Giving God our Best?

By: Randall Sidwell

Give God our Best. As a Minister for more than 18 years I have heard this phrase used to try and set a dress code for Church. Here is the thing what if my best isn’t or doesn’t match up to someone else’s best? Or their assumptions of what is best. Like it really matters what we are wearing. Jesus was not born in the best hospital, with the best doctors, or wrapped in the best blankets. No he was born in a manger because there was no room for him or his parents.
Sadly we can make people feel that way today by the standards we sit up within the Church. That’s what the Pharisees and Sadducees had done in the synagogue and temple in Jesus day. If you didn’t wear the right thing or say the right thing then you were not welcome. That is why they couldn’t accept Jesus as the Messiah.
See they had a distorted view of giving God their best. It has to be wrapped up in the quality of our cloths, or what we drive, or what we put in the offering right? Wrong. God seeks our best indeed without a question but it has nothing to do with what we wear, but has everything to do with giving the “Whole Us” Heart, Soul and Mind. Matthew 22:37 “Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'

Listen to what James has to say in 2:1-4 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. ² Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. ³ If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” ⁴ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

He goes on to say in verse “⁸ If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”^[a]you are doing right. ⁹ But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. ¹⁰ For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”

As we worship God, we give Him ourselves. Romans 12:1 says, " Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
We give Him our lives in service to Him as a living sacrifice. In doing this we must give Him our all. Anything we do for God must be our very best. Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:37, " Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'" All our heart, soul, and mind, or in other words, our total being must be in our service to God.
Here at 17^th Street Christian Church we ask you to give your Best but it isn’t about what you wear on the outside. It is about worship in spirit and in truth, it is about giving your all to God: heart, soul, and mind.
So come all you who are heavy laden and find rest. Find acceptance. Find grace. Because here at 17^th Street Christian Church we Seek to Know Jesus More Intimately, Love Jesus More Passionately, and Follow Jesus More Intently.

Making Steps in Church Revitalization

Ok to all my friends in Ministry out there that are working with or leading churches that they are trying to Revitalize. Here is a Book list for you. If you don't have them start picking them up. I am working my way through the list now. I would invite you to message me with your insights and thoughts as you make your way through these books. Iron sharpens Iron and together we can help the Churches we serve move forward in Christ.

1. Autopsy of a Deceased Church BY: Tom Rainer

2. Church Unique By: Will Mancini

3. Comeback Churches BY: Ed Stetzer and Mike Dodson

4. From Embers to a Flame By: Harry L Reeder 3

5. Fusion By: Nelson Searcy

6. I am a Church Member By: Thom Rainer

7. Next Pastoral Succession That Works By: William Vanderbloemen

8. RePlant: How a Dying Church can Grow Again By: Darrin Patrick/Mark Devine

9. ReVitaLize Your Church Through Gospel Recovery By: Alvin Reid

10. Vital Signs BY: Tony 

The Church will develop and promote fellowship, small groups, spiritual, and educational activities to help everyone be a vital part of our ministries.

Strategies

Strategy #1: The Church will develop and promote fellowship, small groups, spiritual, and educational activities to help everyone be a vital part of our ministries.

Conduct fun activities at the Church that will create opportunities for meeting and fellowship between multi-generational people and families on an annual basis starting in 20__. Recommended events including but not limited to (e.g. Party in the parking lot, Community Fair, Annual Church Wide Variety Show). Establish other activities to promote fellowship. Examples include games nights at church/softball games/bowling outings or other recreational events/movie nights/Halloween bonfire. Conduct other events could include bands, concerts, dances, and perhaps BBQs. Offer more "seeker"-type youth events, including lock-ins and/or game nights and publicize to the public. Bring in outsiders to do short-term Bible studies that address specific issues/concerns of identified target groups.

Strategy #2: Implement a spiritual educational program at the Church.

Implement an enhanced, dynamic, and diverse program to enhance the faith and knowledge of the congregation. Create a spiritual education program for Sunday School, Disciple. Companions In Christ, Bible Study.

More and diverse scheduling of Disciple Classes (e.g. Different start and stop times during year, implement Disciple group follow up, include a Youth Disciple).

Implement more Bible study for example, shorter terms (8 - 10 week), Children's Bible study. Implement additional Spiritual formation activities.

We must recognize that more than one activity can take place on church grounds or in church facilities at the same time.

Strategy #3: Through the Church Out Reach Activities Committee and in conjunction with the Activities Committee.

The Congregation will experience more opportunities for fellowship activities. Implement special events at Church on each of the 4, fifth Sundays of the year including but not limited to: (After Church meal or spiritual study, Brunch between services, Special Church wide Sunday School with topical discussion of interest to most people that will also allow families to attend the session together.)

Strategy #4: Establish a small fellowship group to promote and maintain connectivity of college aged adults to the Church.

Implement a program to connect the Church with college aged adults. Provide and maintain a connection between the Church college aged young adults who have moved away from the area and the church. Provide and maintain educational opportunities to college aged adults in the area.

Strategy #5: Promote the growth of existing and new activities at the Church.

Create a Church league softball team, basketball and volleyball  where the Church teams play against other area Church teams. Develop other team recreational activities based on congregation interest. Present church plays, musicals, and special presentations promoting fellowship and spiritual outreach to community.

Strategy #6: Implement organized activities or opportunities for the Church.

Congregation members will discover and experience new spiritual practices through activities that foster upright moral values. Such as: Passion Play trip to Gatlinburg, TN,  Christus Gardens in Gatlinburg, TN, etc.  

Strategy #7: Create support groups and/or classes to meet the congregation needs.

Bring small groups together to provide topical support to the group's needs. Provide assistance to church members and their families who are in need of specific support from people in (or who have experience with) similar situations. Create support groups such as but not limited to; job search, divorce recovery, grief counseling, parenting, marriage.

Strategy #8: Create common interest groups.

Allow people with similar interests an opportunity to get together and enjoy fellowship with others. Create groups, such as but not limited to, mature persons, movie night, book clubs, or dinner clubs, quilting groups, boy scouts, girl scouts, scrapbooking, men and women’s groups.

Strategy #9: Implement Youth/Adult mentor program at the Church.

Inter-generational relationships will be experienced in the congregation. Identify youth and adults interested in participating in the mentor program. Develop and communicate the Mentor Program guidelines. Create topics for mentoring program.

Strategy #10: Implement the teaching of Community Courses at the Church.

a. The Church will become an educational venue for the community. May be able to utilize experts from among our church membership for some courses. Establish courses such as but not limited to; parenting. CPR, baby sitting, tutoring, financial/budgeting, GED program.

The Church will Minister to the needs of the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the oppressed, the disenfranchised, the lonely, and the lost.

Strategies

Strategy #1: Feed the hungry.

The Church will ensure that the needs of the hungry are met in their local area by focusing support efforts to the County Food Pantry  and County Benevolence. Find a congregation member who will serve as the Church's coordinator with the Food Pantry and attend meetings. Develop a church program for routinely supplementing and supporting food bank. Host a quarterly covered dish evening meal at the church at which an entrance donation can be made to support Food Pantry.

Strategy #2: Serve the needs of the poor, homeless, and oppressed.

Support local programs that benefit the poor, the homeless and the oppressed. Provide toiletries for Salvation Army, Resource Center & homeless Shelters. Explore alternative giving programs (encourage giving of gifts or donations to charities). Provide school supplies for needy children.

Strategy #3: Community Service

Expand Vacation Bible School to assure access by all children that want or need to attend. Increase volunteer support. Provide scholarships for the needy in the community.

Build database of needs and resources (consolidate and expand existing information). Explore opportunities to provide elderly assistance, daycare, meals, transportation, recreational activities, and others. Provide after-school programs for children. Provide transportation to cancer center appointments for those in need (some may already be provided by Caring Ministries).

Strategy #4: Spiritual, mental, and physical health.

Partner with counseling services. Create/prepare a counseling office. Organize support groups for people in life transitions e.g., unemployed, divorces, health issues, etc. Partner with DCS to create and maintain a good parenting course.

The Church will develop an identity in our community

Strategies

Strategy #1: Establish a community process within the Church that will insure consistency and provide a clear identity in the community.

Specific result: Create a unique brand that reflects the mission statement and captures our overriding message to the community. Create and adopt a logo and brand-type (including a slogan that defines the Church and summarizes its mission statement).

b. Specific Result: Select target audiences and develop a systematic approach to getting message to target audiences. Select target audiences and develop a systematic approach to getting message out. Place ads in local newspapers ever week. Create an Invite-a-Friend Sunday worship event/open house. Create specialty items for use at events (t-shirts, posters, banners, flyers, mugs, etc.).

Strategy #2: Develop mechanisms to allow the Church to deliver its message to the community.

Specific Result: Establish an external communication budget to ensure community awareness. Research costs for selected media. Research costs for design and layout. Research costs for specialty items.

Create a variety of communication tools designed specifically to reach target audiences which may include brochures, ads, CD, etc. Determine number and type of tools needed. Determine purposes for type of tools needed. Determine specific message. Example we are in need of a church sign at the end of Cordell Hull on 111 that not only identifies our location but signifies our desire for others to come worship with us.

Create a display booth or other street level presence to deliver our message, which can be used in community events and festivals. Develop a display. Set up a system for checking the display out and returning it. Develop guidelines for including printed materials with the display.

Strategy #3: Engage the congregation in revealing the Church identity to the community.

Specific Results: Educate the congregation regarding the church brand during worship services and other events. Develop a PowerPoint presentation to run before services. Identify a spokesperson to develop and deliver a "Mission Moment" regarding the brand. Develop a bulletin insert Upgrade the weekly bulletin to reflect the vision statement.

Create and train volunteers including youth and adults to help deliver our message. Identify people within the church that have contact with the community such as bread delivers, greeters, ushers, new members ministry, etc. Develop a brief training program or handouts - use new member booklet. Develop a bulletin insert. Establish list of individuals willing to go out into the community to speak on behalf of the Church. Develop a mechanism to continue training as new people come into program.

Improve promotion of existing events and programs. Identify all activities that would require additional promotion and would further our identity in the community. Follow established process developed under Strategy 1 to ensure consistency in promotion of existing events and programs. Follow the guidelines developed under Strategy 2 to deliver the message to the community. Develop PowerPoint Slides to project before Church service starts to make congregation aware of upcoming events.

Congregational Development Project

Presented By: Minister Randall Sidwell

The Church will seek out members from our diverse community and provide an environment where he/she can experience God's unconstitutional love.

Strategies Set 1

Strategy #1 The Church will be a church that provides a welcoming environment that will attract people of all races, ages, and economic backgrounds.

It will be a church of diverse membership and ministry.

a.     Create and promote publicly a Healthy image of the Church. Develop and Maintain a weekly worship practice with all musicians, singers and Production Booth to help foster unity and develop better sound quality for worship.

b.     Take the church elsewhere: homeless shelters, Food Pantry, low-income housing developments, neighborhood community centers, apartment community centers. Urge church members, Sunday School classes, and other small groups to become more involved in community events like Habitat, Inter-church relations, holiday parades, High School and College ministries.

Strategy #2 The Church will ensure current church members are sensitive to the specific needs of first time visitors from a variety of backgrounds.

a.     It will be a community that promotes the return of first-time visitors.

Creating and maintaining a system that informs first time visitors of the different classes offered for them and members of their family.

Strategy #3 The Church will promote the use of its physical assets for the benefit of our community. To be a church focused on the community we must be a church for the community.

a. It's facilities will be used in a variety of ways to serve, educate, and minister to our diverse community.

Offer use of the facilities for community use. For example: Citizenship classes, literacy classes, parenting classes, Alcoholics Anonymous, Home Schooling Clubs and activities. This will create expense but it will also foster growth and trust which will allow the gain to outweigh the cost. 

Randall Sidwell Ministry : ClearVision of the Church andIts Purpose for Bein...

Randall Sidwell Ministry : ClearVision of the Church
andIts Purpose for Bein...: Clear Vision of the Church and Its Purpose for Being the Church Vision is crucial for the people of God. It is through vision that...

Clear Vision of the Church

and Its Purpose for Being the Church

Vision is crucial for the people of God. It is through vision that we know and stay aware of who we are, why we are here, and where we are going. Without vision, a church will end up in a maintenance program of maintaining. This results in a church going nowhere

As God's people, we need vision. We need to see the greatness of God but not simply for our own personal blessing. We need to see the world as God sees it and where our responsibilities lie as members of the body of Christ. This means a vision for every member ministry, and what ministry consists of in biblical terms.

 

Following after God.

We begin by making God the number one priority and seeking to walk with Him in honest fellowship through the ministry of the indwelling Spirit of God. Following after God means just that we can not sit still and wait on him we must be ever moving toward him both spiritually and biblically.

 

Commitment to God and to the Great Commission which shows the Stewardship of All We Are

To truly know God is to love God, and to love God is to be committed to Him and His purposes. It is to live with a view when we will be forever in His glorious presence. When this is not kept in focus in the ministry of a church, the people will naturally withhold their lives. Here are some scriptural examples Matt. 22:36-40; 6:19-24; Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 4:16-18 To love is to know love, to be served one must know how to be a servant. To be Christ like one must truly understand Christ.

The Direction, Administration, and Organization of the Church

Who are the leaders?

Because of confusion regarding the roles of pastor and flock, a confusion created largely by certain cultural expectations that have developed over the years, it has become even more imperative that we all have a clear biblical understanding of who the leaders and people are if churches are going to have effective ministries. Eph. 4:12; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; Heb. 13:7, 17 these verses sets a biblical standard and example of who and what the leaders should be and what roles are need to feel.

 

The leaders of the church are referred to as “elders” Acts 20:17 this is a body of men who fit the biblical standards set up by the word or who are striving to fit this standard in an openly manner. These are roles of servant hood not power.

The people of the church are ministers who are to be trained for the kind of growth in the Word that results in changed lives and ministry.

 

Pastoral Priorities in Responsibilities

God is the central priority. Everything else flows from this center. Examples of this can be seen in the following scripture. Prov. 4:23; Matt. 12:34-35; 23:6

A strong marriage relationship (Eph. 5:25; 1 Tim. 3:4).

b. Training and disciplining one's children (Eph. 6:4; 1 Tim. 3:4-5).

 Serving the church in his pastoral responsibilities as set forth in Scripture (1 Pet. 5:2-3).

 Character of Christ (1 Tim. 4:12, 15; 1 Pet. 5:3).

e. Doing the work of evangelism with neighbors, friends, relatives, etc. (1 Tim. 3:7).

 

Primary Responsibilities

Prayer, in-depth Bible study, and spiritual preparation for teaching and communicating the Word.  (Ezra 7:6-10; John 15:7; Eph. 5:18; Col. 3:1-3, 16; 1 Tim. 4:14-16; 2 Tim. 2:15).

Preaching and teaching the Word (1 Tim. 4:6, 11-13; 2 Tim. 4:1-2; 1 Cor. 9:16). Some Goals:

Teach the people to love the Word of God (Isa. 66:2; Ps. 1:1-3).

Lead people to submit to the authority of the Word and to see obedience as a major goal of their lives (Josh. 1:8).

Demonstrate that the proclamation of the Word is critical to worship (John 4:24).

Motivate people to look for and live in view of the coming of the Lord (Tit. 2:1, 11-15).

Motivate people to good deeds or ministry (Tit. 2:14; 3:1, 8, 14)

Discipling leaders and future leaders (Matt. 28:19-20; 2 Tim. 2:2)

 

 

Secondary Responsibilities

(1)   Calling, visiting, counseling (Rom. 15:1-4; 1 Thess. 5:11-12; Jam. 1:27; 5:14).(2) Administrative functions: thinking, planning and organizing, letters, etc.

 

 

Church leaders Philosophy agreement

Definition: an agreement, especially among the leaders, but extending to a broad base in the congregation, concerning (1) the purposes, goals, and product of the church, (2) the priority of certain ministries over others (exposition, training, evangelism, etc., versus some of the typical expectations that people have regarding the church), and (3) the methods used to reach those objectives.

 Description: Philosophical purity means unity or oneness of mind, harmonious agreement, but not necessarily unanimity, the complete agreement on all issues (cf. Phil. 1:27; 1 Cor. 1:10). Unity means coming to a working agreement based on a common objective.

 Necessity: this is vital to the kind of ministry that is able to multiply itself in growing, mature people who become active in the work of ministry in evangelism and edification.

 Key Scriptures: John 17:11-23; Eph. 4:3-16; Phil. 1:27; 2:2.

 

 

Principles of Administration

(1) Face Problems: Problems do not go away, they only get worse. They must be faced and dealt with according to the principles of Scripture.

(2) Get a clear Understanding of the Problem Before Seeking Solutions: This means getting all the facts available and then prayerfully seeking biblical solutions.

(3) Delegate Responsibility: This principle follows naturally the “establishment of priorities” as seen in Exodus 18 and Acts 6. Scripture stresses that this must be done with people who are qualified spiritually and by their ability (gifts and training as is needed).

(4) Establish Priorities: In solving problems and meeting the needs of people, we must, as emphasized above, act in accord with God's priorities or we create overload and burnout

(5) Solve Problems Under the Leading of the Holy Spirit: It is easy to get locked into administrative routines that kill the freedom of the Spirit of God to lead us in different ways and use our God-given creativity.

 

Organization

(1) Organize to Accomplish New Testament Purposes: Organization must never become an end. We must seek to develop structures for the church which will help us accomplish New Testament purposes and objectives.

(2) Must meet needs: We must never organize to organize. The New Testament church organized only when a need arose and only as long as the need existed

(3) Be Flexible: Biblical leaders were never locked into organizational structures.

 

The Authority of Scripture

The prophet wrote, “I know, O Lord, that a man's way is not in himself; Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23). The authority of the Word of God is crucial to all that it is and does. We must not operate in a way that contradicts what is written in Scripture.

Evangelization

Making Friends Matt. 22:39 “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

Believers must be taught and encouraged to build bridges and develop relationships with the lost. Getting in contact with the people is vital to evangelism. People must learn to help their neighbors, show mercy, and, according to their ability, give to those in need to demonstrate the love of Christ this will build bridges between the church and the unchurched.

 

Personal Witnessing Rom. 10:17”Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” The church must be involved in an active ministry of sharing the gospel to the lost. This should involve an outreach to all ages and groups in order to fulfill the great commission. There is nothing else as valuable to the people living next door to you than for them to think you really care this is more than asking once but a continued offering and contact.

 

Sharing, Refuting, Reasoning, Persuading, Demonstrating, Proving (Acts 9:22 “Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.”

 

Here we see how Saul in Damascus grew more powerful and baffled the Jews by continually proving Jesus was the Christ. While only the Spirit of God can illuminate a person's heart to the truth of the gospel, God still uses the witness of the believer. With this being said it is the churches job not just the minister to effectively evangelize the lost.

The Church and its Ministry of Prayer

Confession 1 Cor. 11:28 “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup”. Believers should be encouraged to keep accounts with God in order to keep themselves void of offense or sin and stay in fellowship for the purpose of God's glory. This is done through effective prayer, meaningful worship, biblical understanding and growth, and effective ministry by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Intercession and Petition Eph. 6:18-19 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,”

 

In these verses we see where we are encouraged to pray and be thinking of others because effectual prayer for others, for oneself and family, for the nation and its leaders, and for the ministry of the church is crucial to all that the church is and does.

 

Action Eph. 3:20-21 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

 

Here we see that believers are to be challenged to make every aspect of their life an act of worship to God by which they count and act on the glories of God's grace. Unless this is true, the Sunday worship service becomes nothing more than lip service.

My next step is the Ministry of Fellowship that is to be the Church. And how this is put into action.

 

Helping Rom. 15:1-3 “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” As members of the body of Christ, we need one another and we must learn to care for one another. A healthy church is taking interest in those who need help, being ready for every good deed in order to meet pressing needs.

 

 Encouraging Heb. 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Believers must be challenged to encourage one another in the areas of the Christian life. This could be done through small groups which provide for individual sharing, encouragement, and accountability.

 

Disciplining Matt. 18:15-20 “If your brother sins against you, go and show him hi fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. “ I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Church discipline is not an option. It is vital for the purity, power, progress, and purpose of the church. Without this restorative ministry, conditions continue which defile, weaken, hinder, and divert the church from its holy calling. However, discipline must be carried out with biblical attitudes, motives, and goals.

 

Counseling Rom. 16 the personal greetings chapter of Romans is a good case in point. Here the new believers that had been brought up and taught in the faith where urged to hold fast to what had been taught to them. As believers within the body are built up in the Word, trained for ministry, and exercise their gifts, they should naturally be able to meet many of the counseling needs within the church.

 

Church as a Team 1 Cor. 12:4-11 “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. ⁸ To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,^[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.^{[b] 11} All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”

Here we see that even though we have different spiritual gifts that we are still one body each piece being brought together to bring the one body to a stronger whole. Recognizing the body concept and learning to work together as a team with every believer knowing and using their gifts is critical for the proper and effective operation of the body of Christ.

 

 Sharing, Giving Acts 2:42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

 

Here we us the fellowship of the believers to show how our sharing our gifts and giving our time can work wonders with in the congregation we serve in. The principles of grace giving, eternal priorities, and encouraged to sacrificially meet the needs of the ministry of the church and others through words, deeds, and gifts of love is our duty as a fellowship of believers..

Worship Ministry or Worship Service

The next level I want to address is the Ministry that is the Worship service. I truly believe that this is ministry opportunity is one that most often ether over looked or over stated. The Worship Ministry or worship service is an extension of the churches example that it wants to set forth to those who come and worship with it. If the service is one of dullness with no showing of life or excitement one is left feeling that the church is dormant or non-active in its position of caring out Christ example. And then with the other extreme if more attention is paid to the worship than to the preaching, teaching, or exhortation of Christ one is left feeling excited through song and or music but left feeling empty. I compare it to being able to see the feast, smell the feast with all its meats and trimmings which gets one excited about eating but right at the last moment closing the door to the dinning area. There is a dividing line with the to and this is different from Church to Church but one must faithfully and prayerfully seek it out for true worship prepares the church and its visitors for the meal that is ahead which is the teaching and preaching of Gods word.

 

 Giving Praise and Thanksgiving Heb. 13:15-16 “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that cnfess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Believers need to be taught and challenged to live by praise and thanksgiving as they share together in the riches of Christ. To encourage this, the church needs some public opportunity to express its adoration to God individually as well as corporately.

 

 Singing and Making Melody Acts 16:25 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” As with all other aspects of worship, music must be the product of spirit-motivated expression to God and should be designed to encourage and unite hearts together in adoration of Him. Paul and Silas where imprisoned by the world but sought to praise God for his hand in their lives by singing. This should be our motivation also. That even though we are imprisoned by the flesh we shall sing to the Lord for the day of freedom that is to come.

 Baptizing  1 Pet. 3:21 “and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. it saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand-with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.” This is Baptism for the remission of sins not that water alone can save but water through the resurrection of Christ saves.  Baptism is also to be a public demonstration of a believer's faith, understanding of his or her position in Christ with its ramifications, and this includes commitment to walk with Christ in newness of life.

 

 Taking Communion 1 Cor. 11:23-26 “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “ This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, when ever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” As a public act of worship, the communion service should be designed to promote soul searching, evaluation, and reflection on the Savior and what He means to our life.

The Churches Ministry Objectives

The Church must know and have clear ministry objectives. For with out these the church will stumble as one walking in darkness. From William H. Willimon's book “Pastor” he talks about very clearly what some examples of these objectives must be.

 

(1)   Preaching  2 Tim. 4:1-2 “In the presence of God and of the Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction”. The Word of God must be faithfully preached from the pulpit in such a way that one can feel the overwhelming presents of the Living God himself. This is done through the careful study in prayer over Gods word.

 

(2)   Teaching  Col. 1:28 “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.”  The Word of God must also be taught in both large and small group settings. This involves questions and answers, and setting together around the Word .

 

 

 

(3)   Training 2 Tim. 2:2-4 “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” Believers must be trained in such aspects as how to study their Bibles, how to pray, how to witness, how to walk in the power of the Spirit, how to communicate their faith to others, and so on, so that they may, in turn, be able to train others.

 

(4)   Exhorting Col. 3:16  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” The church must be exhorted to provide a positive example to the lost. And this can only be done by the true following of the example that Christ has left for us.

Operation of the Church

Purposes of the Church:

 

Eph. 1:6, 12 “to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” “in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.”

This is to be the primary purpose of the Church. To be bring praise of his glorious grace, so that those who see us might see in us his grace so that through us more praise of his glory might shine through. This is further shown in what I call the three E's.

 

Exalting  1 Cor. 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or what ever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

 

Equipping  Eph. 4:11-16 “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

 

Evangelizing  Matt. 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

 

Exalting, equipping, and evangelizing, these are our goals and responsibility. Doing the work that we ourselves our testimonies of. This is to be done with the heart of a servant and the love of Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Church and Understanding its Character:

Descriptions of the Church and Its Purpose

1 Peter 2:5,9,11 “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” “Dear Friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.”

 Dealing with the purpose and ministry of the church in the world, Peter addresses his readers as: (1) living stones who were being built up for a spiritual house, (2) a holy and royal priesthood, (3) a people belonging only to God, and (4) aliens and strangers (1 Pet. 2:5, 9, 11). This is done to call attention to who and what the people of God are, but there is another purpose as well. Peter also wants us to see what the people of God ought to be doing.

So what are we to do? I believe we are to be building up this spiritual house, offering spiritual sacrifices in the worship of God, proclaiming the excellencies of God to a world lost in darkness, and abstaining from worldly lusts so that we can keep our behavior, our manner of life and testimony, excellent before an unbelieving world.

Throughout the New Testament, numerous ways are used to call our attention to the nature and identity of the church. The church is compared to salt, light, sheep, a bride, a spiritual temple, a household, members of Christ's body, branches in the vine, athletes, soldiers, and heavenly lights. Its people are called children of God, adopted sons, priests, servants, bondslaves, stewards, and partners with Christ, just to name a few.

      Why so many descriptions? Look at each of these, they all imply action and ministry. They describe the character, conduct, and calling of the church. God has painted such pictures in Scripture in order to challenge, motivate, and charge us into what? ACTION! The most important thing is that we see the vision of who we are as God's people, where we are, and why we are here-God's representatives in an alien country. And the hope of God is that we become motivated by this truth for if not we will fail to see and respond to the purpose for our lives.