Program Driven Ministry
A large majority of churches in America have adopted a programmed-based method of ministry. This is easily seen in the daily priorities of the church. Program Driven Ministry is defined as ministry that is designed, scheduled, packaged, promoted, and offered up to society as a means by which to address certain apparent needs in society. It generally takes the form of age, gender or interest segregation. Program Driven ministry offers up the latest and greatest to address the needs of sinful men. It places the church structure in the position of facilitator. It calls people to participate in activities or events as a means of spiritual growth. Many times the program replaces one on one disciple making and the church structure becomes the discipler.
It is very difficult to define program driven ministry clearly enough to allow for a test of your program. Here are some guidelines to help recognize program driven ministry.
Does the program put structure before ministry? Ministry should always lead structure.
Does it exist to draw a crowd or meet a present need? If the need exists we must first establish if it should be met. We should not use programs to draw followers.
Does it separate by gender or age? (There is nothing wrong with a group of men, women, or teens meeting together for fellowship. A program driven approach would seek to separate as the primary means of spiritual growth.)
Does it focus many people on the gifts of a few or does it encourage the gifts of many? The leadership should equip the saints for the works of service. Our ministries should be empowering to many not just a few.
Does it encourage a release of new ministry or is it designed to retain people. If an element of release is not present then the ministry will lack missional supremacy.
Programs themselves are not the problem. We do not need to argue about what is a program and what is not. The purpose is to clarify that using programs as a ministry model is not God’s design for the church and has led us into numerous problems. Our programs in the church should be the most highly scrutinized thing we do.
