How To Define Sexual
Listen
to a three minute introduction to boundaries
in ministry. Just click on the arrow below the photograph. |
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After a Google search on "Christian ministry" brings back nearly five million pages with different examples of ministry...you might ask..."What do thousands of examples of ministry have in common that makes them all ministry...and different from secular activity?"
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How do you define ministry?
How do you create a universal definition for the most overused undefined term in Christendom...ministry?
It's simple to define an authentic ministry that has a Godly purpose...and religious effect...so you can tell it from dubious 'ministries' (Mt 7:21ff)...that have caused great scandal and great pain to the church and to the People of God.
There's no need to reinvent the wheel. Aristotle's rule...gave the world a simple formula still used today for defining and differentiating things in science...law...philosophy and art. Applying the rule to Ministry then...|
Ministry is... |
There you have it! In just eleven power packed words we have separated ministry from non-ministry activity.
And separated religious activity that is ministry from religious activity that is not ministry (private devotions for example).
And so, from this definition we see that any authentic ministry activity has three indispensable qualities...
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But wait... the clinical record shows that there are many ministers who believe "everything is ministry"...and sincerely pursue secular -- and even sinful -- activities as real ministries (Mt 7:21ff) with disastrous results.
For example...
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All are boundary violations...which come about because...ministers who think ministry is any activity they are involved in...leave out the first part of the definition...(religious activity)...and the third part...(closeness to God).
Usually...they only concentrate on the relational part and say something vague like they are "ministering" to others. So we need another important definition...
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Boundaries are... that set limits on what can and cannot be done... and what must be done... in different types of relationships |
For boundaries in ministry to be meaningful...you first have to know you are involved in religious activity that is authentic ministry.
Only then can you decide on the rules, rubics, and requirements for an authentic religious activity that will get you and the people safely to God.
And by using these simple ministry evaluation guides ministers can avoid boundary violations that have cost the church billions of dollars and tarnished its moral authority.
So with the universal definitions of ministry and boundaries...a minister will never confuse ministry with non-ministry.
From here may want to visit the Covenants page because covenants specify the boundaries...the requirements and limitations...that keep minister and people close to God.
And much of your ministry work will be helping people to stay in...or get back into...their covenant with God.
Or you may have questions or comments. (We especially like comments about how we can do things better.) If so...contact us. However...before you go...
SUBSCRIBE to our monthly newsletter The Boundary Hunter. To subscribe just click on the book cover below and download your FREE copy of The Ministry Audit 
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| The covenant with God keeps us in a state of grace. The covenant with God is not unconditional but has terms and conditions like all contracts do. |
| Professional boundaries in ministry are necessary to protect both minister and the people The lack of professional boundaries in ministry has devastated the lives of ministers...the people the serve...and the churches they belong to. |
| Personal boundaries and physical boundaries are essential to successful ministry Personal boundaries and careful physical boundaries protect both minister and the people. |
| Separation of church and state...what does it mean for ministry in practical terms? Separation of church and state is not a Constitutional mandate |
| Relationship boundaries essential for effective ministry Properly defined relationship boundaries create healthy relationships. |
| Sexual boundaries in ministry are the same as any other
profession. Sexual boundaries in ministry prevent sexual abuse and spiritual abuse |
| What is Spirituality is a frequently asked question. What is spirituality...what's the definition of spirituality...and what's the meaning of spirituality are questions asked in thousands of books and blogs. |
| Does fuzzy logical thinking lead to defective ministry? logical thinking,irrationality,fuzzy logic |
| Values determine boundaries in ministry Values in ministry help protect or violate boundaries. |
| Christian Youth Ministry and Boundary Violations Christian youth ministry has been a breeding ground for predators. |
| The Boundary Hunter ministry newsletter...tips...techniques...articles. the boundary,boundaries in ministry,sexual boundaries |
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