GOD’S LIFE CHRISTIAN CHURCH STATEMENT OF MINISTRY 2020-2021

We want our church to a be Christ-centered community-conscious group of believers who corporately and individually put into effect the threefold priority of God first, God’s family second, and God’s work in the world third. While realizing this is a biblical mandate, our expressions of it are not fixed but are a growing process, as the Holy Spirit lead (Romans 12:1-2).

We want to be a people with a personal and intimate relationship with the Lord and His Word.

Therefore

We participate in joining together to celebrate and to worship the Lord through preaching, singing, communion, baptism, giving, prayer, praise, and sharing the Lord’s Word and His works (1 Chronicles 16:27-29).

We believe that it is a scriptural mandate to train believers.

Therefore

We participate in the process of equipping and educating believers (children, youth, and adults) for the work of the ministry through Worship services, Bible studies, small groups, Sunday Bible School classes, fellowship activities, prayer and training experiences (Ephesians 4:11-13). We participate in the ministry of edifying and caring for one another through encouragement and Christian example in order to present every person complete in Christ.

We want a magnetic relationship with nonbelievers.

Therefore

We participate in outreach to our community and world through relationships. We pray for God to open up doors for the good news of salvation to be expressed and experienced in a realistic, relational, and responsible manner (Matthew 28:19-20).

The scriptural basis for this statement:

“To be active disciples of Christ by attracting and leading the unsaved to Jesus . . .” (Matthew. 28:19-20)        (Acts 1:8).

“. . . challenging all Christians to dedicate themselves to the ministry” (Romans 12:1-2).
“. . . and to stimulate an atmosphere for Christian maturity that results in Spirit-filled believers reaching out to others” (Ephesians 4:11-13)
“. . . and a powerful ministry serving our city area and beyond” (Matthew 9:35-38).
. . . by prayer and fasting consistently .

THE PERSONALITY OF THIS STATEMENT OF MINISTRY

This purpose has a personality that has been, is, and will continually be reflected in this Body of Believers. Within this statement there are words that describe the atmosphere that we desire at church: words that point to Christ as the Head of the Church are also intentionally used in our Statement of Ministry!

A. The Atmosphere of the Church

  1. We want to be a growing church. Adding to the kingdom such as would be saved.

  2. We want to be a magnetic church. Right after Jesus gave us the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, He made two interesting statements concerning Christians. He said, “You are the salt of the earth” (v. 13) and “You are the light of the world” (v. 14). Jesus’ expectation of our lives is that we should be a preservative to our society. Our lives should, as salt, make those around us thirsty for Jesus. We ought also to be light on the path of a darkened, troubled world. We become beautiful when our attitude toward Christ, others, and ourselves is right. An attitude is nothing more than “an outward expression of an inward feeling.” When we are inwardly attractive we become an outwardly beautiful demonstration of love to those around us.

  3. We want to be an encouraging church. Hebrews 10:25 states that we are not to “forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching”

  4. We want to be a church with multiple ministries—“a dynamic ministry serving . . .” To minister is to reach out and meet needs. Jesus taught us that the highest form of ministry is service to others. We do injustice to the word ministry by restricting its use to pastors or full-time ordained ministers. The importance of lay ministry is demonstrated in Matthew 26:6-13. A woman came, poured perfume on Jesus, and expressed her devotion to Him. Others complained about the cost of the perfume—evidence that they did not understand that ministry to others is more important than cost or status (for she was a lowly woman). Jesus was so touched by her ministry to Him that He declared, “Wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her” (v. 13).

B. The Attitude of the Church

       1. Reach the lost for Christ. “For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost”             
           (Luke 19:10).
 
      2. Preach the doctrine of entire sanctification. “For God did not call us into uncleanness, but unto holiness”
         (1 Thessalonians 4:7)                                                                                                                                                                   
         “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit, soul and body be               
           preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Thessalonians 5:23).
 
      3. Equip believers for a dynamic, spirit fill ministry (Ephesians 4).
 
C. The Achievement of the Church  
       1. Disciple believers in God’s Word. A disciple of Christ is one who loves and obeys the Lord’s teachings.  
 
       2. Start home bible study (cell groups) and house prayer. Send others into full-time Christian service.             (Acts 13).
       
       3. Provide a climate for spiritual growth. The only thing beautiful about our church is Jesus. When, as a
            congregation, we sense His presence in our services, then all is well. When He comes, lives are  
            changed, hurts are healed, and joy is full.
 
       4. Grow a great church in our city and beyond for God’s glory.
 
In my Conclusion                                                                                                                                                 
       Our Statement of Ministry will be a faithful guide into the future. This Statement of Ministry will infuse
       direction, prayer, and  God’s life into the Body of Christ. As we pray, fast and worship together, God will
       honor and bless our resources in order that we might reach a hurting and lost world for Christ
       
      Bishop Calvin L. Bethea, Senior Pastor