Our Vision For Ministry
A VISION CALLED "TEAM MINISTRY"
Team ministry is a method of viewing and organizing the local church for effective ministry. On the next page you will find a chart entitled, "Government and Team Ministry at the Church of the Apostles". Every aspect of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the local church fits perfectly in God's order of things. Every Christian has different spiritual gifts that are God-given. Team ministry is a way of putting people with gifts together with the right ministry in the local church. Our Pastor's motto is, "Find your gift and major in it!"
THE TEAM FOR WORSHIP AND MUSIC: All of our life in the Church flows from our common worship of Almighty God. Music is a most important component of our worship; so this team will be composed of all persons who have roles in the Church that involve the conduct of worship and/or music. Some will be involved in public leadership; others will be in supportive roles.
THE TEAM FOR EVANGELISM : The Pastor will lead this team. Its mission is clearly stated in the Great Commission of Jesus (Matthew 28). We are to go into all the world and make disciples (Christians), baptizing them and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded us. This is really a two-function team. The second function will be to incorporate new members into the life of this Church, and walk with them in this process for the first year they are in this Church, meeting their needs and leading them to the team where their particular gifts will be most effective.
THE TEAM FOR LOCAL OUTREACH IN MINISTRIES OF JUSTICE AND MERCY: We already have many in our congregation who are active in such ministries in Christ's Name. We take the call of the prophets seriously, as did Jesus Himself. We hold up Micah 6 and the admonition, "And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God".
We remember the Prophet Amos who called to God's people and said, "But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-rolling stream".
THE TEAM FOR ADULT DISCIPLESHIP: Again, this is a team where the Pastor will continue to be directly involved, as He is the head teaching Elder. "Discipleship" involves all forms of adult Christian education. This will always be an ongoing process.
THE TEAM FOR PASTORAL CARE: This team will be best suited for our quiet servants who are high on the gifts of mercy, encouragement, service, and possibly healing. This is the ministry of "inreach" in the local church. It involves visitation and patient care of people in need, and certainly involves the visitation to the sick and shut-in.
THE TEAM FOR CHURCH ADMINISTRATION: Although this the one of the primary responsibilities of the Elders of the Church, they will need some talented people who will come along side and assist with administrative duties. In the Bible, "administration" is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 12:28), and blessed is the Church leadership who are fortunate to have able church administrators of integrity.
THE TEAM FOR CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY: The purpose of this team is to help the members and friends of this Church to grow in their spiritual life - especially the life of prayer. This team also will have those who are experienced intercessors. This is also the team from this Church that is our contact for Christianity and the arts.
THE TEAM FOR MINISTRY TO CHILDREN: This team will be involved in that part of the ministry that is traditionally involved with our children, including Sunday School, nursery care, and other ministries designed to bring Christ to children and children to Christ.
THE TEAM FOR MINISTRY TO TEENS AND COLLEGE: The teen years and young adulthood are a time in the growth process when even more attention and patient discipleship is needed. Many young people drift away from God during this stage of their lives. There is a great need for committed persons to come along side our teens and young adults in the Name of Christ as mentors and friends.
THE TEAM FOR CHURCH FELLOWSHIP: In the Bible, the second chapter of Acts presents a powerful image of the depth of fellowship that can be found in a good Christian Church. This team will continually look for, plan and carry out different ways that our congregation can come together for mutual enjoyment of God and each other, usually with lots of good food. The possibilities for fellowship are unlimited. This team will be best suited for those with gifts of hospitality, imagination, joy and organization. Good cooks are a good thing! Our common meals are a joy.
THE TEAM FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS: This Church has a line item in its budget for national and foreign missions; and we are committed to the principle of giving to ministry beyond our own town. We currently have a Missions Committee which will soon be the nucleus of the Team for National and Foreign Missions.
THE TEAM FOR THE GREATER CHURCH: By "greater Church" we mean any and all involvement that we may have with other local churches or denominations, laypeople and clergy, beyond ourselves.
