Philosophy of ministry
Our philosophy of ministry is tied to the core values that we believe stand out from the Word as guides to keep in mind in all aspects of ministry. So whether it is discipleship, marriages and raising families, preaching, missions, or whatever else, these principles provide a framework for the way we believe ministry and life should be done. Therefore, our philosophy of ministry is divided into three areas – the basis of God’s revelation, core values, and then the tangible ways these foundations manifest themselves in day-to-day real life.
1. God’s essential revelation
The greatest good in the entire universe is God Himself, and through his Word, the Spirit, and creation he allows us to be partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4), and rejoice in His inexpressible glories (1 Pet. 1:8). He is also infinitely and eternally happy, and He has given us in creation, the gospel, His Son, and His Word, the resources to find happiness in Him alone. This has such drastic implications for all of life and discipleship, as we devote ourselves to seeing the things of the world less and less as sources of ultimate fulfillment (which is in some way associated with all sin), and through the work of the Spirit find delight in Christ – His work, character, commands, holiness, etc. Therefore, we find that the goal of all of creation – the glory of God, and our ultimate happiness, are not mutually exclusive! His glory, and how all of the elements of the Christian life relate to that, brings us the greatest delight.
The greatest satisfaction we can find in life is treasuring Jesus above all through eating, seeing mountains, experiencing love between a husband and wife or parents and children, experiencing sunrises, facing difficulties, and all other experiences of life. We desire to disciple others into a God-centered view of every facet of life so that they find all delight in Him. These foundational truths about God will always be central in the way ministry is “done,” and they are immensely practical, as they provide the framework for seeing sin for the counterfeit god it is, understanding the incomparable glories of God’s grace and love as revealed in the gospel, worship, community, discipleship, etc.
2. Core Values
We believe these seven core values outline God’s revelation in Scripture concerning himself and His plan for us to glorify and enjoy him forever. Therefore, we believe that all worship gatherings, small groups, events, and everything else done in the realm of church ministry should be purposefully driven by these biblical principles.
a. The Glory of God
The greatest good in all of the universe is God Himself, and the deliberate seeking of and recognizing of His infinite goodness in his character and work brings us the most delight. The redeemed will enjoy Him for all of eternity, so life must be about that now also. Creation, His Word, and His Son all reveal this great and incomprehensible glory. No aspect of ministry can be separated from His infinite worth and beauty, and discipleship, preaching, missions, etc. must be connected to how He is intimately and powerfully working all things in our lives after the counsel of His will for our good and His glory. Furthermore, ministry should seek to emphasize how His glory can been seen and savored even in all facets of life, so that we see every moment and experience as a means to appreciate and treasure Him more.
b. The Supremacy of Christ
We treasure Jesus Christ, who is head over all things and infinitely worthy of our joyful worship and obedience. To find all satisfaction in Him and lead others to this is our greatest passion. He is the head of the church, gave Himself for it, is the chief shepherd, and is to be sought and lifted up in every element of church life. Particularly, His redemptive work on the cross cannot be overemphasized, and is to be motivational and equipping for becoming more like Him.
c. The Gospel
The Gospel is powerful to secure faith and repentance as it is faithfully proclaimed. It also compels believers to Christlikeness as they live out its implications. All of history has been about God reconciling a people to Himself. To see his plan unfold in Scripture, finding its pinnacle in the atoning work of Christ as He bore the wrath of God for the sins of all who would believe and God was satisfied with His life and payment, is joyous. Our passion is to deliver this message to those who love darkness rather than light, so that its power can take out their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh, and that they will treasure Christ. But we also believe that a gospel-centered approach to sanctification is our hope as believers, as we daily are reminded of the glories of the gospel and rely on it and the Spirit’s power to crucify the flesh and experience the glory of God making us more and more into the image of His son, looking forward to the day that that will be completed and we glory in his presence forever (Rom. 8).
Also, it is true that missions exists because worshipers do not, and if the glory of the gospel is true, then God’s desire to make all nations see His greatness drives a missions-mindedness in His people. Therefore, the Gospel is central in concentric circles – in our personal lives and families, to the community around us, to an emphasis on church planting, and then to the world (which is exactly what Jesus told His disciples in Acts 8).
d. The Word of God
God’s revelation of Himself and the plan of redemption in Christ is the means to comprehend and embrace reconciliation in the gospel, and to be transformed into the image of Christ. Faithful exposition with the work of the Holy Spirit will bring great delight as the great God of the Word is understood and treasured. We reject the trends that try to find every other way to keep Christians engaged, but firmly believe that God’s written Word reveals to us the greatest good, Himself, and that faithful proclaiming of it is the means for the gospel to transform hearts of unbelievers and for believers to see and savor His indescribable work and character. As His Word is held high and exegeted, it will, through the glorious work of the Spirit, bring life and allow those who believe to delight in Christ alone (1 Pet. 1:23-2:3).
e. Worship
Corporate worship is both a symptom of and foundation for lives that find their greatest delight in God and seek to glorify Him every moment. We believe that the time when Christians gather together on Sundays is to be theologically and gospel driven, and is all related to his unsurpassed glory. The songs, whether old or new, must lift up the character and work of God, and the glory of Christ and the gospel. The teaching is to be exegetical and related to God’s historical plan of redemption, and is to also drive believers to a Christ-exalting and happy submission to Him as precious. Both of these elements, and any other thing like giving and prayer, need to be constantly connected to the idea that this is all worship, and it is joyful and glorious.
f. Discipleship
Jesus Christ has left us with the task of sharing his gospel with others so that they might believe in Him as Savior and submit to Him as Lord. We are to carefully help others to walk with Christ so that they might, in turn, help others to do the same. This relates to small groups, the purpose of preaching, the emphasis on the family structure, and missions. Essential to ministry is creating and cultivating disciple-making disciples (2 Tim. 2). We believe that as God is working out our salvation and forming us into the image of His Son, this is accomplished through discipleship besides on Sunday mornings, and this is dear to us. So whether it is early morning Bible studies, small groups, book studies with a group of men or women, cultivating family discipleship, or any other way that it can be done, discipleship, and everyone involved in it, will always be stressed.
g. Community
Togetherness in the body of Christ is the tool God uses to cause believers to see and savor His infinite goodness. This is accomplished through corporate worship and teaching, personal discipleship and study, and all other ways (small groups, get-togethers, theological studies, etc.) to promote unity and sanctification as we stir each other up to good works. It also has implications for the way we move beyond our church community into the community around us, and then to the world, with the message of the gospel.
3. Tangible outworking
Simply defined, we want all of ministry effort to go into presenting our great God in such a way that exalts and exults in Christ so that the gospel changes hearts and creates those who find all delight in Him.
These simple philosophical guides are related to things like the leaders of the church equipping and counting on the saints for ministry, carrying out the Great Commission to all peoples, dealing with social issues, counseling, outreach, events, gathering together for meals, finances, and all other areas of ministry. These things require attention, and the body fills the needs to get ministry done, but no part of the ministry can be separated from these principles.
1. God’s essential revelation
The greatest good in the entire universe is God Himself, and through his Word, the Spirit, and creation he allows us to be partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4), and rejoice in His inexpressible glories (1 Pet. 1:8). He is also infinitely and eternally happy, and He has given us in creation, the gospel, His Son, and His Word, the resources to find happiness in Him alone. This has such drastic implications for all of life and discipleship, as we devote ourselves to seeing the things of the world less and less as sources of ultimate fulfillment (which is in some way associated with all sin), and through the work of the Spirit find delight in Christ – His work, character, commands, holiness, etc. Therefore, we find that the goal of all of creation – the glory of God, and our ultimate happiness, are not mutually exclusive! His glory, and how all of the elements of the Christian life relate to that, brings us the greatest delight.
The greatest satisfaction we can find in life is treasuring Jesus above all through eating, seeing mountains, experiencing love between a husband and wife or parents and children, experiencing sunrises, facing difficulties, and all other experiences of life. We desire to disciple others into a God-centered view of every facet of life so that they find all delight in Him. These foundational truths about God will always be central in the way ministry is “done,” and they are immensely practical, as they provide the framework for seeing sin for the counterfeit god it is, understanding the incomparable glories of God’s grace and love as revealed in the gospel, worship, community, discipleship, etc.
2. Core Values
We believe these seven core values outline God’s revelation in Scripture concerning himself and His plan for us to glorify and enjoy him forever. Therefore, we believe that all worship gatherings, small groups, events, and everything else done in the realm of church ministry should be purposefully driven by these biblical principles.
a. The Glory of God
The greatest good in all of the universe is God Himself, and the deliberate seeking of and recognizing of His infinite goodness in his character and work brings us the most delight. The redeemed will enjoy Him for all of eternity, so life must be about that now also. Creation, His Word, and His Son all reveal this great and incomprehensible glory. No aspect of ministry can be separated from His infinite worth and beauty, and discipleship, preaching, missions, etc. must be connected to how He is intimately and powerfully working all things in our lives after the counsel of His will for our good and His glory. Furthermore, ministry should seek to emphasize how His glory can been seen and savored even in all facets of life, so that we see every moment and experience as a means to appreciate and treasure Him more.
b. The Supremacy of Christ
We treasure Jesus Christ, who is head over all things and infinitely worthy of our joyful worship and obedience. To find all satisfaction in Him and lead others to this is our greatest passion. He is the head of the church, gave Himself for it, is the chief shepherd, and is to be sought and lifted up in every element of church life. Particularly, His redemptive work on the cross cannot be overemphasized, and is to be motivational and equipping for becoming more like Him.
c. The Gospel
The Gospel is powerful to secure faith and repentance as it is faithfully proclaimed. It also compels believers to Christlikeness as they live out its implications. All of history has been about God reconciling a people to Himself. To see his plan unfold in Scripture, finding its pinnacle in the atoning work of Christ as He bore the wrath of God for the sins of all who would believe and God was satisfied with His life and payment, is joyous. Our passion is to deliver this message to those who love darkness rather than light, so that its power can take out their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh, and that they will treasure Christ. But we also believe that a gospel-centered approach to sanctification is our hope as believers, as we daily are reminded of the glories of the gospel and rely on it and the Spirit’s power to crucify the flesh and experience the glory of God making us more and more into the image of His son, looking forward to the day that that will be completed and we glory in his presence forever (Rom. 8).
Also, it is true that missions exists because worshipers do not, and if the glory of the gospel is true, then God’s desire to make all nations see His greatness drives a missions-mindedness in His people. Therefore, the Gospel is central in concentric circles – in our personal lives and families, to the community around us, to an emphasis on church planting, and then to the world (which is exactly what Jesus told His disciples in Acts 8).
d. The Word of God
God’s revelation of Himself and the plan of redemption in Christ is the means to comprehend and embrace reconciliation in the gospel, and to be transformed into the image of Christ. Faithful exposition with the work of the Holy Spirit will bring great delight as the great God of the Word is understood and treasured. We reject the trends that try to find every other way to keep Christians engaged, but firmly believe that God’s written Word reveals to us the greatest good, Himself, and that faithful proclaiming of it is the means for the gospel to transform hearts of unbelievers and for believers to see and savor His indescribable work and character. As His Word is held high and exegeted, it will, through the glorious work of the Spirit, bring life and allow those who believe to delight in Christ alone (1 Pet. 1:23-2:3).
e. Worship
Corporate worship is both a symptom of and foundation for lives that find their greatest delight in God and seek to glorify Him every moment. We believe that the time when Christians gather together on Sundays is to be theologically and gospel driven, and is all related to his unsurpassed glory. The songs, whether old or new, must lift up the character and work of God, and the glory of Christ and the gospel. The teaching is to be exegetical and related to God’s historical plan of redemption, and is to also drive believers to a Christ-exalting and happy submission to Him as precious. Both of these elements, and any other thing like giving and prayer, need to be constantly connected to the idea that this is all worship, and it is joyful and glorious.
f. Discipleship
Jesus Christ has left us with the task of sharing his gospel with others so that they might believe in Him as Savior and submit to Him as Lord. We are to carefully help others to walk with Christ so that they might, in turn, help others to do the same. This relates to small groups, the purpose of preaching, the emphasis on the family structure, and missions. Essential to ministry is creating and cultivating disciple-making disciples (2 Tim. 2). We believe that as God is working out our salvation and forming us into the image of His Son, this is accomplished through discipleship besides on Sunday mornings, and this is dear to us. So whether it is early morning Bible studies, small groups, book studies with a group of men or women, cultivating family discipleship, or any other way that it can be done, discipleship, and everyone involved in it, will always be stressed.
g. Community
Togetherness in the body of Christ is the tool God uses to cause believers to see and savor His infinite goodness. This is accomplished through corporate worship and teaching, personal discipleship and study, and all other ways (small groups, get-togethers, theological studies, etc.) to promote unity and sanctification as we stir each other up to good works. It also has implications for the way we move beyond our church community into the community around us, and then to the world, with the message of the gospel.
3. Tangible outworking
Simply defined, we want all of ministry effort to go into presenting our great God in such a way that exalts and exults in Christ so that the gospel changes hearts and creates those who find all delight in Him.
These simple philosophical guides are related to things like the leaders of the church equipping and counting on the saints for ministry, carrying out the Great Commission to all peoples, dealing with social issues, counseling, outreach, events, gathering together for meals, finances, and all other areas of ministry. These things require attention, and the body fills the needs to get ministry done, but no part of the ministry can be separated from these principles.