Maximizing Your Effectiveness: How to Discover and Develop Your Divine Design

© 1995, 2006 by Aubrey Malphurs

Published by Baker Books

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakerbooks.com

Ebook edition created 2013

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

ISBN 978-1-5855-8105-4

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

Quotations from the book Honest to God? by Bill Hybels, copyright © 1990 by Bill Hybels, are used by permission of Zondervan.

Appendix I, Training Venues, was first published as part of chapter 10 of Aubrey Malphurs and Will Mancini, Building Leaders (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004).

To my friend Bruce L. Bugbee,

who first catalyzed my thinking

in the area of creative design.

May his tribe increase.

CONTENTS

Cover Page

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Foreword by Carl George

Introduction

Part 1 Discovering Your Design for Ministry

1  The Concept of Your Divine Design

Who Do You Think You Are?

2  The Importance of Your Divine Design

What Difference Does It Make?

3  The Components of Your Divine Design

What Are the Pieces of Your Puzzle?

4  The Discovery of Your Divine Design

Do You Know Who You Are?

Part 2 Determining Your Direction for Ministry

5  The Concept of Ministry Direction

Is Every Member a Minister?

6  The Discovery of Your Ministry Direction

What Is Your Ministry?

Part 3 Directing Your Development for Ministry

7  Initiating the Ministry Plan

What Can You Learn from a Professor or a Pastor?

8  Designing the Ministry Plan

How Do You Design Your Ministry Plan?

9  Working the Ministry Plan

How Do You Implement Your Ministry Plan?

Appendixes

A  Spiritual Gifts Inventory

B  Spiritual Gifts Inventory: Short Version

C  Temperament Indicator 1

D  Temperament Indicator 2

E  Leadership Role Indicator

F  Leadership Style Inventory

G  Natural Gifts and Talents Inventory

H  Natural Gifts and Abilities Indicator

I    Training Venues

Notes

Index

About the Author

FOREWORD

The three dominant generations of Americans who now play significant roles in the general society are all in need of guidance. The Sponsor generation must deal with the consequences of an unprecedented longevity. The Boomers are hit with the digital revolution and its resulting corporate downsizing and job dislocations. The rising Generation X faces a world in which their elders can barely cope, much less give counsel, struggling as they are to find direction themselves as they experience collapses of familiar paradigms in almost every field of endeavor. There is a widely felt cry for personal reevaluation.

Increasingly, the restless and unending search for personal meaning that characterizes much of contemporary life reaches throughout society and into the church.

An industry, the self-help publishing sector, addresses the questions: Of what am I capable? What is my potential? Why am I here? What is to become of me? Is there a meaning and purpose for my life? How do I find fulfillment? At what kinds of activities will I be good? How can I make a contribution to the lives of others? How can I make the most of my talents and opportunities?

The devout Christian adds these questions: What does God expect of me? What clues to God’s call are to be found in understanding how God has made me? How can I cooperate with the Creator to bring his plans for me and the world into existence?

This book is a manual for coming to understand yourself and what you should do with yourself. It lays out a process for thinking through the questions that gives practical, straightforward guidance to those who will take the time to work patiently through it. And it makes use of the spiritual-gift discovery and personality-type identification tools that have proved to be so helpful in churches over the past two decades.

The prayerful Christian, willing to listen as well as ask, will be challenged by the awesome implications of realizing what stewardship of a life can mean, in terms of personal fulfillment as well as benefit to humankind. Dr. Malphurs’s work in Maximizing Your Effectiveness helpfully marks a path to that realization.

Carl George

INTRODUCTION

Carol was excited about her new church and the authentic ministry it had in her life. She and her husband had grown up Baptist in south Texas where church was a way of life—where it had become deeply embedded in their bones. But he was transferred, and now they found themselves in another part of the country attending a new, intentionally different church. She was told that the rapidly growing church had been planted five years ago as a new paradigm church—whatever that meant. Regardless, the pastor’s sermons had a profound impact on her life. She had heard the Bible preached before but not with such integrity, vulnerability, and relevance.

Most of all, she was amazed at the number of passionate people her age who were involved up to their elbows in one form of ministry or another. The tiny congregation in the little church back home had always insisted that the ministry was the pastor’s job not theirs—that is what they paid him for! She could remember being coaxed into teaching a class of bored adolescents and hating every minute of it. When she resigned a year later, she swore she would never be abused like that again. She almost left the church. But this situation was entirely different. It seemed as if all her friends were somehow involved in significant ministry and loving every minute of it. They called it authentic ministry: they were doing what God had designed them to do. But what could she do? Where could she serve? Would it be another miserable experience? And how might she discover the answers to these and other similar questions?

Lately Tom had been having trouble falling asleep. Once he was securely under the covers, he tossed and turned much of the night. And when he did fall asleep, a passing car or the neighbor’s barking dog easily awakened him. This was highly unusual. In the past, once his head hit the pillow, he remembered absolutely nothing until his faithful alarm awakened him early the next morning. But life was different now; it had taken a new twist.

Two years before, Tom had come to faith in the Savior through the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. Another student, who sat next to him in English 101, had periodically invited him to informal get-togethers in the dorm. Finally, when he told Tom that the attractive young lady seated behind them would be there, Tom took the bait. That night Tom heard the claims of Christ, and things had not been the same since. While he had grown up in a church, spiritual things had never made much sense until that special night when they all came together. While it had not been a deeply moving experience—he was not an emotional guy—he did feel a tear welling up in the corner of his eye as he embraced the Savior.

After that night, life quickly took on a whole new perspective. It was as if Tom had finally found what he had been looking for. A missing piece of life’s puzzle had fallen into place. He quietly sensed that things would be different from here on. It was both a little frightening and exciting. One of the Crusade directors noted Tom’s abilities and saw much potential for Christ. He pulled Tom alongside and began to nurture his newfound faith.

Now two years later, graduation was just around the corner, and Tom was struggling with life after college. Should he pursue what looked to be a decent future in the marketplace? He could return to his blue-collar roots and go home to run his dad’s gas station for a while. Or he could pursue vocational Christian ministry. What should he do with the rest of his life, and how could he discern which was the best choice for him in his circumstances? Would he make a good businessman, station manager, or pastor? Where could he best glorify his Savior? Which pursuit would best use the gifts, talents, and abilities that God had given him? Chances were good he would not experience another good night’s sleep until he resolved these questions.

Like Tom, David had his share of insomnia. But their situations were different. David was a Christian who had graduated from seminary, married his college sweetheart, and had been a pastor for the last two years—two years that he would describe as the most difficult years of his life.

When he originally applied to the seminary, the application inquired about his vocational plans. He did not have a clue. Initially, as a growing, committed Christian, he wanted to know more about the Bible and theology, so he put that down. That response must have been okay because a month later he received his acceptance in the mail. Toward the end of seminary he chose the pastoral track because one or two of his influential friends had done the same, and he was under pressure—he had to make a decision or delay the completion of his last year.

Upon graduation he and his new bride accepted a call to a small church in a sleepy little town not far from where her parents lived. That is where the nightmare began. The first year was tolerable. He spent most of his time in his study doing what he liked best: studying and preparing scholarly sermons and messages for Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday night prayer meeting. What he did not like were the interruptions: weddings, funerals, and pastoral visitations.

In time the criticism began to mount like a tidal wave bearing down on a solitary bather on some lonely beach. The most vocal complaint related to his people skills: Our pastor should have been a teacher, not a preacher. He loves his books more than his people! Ouch! That hurt! But deep down in his heart, he knew they were right. He did not seem to fit. What he was doing—pastoral ministry—was not authentic. What should he do? What could he do? Had he made the wrong choice in seminary? Should he leave the church and find another church? Should he even stay in the ministry? Should he pursue doctoral studies? These questions and others recycled through his mind at bedtime and often would not allow him to fall asleep.

Carol, Tom, and David represent the future of the church of Jesus Christ in America and abroad. And it promises to be a delightful future because all, in different contexts, have a deep, God-given desire to serve their Savior in some significant ministry. But they are not sure how to go about it. Everywhere the questions are the same: How can I best serve the risen Savior either as a layperson in my church or in a vocational ministry full-time? How can I serve God authentically, that is, with the feeling that the person he has made me to be connects with what I am doing? I am convinced that believers will not experience the joy and satisfaction of authentic ministry until they are serving Christ in ministries consistent with how God designed them—with their spiritual gifts, passions, temperaments, talents, abilities, and leadership styles.

The problem lies in the answer, or better the lack of an answer. Committed Christian people desire to discover their true place in the body of Christ but are not sure how to go about it. Is the answer found in playing some kind of guessing game with God? Is serious involvement in Christian ministry a trial-and-error process? Does it involve one in a simple cast of the divine die, or is it some kind of colossal, cosmic crapshoot?

I have written this book to help serious Christians like Carol, Tom, and David find some answers to their questions and in turn to discover their places of service in Christ’s body, whether part- or full-time. Ultimately what they are seeking is a ministry direction—their personal ministry direction. Life for the believer does not have to be unfulfilled, meaningless, without purpose. Instead Christ offers meaning and significance in his service. The key is discovering your personal ministry direction—your ministry niche. And the result is authentic ministry.

Our vision for ministry exists on both a personal and an institutional level. Institutional vision relates directly to the ministry of a particular Christian organization, whether church or parachurch. I wrote Developing a Vision for Ministry in the 21st Century to help leaders develop unique institutional visions tailor-made for the organizations in which they are involved or lead. Maximizing Your Effectiveness: How to Discover and Develop Your Divine Design is the companion volume designed to help individuals discover their personal ministry directions. Once Christians have determined their personal direction, they would be wise to identify with a ministry organization that has an organizational vision that aligns most closely with their personal ministry vision. This prevents ministry burnout and in time achieves a greater impact because their vision has the entire ministry organization behind it.

Several churches in America have become pioneers in developing programs to help their congregations discover their personal ministry visions. Bruce Bugbee gave birth to the well-designed Networking program for the people at Willow Creek Community Church located in northwest suburban Chicago, and it has served them well. The same is true of Pastor Rick Warren who has implemented the exciting SHAPE program at Saddleback Church in Mission Viejo, California. In addition, several ministry assessment centers now exist in various parts of the country to help those considering full-time ministry, especially church planters, determine their ministry visions. Though Willow Creek and Saddleback are large, influential churches, it is doubtful that Carol, Tom, David, and most of America will be helped by their ministries. And as helpful as professional assessment centers may be, most people, especially laypeople, will not likely seek out their valuable services.

This book is designed precisely for these people. Discovering our place in the body of Christ is a process consisting of three distinct phases that relate directly to the three parts of this book. Part 1, Discovering Your Design for Ministry, is the logical starting place. It focuses on your ministry design and answers the question, Who are you?

Part 1 consists of four chapters that will help Christians understand how God has uniquely designed them for spiritual service inside or outside the walls of the church. Chapter 1 introduces the biblical concept of divine design by showing from Scripture how God has uniquely crafted and equipped each of us for ministry within his divine purpose and plan. Chapter 2 emphasizes the importance of discovering that design, which results in knowing who you are, liking who you are, and being who you are. Chapter 3 presents the different components that make up the Christian’s design, such as spiritual gifts, passion, temperament, natural talents and abilities, and leadership style. Chapter 4 presents and applies the various tools available to assist in the process of discerning your unique divine design.

Part 2, Determining Your Direction for Ministry, builds on part 1 and addresses the primary question of the book, What can I do? Once people know and understand their ministry design, the next step is to discover their ministry direction—their personal ministry mission and vision. Part 2 consists of two chapters. Chapter 5 explains the biblical concept that God has a unique, fulfilling place of ministry for each person in the body of Christ. Chapter 6 leads you through the process of determining your unique ministry niche.

Part 3, Directing Your Development for Ministry, presents the third logical step in the process. Once we know our ministry design and ministry direction, we need to answer the question of ministry development: How do I prepare for my ministry direction? What is the best plan, considering my design, to help me best accomplish my direction? Chapter 7 focuses on how to initiate your plan. Chapter 8 assists you in designing a training plan unique to your ministry, and chapter 9 helps you implement your plan.

The discovery of personal and organizational ministry direction helps Christians in general and leaders in particular determine their future place of ministry in the body of Christ. Consequently this book and its companion are for all serious Christians, whether on a lay or professional level, who desire to be called God’s servants. I suspect that this describes you, or you would not have read this far. I suggest you read this book with your Christian friends and the people in your church or parachurch ministry. Be sure to discuss it with them because their insight into your life will be of great value to you. After you have read it and understand your personal direction for ministry, read Developing a Vision for Ministry in the 21st Century to determine your organizational vision for the ministry you are involved in or lead. Then answer the question, Am I serving in a ministry organization that best uses my ministry design and vision?

The first part of this book is aimed at helping you understand that God has designed you in a wonderful, unique way for service in the body of Christ. Further, it will help you understand what your divine design is. This is a necessary prerequisite to determining your ministry direction. Who you are is as important as what you do. Design for ministry precedes direction of ministry.

The key to determining what you can do in the body of Christ is discovering who you are—your ministry identity in Christ.

1

THE CONCEPT OF YOUR DIVINE DESIGN

Who Do You Think You Are?

Most people have a profound inner desire to accomplish something of importance with their lives during their brief stay on planet Earth. They want more than anything to lead fulfilling, productive lives that leave them with a deep sense of significance. The reality is that few, very few, will achieve it, and most do not know what it is. Consultants Ralph Mattson and Arthur Miller say, Somewhere between 50 to 80 percent of working Americans occupy jobs wrong for them, according to published surveys.[1] They provide several examples:

In the teaching profession, we have found that at least two-thirds are not motivated to teach, and we have been criticized for being conservative in our estimates. Examining managers and executives, we have found that only one out of three appears well-matched to his job. Many clergy are not gifted at central requirements like preaching, teaching, and evangelism. One wonders how bad it is with waitresses, doctors, bankers, electricians, and assembly workers.[2]

Unfortunately this is true of far too many who make up the Christian community. Many do not know who they are, why they are here, and what they are supposed to accomplish with their lives. The result is nominal Christianity. Few Christians seem fulfilled and lead what they believe to be happy, productive lives for Christ. Instead, many go through this life with a sense of having missed something, of having never realized their full potential for the kingdom of God.

Major culprits are the secular models of human behavior and a common false church model. Public schools, colleges and universities, even the media, mirror these secular concepts so that the average Christian unknowingly imbibes them on a regular basis. The result is much confusion among Christians and a misunderstanding of how God has designed them. But what are these secular models and the false church model, and more important, what does the Bible have to say about people and their design? Just who do you think you are?

Problem: Nonbiblical Models

While several models of the nature of man have surfaced over the centuries, two have affected the Christian mind in particular.[3] These two views are polar opposites that have exerted a major influence from outside the church on how people in general and Christians in particular view themselves and their roles and their potential for accomplishment in this life.[4] The third model—the false church model—has exerted a major influence within the church.

The Deterministic Model

Students of behavior who promote the deterministic or mechanistic model believe a person is born into this world as a piece of clay or a blank slate. Various forces in the environment, such as parents, teachers, peers, and the workplace, act as potters or scribes to mold and shape or write upon the person and, in essence, determine to a large extent who he or she is. The point is that persons become who they are in response to and under the primary influence of others. The behavioral perspective that undergirds this model had its origin in the middle of the twentieth century and was influenced by the work of men such as B. F. Skinner. Though modified to some degree, it continues up to the present and exerts an enormous impact on the psychological world.[5]

A major problem is that this model strips individuals of any personal responsibility for their actions. When a person sins or even commits some heinous crime against society, mechanists are quick to rally around that person and argue that he or she is not to blame for that behavior. They argue that, instead, society in general or the individual’s immediate environment is to blame. The person is simply mirroring society in all its ugliness and injustice. The person must not be made to pay for the crime; rather, society is ultimately paying for its crimes against humanity.

Like so many other ideas bantered about in this world, this view