Category: Church Ministry

Church Ministry
In the Church Ministry category, I hope to offer resources that are practical yet theologically sound. Ministry must be infused with right theology, and theological study must begin and end with the ministry. These are not separate disciplines. Whether you’re a church volunteer or a church leader striving to serve your congregation, you will find the insights here to be theological and practical.

I have served the church full time since 2003 as an associate pastor and as a lead pastor. This service has taken place in large and small congregations, as well as established and newly planted churches. I truly desire to see the church equipped so that we might do the work of the ministry and take the gospel to our cities and around the world. This equipping starts in the church (Ephesians 4:11-16).

While my interests are especially in the areas of music and worship, I often write about pastoral ministry as well. As a pastor, I also have a heart for the “person in the pew,” so there is plenty here for the layperson. If you’re a preacher or teacher, check out my Preaching Points.

While I certainly welcome your perspective, please understand that my position is humbly offered from a theologically conservative, Baptist perspective. I am happy to engage anyone who desires respectful dialogue.

Lastly, you might be wondering what A Thing Worth Doing means. I have answered that question here.

You Can’t Have Worship without Missions

You Cant Have Worship Without Missions - Daniel Aaron Webster - ATWD a thing worth doing blog - worship, ministry, and culture

This brief post could have been entitled, “You Can’t Have Missions without Worship.” But considering my ministry background and current area of doctoral studies, as well as what I estimate to be the primary readership of this blog, I choose to speak to the “worship crowd” about worship without missions. Missions and worship are inseparable. […]

Is Family More Important Than Church?

Is Family More Important Than Church - Daniel Webster - A Thing Worth Doing blog - worship, ministry, and culture

Family is good. Church is good. So which is better? Is family more important or is church? This is a question I’ve heard during my several years of local church ministry. If I had to answer this question in one word, I would not answer “yes” or “no.” I would answer with the word, “why?” […]

The Right Kind of Instruction: Some Thoughts on Christian Education

The Right Kind of Instruction - Some Thoughts on Christian Education - A Thing Worth Doing ATWD a blog by Daniel Webster - worship, ministry, and culture

The release of the movie God’s Not Dead a few years ago sparked a renewed interest in the religious beliefs of community colleges and university professors. The movie portrays an individual of strong faith who stands up to his antagonistic atheist professor. As in Proverbs, he refuses to receive the instruction of a fool who […]

Three Questions for the Gathered Church during a Worldwide Pandemic

three questions for the gathered church in America durng a worldwide pandemic | A Thing Worth Doing Blog with Daniel Webster - worship, ministry, and culture

Before COVID-19, when I first wrote on the topic of the Gathered Church, I never thought I would one day be wrestling with this topic in light of a worldwide pandemic. I was mainly thinking about believers who refuse to gather with other believers on the Lord’s Day. This really is a good example of […]

Does a Christian Have to Gather in Person to Be Obedient?

Does A believer Christian Have To Gather In-person To Be Obedient | A Thing Worth Doing Blog with Daniel Webster - worship, ministry, and culture

Other than what I am writing here, what you find below was written long before any of us had ever heard of COVID-19. When I originally wrote (pre-Coronavirus) to answer the question “does a Christian have to gather in person to be obedient?” I was mainly thinking about believers who refuse to gather with other […]

Music Ministry Is Not the Same as Worship Ministry

music ministry and worship are not the same thing | A Thing Worth Doing Blog with Daniel Webster - worship, ministry, and culture

Somewhere along the line, we started referring to music ministry as “worship ministry.” In a related manner, the music portion of a service is now often called “the worship service,” and the person who leads this music portion is now often called “the worship leader.” At the risk of being viewed as a pedant, I […]

What Is the Purpose of Music for the Gathered Church?

purpose of church music - praise and worship | A Thing Worth Doing Blog with Daniel Webster - worship, ministry, and culture

Previously published at The Helwys Society Forum. Paul’s words in Colossians 3:16 are straightforward: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” However, this straightforward command is not always easily understood and applied… […]

Have We Mystified God’s Call to Ministry in the Church?

Call to preach and pastor | Have We Mystified God's Calling to Ministry in the Church | A Thing Worth Doing Blog with Daniel Webster - worship, ministry, and culture

My call to ministry was not all that exciting—quite mundane, actually. I had always thought that when you were called to preach, such a calling would come when you least expected it. Perhaps during an emotional high at church camp or missions conference, and probably during the seventh verse of “I Have Decided to Follow […]