Sexual boundaries…especially related to teenage sexuality in Christian youth ministry…have not been defined.

Ministry itself - until now - lacks a universal definition to which all ministries must conform if every ministry activity is to have a divine purpose.

This site is your resource for defining ministry carefully so that you do not

undermine your ministry... undermine your diocese... undermine your religious congregation... undermine the people to whom you were sent.

After a Google search on "Christian ministry" brings back nearly five million pages with different examples of ministry...you might ask...

But...what do thousands of examples of ministry have in common that makes them all ministry and different from secular activity?

How is ministry to the poor different from secular social work? How does clown ministry differ from clowning around? What is youth ministry? The prevalence of teenage sexual abuse makes this a pressing question.

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... Religious Activity... that brings both minister and people closer to God

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

ministry activity must be religious activity ministry activity must be relational activity that involves both the minister and the people ministry activity must bring both minister and people closer to God

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...

teenage sexual abuse as a ministry of sexual awakening... embezzlement as a ministry of charitable giving… a romantic date as a ministry of spiritual direction... a romp in a hot tub as a ministry of priestly counseling... spiritual abuse given as spiritual direction

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...

Boundaries are... Behavioral rules... 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.

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.

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. But...before you go...

Protect God's work. Protect yourself...your ministry...and those to whom God sent you to minister. 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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Aristotle quote gives meaning to the word ministry. Aristotle quote defines both the genus and the species of ministry activity.

Does fuzzy logical thinking lead to defective ministry? Fuzzy logical thinking can ruin ministries morally and financially.

The covenant with God keeps us in a state of grace. The covenant with God is not unconditional has terms and conditions like all contracts do.

Relationship boundaries essential for effective ministry Properly defined relationship boundaries create healthy relationships. But defining those

The meaning of love in ministry. The meaning of love in some ministries has created boundary problems.

Core values operate unconsciously for better or worse in ministry. Your core values are what's finest in you. So how can they destroy a ministry?

Sexual abuse was an important activity for some in church ministry Why sexual abuse in ministry was an important ministerial activity for some

Christian Youth Ministry and Boundary Violations Christian youth ministry has been a breeding ground for predators.

What Does Therapeutic Touching Have To Do With Ministry? Is therapeutic touching fundamental to Christian ministry?

Context And Location For Ministry Context and location affect for better or worse the outcome of ministry activities

Effective time management prevents ministry burnout. effective time management,ministry burnout

Boundary inventory is needed to evaluate ministry boundaries. Develop a boundary inventory to valuate your ministry boundaries for relevance and effectiveness.

Story of Noah is a covenant signed by God. The story of Noah is great drama...but the plot is a contract...a covenant...between God and humanity.

Father Abraham and his covenant with God was a religious contract. Though Father Abraham was most beloved by God...he had to obey the conditions of a covenant to reap the benefits of God's esteem.

Defining boundaries in the workplace through questions, answers and comments Defining boundaries is done by formal definitions and by the daily activities of ministry

The Boundary Hunter ministry newsletter...tips...techniques...articles. the boundary,boundaries in ministry,sexual boundaries