Over the years I’ve talked with many people who have successfully started apologetics ministries in their churches and others who tried but failed. What follows are some suggestions on how to start an apologetics ministry (these suggestions apply to other types of ministry too).
First, find a church that you enjoy and whose doctrine you agree with and whose leaders will agree with your doctrine. What I mean by this is that you need to make sure there is specific agreement on just about everything (no one is going to agree with anyone 100%). This is important because if you disagree with the pastor on any but the smallest of points (and then you’d better do it humbly), sooner or later that is going to come out and can cause a rift in the church and you are going to be the one who needs to go. Whatever you disagree with should be so small that you won’t feel the need to teach against the pastor.
Second, after you have found a church, humbly introduce yourself to the pastor but don’t tell him on your first meeting that you want to start a ministry. That’s like asking a person to marry you on the first date–it’s creepy. Any pastor worth his salt will want to confirm you’re not a critical curmudgeon before you get the classroom keys.
Third, hang out for a while. Get to know some people so that the church leadership will see you’re an okay person. This hanging out thing is muy importanté! The leaders need to see you are wise and not a wiseguy.
Fourth, don’t begin your relationship with the pastor by confronting him unless it is extremely serious (and if it is extremely serious, be prepared to look for another church). Several years ago Craig and I had lunch with a frustrated fellow who said that the pastor of his church refused to let him start an apologetic ministry. We soon learned that when brand-spanking-new to the church he had confronted the pastor about the way the church was spending its money. From what I could see the church wasn’t in sin; it was just a matter of this budding apologist thinking he knew better than that pastor on what the church’s financial priorities should be. My advice to this guy: find another church and don’t do that again! He didn’t like my advice.
Fifth, ask the person in charge of the appropriate area in the church (e.g., outreach, adult education, etc.,) if you could do a one-time teaching or maybe short series on an apologetic topic. In other words, don’t begin the relationship by asking to teach a regular apologetics study. The leadership needs to know you aren’t an arrogant blowhard and can actually lead a short-term ministry before they will let you have a regular ministry. I suggest you ask to speak on a recent apologetic issue (perhaps the “new atheists”) that might grab people’s attention. This being said, there are some churches that they might let you begin by teaching a regular class once they get to know you, but don’t count on it.
Sixth, and related to the third point, don’t be confrontational with other members of the congregation unless it is extremely serious. For more on this, see my blog “Humble Apologist.” What pastors rightly fear is that you will be a nattering nabob of negativism out to set everyone straight regarding miscellaneous minutiae. If you’re that kind of a person, frankly, you’re not ready to minister—anywhere.
Seventh, fast and pray. Remember that apart from Jesus you can do nothing (John 15). I’m going to talk more about fasting in a future post.
Eighth, don’t be afraid to start small. I taught Bible studies for years with just a few people in attendance. That’s where you learn. If you do well, others will come.
Ninth, when your time to teach comes, nail it! Be prepared! Work hard to glorify God with your ministry.
James 3:13-18: “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Amen.
Absolutely nailed this Dr. Jones. It does take some time before you can move right in on a new ministry. When I changed churches, the pastor had to get to know me, sit on a question and answer, panel with me, see me preach, see me in a leadership role, see that I could start and maintain a small group with an apologetics focus, and put together and teach a five week study for the church and community on the resurrection. All of this was gladly done as a member and servant in the local congregation. I still teach the small group of 4-6 people every week, and it is such a blessing. I have just started a stand alone para-church apologetics ministry, and now after all of that do I have the opportunity to teach under a “newly formed apologetics ministry” in my church and possibly others.
I’m thankful you liked it, Mike! In addition to other opportunities the Lord has given me, I still lead a 4-6 member men’s group every week and I have no intention of giving it up.
So true. Thanks to the impatient ones who take the sacrifice thereby providing valuable lessons to the rest of us at their expense. After a year in our current church, I was asked to fill in on a Bible study. Knowing my background in apologetics, the pastor encouraged me to speak on something in that vein. After two talks, I’m told the group of 50 now wants more so I’ve been asked to team with another pastor on a 6-week series on Koukl’s “Tactics.” Surely the excitement and draw of apologetics by the power of God was the kicker. I just waited for the right time at the right place. You’re right, Clay; patience and humility are key.
Indeed, Dan! We can learn a lot from the mistakes of others. I’m reminded of the old adage, “wise men learn more from fools than fools from wise men.” In my younger years I made so many mistakes! I learned from those and am glad to share them with others.
Growing older isn’t so bad!