Philosophy of Ministry - Schaumburg, IL · Growing – Continuously pursuing conformity to the...
Transcript of Philosophy of Ministry - Schaumburg, IL · Growing – Continuously pursuing conformity to the...
PhilosophyofMinistry
Bethel Baptist Church exists to make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ for the glory of God
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IntroductionWhenAliceapproachedtheCheshirecatseekingfordirections,heaskedherwhereshewasgoing. Whensherepliedthatshewasn’tsure,hewiselyreplied,“Thenitdoesn’tmatterhowyougetthere.” Muchofwhatiscalledministrytodayiscarriedoutwithnoclearbiblicalgoalinmind,andthereforethereisnocleardirectionforwhatweshoulddoandhowitistobedone! ItismyunderstandingthatthisismethodologyforministryistotallycontrarytohowGodintendsforministrytobeaccomplished. GodhasagoalthatHeestablishedfortheChurch,andconsequently,therearebiblicalmethodsanddirectionsforhowthatpurposeistobeaccomplished!Thetopicathandisinrealitythetheologyofministry. Itessentiallyisthe“how–to”ofecclesiology. Webelievethatmanissavedonpurposewithapurpose. ThereissomethingmoretothesalvationofmanthansimplyapityingGodtakingmercyonhelplesshumanstokeepthemfrometernaldamnation. GodcreatedmankindinHisimage,forhavinganimagebearerbroughtglorytoHim. WhenAdamdisobeyedGod,heandallmankindfellandtheimageofGodinmanwasmarred. Atthefall,manwasmadesubjecttospiritualdeathandaprocessofdecaybeganinmanthatledHimtophysicaldeath. Mankindwassubjecttototaldepravity. Atconversion,throughthejudicialactsofjustification,adoption,redemption,andSpiritBaptism,GodbeginsaworkineverynewbelieverthatisaprocessofrestoringtheimageofGodinHim. ThatactbeginsinSalvation,continuesinprogressivesanctification,andwillonedaybecompletedinfutureglorification. ItisintherestorationoftheimageofGodinmanthatGodisglorified. ThisisthepurposeofGodinsalvation.ItisthismissionthathasbeenpassedontotheChurchbywayofthegreatcommission.ThegreatcommissionisthepassingofthemissionoftheSonofGodontothosewhoperformHiswillintheChurchage. ThatmissionisthemakingandmaturingofDisciplesofJesusChristfortheGloryofGod. IfthisistheMissionoftheChurch,theneverythingthattheChurchdoesbothinformandfunctionmustnotonlybeconnectedtothismission,butmostgrowoutofthismissionandbedrivenbythismission. Justaswehavebeensavedonpurposewithapurpose,andasGodhasgiventousthemissionofcarryingoutHispurpose,theChurchmustcarryoutitsministryonpurposeandwithapurpose. Thisisintentionalministry.
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OurPatternInRomans15,theApostlePaullaysoutforhisreaderstheprocessthathewasgoingthroughinmakinghislifeandministrydecisions. Paulclearlypointsoutwhathisdesireswere,butheelaboratesonwhatwasrequiredofhim,whatwaspriorityforhim,whatguidedhiminmakinghisdecisions,andultimately,whathewoulddo. Ifwelookcarefullyatthepassage,Paullaysoutapyramidprocessthatguidedhiminmakingrightchoices.ThisisthephilosophythattheApostlePaulusedindeterminingwherehewouldgoandwhathewoulddoinservingtheLordandfulfillingthemissionthatwasgiventohimasanApostletotheGentiles.
ThePatternforanIntentionalMinistryfromRomans15
OurPurposeBethelBaptistChurchExistsToMakeAndMatureDisciplesofJesusChristForTheGloryOfGod.Matthew28:18---20 “AndJesuscameandsaidtothem,‘Allauthorityinheavenandonearthhasbeengiventome. Gothereforeandmakedisciplesofallnations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit,teachingthemtoobserveallthatIhavecommandedyou.Andbehold,Iamwithyoualways,totheendoftheage.’”
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OurPrinciplesThesecondlevelofourphilosophypyramidconcentratesonthebiblicalprinciples,whichformthegoverningvaluesofthechurch.WebelievethatourGod---givenmissionistobringhonortoGodbymakingandmaturingdiscipleswhoarebecominglikeJesusChrist. WealsobelievethatwecanonlytrulyaccomplishthismissionifwecarryitoutaccordingtoGod’swill. Bibleprinciplesformthevaluesthatgovernthewaywedoministry. Valuesarebeliefs,whichmotivatebehavior. Themannerinwhichministryisdoneflowsoutoftheprevailingvaluesystem.Nolistofvaluesitselfcanprovidethedynamicnecessarytobeatransformingforceinourchurch’slife.Valuescometolifewheneveryoneisawareofthemandwhytheyareimportant.Thevaluesmustbewidelyheldtomakeadifference.AtBBCwebelievethatthefollowingbiblicalprinciplesarevaluesthatshouldgovernhowwefulfillthemissionthatGodhasgiventous.WebelieveinGod--centeredvs.Man--centeredMinistry
• AcommitmenttobeingaWord---centeredfellowship.
WebelievethattheBibleisGod’sinspiredWordandisthesoleauthorityforthefaithandpracticeofGod’speople.TheBibleisfullysufficientformakingandmaturingdiscipleswholivelikeJesusChristineveryareaofpersonal,socialandfamilylife(IITimothy3:16---17).
Therefore,wearecommittedtobuildingupGod’speoplebyconcentratingonthecommunicationofbiblicaltruthwithrelevantapplicationtoeveryareaoflife.
• Acommitmenttoprayer.
WebelievethatGodhascommandedthelocalchurchtobeengagedinferventandpersistentprayer(ITimothy2:1---7,Luke18:1---8).
Webelievethat,asalovingFather,HedesirestoanswertheprayersofHischildren(Matthew 7:7---11).
Therefore,wearecommittedtoregulartimesofcorporateprayer(Acts1:14,Acts2:42,Acts4:23---31,Acts13:1---3),andtoprayingfortheadvancementoftheGospelandsalvationofthelost(IIThessalonians3:1,Romans10:1).
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• AcommitmenttoglorifyinginGodthroughpurposefulexcellence.
WebelievethatGod’sglorydeservestobehonoredbythedeterminedefforttoreflectthatgloryclearly(ICorinthians10:31,Col.3:23). Werecognizethatexcellenceisnotsimplybeingthebestordoingourbest,butthatgenuineexcellenceisusingourGod---givenresourceseffectivelytoaccomplishtherightmission(cf.Matthew25:14---30).
Therefore,wearecommittedtointentionalministry,whichsetsclearstandardsandseekstoachievethembyutilizingourresourceseffectively.
WebelieveinPeople--orientedvs.Program--orientedMinistry
• Acommitmenttogift---basedministry.
WebelievethateverybelieverhasbeenequippedbyGodwiththeabilitiesneededforfruitfulministrywithinthelocalchurch(ICorinthians12:7,IPeter4:10).Thegiftsaregivenforbuildingupthebody(ICorinthians14:12),andforuseinservicetoothers(IPeter4:10).
Therefore,weofferregularandsystematicteachingaboutgift---basedministryandweseektoplacebelieversintoareasofministryaccordingtotheirGod---givengiftsandabilities.
• AcommitmenttoSpirit---motivatedministry.
WebelievethattheHolySpiritworksintheheartsofbelieverstomovethemintoministryforGod’spleasure(Philippians2:13,Psalm37:4,Nehemiah2:12).
Therefore,wearecommittedtoplacingthepriorityonpeople,notprograms.Wealsoencouragefreedominministrywithresponsibility,andthebottom---updevelopmentofministries.
• Acommitmenttoanequippingministry.
Webelievethattheministryofthelocalchurchbelongstoeverymember,notonlythosememberswhoinengageinvocationalministry(Ephesians4:12).ThepurposeofvocationalministersistoequipandempowerchurchmembersforeffectiveministrysothatthebodyofChristmaybeedified(Ephesians4:11---16).
Therefore,westrivetoplacetheministriesofBethelBaptistChurchintothehandsofnon---vocationalministers.
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• AcommitmenttoservantLeadership.
WebelievethatGodestablishesclearpositionsofleadershipwithinthelocalchurch(ITimothy3:1,ITimothy3:10),butweaffirmthatgenuinespiritualleadershipisservantleadership,whichseeksthegoodanddevelopmentofthosewhoareserved(Matthew20:20---34;IPeter5:1---4).
Therefore,wehonorChristlikemeeknessandstrivetoforgeconsensusamongGod’speoplethroughdiligentlyteachingbiblicalprinciples.
• Acommitmenttomentoringspiritualleaders.
WebelievethatGodcallsonpresentspiritualleaderstocultivateintentionallyfuturespiritualleaders(IITimothy2:2).
Therefore,wehonortheministryoftheWord,callbelieverstoseriousministrycommitment,andinvestourlivesintothementoringofspiritualleaderswhocanrisetofillourplaceofministry.
WebelieveinProcess--focusedvs.Event--focusedMinistry
• Acommitmenttoprovidingaccountabilityinthecontextoflovingrelationships.
WebelievethatGod’speoplearecalledontoencourageandexhortoneanothertowardfaithfulobediencetoChrist(Romans15:14,Hebrews3:13,Philippians2:3---4).
Therefore,westructureopportunitiesforbelieverstodeveloplovingrelationshipswhichcultivateopennessandmutualaccountability.
• AcommitmenttotrainingbelieversforeffectiveLifestewardship.
WebelievethatallbelievershavebeenentrustedbyGodwithlife,abilities,materialassets,andrelationshipsandthattheywillbeheldaccountablebyGodfortheirstewardshipofthesetrusts(ICorinthians4:5,IICorinthians5:10,Romans14:12).
Therefore,wearecommittedtoprovidingbiblicalteachingandpracticalequippingonallstewardshipissues.
• Acommitmenttorelationalevangelism.
WebelievethatGodhasplacedeverybelieverwithinarelationalnetworkwhichistobehis/herprimaryevangelisticfocus.WebelievethatChrist’scommissiontoHisdisciplesistodevelopredemptiverelationships(John17:18,John20:21)sothattheymaygiveaclearverbalwitnessaboutChristandtheGospel(Romans10:9---15)
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andliveouttheChristianlifesothatnon---believersmayseeit(Matthew5:16,John13:34---35).
Therefore,weencourageintentionalinteractionwith,notimitationoforby,theworld;weseektotrainbelieverstocommunicatethegospel;and,weprovideopportunitiestointroducenon---believerstothefellowshipofourchurch.
OurValuesandPrioritiesThecombinationofourpurposeandprinciplesproducesaclearsetofprioritiesforourministry.Successinaccomplishingthemissiondemandsinvestingourenergy,time,andresourcesintomeetingthefollowingnineprioritiescapturedaroundourfourcorevalues.
Loving–ThoroughlylovingGodwithourentirebeing
• AdoreGod–Mark12:30,Psalm29:2
TobeaplacewhereGod’spresenceistangiblesothatbelieversaretransformedandunbelieversareconverted.
• Continueinferventprayer–James5:16,Philippians4:6
TobeapeoplewhorestwithsubmissivefaithuponthewillofGod,andreachwithobedientfaithtodothewillofGod,byreverentlycommunicatingwithGod
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Growing–ContinuouslypursuingconformitytothelikenessofChrist
• HonortheScripturesinbeliefandaction–Hebrews4:12,IICorinthians3:16---17,Joshua1:8
ToexalttheWordofGodbypreaching,reading,studying,memorizing,meditatingandheedingit.
• Disciplememberstospiritualmaturity–Ephesians4:11---13,IITimothy2:2
ToenableeverymemberofourchurchfamilytobeactiveinfulfillingtheGreatCommission.
Building–Spirituallyedifyingoneanotherthroughtruefellowship
• Encourageaccountablerelationshipsthroughfellowship–Hebrews10:24---25,IICorinthians13:5
Tobuildacommunityoffaithwherebelieversareprotectedandedifiedthroughlovingrelationships.
• Involvemembersingift---basedministry–ICorinthians1:7,ICorinthians7:7,I
Corinthians13:2,IPeter4:10
Toequipbelieverstodotheworkoftheministryandtheedifyingofthebody.Reaching--Compassionatelytakingthegospeltothelost
• BringpeopletofaithinChrist–IICorinthians5:20---21,Matthew28:18---20
TogoandpresenttheGospelwithboldnessandclarity,andtoprovideeventsandprogramsthatcanbeusedbyourchurchfamilyasevangelistictools.
• Facilitateglobalmissions–Isaiah45:22,Isaiah52:10,Acts13:47
Topromotethespreadingofthegospelaroundtheworldthroughencouragingourownpeopletobewillingtogoandprovidingforthosewhoalreadyare.
• GivetherightopinionofGodinourcommunity–ICorinthians10:31,Colossians
3:17
ToberecognizedasaplacewhereGodandHisWordaretakenseriouslyasthekeytoalifeofjoy—nowandeternally.
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OurPlan
Thereareusuallythreeelementsinvolvedinaplan:strategy,structure,andresources.Developingastrategyanswersthequestion,Whatisthemosteffectivepathtofulfillourmission?Structureanswers,Howmustweorganizeourselvestoimplementthestrategyandcompleteourmission?Thequestionofresourcesis,Whatdoweneedtocarryoutthestrategyandfulfillourmission?OurStrategyThenineprioritiesofourchurchactuallyserveasourstrategystatement.WebelievethatwewillhonorGodbymakingandmaturingdisciplesifweadoreGod,bringpeopletofaithinChrist,continueinferventprayer,disciplememberstospiritualmaturity,encourageaccountablerelationshipsthroughfellowship,givetherightopinionofGodinourcommunity,honortheScripturesinbeliefandaction,andinvolvemembersingiftbasedministry.Prayerfulandpersistenteffortwillbepouredintodesigningandimplementingspecificprogramsthatwillenableustoreachtheseninepriorities.Programsareapplicationsofbiblicalprinciples.Weshouldexpecttocreatenewprogramsregularly. Programswhichbecomeineffectiveshouldbechangedordiscontinued.Weneversurrenderthebiblicalprinciplesuponwhichaprogramisbuilt,butwemustfromtimetotimegiveupaprogram!OurStructureWebelievethattheultimatehumanauthoritywithintheNewTestamentchurchisinthecongregation. Thecongregationisresponsiblefortheelectionofitsofficers(pastoranddeacons). Thepastoriscalledbythechurchtobetheoverseerofthechurch’sministries,theshepherdoftheflockofGod,andthespiritualleaderofthecongregation. Inourchurch,theseniorpastorhasbeengivenauthoritybythecongregationtoenlisttheassistanceofotherpastorsandstaffpeopleinorderprovideleadershipforthechurchandtocarryoutthespecificfunctionsofthechurch’sagencies. Whetherseniororassistantpastor,thebiblicalroleofpastorsistoequipthesaintsfortheworkofministryandtheedifyingofthebody. Inordertofulfillourmissionbyeffectivelyimplementingourstrategy,ourchurchministryisorganizedaccordingtospecificdiscipleshipcommitment.OurResourcesBethelBaptistChurchexistsbytheworkofGodintheheartsofHispeoplemovingthemtogiveaccordingtotheprinciplesfoundinScripture(ICorinthians16:1---4).ThestewardshipofthesegiftsisdirectlysupervisedbytheAssistantPastorundertheleadershipoftheseniorpastor. Adetailedreportisexaminedbythedeaconsandpresentedtothecongregation. TheAnnualBusinessMeetingprovidesanopportunityfor
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thechurchleadership(pastorsanddeacons)tomakeareportonthechurch’sfinancialconditionandtoproposethenewbudgettothecongregation. SincetheBibleteachescongregationalchurchgovernment,thismeetingisanecessarypartoffulfillingGod’swillforourchurch. TheBusinessMeetingistheplacewhereweseektodemonstrateourfaithfulnesstobiblicalprinciplesofstewardship.IICorinthians8:19---24offersvaluableinsightabouthowGod’speopleshouldadministerHisresources. PaulisdescribinghisprinciplesforthesupervisionofthefundsgivenforthesaintsinJerusalem(cf.Romans15:26).Vs.19---24containfourprinciplesthatgovernwisesupervisionoffunds. TheseprinciplesgovernourthinkingregardingthestewardshipofthemoneytheLordgivestousthroughHispeople.
• First,ourtoppriorityisexpressedinthewords,“forthegloryoftheLordHimself’(vs.19). Asineverythingelse,God’sgloryshouldbeourhighestconcern.
• Second,wemustexercisereasonableprecautionsso “thatnooneshoulddiscredit
us”(vs.20). Itisnotenoughtojustdothingsright,wemusttakeeverystepneededtoavoidanyappearanceofimpropriety.
• Third,weshouldfollowpracticesthat“haveregardforwhatishonorable,notonly
inthesightoftheLord,butalsointhesightofmen”(vs.21). Thisiswhyweusestandardaccountingpractices,produceourreportsinkeepingwithacceptedaccountingform,etc. Itisimportanttoustomakesurethatwearedoingwhatisrightfromanybody’sperspective.
• Fourth,thispassageteachesustwothingsaboutthepersonnelwhoadministerthe
funds. Theyshouldbepeoplewhohavebeenexamined(“wehaveoftentestedandfounddiligentinmanythings,”vs.22). Theyshouldbeelectedbythechurch(“theyaremessengersofthechurches,”vs.23;cf.vs.19“appointedbythechurches”).
Thatiswhyourchurchdeaconsareresponsibleforexaminingthemonthlyfinancialreports,andrecommendingthenewbudgeteachyear.GodhasgraciouslysuppliedforHisworkinthisplace,andwepraiseHimforit.WebelievethatresourcesentrustedtousshouldbeusedforthefulfillmentofourGod---givenmission.Tothatendweprayandwork—mayGodbeglorifiedbyandthroughHispeoplehereatBethelBaptistChurch!
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OurPractice
Acts2:41---47“Sothosewhoreceivedhiswordwerebaptized,andtherewereaddedthatdayaboutthreethousandsouls.Andtheydevotedthemselvestotheapostles'teachingandthefellowship,tothebreakingofbreadandtheprayers. Andawecameuponeverysoul,andmanywondersandsignswerebeingdonethroughtheapostles. Andallwhobelievedweretogetherandhadallthingsincommon. Andtheyweresellingtheirpossessionsandbelongingsanddistributingtheproceedstoall,asanyhadneed. Anddaybyday,attendingthetempletogetherandbreakingbreadintheirhomes,theyreceivedtheirfoodwithgladandgeneroushearts, praisingGodandhavingfavorwithallthepeople.AndtheLordaddedtotheirnumberdaybydaythosewhowerebeingsaved.”InthispassageofscriptureweseefourmajorareasofemphasisinthepracticeofthefirstgenerationChurch. Takingthemasamodelforministryemphasis,wedesiretocategorizethepracticeofourministryaccordingtothesefourareas. Theyareasfollows:
Wewillendeavortoselectoneoftheseareasasamajorministrywideemphasiseachyear.Witheachemphasiswewillbeginwithpeople,tryingtoassessthegiftednessofourpeopleforministry. Aswedeterminethepeoplewhoareavailabletominister,thenwewilldesignprogramstofacilitatetheirministry. Inlightofnewprograms,wewillthenevaluateourplanttoseeiftherearefacilitychangesthatweneedtomakeinordertohousethenewprograms. Finally,inlightofthosenewprograms,wewillanalyzepersonneltoseeifthereneedstobeanyadditionalstaffaddedtodirectthenewministry.
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Takingeachministryemphasisoneyearatatimeallowsustohaveabiblicalmethodologyforourprogram. Webecomeintentionalandpurposefulinhowwedoministry,andkeepinconstanttouchwiththeprinciplesandprioritiesofourphilosophy. Ratherthanjustwantingtobuildanewbuildingorstartanewprogram,wearemoredrivenbyourpurpose. Thismethodologyalsokeepsusfromthe“tyrannyoftheimmediate,”wherewedothingsbecausewehavetoduetopoorplanning.Wewillhaveaparticularministryemphasiseachyear. Thefifthyearwillbeayearofrevieworareemphasisofanareaofparticularneed.Thiswillgiveusafive---yearplan,whichwillencompasspeople,program,plant,andpersonnel.
ConclusionInEphesians.3:14---21,Paul,theservantoftheLord,passionatelystated,“ForthisreasonIbowmykneesbeforetheFather,fromwhomeveryfamilyinheavenandonearthisnamed,thataccordingtotherichesofhisgloryhemaygrantyoutobestrengthenedwithpowerthroughhisSpiritinyourinnerbeing,sothatChristmaydwellinyourheartsthroughfaith—thatyou,beingrootedandgroundedinlove,mayhavestrengthtocomprehendwithallthesaintswhatisthebreadthandlengthandheightanddepth,andtoknowtheloveofChristthatsurpassesknowledge,thatyoumaybefilledwithallthefullnessofGod.Nowtohimwhoisabletodofarmoreabundantlythanallthatweaskorthink,accordingtothepoweratworkwithinus,tohimbegloryinthechurchandinChristJesusthroughoutallgenerations,foreverandever.Amen.”ThispassageofscripturefromthebookofEphesians,whichistheEpistleoftheChurch,fullycapturesthewholeofourphilosophyofministry. ThispassionateprayeroftheApostlePaulistheheart---cryofthisbodyforoneanother.WerestinGodtodoHismightyworkinus,thatHemightdoHisgreatworkthroughussothatwe,Hispeopleinthisplace,maygivetherightopinionofHimtoawatchingworld. MayGodgrantusthegracetodoHisworkinHiswayforHisgloryalone. ItisourdesiretofindgracefromtheWord,thatwemighttakegracetotheworld,anddoitforHisglory!