If as a church, you firmly believe in the need to do all you do by God’s power and not in your own strength, then it should be reflected in the job description. Job descriptions should never give the impression that you are relying on that person’s skills, strength, wisdom, etc. to make an eternal difference. We all need to be pulling on God’s power. We need to take Jesus’ words in John 15:5 seriously — “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Highlighting the Need for God’s Power in Job Descriptions
One way we communicate the need for people to rely on God’s power in their ministries is by adding our final section to the Job Description Template — Personal Growth Expectations:
Position:
Position Defined:
Responsible To:
Responsible For:
Qualifications Required:
Length of Service:
Ministry Tasks:
Time Commitment Requirements:
Support Provided:
Personal Growth Expectations:
How easily we can get so consumed in ministry that we neglect our own walk with God. How will they abide in Him and thus produce fruitful ministry if they aren’t spending time with God in prayer, getting into the Word, taking time to reflect, meditate upon, and pull on His grace, etc.
Set the expectation within the job description that this is something for which they will be held accountable. Provide some specifics of how that might happen and how you will help them stay connected.
In addition to the content on this page the Steering the Church Toward God’s Power Leadership Guide contains some reminders that will help us make sure job descriptions remain a tool with God being our Power Source for ministry. This resource also looks at 24 other leadership tasks and responsibilities in light of the need for His power.
All Posts about Job Descriptions:
- Job Descriptions in the Church?
- Church Job Descriptions Reflect Purpose?
- Church Job Descriptions Reflect Body Life?
- Church Job Descriptions Reflect the Great Commission?
- Job Descriptions Reflect God’s Heart for the Church?
- Job Descriptions Reflect a Need for God’s Power?
- Be an Example in Using Job Descriptions
- Spiritual Gifts Listed on Job Descriptions?
- Prayer Critical in Use of Job Descriptions?
- Church Ministry Job Descriptions Resources
- Job Descriptions Robbing the Cross of Its Power?
- How Grace Ties into Job Descriptions
- Job Descriptions as Tools of the Holy Spirit?
- Keep the Focus on His Name
- Job Descriptions with Servanthood as a Goal
Sooooooooooo important ministry done in God’s power. Like putting this emphasis in job description. Important we don’t give impression ministry is all up to them. Need to remember it’s GOD’s work.
Amen, Paulie. For this reason we should be careful in the wording of job or ministry descriptions that we do not make it sound like we expect the person to be all, know all, and do all. We must not give the impression of reliance on the person’s skill set to accomplish ministry rather than on God’s power. We, and they, must remember key verses like:
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Pet. 1:3)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (Jn. 15:5)
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3:5-6)
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13)