Many well-meaning ministers of the gospel fail in their pursuit of personal ministry goals because of their inability to conduct their ministry as a well-tuned and well-oiled operating mechanism in the same way a Fortune 500 company would. They often over-spiritualize the practical requirements of enterprise. Moses obeyed God’s instructions and operationalized them in the building of the tabernacle, which represents kingdom ministry today. Let’s learn from Exodus 35-36 on how a ministry can practically fulfill God’s calling.
Rest and Obey God
Work six days and rest completely on the seventh day to not be put to death. Don’t kindle a fire in your dwellings on the sabbath day (Ex. 35:1-3). Begin your work by resting in and obeying God because of Christ’s work on the cross.
Trust God to Provide
Contribute willingly to the Lord of gold, silver, material, acacia wood, lighting oil, fragrant incense and onyx stones for the ephod and breastpiece (Ex. 35:4-9). Trust God to provide financial and material resources instead of relying on clever fund-raising techniques.
Coordinate Labor and Planning
Let every skillful, wise and practical man make what Lord has commanded that included the tabernacle, tent and covering, ark, mercy seat, curtain, table, utensils, bread of Presence, lampstand, lamps, oil for the light, altar of incense, anointing oil and fragrant incense, altar of burnt offering, woven garments for ministering in holy place and holy garments for Aaron and his sons to minister as priests (Ex. 35:10-19). Coordinate the labor and planning for kingdom ministry with God’s direction.
Share Vision and Specifics of Giving
Everyone whose spirit moved him brought the Lord’s contribution for the work of the tent of meeting, its service and for the holy garments. Those whose hearts stirred them brought offerings of gold and precious materials to the Lord, including skilled women who spun linen and rulers who brought onyx stones as settings for the ephod and breastplate, along with spice and oil for the light, anointing oil and fragrant incense (Ex. 35:20-29). Share the vision of ministry including what, when and how to give, while allowing God to work.
Hire Skilled Overseers
The Lord has called by name Bezalel to fill him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, understanding, knowledge and in craftsmanship to make designs for working in gold and silver, cutting of stones and carving of wood to perform every inventive work. He put in Bezalel’s and Oholiab’s hearts to lay a foundation of teaching to direct peoples’ lives. God filled them with wisdom of heart and skill to perform every work of an engraver, designer and weaver. God put skill and understanding in Bezalel and Oholiab along with others to know how to perform all the work in constructing the sanctuary according to His commands (Ex. 35:30-36:1). Hire skilled and wise overseers to lead the work of others under His direction.
Present Compelling Plan
God called everyone with skill whose heart stirred them to come and perform the work. They got freewill offerings Moses received every morning to construct the sanctuary. He told the people to stop sending contributions since they had enough (Ex. 36:2-7). Present compelling ministry or business plan to enable people to give generously without pressure or manipulation.
Unite Various Ministries: One Mind
The skillful men constructed the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twisted line joined together. Bezalel made two sets of 50 loops of blue and 50 clasps of gold to join the curtains so the tabernacle was one (Ex. 36:8-13). Unite the various ministries so everyone is of one mind.
Discover Structural Connections: One Love
Bezalel made 11 curtains of goats’ hair joined together for a tent over the tabernacle. He made two sets of 50 loops and 50 clasps to join the tent together as one (Ex. 36:14-19). Discover structural connections among the various ministries so everyone has one love.
Practice Good Communication: United in Spirit
He made acacia wood boards for the tabernacle with two tenons fitted to each one. Two silver sockets fit under each of the 54 boards to cover all sides of the tabernacle (Ex. 36:20-30). Practice good communication among the various ministries enables everyone to be united in spirit.
Weave Infrastructure: One Purpose
He made five acacia wood bars for each side of the tabernacle with gold overlay and rings, as holders for the bars. He made the veil of blue, purple and scarlet material with fine twisted linen. He made four pillars of acacia wood with gold overlay and hooks, with four cast silver sockets. He made a screen for the tent doorway of blue, purple and scarlet linen, the work of a weaver (Ex. 36:31-38). Weave the infrastructure so everyone is intent on one purpose.
You practically build a kingdom ministry by:
1. Begin your work by resting in and obeying God because of Christ’s work on the cross
2. Trust God to provide financial and material resources instead of relying on clever fund-raising techniques
3. Coordinate the labor and planning for kingdom ministry with God’s direction
4. Share the vision of ministry including what, when and how to give, while allowing God to work
5. Hire skilled and wise overseers to lead the work of others under His direction
6. Present compelling ministry plan to enable people to give generously without pressure or manipulation
7. Unite the various ministries so everyone is of one mind
8. Discover structural connections among the various ministries so everyone has one love
9. Practice good communication among the various ministries enables everyone to be united in spirit
10. Weave the infrastructure so everyone is intent on one purpose
