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!