PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY

Consistent with the above text, Isaiah 58:12 sets forth our Biblical Philosophy of Ministry.  The following philosophy of ministry and commentary expresses the founder’s fundamental belief for what are the true purposes of the church.  Moreover, we believe that this is God’s desire for Zion Assembly of Harrisburg, Inc. 

I.  God’s Expectation Is For The Church To Represent His Presence In The Earth By Her Holiness And Works
 
Early in the life of Zion Assembly of Harrisburg, Inc., the Lord gave us a prophetically inspired vision, through Isaiah 58, of a church wherein He abides by His presence.  God’s presence is the single, most crucial possession of the church and in fact, the one element that makes a people God’s people.  From the creation of Adam until now, God has always desired to abide with man commanding him to “be ye holy for I am holy”.  The Bible conveys the message that God wants to express his holiness to the nations of the world through his presence with and workings in the church. In the New Testament, Jesus said, “… I and the Father will come and make our home in you …” or, bring our presence to you. This promise is our greatest hope and joy.  The church has no greater sense of fulfillment for we are the “fullness of him that filleth all in all”.  Therefore, Zion Assembly of Harrisburg’s people and works must adhere to God’s decrees and make His presence among us a reality.  
          
II.  The Church Should Experience God
 
Isaiah 58 begins with an appeal to the people of God to turn from their religious exploits and humanistic reasoning of how to please God.  The people were frustrated in their worship rituals because they wanted to experience His presence, but they only experienced futility.  They are asking God, “Why have we fasted and you have not seen it?  Why have we humbled ourselves and you have not noticed?”  What is implied by these questions is that God sees what His people are doing unto Him, and that He should respond.  Israel had expected to see God’s response to their religious activities, but on the contrary they were told that God was not pleased with them. God expected something more from Israel than a “form” of worship.
 God explained to Israel that their sin of willful living kept their voice from being heard on high. (See Isaiah 59:1, 2)  Sacrifices, no matter how well intended, get no movement from God while the people who make the sacrifice continue to live their own way.  Also see Revelation 2:1-7.
   
          What are we to learn from this?
 
          1.  The church must do the things God says.
          2.  God will not compromise his terms and conditions for how He dwells with man.
          3.  Doing works of righteousness is what makes us God’s people.
          4.  Our most earnest endeavors must be to find out what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:17) and do it.
 
Micah 6:6-8 says, “With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God?  Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?  Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil?  Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?  He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
 
III.  The Presence Of God’s Glory In His Church Is Evident To The World
 
On the basis and condition that the church performs acts of justice, love of mercy and walking humbly with God, as stated in Micah, she can expect to experience His Glory and splendor within her.  The following promises from God pointed out in Isaiah 58 are things we should expect at Zion Assembly of Harrisburg, Inc. as we fulfill His calling in ministry.  We hold these promises as a plumb line against which we can discern whether the Lord’s presence is among us. 
  
1.  It Will Be Known That God Is With Her. (Isaiah 58:8, 10b)
 
God said Israel’s life would break though like the dawn of day.  This word picture evidently means the church’s revival of spirit cannot be contained from public view and scrutiny.  God rewards openly.  Her healing of mind, body and soul would quickly appear and be evident.  Her righteousness would go before her and the “glory of the Lord” would be behind her.  Old and New Testament attests that God’s glory is the church’s true witness.
 
2.  When The Church Prays, The Lord Will Say, “Here I Am” (Isaiah 58:9)
 
God will answer the church’s prayers with one response.  A response, which says “All that you need to know, no matter what is your need: I AM is here.”  This assumes that God’s presence will supply all her needs according to the riches “in His Glory”.
 
3.  The Church Will Always Have A Strong Heart To Do What God Asks of Her   (Isaiah 58:11)
 
Through the assurance of God’s guidance, the church’s heart will always be satisfied.  The Lord will “strengthen our frame (bones)” means He will be with our earthly life and beyond.  On the condition of our human actions He makes us strong and courageous to accept difficult and even hopeless undertakings.  God’s church shall endure confidently in spite of all appearances.  God uses contrasts like “sun-scorched land” and “well-watered gardens and springs whose waters never fail” to describe the perpetual care he’ll give to the very center of her being – the human spirit, (or the spirit of the church).  Isaiah 58:11 is a word of comfort, while acts of mercy are demanded at the same time from the people.
 
4.  God’s Church Will Rebuild, Repair, And Restore To Its Generation, Basic And Fundamental Faith In God
     (Isaiah 58:12)
 
The church will be instrumental in the redemptive work of the Holy Spirit to deliver the lost and dying people from oppression and death by returning them to dependency on God.  This is achieved by acts of grace and mercy, which God will show to the world through the active and relevant ministries of His church.  Through the work of the church, God will prove His manifold wisdom and power to the heavenlies, while he looses chains of injustice, unties the cords of bondage, setting captives free on the earth – all through the exalted name of Jesus.