1.26.2025

Teaching and Serving Pt 2

In this week's class, most of our time was spent discussing the importance of approachability and loving honesty.  Part of this discussion was how to handle criticism. 
Preference criticism - example "You should be more like ________."
Improvement criticism - example criticism that might make your discipleship better.
False teaching criticism, examples are found in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John.

Very Basic Definition of Discipleship:  HELPING someone else FOLLOW Jesus.

Within this definition, approachability and honesty are very important.

Candor from Lead by Paul Tripp

The following is a prayer and some quotes from chapter 8 of Lead.

Lord, God, Three in One, the one who said it was not good that Adam was alone, 
Thank you for making us relational beings.  You want me to be comforted, warned, encouraged, rebuked, and instructed by others.  May my willingness to confess and share struggles not only be a help to me but also an encouragement to others. 
God, make me aware of my own heart struggles and areas of weakness. 
I pray that
pride of personal maturity,
the pursuit for the respect of others,
functional Gospel doubt,
ability to minimize sin, and 
identity in ministry

will not silence me.

Help me and those I lead with to lead and live, knowing the dark, despicable, destructive, and dishonoring nature of sin.  May we never attempt to rationalize sin and make it look o.k. 
I pray that the fear of a lost leadership position will never be great than the fear of giving sin room to do its evil work in my life.   
God, I want my life and my ministry to be about you and your glory!!! 
Amen!


Some quotes to consider

An isolated, independent, separated, and self-hiding Christian life is alien to the Christianity of the New Testament. (148) 

No one is so spiritually mature that he is free from a need for the comfort, warnings, encouragement, rebuke, instruction, and insight of others.  (148) 

A spiritually healthy leadership community is spiritually healthy when it is a safe place for struggling leaders to speak with candor and hope.  (149) 

"The ministry leaders I regularly meet with often share a personal experience, but they leave out how they themselves factor into it.  They talk about what happened and what other people did and said, but they give little sense of their own heart struggle as it was all going on.  (150) 

It is quite possible to be committed to leading robust gospel ministries and yet be denying the same gospel in your leadership community.  (152) 

A gospel-shaped leadership community will be a confessional community, where leader honesty is not only a constant protection but encourages a deeper and deeper dependency on God.  (152) 

It is in the soil of the devastation and humiliation of confession that servant leaders grow.  (153)

What silences us?

1.  Pride of personal maturity

2.  Ability to minimize sin

3.  Must have the respect of others

4.  Identity in ministry

5.  Functional Gospel doubt

Every leadership community needs to pray together for grace to see sin as dark, despicable, destructive, and dishonoring to God as it actually is.  Every leadership community needs to regularly cry out for help, admitting that sin doesn't always look sinful.  (155)

If I have [the leadership community] in the appropriate place in my heart, I will see them as God-given tools of grace and be free to be candid with them about my real issues of heart and life.  (155)

The Gospel promises us that the good things God calls us to will produce good in our lives, even if that good looks different from what we hoped for.  (157)

Do we fear the loss of leadership position more than we fear giving sin room to do its evil work in our hearts and lives?  (157)

Next week (January 2) is an often-missed part of discipleship - the role of elders, deacons, deaconesses, and the congregation in discipleship. 
Discipleship is NOT a solo project.  Discipleship is a community project.

Full post schedule



Posted by at No comments:

1.19.2025

Teaching and Serving


This week, the Pray/Prepare class joined with the Overview of the Bible class.

John Van Tongeren has been teaching the class this quarter but needed coverage for the next few weeks.  I decided to take this week for two reasons:

  1. The Prah/Prepare class topic was Teaching and Serving Helps.  Throughout the lesson, especially in 1st John, we will look at some of the teaching tools John uses in the letter, and next week, the class will look at the lesson and talk about teaching techniques.
  2. The books 1, 2, and 3 John are heavy on the topic of teaching.
Here are some helpful teaching tips from How Can I Begin Teaching the Bible? by David Helm

Principles:

  • You need confidence.  Not self-confidence, but confidence in God's Word and the Holy Spirit.
  • You need the right convictions.  
    1. The Bible is God's Word.
    2. Prayer is a must.
    3. The local church is one of God's greatest gifts.

Preparation

  • Find the structure and emphasis.
  • Understand the context.
  • Highlight the message of the. Gospel.
Presentation
  • Know your goal.
  • Construct an outline.
  • Drive the Truth home.

One to One Bible Reading

Servants from Lead by Paul Tripp


 

Posted by at No comments:

1.15.2025

Ministry Wk 2

Next week's How to Pray/Prepare for Ministry'Missionss (1.19) is going on the road again.  We will likely be in the Fireplace Room as we look at Teaching and Serving Helps and study 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John.

Last week's Pray and Prepare for Ministry/Missions post was about general ministry principles.

This week's post aims to share specific information and resources related to specific ministries.  Before looking at each specific ministry, we must remember that ministry to children, young adults, women, and men involves specific studies and activities for each age group.  At the same time, each of these ministries and every ministry needs to remind believers that their identity is in Christ,  the church is God's plan for growing His share and sharing the Gospel, and everything we do, no matter who we are, should be done for God's glory.

Children and Family Ministry:

Zealous:  7 Commitments for the Discipleship of the Next Generations, from Truth78, is a challenge to passionately disciple the next generation by telling them "the glorious deeds of the Lord and his might and the wonders he has done so that they should set their hope in God."  (Psalm 78:4, 7) 



About two years ago, the Christian Education team started reading Zealous.  Over several months, we would discuss one of the commitments, and I would share thoughts from the book at https://tbcgrkidz.blogspot.com/search/label/Zealous

The joke around Trinity is that I always have a book to share.  There is always a purpose behind recommended books.  Here is what I shared in February 2022.
I would love to see Trinity Baptist Church continue to grow in its zeal for God and the discipleship of one another.  As a church we need to pray tht God would grow this zeal in each of us. 
I hope and pray that not just the children's ministry but every ministry is growing and continues to grow in these areas.
  1. Embrace a Biblical Vision for the Faith of the Next Generation
  2. Foster a Robust Partnership Between Church and Home
  3. Teach the Breadth & Depth of the Whole Counsel of God
  4. Proclaim the Glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ
  5. Disciple the Mind, Heart, and the Will
  6. Prayerful Dependence on God's Grace
  7. Inspire Worship of God, for the Glory of God
If you are interested in learning more about the 7 Commitments, here are three ways you can find out more
The Christian Education Committee
  1. The Zealous podcast https://anchor.fm/truth78/episodes/Zealous-podcast-introduction-e13g46m/a-a60bhdg
  2. Free PDF version of the book:  https://www.truth78.org/zealous
  3. I have a couple of paperback copies of the book.  If you are interested in one, let me know.
Young Adults Ministry:

The goal of the church is the equipping of the saints "for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."  (Ephesians 4:12, 13)

There are many different ideas of what young adult ministry should look like.  Despite these many possibilities, the purpose of young adult ministry should be Ephesians 4 - helping young people glorify God, grow in love for the church and the whole church, and go into the world to share the hope in Christ they have.

Women's Ministry:

I just wanted to share the purpose of the women's committee and a couple of links because Julie Lee and I talked about Women's ministry and Women's Bible study on the Trinity Life podcast.  See the link below.

The Women's Committee desires to do the following
  • Reach and encourage women in a socially or spiritually vulnerable stage
  • Equip and replicate faithful and fruitful women - not relying only on a few people
  • Incorporate evangelism and outreach to non-believers
  • Support and pursue things congruent with the overall ministry philosophy of the church and its larger ministries.
For the Women's Committee & Women's Bible Study podcast with Julie Lee, go to Trinity Life Podcast with Julie Lee.
For more about the Women's Ministry at TBC, go to  https://trinitybaptistgr.churchcenter.com/pages/womens-ministry.
For more about Women's Bible Studies at TBC, go to trinitybaptistgr.churchcenter.com/groups

Men's Ministry:

Information Coming Soon.

Posted by at No comments:

1.08.2025

Ministry

This past and next Sunday, the class will focus on "What is ministry?"  
January 5th class was on general ministries.
The January 12th class will focus on specific ministries, such as men's, women's, and children's ministry.

Some questions to consider are where, who, what, and why.

Where do we find out what discipleship is?

Where should we look for directions and wisdom on discipleship?  The Bible.  Passages like 2 Timothy 3:16 - 17 show that God's word contains everything needed to equip the man of God for every good work.  Here are some verses and what they say about discipleship.

  • Psalm 115:1 
    • For God's glory
  • Matthew 28:16 - 20
    • Teaching disciples to obey
  • John 13:34 - 35
    • Love others
  • Hebrews 3:12 - 14
    • Encouraging others
  • Ephesians 4:12
    • Done with humility, gentleness, patience and love

Crossway's link about 10 Key Bible Verses on Discipleship is a good resource.  
Spend some time reading and meditating on these verses.

Who is discipleship focused on?

The first and most significant "who?" is God.
Discipleship is done for God's glory.
Discipleship must be done God's way.
Discipleship brings us into a growing relationship with God.
Discipleship grows in us a desire to share God with others.    

The second person is people who need to grow in godly character and care for others. 

What does discipleship look like?

The Discipleship Plan at Trinity Baptist Church is dependent on God working in and through 
large group meetings,
smaller group meetings, and
individual relationships.

A church-wide small group ministry or a specific curriculum for adults or children are not silver bullets.

These meeting times and groups provide opportunities for people to connect.  The groups are not the end goal. The glorification of God and good for others is the goal.

Why disciple others?

The purpose of men's ministry, women's ministry, young adult ministry, youth ministry, and children's ministry are done for the glory of God and the good of others.

Devotional:  Paul Tripp's Lead Chapter 5:  Character


Full post schedule

Posted by at No comments:

12.29.2024

Biblical Productivity

"The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to
stop, look up, and get our bearings."
Don Whitney

Our class on Sunday focused on biblical productivity, a great concept to consider and implement at the beginning of a new year.  The world offers many different definitions, goals, and resources for productivity.  The problem with each is the anchor point, which holds the definition, implementation, and end goal together.  Personal satisfaction is the ratio of output to input of time, daily accomplishments, and other factors.



Balance is the theme of the fourth chapter of Paul Tripp's book Lead.  The common theme throughout the chapter is fleshed out in the following quote.  "It is only when God is in his rightful place in my heart that people and things are in their appropriate place in my thoughts, desires, and actions."  (p. 95)  Biblical productivity must begin with God in his proper place - Sovereign over all creation and Lord of my life.  

 

Most of the teaching time was spent working through the PRODUCTIVITY CATECHISM developed by Tim Challies.  A catechism is a set of questions designed for teaching, and this catechism is intended to teach what Biblical productivity is.

Q1.  Ultimately, why did God create us?

God created us to bring glory to Him.  (Romans 11:36; 1 Peter 4:11)

Q2.  How can we glorify God in our day-to-day lives?

We can glorify God in our day-to-day lives by doing good works.  (Matt.  5:16; 1 Peter 2:12) 


Q3.  What are good works?

Good works are works done for the glory of God and the good of others.  (Matt.  5:16; 1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 4:10—11) 

Q4.  As sinful people, can we actually do good works?

Yes, Christians are able to do good works because of the finished work of Jesus.  (Eph.  2:10; Titus 2:14)

Q5.  In what areas of life should we do good works?

We ought to do good works at all times and in all areas of life.  (1 Cor 10:31; Titus 2:7, 3:8; 1 Tim. 2:9—10; Gal. 6:10; Acts 9:36)

 Q6.  What is productivity?

Productivity is effectively stewarding your gifts, talents, time, energy, and enthusiasm for the good of others and the glory of God.  (Eph.  5:15—16)

Tim Challies, author of Do More Better, and Matt Perman, author of What's Best Next, share that understanding one's roles and responsibilities is a key part of living a Biblically Productive life.  The Biblical Counseling Coalition offers beneficial teachings on the circles of responsibilities and concerns HERE.

There are God-ordained responsibilities.  In these areas, God must be obeyed.
There are also areas of concern that are not my responsibility.  In these areas, God must be trusted.
The final step in thinking about these areas is recognizing areas needing change.

Resources


Posted by at No comments:

12.22.2024

Importance of Prayer in Ministry

Much of this content is from an earlier post related to a pastor's meeting on prayer.
Also, there is content in this post that was not presented in class.

We begin each class with a principle from Lead by Paul Tripp.  This week's principle is LIMITS.  Here is the Limits video.  One of the connections between Limits and Prayer is that we are limited and need to depend upon God.

Most of the material I presented was not original to me.  It was quoted or adapted from  Prayer:  How Praying Together Shapes the Church by Onwuchekwa, Praying with Paul by D.A. Carson, and The Praying Church by Paul Miller.  

The time began with three groups examining the following passages about prayer and how to pray.

  • Daniel 2:17—23
  • Psalm 13
  • Philippians 1:9—11
Rather than sharing what we discussed, I want to encourage you and others in your church to study and pray these verses.

Here are other prayer passages from Ephesians 1:15 - 24, 3:14 - 19, 6:18 - 20.

I have been learning how praying prayers from the Bible helps with God-centeredness, specificity, and more.   Most, if not all, Bible-believing Christians would say prayer is important.  However, Bible-praying Christians see the need to pray more and live more God-dependent prayers.

"When prayer is sparse and sporadic when it's done just enough to ease the conscience and not much more, we've got a problem."  

Here are some faulty ideas about prayer.  Here are a couple of these ideas. 
  • Seems like a waste of time.  
    • Lie: Let's get working and doing something.
    • Truth:  We are commanded to pray.  We need to grow in our dependence on God.  

  • "I don't know how to pray."
    • Lie:  There is an exact way that I need to pray.
    • Truth:  Ask others to help you grow in your prayer life.  If you aren't sure how to pray, look to the Bible for examples of prayer.  
  • If God is sovereign, why bother praying.
    • Lie:  There is no reason to pray if God is sovereign.
    • Truth:  We are commanded to pray.  The purpose of prayer is not to change God's mind.  
  • Prayer does not work.
    • Lie:  I have prayed for specific things and didn't get what I wanted.
    • Truth:" Effective prayer is the fruit of a relationship with God, not a technique for acquiring blessings." D.A. Carson

KEYS TO PRAYER

  • God and His Glory
  • Man's dependence on God
  • God's Word
  • God's family, the church
  • God's timing

Marks of a praying church?

  • People pray more.
  • Harmony and unity in Christ.
  • Growing dependence upon God

    • "Where prayer is abundantly present, it teaches the church that we need the Lord.  Where prayer is absent, it reinforces that we believe we are okay without God."

  • Understanding that prayer is not ONE MORE activity of the church.  Prayer lies at the heart of all the church's ministry.  (The Praying Church, p. 28)
  • Individuals pray for each other and ask others to pray for you. 

Pray for the Church, MInistries, and Missionaries.

Here are some ways you and others in your congregation can pray for our church, other churches, Christian ministries, and missionaries.
Following these helps are specific people and ministries to pray for.

1.  Pray they will keep their eyes on God.

King Jehoshaphat faced three combined enemy armies and did not know what to do except to lock his eyes on God. That’s the answer whenever we have no clue about the next steps.

“For we are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to You.” (2 Chron. 20:12, HCSB)

2.  Pray they will not take a step apart from God's leading.

Moses prayed this prayer when God would send only an angel to lead His people after their fiasco with the golden calf. He would rather the people not start the journey if God Himself were not leading them.

“If Your presence does not go,” Moses responded to Him, “don’t make us go up from here.” (Exod. 33:15)

3.  Pray they will beware of relying on their own strength instead of God's

David, who knew the Lord is the one who fights for him (1 Sam. 17:47), trusted in his own might when he took a census of the Hebrew armies. Recognizing his sin, he prayed a prayer most leaders need to pray at some point:

“I have sinned greatly in what I’ve done. Now, Lord, because I’ve been very foolish, please take away Your servant’s guilt.” (2 Sam 24:10)

4.  Pray they will be wise in leading God's people.

When Solomon might have asked for much more, he instead asked God to give him a “listening heart” as he governed the people of God. All of us who lead congregations need this wisdom.

“So give Your servant an obedient heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who can judge this great people of Yours?” (1 Kings. 3:9)

Specific Churches, Ministries and Missionaries:


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Read more »
Posted by at No comments:

12.18.2024

Importance of the Bible in Ministry


"The Bible is a story that preaches a message.  From the beginning to the end, the Bible tells a single story of salvation."  Sound Doctrine by Bobby Jamieson.

For example, those who wondered if The Trellis and the Vine and The Vine Project from Matthias Media discuss an every-member word ministry, a church ministry mindset in which every church member and every form of church ministry seeks to help each person hear the gospel, grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and become better equipped to share Christ with others.  

Payne and Marshall respond to the critique that this type of every-member work ministry would devalue expository preaching and the work of the preacher with the following.
In our view, the word ministry of pastoral leadership (especially in expository preaching) takes on an even greater importance when it is seen in relation to a flourishing ‘every member word ministry’. For the sermon is not just one word ministry among many; it is the foundational word ministry that feeds and regulates and builds all the others… In his preaching, a pastor sounds the tuning fork so that the whole orchestra knows in what key to play. He teaches and guards the sound deposit of the gospel so that all may know it clearly and thoroughly (for how else will they speak it?). He shows them not only what the Bible says, but how they can read and speak that truth for themselves. He constantly teaches the sound doctrinal framework that shapes the Bible reading and speaking of the whole congregation. (p. 117)

Ministry needs to be rooted in the Bible because the Bible is sufficient, clear, authoritative, and necessary.  The graphic below explains each of these.

To see the poster and more info, click on the image

What do we use the Bible for?  Many answers to this question exist, but we looked at three VERY BASIC uses in our class discussion.

  1. Evangelism
  2. Personal, spiritual growth
  3. Corporate, spiritual growth

In teaching the lesson on Sunday morning, I wanted to allow those in attendance to encourage others with God's word.  Here is how this happened.

Each person was given one of the passages below and told to summarize what it says about the Bible.  Along with this assignment, each person shared a verse that has been an encouragement and help.

Here are short sentences explaining what each verse says about God's Word.

  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17:  The Bible is from God and for the good of those who hear it.
  • Romans 15:4:  The Bible was written for instruction and gives hope.
  • Matthew 24:35:  The Bible will not pass away.
  • Isaiah 55:11:  The Word of the Lord will not pass away.
  • Hebrews 4:12—13:  The Bible is sharper than a two-edged sword.
  • 2 Peter 1:19—21:  The Bible is a lamp shining in a dark place and comes from God.
  • Galatians 3:21—22:  The Bible gives life and gives us Christ.
  • 2 Peter 3:15—16:  The Bible can be challenging to read and used for sinful purposes.  
  • Luke 24:27:  All of scripture points to Jesus Christ.
  • Matthew 4:4:  The Bible gives life.

Resources:


Full post schedule

 






Posted by at No comments:

12.10.2024

Ministry and Missions

Week 2 of "How do you pray for and/or prepare for ministry and/or missions?" explained what ministry and missions is.


Notes from Lead by Paul Tripp.

"Fruit in ministry is the result not of our wise planning and diligent execution but of the loving operation of God's rescuing and transforming grace." (48)

"Prayerlessness in a leadership community is always a result of putting credit where it is not due.  Your leadership community is in trouble if your leaders are more excited about a strategic planning meeting than a prayer meeting. "(48)

As we continue this study of ministry and missions, we must remember both are dependent upon God and His work.

What is essential for spiritual growth?

Contemporary church culture tells us there are so many different things.  Many "silver bullets" are being promoted through the mail and online.  The reality is the essentials for spiritual growth are the Gospel (Romans 1:16 - 17), the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:15 - 17), the Holy Spirit (John 14:26), the church (Hebrews 10:23 - 25), prayer (Philippians 1:9), and time.  

Many things can be helpful but are optional for growth.  Books other than the Bible can be beneficial, but they must point you to God and His Word.  Many people believe finding the right program is necessary.  The problem is that some people think the program must be "new and exciting," while others believe the "old and familiar" is needed.  

The Trellis and The Vine summarizes disciple-making with the following statement.  "Disciples are made by the persevering proclamation of the Word of God by the people of God in prayerful dependence on the Spirit of God."  

Another way to think about developing a disciple-making culture is developing a Biblical counseling mindset in which members share their hope in Christ with one another.

Ministry is NOT programs or events to keep people busy and entertained.

Ministry is the faithful proclamation of the Word of God, knowing that He is the one who changes people and helps them grow.

Below, there are specific prayer points in purple related to these specific levels of Biblical Counseling


ATMOSPHERE OF GRACE & SOUL CARE CULTURE

Pray that God's Word will be faithfully preached and God's people will lovingly care for one another.

Biblical counseling in a local church setting allows the church to offer real hope to church members, regular attendees, and the surrounding community.
The Sunday preaching and teaching are foundational in helping people understand and live out this hope. The BIBLICAL DOCTRINE taught and the ATMOSPHERE OF GRACE experienced during the church meeting time is essential because this is a standard meeting time for everyone. Throughout the Pastoral Epistles, Paul reminds Timothy and Titus to teach and live the truth before people. Specifically, in 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul tells Timothy to share what he has learned with faithful men who will share it with others. The preaching and teaching prepare a congregation of "mini-preachers" to proclaim the Gospel to their families, neighborhoods, and workplaces. The church's ministry on Sunday is so much more than just the pulpit ministry. It is also a "pew" ministry. Each member is a minister.
The ATMOSPHERE OF GRACE goes beyond Sunday meeting times. A church body with a growing biblical counseling mindset also has a CULTURE OF DISCIPLESHIP and SOUL CARE that is marked by a love for one another (John 13:14, 34, 35; 15:12, 17; Romans 12:10; 15:14; 16:16; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 5:21; Hebrews 3:13). This CULTURE OF DISCIPLESHIP is Spirit-led, relationship-driven, not program-directed.
This ATMOSPHERE OF GRACE, CULTURE OF DISCIPLESHIP, and DIRECTIVE COUNSELING is an every-member church ministry.
DIRECTIVE COUNSEL
Pray that EACH MEMBER OF TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH would be a biblical counselor/disciple-maker by speaking biblical truth into one another's lives.
"The body of Christ is built up because the men and women in a church family openly acknowledge their pain, hurts, and struggles. There is mutual edification. This is biblical counseling." Biblical counseling is not a silo ministry. It is not a ministry that is isolated from other ministries. The counseling ministry and discipleship ministry are two separate areas of ministry. The biblical counseling ministry of a church is interwoven throughout its disciple-making mandate.
A church will never have enough highly trained, certified counselors to meet all its counseling needs. If we genuinely believe in biblical community and the priesthood of believers, then EVERY MEMBER of the church needs to be equipped to "speak the truth in love to one another at every level in the body of believers." Every disciple is a disciple maker.
Every growing Trinity Baptist Church member needs to be involved in DIRECTIVE COUNSELING. This is counseling that is life-on-life. It happens through friendship, Sunday School classes, small groups, conversations before church, after church, and throughout the week. DIRECTIVE COUNSELING aims to encourage and obey by speaking the truth in love. Each member is a counselor. The question is, "What kind of counselor are you?"
The quotes and the basic idea of this post have been taken from Biblical Counseling and the Church.
CORRECTIVE COUNSEL
Pray that people would seek help when needed, and pray that members of Trinity Baptist Church would seek training to become even more equipped biblical counselors.
There are times when more intentional, focused help is needed. Someone may need specific help with parenting, communication, finances, or other ongoing issues. If a church member has been doing DIRECTIVE COUNSEL, he or she may notice the same problems in a person's life. CORRECTIVE COUNSEL is meant to help those "stuck in sin." At this level, the counselor has more specific education and training to help those struggling. Individuals giving DIRECTIVE COUNSEL can come alongside the individual as a helper/advocate at the CORRECTIVE COUNSEL level.
INTENSIVE COUNSEL
Pray that counselors speak God's truth and have Godly wisdom while helping those struggling with complex, intense situations. Also, pray that those working with intense problems will seek the help they need.
INTENSIVE COUNSEL is focused on issues that have become life-dominating or tragic. Some examples include addictions, significant fear, and potential divorce. 
Because of the nature of the problems, INTENSIVE COUNSEL takes more time and requires a counselor with more in-depth training. Most people think of The level of counseling when they hear the word "counseling." The challenge in the local church setting is helping the congregation understand that if people sought and gave more counsel at the DIRECTIVE COUNSEL and CORRECTIVE COUNSEL levels, it would help with how much INTENSIVE COUNSEL needs to be given.

Plans and programs do not grow disciples, but one path of discipleship is our Adult Christian Education (ACE) classes.  These classes are designed to establish believers in the faith, edify them in their walk, and equip them to do the ministry's work.



This disciple-making mindset and disciple-making movement should happen in the ministry that should occur in every church.
  
Missions is the church crossing barriers, whether they be linguistics, economics, culture, geography, or religion, to share the Gospel (adapted from Missions by Johnson and Understanding the Christian Mission by Sundquist)


Read more »
Posted by at No comments:

12.05.2024

Ugly Class Name

Week 1 of "How do you pray for and/or prepare for ministry and/or missions?" focused on why this class is important and who should be in this class.
Full post schedule is below.

"How Do I Pray AND/OR Prepare for Ministry AND/OR Missions?" may be one of the worst class titles I have ever used.
According to online sources, "AND / OR" is ugly and inelegant.
Two "AND / OR"s are even uglier and more inelegant.

The title is not only ugly but also confusing. Some people may not join the class because they don't think it is for them.  

However, the title is accurate, and I wouldn't change it.  This post will explain why it is an ugly but accurate title for the class and review what we discussed in the first session (12.01.24).

Why this class?

Churches need to be praying more for missions and ministry. 
Everyone should be praying for these things.  This class will dedicate part of each session to pray for specific ministries and missionaries of Trinity Baptist Church.  The problem is not a complete lack of prayer in our church but too little God-dependent prayer.  “When prayer is sparse and sporadic when it’s done just enough to ease the conscience and not much more, we’ve got a problem.”  (Onwuchekwa, 18)

Churches must identify, challenge, and prepare people for vocational ministry and missions.  This will help the church fulfill its disciple-making mission NOW and in the FUTURE.  To help everyone understand that whatever and wherever you work, you do it for the glory of God, the church has forgotten the significance of pursuing vocational ministry and missions.  Full-time ministry roles in the local church and missionary roles across cultural, language, and geographical lines are great works. 

So, who would benefit from this class? 

Generally, 
Anyone who wants to grow as a prayer warrior and disciple-making.  

Specifically,
Those who want to learn how to specifically pray for the ministries of Trinity Baptist Church, other churches, and the universal church.
Those who are prayerfully considering or currently pursuing vocational ministry.
Those who are prayerfully considering or currently pursuing missions work.

In this first introductory session, we examined First Corinthians 4:1 - 21, some observations from the class, and D.A. Carson's book The Cross & Christian Ministry.

This passage was broken into three parts.

First Corinthians 4:1 - 7

Carson writes that Christian leadership means being entrusted with the "mysteries of God" and being a servant of Christ.  A Christian leader's loyalty must first be to Jesus.  This loyalty is lived out as one pursues godly righteousness.  In looking through the qualifications for an elder and a deacon, note that most of the list is made up of character qualities every believer should be pursuing these things. 

The "mysteries of God" that have been entrusted to leaders is not some high, secret knowledge that is only revealed to some people.  It is the Gospel, which was a shadown in the Old Testament and is now made clear in Jesus Christ.  

First Corinthians 4:8 - 13

Carson says Christian leadership means living life in the light of the cross.  He goes on to say, "Paul's language is now steeped in biting irony."  The Corinthians thought they had all they needed. 
Christian leaders will be reviled, persecuted, and slandered.  In each of these situations the godly leader will bless, endure, and seek to bring reconciliation.



 

First Corinthians 4:14 - 21

We are reminded that Christian leadership means "encouraging, and if necessary, enforcing the way of the cross, among the people of God."  It is not only about gathering information but also about living out what one believes.  Paul encourages the church to imitate him as he follows Christ.  The goal is not more Pauls.  The goal is for more disciples living for God's glory through Jesus Christ.  Christian leaders, through encouragement and, when needed, discipline.

 BOTTOMLINE:

The Christian leader sets the example by
Proclaiming the Gospel
Living life in the light of the Gospel
Fostering genuine Christian living in the church and the world.

Read more »
Posted by at No comments:

11.27.2024

Praying and Preparing for Ministry and Missions

I am excited to teach a class this winter quarter entitled "How Do I Pray for and/or Prepare for Ministry and Missions?"

First, I want to tell you what this class is NOT.

It is not only for those who want to be a pastor or missionary.  

It is not an automatic seal of ministry approval.  

It is not in-depth training for a specific ministry role.

Who is this class for?

If you want to pray more for ministry and missions, this class is for you.

If you want to learn more about full-time ministry and/or missions, this class is for you.

If you want to learn more about ministries in the local church, especially Trinity Baptist Church, with the purpose of praying, refocusing on what God is doing through the ministri, and learning more about the ministry of TBC.

What is meant by "ministry and missions?"

Here is a list to think about:

  • International missions
  • local missions and ministry
  • pastors
  • elders
  • deacons and deaconesses
  • teachers of adults, youth, and children
  • the main part of the class discussion in the first two weeks

What is the class going to cover?

Several definitions of what ministry and missions are.

Reminders and some tips related to the importance of the Bible for personal, spiritual growth and understanding ministry and mission.

Reminders and helps related the importance of prayer for personal, spiritual growth and ministry and mission.

The character of a leader, specifically as it relates to church leadership

The challenges facing a leader, specifically as it relates to church leadershp

Men in ministry and missions

Women in ministry and missions

Teaching and Serving Helps

Elders, Deacons, Deaconesses, and the Congregation  

 Here is the class description:  

This class is designed to help those interested in praying for and/or pursuing ministry (teaching a class, leading a small group, serving as an elder, deacon, or deaconess, pursuing missions, or pastoral ministry).  It wi be filled with prayer, practical ministry helps, and encouraging one another and ourselves to become even more equipped for the Gospel work in the church, community, and worldwide. 

Full post schedule

Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)