A few years ago I began doing quick Bible stories after school. This allowed children to stop by and hear a devotional on the way home from school.

What began as a small thing started to grow….

And began reaching hearts as well as minds.

a few months ago, I began focusing those quick stories on reading books to the children. they found these interesting, and it helps meet one of the greatest needs in this community. Many of the children struggle greatly with reading.

Originally, I had all the children lined up in a row, and I would be in the middle. but as books became a part of the group, we had a problem since all of the kids were trying to get as close as possible to see the pictures.

So I created a reading circle!

It’s still isn’t possible for every child to get as close as they would like. But now at least everyone it’s able to see the pictures clearly.

My reading circle helps the children learn, but it also illustrates an important truth.

The message of the Gospel never changes.

But the methods should change.

I am not saying that we should compromise the way ministry is done. but it’s very important to make sure the methods we used to minister are effective.

Over time most methods will lose their effectiveness. this can be because people get used to doing things that way, or as in my case, the goal of the ministry changes.

The point is, it’s OK to change the method of a ministry as long as the message doesn’t change.

It is possible to go too far with this and make results to goal of ministry, instead of sharing the gospel. but I believe many have gone to the other extreme by refusing to change the way they do ministry.

There will come a day when the reading circle no longer works effectively. And with the Lord’s help, I will find another method that works.

But the message will never change