STRENGTHENING THE MINISTRIES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

STRENGTHENING THE MINISTRIES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH COLOSSIANS 1: 9 -12 HENRY JOSEPH AND YOUNG DAVID’S WORKSHOP

OHIO BAPTIST GENERAL CONVENTION DR. SAMUEL N. WINSTON, JR. CONVENTION PRESIDENT CYRIL THORNTON LAYMEN PRESIDENT HAROLD SIMMONS, INSTRUCTOR NATIONAL BAPTIST LAYMEN PRESIDENT EMERITUS

BIBLICAL DISCIPLESHIP

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST Matthew 16: 24 DENY (aparneomai) SELF Matthew 16: 24 b; Luke 14: 26, 33 No longer living for me; living for Jesus Acts 20: 24 Set aside earthly sinful pleasures for Biblical priorities. Desire to know Jesus more deeply and experience His work more fully. Philippians 3: 10 -14

AYEKA - HINENI (GENESIS 3: 8 -10; ISAIAH 6: 8) The First Level of “Hineni” Biblical Self more Present in my Present Self. The Second Level of “Hineni” Biblical Self more Present in the lives of my family, friends & close loved ones. The Third level of “Hineni” Biblical Self more Present, aware of suffering, injustice, pain, suffering of enemies (soul controlled by sin).

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS (MINISTRY) Matthew 16: 24 c; Luke 14: 27 Jesus chose His Cross, but the Cross He chose was not for Him. The Cross Jesus chose was to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. Our Cross represents doing for others what they cannot do for themselves. The Cross represents helping others move from death in the world to life in Jesus Christ.

Disciples of Christ have been prepared for their Cross? Their life’s journey is their preparation for their Cross? Moses: raised in a palace to be used in a desert. Exodus 3: 1 -10 Joseph raised in a desert to be used in a palace. ◊ Father to pharaoh Genesis 45: 8 Deborah ◊ Mother to Israel Judges 5: 7

FOLLOW (akoloutheō) ME Matthew 16: 24 d; Mark 1: 17 To go with Jesus and to be like Jesus was always an example before He gave an explanation. Jesus showed us how to handle Calvary. You must go through Calvary to live a resurrection life. 2 Timothy 3: 12; 1 Corinthians 2: 2

THE HOLY CALLING OF A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST Disciples of Christ living their Holy Calling by having a personal intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, an indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and a mind open to the revelation and illumination of the Holy Scriptures. 2 Timothy 1: 9 Disciples of Christ are called to be Holy, as God is Holy. There is a two-fold meaning of the word Holy in Scripture. Disciples of Christ are Called to be Holy/hagios in status and Holy/hagiōsynē in conduct. 1 Peter 1: 15 -16; 2 Corinthians 7: 1

DISCIPLES SENT BY JESUS John 20: 21 Father God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and Disciples of Christ are “One (heis)” What Jesus puts “In His Disciples”, His Disciples puts “In Others”. Disciples of Christ are to carry the Gospel of Christ and His Presence into the World. John 10: 30; 17: 20 -23

The Gospel (euangelion) is “the good news of peace”. God has made this peace a reality in Jesus Christ, who is “our peace” Philippians 4: 7 Peace is the fruit of the Spirit enabling Disciples to withstand the attacks of the forces of evil. Galatians 5: 22 -26

BIBLICAL ELEMENTS IN EFFECTIVE MINISTRIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH MISSION - MISSION STATEMENT VISION - VISION STATEMENT BIBLICAL GOALS & OBJECTIVES

MISSION Exodus 3: 10; Matthew 10: 16, 28: 19 -20 Mission, from the Latin “Missum” meaning sent, is a specific Ministry(s) that a Church has been charged with as their main purpose(s). This definition is motivated by a theologically imperative theme of the Bible to make God known, as outlined in the Great Commission. (Wikipedia)

MISSION STATEMENT A Mission Statement is a broad, brief, clear, “Revelatory Statement” of the overall purpose of the Church and “Illumines” why your Congregation exists. (George Barna) An Effective Mission Statement: 1)Identifies the ministry's purpose and direction. 2)Provide measurement whether ministry is on course 3)Focuses the various ministry functions. 4)Provides a template for decision-making. 5)Facilitates the unity of the ministry. 6)Shapes the strategy of the ministry. 7)Enhances efficiency and effectiveness of ministry.

VISION Habakkuk 2: 1 -4; Acts 26: 13 -19 A Vision is a clear mental image of a preferable future imparted by God to His chosen servants and is based upon an accurate understanding of God, self and circumstances. (George Barna, The Power of Vision)

VISION STATEMENT A Vision Statement is “specific, detailed, customized, distinctive and unique to a given church. ” The Vision Statement puts the ministry objectives into action. (George Barna, The Power of Vision) An Effective Vision Statement: 1)Must first know where the Ministry is presently. 2)Must be able to identify what needs to be fulfilled ( changed). 3)Should have a written Structure that facilitates reaching the Vision. 4)Must be measurable.

BIBLICAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Philippians 3: 14 Disciples of Christ live the assignment given by Christ by organizing themselves into meaningful, purposeful Ministries. Goals and Objectives: 1)To enlist all men and women in active Christian service to the Church. 2)To keep men and women aware of Biblical obligations as Disciples of Christ. 3)To work with the Pastor in developing the ministry/work of the Church. 4)To inspire men and women to support the financial ministries of the Church.

5) To promote commitment to Jesus Christ. 6)To reach unsaved with Gospel of Jesus Christ through the local congregation. 7)To Identify critical performance areas of the ministry. 8)To Evaluate the current strengths and weaknesses of Church ministries. 9)To Identify critical resources, which will be needed to accomplish the plan. 10)To Review progress monthly and hold people responsible for their actions.

If the Church does not recapture her prophetic zeal, the church will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority. (Martin Luther King)

BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICAL DIAMOND GOD-FOCUSED DEUTERONOMY 6: 4 -5 MARK 6: 29 -30 MINISTRY-DRIVEN 2 CORINTHIANS 4: 1 -2 CHRIST-CENTERED 1 CORINTHIANS 2: 2 SPIRIT-LED JOHN 16: 7 -15