with an assessment of my ministry, they would also like to do an
assessment of our church's ministry. We'll be producing a
questionnaire to help our session determine how our congregation may
strengthen our ministries. A friend of mine sent me a great article
about being a Biblical, Christ-First Church, as opposed to a People
Pleasing "Me-First" Church. This is essential as we assess any
ministry because as Christ's own people we want to be people who bring
HIM glory and are faithful to HIS calling. When we do this we will not
always be as "comfortable" as we might wish, but we will be Faithful,
Filled with Worship, and Ultimately Joy. In Short a Real Church. Not
A religious organization.
Check these out. I am grateful to Jim "the Old Gray Dog" Tuckett for
sending this.
Nine Criteria for a Christ-First Church
CRITERIA 1: The centrality of the Bible as the infallible Word of God.
"Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and
to teaching"
1 Timothy 4:13
CRITERIA 2: The centrality of Jesus Christ as the head of the church.
"And God placed all things under His (Jesus') feet and appointed Him
to be head over everything for the church"
Ephesians 1:22
CRITERIA 3: Scripture-centered, God-centered, Christ-centered worship.
"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing
and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God
the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ"
Ephesians 5:19-20
CRITERIA 4: Authentic, meaningful fellowship and community.
"All the believers were together and had everything in common…They
broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere
hearts"
Acts 2:44-46
CRITERIA 5: Sound and mature leadership.
"Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in
faith and in purity"
1 Timothy 4:12
"Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because
if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers"
1 Timothy 4:16
CRITERIA 6: Ongoing training in the Christian walk.
"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"
II Timothy 2:2
CRITERIA 7: Opportunities for every person to serve.
"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"
Ephesians 4:11-12
CRITERIA 8: A heart of prayer.
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and
thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in
authority…"
I Timothy 2:1-2
CRITERIA 9: An outward focus.
"…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to
obey everything I have commanded you"
Matthew 28:19-20...
There are five key questions the leadership of every congregation
should ask about its ministries:
1. Does it help people to see their sinfulness and need
for salvation?
2. Does it help people see that God is sovereign and
has a wonderful plan for their lives?
3. Does it help people see that Jesus Christ died for
their sins; that He paid the full price for their salvation?
4. Does it help people see the trustworthiness of God's
irresistible grace . . . to lead them to the good works for which they
were created; to convict them of their sin; to strengthen them when
they become weak or weary?
5. Does it help people see they are eternally secure in Christ?
As you examine our church's ministry, my role in it, as well as yours,
keep these Scriptures and questions in mind, and help us become the
church and people God is calling us together to be.
In Christ and on the Shepherd's Path,
Mark
--
Rev Mark R. Simonds
Pastor, Oakdale UP Church
"Declaring Teaching and Living God's Word of Grace"
President, West Allegheny Ministerial Association
"Worshiping and Serving One Triune God Together"
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