⌉When we speak of “ordinary means of grace” ministry, we are really talking about ministry that is built on a foundation of confidence in God’s sovereignty. If the fruitfulness of our congregations depends on our skill, effort, and cleverness, then our efforts will be best invested in coming up with programs and strategies that are most likely to bring about the desired results. But we know from the Bible that God is the one “who gives the growth” (1 Cor. 3:6) and that salvation “depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy” (Romans 9:16). As a result, the question that ought to shape our approach to ministry is this: what sort of activities has God freely and sovereignly commanded and promised to bless? That is to say, through what means does he work in order to draw, strengthen, encourage, build up, mature, and capture the hearts of his people?
We might use a handful of different words to indicate these activities, but they boil down to a few ideas:
· God calls and blesses his people through his Word, especially when it is preached, but also when it is read in private or in smaller groups.
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