shall be taught by Yahweh, and great shall be the peace of your children” (Isaiah 54:13, WEB).
  3. Parental Training: Christian Leaders Institute offers a free Parenting Skills course.  Conduct workshops for parents on effectively teaching and modeling the Christian faith to their children.
    • Scripture Application: “Fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4, WEB).

4. Small Group Connection

Concept

Small groups provide a supportive environment for Christians to grow in their faith, study the Word of God, and build deeper relationships with one another and the Lord.

Biblical Foundation

  • Supportive Environment: “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25, WEB).
  • Studying the Word: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16, WEB).
  • Building Relationships: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2, WEB).

Ministry Sciences Connections Reproduction Strategy

  1. Group Formation: Create small groups within the church that include Bible study, prayer, encouragement, and accountability. Enroll in the Christian Leaders Institute Mini-Course Fellowship and Hospitality. 
    • Scripture Application: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst” (Matthew 18:20, WEB).
  2. Leadership Development: Train small group leaders on how to lead effective Bible studies within a supportive community. Enroll in the Church and Ministry Course.
    • Scripture Application: “And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12, WEB).
  3. Resources: Provide study materials and discussion guides to help small groups stay focused and productive. Enroll in the Francis Chan Free Multiplying Disciples Course
    • Scripture Application: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16, WEB).

See Pastor Princess and How She Applies Ministry Sciences Connections

5. Church and Worship Connection

Concept

Church and worship services are central to the Christian faith. They provide a communal space for believers to hear the Word of God, worship together, and be spiritually nourished.

Biblical Foundation

  • Hearing the Word of God: “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17, WEB).
  • Worship Together: “Oh come, let us sing to Yahweh. Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!” (Psalm 95:1, WEB).
  • Spiritual Nourishment: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer” (Acts 2:42, WEB).

Reproduction Strategy

  1. Preaching Training: Equip pastors and church leaders with the skills to effectively study, interpret, and preach the Word of God. Enroll in Ministry Sciences and Communications
    • Scripture Application: “Preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2, WEB).
  2. Worship Leadership: Develop worship leaders who can create meaningful worship experiences that draw the congregation closer to God.
    • Scripture Application: “Let everything that has breath praise Yahweh! Praise Yahweh!” (Psalm 150:6, WEB).
  3. Community Engagement: Encourage churches to engage with their communities through outreach programs.
    • Scripture Application: “You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden” (Matthew 5:14, WEB).
  4. Plant Churches: Support a community strategy of church planting. Implement reproducible leadership models that mobilize volunteer and part-time officiants and ministers in any planting model. See Free Church Planting Course.
    • Scripture Application: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19, WEB).

6. Kingdom Connection

Concept

The Kingdom Connection involves linking local Christians, groups, and churches with the global Christian community. This connection is part of spreading the Gospel worldwide.

Biblical Foundation

  • Global Christian Community: “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4, WEB).
  • Spreading the Gospel: “Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15, WEB).
  • Unity in Christ: “For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12, WEB).

Reproduction Strategy

  1. Soul Centers and Mentor Centers: Create gathering places for ministry and the reproduction of Christian leaders. Learn more about Soul Centers. 
    • Scripture Application: “Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25, WEB).
  2. Global Partnerships: Establish partnerships with international Christian organizations and missions. Promote collaboration and resource sharing.
    • Scripture Application: “Therefore encourage one another, and build each other up, even as you also do” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, WEB).
  3. Education and Training: Support Christian schools and academies that provide education from a biblical perspective. Offer Christian education like the Christian Leaders Institute to equip future Christian leaders.
    • Scripture Application: “And the things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2, WEB).

7. Evangelistic Connection

Concept

The evangelistic connection is the mission to reach the non-Christian world. All other connections ultimately lead to this goal: spreading the Gospel and making disciples.

Biblical Foundation

  • Great Commission: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, WEB).
  • Sharing the Gospel: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth” (Acts 1:8, WEB).
  • Compassionate Outreach: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10, WEB).

Ministry Sciences Connections Reproduction Strategy

  1. Evangelism Training: Provide training on effective evangelism techniques. Teach Christians how to share their faith confidently and compassionately. See free fvangelism course.
    • Scripture Application: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear” (1 Peter 3:15, WEB).
  2. Outreach Programs: Develop outreach programs that address the local community’s needs and provide opportunities to share the Gospel.
    • Scripture Application: “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give” (Matthew 10:7-8, WEB).
  3. Testimony Sharing: Encourage believers to share their personal testimonies as a powerful tool for evangelism. Highlight stories of transformation and God’s work in their lives. See the importance of Christian Testimony. 
    • Scripture Application: “They overcame him because of the Lamb’s blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn’t love their life, even to death” (Revelation 12:11, WEB).

Summary

By focusing on these seven key connections and making them reproducible, Christian leaders can multiply Christianity. Ministry Sciences Connections provide the framework and tools needed to equip Christians for this mission so that the message of the Gospel continues to spread and transform lives.

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