LOST PEOPLE MATTER TO GOD, THEREFORE THEY MATTER TO US.
The Scriptures are clear that while all people matter to God, He has special concern for those who do not have a relationship with Him. It is central to God's love that everyone come into a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ and be received into His family (2 Peter 3:9.) Because we are His representatives on earth, Christians must make winning the lost a priority of the church's ministry. (Matthew 28:19) If this is not our first priority, the balance of our ministry call is without effect.
CHRISTIANITY IS A RELATIONSHIP, NOT A RELIGION.
Religion is man's attempt to reach God. Christianity is God reaching down to man to restore a relationship that we severed through our sin. In religion, people attempt to "balance that scales" of their "rights and wrongs" in order to please an unknowable god. In Christianity, God has revealed Himself to us through Jesus and provided a way for us to re-enter a relationship with Him (John 3:16.) Relationships are built on love and are nurtured through trust. The church is the visible example of God's love to people, meaning that our life needs to express that love in practical ways as we reach out to fellow Christians and those not yet a part of the family of God.
EXCELLENCE HONORS GOD AND REFLECTS HIS CHARACTER.
As beings created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), we are a reflection of His character. Nothing that God has created is second-rate or substandard in its design. Because of that, we are to strive for excellence in all that we do. While we know that out efforts will never be perfect while we are in this life, we are to use the resources God has given us with the goal of being the best we can be and doing the best we can do (2 Peter 1:5.)
THE CHURCH IS MOST EFFECTIVE WHEN IT OPERATES IN THE CONTEXT OF COMMUNITY.
The Bible is clear that the Christian life is to be lived out in community with other believers. Over 30 times, the phrase "one another" is used in admonitions regarding interpersonal relationships (Romans 15:7; Ephesians 4:32; Ephesians 5:21, etc.) The ministry of Christ is our example of this as He shared the three years of His earth life with 12 men who were with him daily, as well as with other friends with whom He had regular contact. Because Christianity is a relationship with God and because we are called to be a part of His family (Ephesians 2:19), the church is able to more fully do its work when cooperation and community are basic to our service.
EVERY BELIEVER IS SPIRITUALLY GIFTED FOR MINISTRY.
1 Corinthians 12:4-5, 27 (NLT) says, "Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving . . . Now all of you together are Christ's body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it." Every Christian has at least one spiritual gift. Discovering and using that gift(s) is a part of maturing process. A role of the church and its leadership is to help people discover their spiritual gifts as well as provide them with opportunities to use those gifts. If God has placed a gift in a church, it is His intent that it be used. This means that the more effective way of ministry development is assisting people in discovering their gifts, then connecting them with the ministries that will enable them to use them, rather than assigning people tasks with the hope that they will be able to fulfill their duties. Every member is a minister. Every task is important. You use what God has given and He'll do great things through you.
TEAMWORK IS ESSENTIAL FOR EFFECTIVE MINISTRY.
In Luke 10:1, Jesus chose 72 disciples to be sent to the villages He planned to visit. In this, He gave us a pattern for teamwork, as they were sent in teams of two. The early missionary teams consisted of least two people. Church history has shown that teamwork is essential to effective ministry. Ecclesiastes 4:10 provides a clear reminder of the value of people working together. Teamwork provides for multiple perspectives in planning and problem solving, brings additional gifts and talents to the team and supplies encouragement as well as opportunities to celebrate victories.
IF YOU WANT TO BE A DISCIPLE, CHECK YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR.
In Mark 10:43-45, Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many," (NLT) Servanthood is the essence of discipleship, because of lives are always to be outwardly focused. While a good self-image is important for effective living, this is not to be confused with the sin of selfishness or what Romans 12:3 describes as "thinking more highly of oneself that he ought to think." True discipleship is based on a correct view of who God is, who we are and how we should relate to both Him and others. If we remember that we are on earth to serve God and others for His glory, our actions will be reflective of His love for us and His willingness to put our need for salvation ahead of His own comfort, as Jesus set aside His glory to endure the cross on our behalf.
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