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DEVELOPING A MINISTRY OF CONCERN A primary ministry goal for our church The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
GUIDELINES FOR MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT The Bible offers countless examples of people ministering to others. One of the most illustrative is that of Nehemiah, whom God called to restore the walls of Jerusalem as a means of restoring the people of Israel. Nehemiah had a burden for a particular ministry (Neh. 1:4), sought God's leading and wisdom (1:5-11), knew his own gifts and abilities, and implemented a plan and carried it out (2:5ff). Just as God has given each of us a concern and opportunity to minister to others. The following guidelines may be helpful in discovering and fulfilling what God has uniquely called you to do. General Two things must be kept in mind from the beginning. First, God has equipped every Christian with one or more spiritual gifts. You will be most effective in ministry when using your gifts, and there are a number of creative ways to do so. Second, God desires to use you in the lives of others. Jesus tells us not to ask, "Whom am I required to love?" ("Who is my neighbor?"), but "How may I show the love of Christ to others?" ("To whom am I a neighbor?" [Luke 10:25-37]). Talk with people involved in various ministries, read descriptive material, and participate in opportunities on a short term basis. This will help you to discover what some needs are and what burdens you.
Just as Jesus did only that which His Father called Him to do (John 17:4), so does God not expect us to participate in every conceivable ministry. Rather, He has a unique calling for each of us that He promises to equip us to do.
If you feel God would have you as a participant but not a leader, call the church office. "The staff will collect names of people interested in a common ministry, and when a leader arises, you will be contacted. If you feel led to be a pioneer leader, continue with the following guidelines. Specific
Once you are ready to begin, talk with people involved in that particular ministry, either in para-church or church groups. Discover what methods of ministry are most effective and what kinds of responses to expect.
You will need to carefully study your target group and develop a specific strategy for reaching them. Find out the characteristics of the group and what their needs are. In reaching people for Christ, you will likely build your ministry around felt needs. Consider what resources of people, time, and money may be necessary. At this point, however, to not think you must have everything planned before you can begin ministering. You will learn by doing and do not want to quench momentum by over-planning.
You need not wait to begin ministering until the leadership has reviewed your plans. However, the leaders of the church want to support you in your ministry, offer advice where appropriate, and be kept informed of how God is using you and others. Upon approval, your ministry will benefit by church-wide promotion and equipping through contact with the leadership.
POSSIBLE AND EXISTING MINISTRY AREAS The following list represents some areas which we desire to touch through a MINISTRY OF CONCERN. (Checkmarks should be placed to indicate areas where members are currently involved):
NEW MINISTRY POLICIES The following policies are intended to encourage the development of healthy and varied ministries. Please keep them in mind in all phases of your ministry. 1. Ministries are to be self-funded. ________________ Church desires to start as many ministries as God leads its members. However, ministries can be stifled if they are dependent upon the appropriation of limited funds.
2. Ministries are to be self-led. The Holy Spirit will raise up leaders of ministries as He sees fit. For those desiring to start a ministry, the staff and officers are able to offer advice on possible leaders, but cannot be held responsible to recruit.
3. Ministries are to be self-propagated. When it comes time for a leader to step aside, he and his team must find a replacement, with the advice of the staff and officers. If no one desires to take over, this may mean that the ministry has run its course for the present.
4. Ministry teams must avoid moral trouble. As ministries of ________________ Church reflect back upon the whole body and ultimately upon Christ Himself, it is imperative that ministry maintain moral purity.
5. Ministry teams must avoid doctrinal trouble. As a wide variety of ministry strategies can be implemented without raising doctrinal questions. To maintain peace within the body, ministry teams should stay within the accepted doctrines of ________________ Church.
6. Ministry leaders must be members of ________________ Church. All who attend ________________ are encouraged to be involved in ministry, whether or not they are members. However, to maintain proper standards of ministry, leaders must be held accountable to the officers of the church and therefore must be members.
MINISTRY PROPOSAL FORM
This proposal form is intended to help you in your planning and to inform the leadership of your ideas to reach others for Christ. Please fill out and return to the church office.
Name: ___________________________________ Date: __________________
1. What is your target group?
2. How do you plan to reach them?
3. What planning/preparation have you done?
4. What resources will you require?
5. Who will help you in and in what capacities?
6. When do you plan to start? |
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Understand what God wants to do in and through you.