ministry strategy

as per the apostle Paul: (with comments by steve)

"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: (a weighty place to be commissioned so DO NOT take these instructions lightly)

preach the word; (gotta know it to preach it)
be ready in season and out of season; (that's pretty much all the time... in fact it IS all the time)
reprove, ("to criticize or correct, especially gently")
rebuke, ("to express sharp, stern disapproval")
and exhort, ("to give urgent advice, recommendations or warnings")
with complete patience and teaching. (thorough, time consuming and costly - don't give up)

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (this Bible stuff's boring, let's try something else, something more fun and entertaining)

As for you, (denoting contrast)

always be sober-minded, (don't get distracted or muddle headed)
endure suffering, (persevere - don't give up - and yes, this means that there will be suffering, expect it)
do the work of an evangelist, (tell the good news of Christ's life, death and resurrection)
fulfill your ministry." (see instructions above)

2 Timothy 4:1-5