Ministry leadership principles can be learned from Boaz’s life and his character.  The presentation of his life is found in the book of Ruth, continuing in chapter 3 we can learn some other aspects of ministry that can make a difference in those we minister to.

You can read Part 1 about his example to ministry workers: learning about how to greet people, take care of the natural needs of your workers, learning about people, and inviting others to be included here.

More Ministry Principles from Boaz

Be trustworthy.

In Ruth 3:6-13 Boaz is surprised in the night when Ruth is lying at his feet. His reaction to Ruth coming in where he was sleeping was with concern and confidentiality. He was not angry with her for being there nor did he take advantage of her in a wrong way. He demonstrated his trustworthiness by listening to Ruth’s request as she asked him to be the kinsman redeemer of Naomi’s family. Within his ability he agreed to help her and instructed her that she go out secretly in the morning.

Boaz was not wrongfully hiding a secret sin, but protecting her virtuous reputation among the other people. This reminds me of when Joseph was of a mind to put Mary away privily because she was with child before they were married. I believe Boaz built trust with Ruth by taking care of a sensitive matter (to her) in a right way.

Trustworthy people find special blessings when they do not jump to conclusions or share private information with other people through gossip or publicly (in a sermon, lesson, announcement, or prayer request). Ministry is a place where we can easily find out about sins or pasts of people we work with, but the honorable thing to do is build trust by being trustworthy.

Embrace the spirit of adoption.

Boaz raises his own son, Obed, in the name of Elimelech and Mahlon so that their land would stay in the family. “Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead (Mahlon) upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.” Ruth 4:10 While it is his own son, his actions were in the spirit of adoption, raising him for another man’s sake, even though that man was already dead. (You can read more about the laws of redeeming in Leviticus 25 and 27.)

By salvation we receive adoption “…but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” Romans 8:15b,16  We can help the members of our church be included (as mentioned in the first article) by demonstrating our love and kindness to them as brothers and sisters in Christ.

The best “church family” stories I have ever heard revolve around stories of Christian church members taking in a single person or another family and treating them like family. They may include them in their family meals, help them in special circumstances, spend time together outside of church, encourage and disciple them. The spirit of adoption brings outsiders into your  church family and creates a special bond at times that is greater than the relationship many people will have with their family members who may not be saved. It is a beautiful thing!

Keep in mind the spirit of adoption will never replace another person’s relationship with Christ. As ministers at times people can become too dependent upon their relationship with you, substituting your advice and counsel for building their own relationship with God or finding out what His will for their life is for themselves.  Point Christian people to God their Father, remind them as they struggle you may not know all the answers to their needs but to rely upon Him as their source of wisdom and strength.

Emulate Christ through your life

Character distinguishes Boaz from many other Biblical examples because nothing sinful or questionable was written about him. Boaz is regularly compared to Jesus Christ, as the kinsman redeemer of Naomi’s land. Christ is the Redeemer of our souls. Boaz in all of his positive attributes is often considered a “type” of Christ pictured in the Old Testament. It would be a worth striving to be like Boaz  to deal with every situation properly so that if a testimony were to be written about your life that no sinful thing could be mentioned.

Jesus Christ is the ultimate ministry leader. Boaz is a great example to us but he was only a man who loved and lived for God. We may use these specific examples in Boaz’s life to be able to help us emulate what Jesus Christ would want us to do in our ministry. God used Boaz in His plan to bring Ruth into the lineage of the family of David,  where Christ would, in the fullness of time, be born. He was able to be used because of his godliness.

Conclusion

We may not always be able to strive to be a Boaz with no sinful thing ever mentioned about us. We mess up! We’re not always friendly, trustworthy, aware of the needs of those we minister to but God has a plan for us to continue in our work for Him. God knows that people will frustrate us and we won’t feel like embracing the spirit of adoption or including other people especially after we have been hurt. When those times come in your life, then go to the Bible and glean from its pages and learn from the Master of ministry. Keep building your relationship with Him so your service and leadership can continue to make a difference!