OUR PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY
The principles that guide our ministry include our
FOCUS
PHILOSOPHY OF LEADERSHIP
PHILOSOPHY OF CHURCH ACTIVITIES
FOCUS
- The central focus of building up the Body of Christ is to make mature disciples of those within the Berean family. We define a disciple as a believer who walks with God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, growing in the areas of knowledge, skill, and character, in the context of the church community.
PHILOSOPHY OF LEADERSHIP
- The senior pastor's role and commitment is primarily to give direction, train leaders, teach the Word, oversee church staff, and be a model disciple. He should seldom perform ministries non-staff leaders could do unless it is absolutely necessary. The role of other staff members is the same as that of the senior pastor in that staff member's area of ministry.
- The role of our non-staff leaders is to model discipleship, to grow in their own ministry skills, and to help equip the rest of the congregation for ministry.
- The role and commitment of each member of the body is to grow as a disciple, to be trained to use his/her gifts, to directly minister to Christians and non-Christians.
- The leaders will encourage and empower gifted individuals to be creative, pro-active, need oriented, and decentralized in disciplemaking and will provide resources whenever possible.
- We will recognize that all gifts, whether serving or leading, are equally important in building a healthy, disciplemaking church.
- All staff, policy makers, and group leaders must be growing disciples committed to the church's philosophy of ministry.
- Leaders will be recognized by considering spiritual maturity, training and giftedness.
- All leaders of key church ministries will take part in on-going leader training to constantly improve their effectiveness in serving God.
PHILOSOPHY OF CHURCH MINISTRIES
- The purpose of every activity of our church is to produce and further develop disciples. The leadership will evaluate every activity by its effectiveness in producing disciples, and will modify or discontinue activities that are ineffective or distract us from that goal.
- One primary strategy for making disciples is to utilize the decentralized small group and one-on-one relationships.
- We will offer small groups and other ministries at multiple commitment levels to develop sequential growth for disciples.
- Our evangelism will focus on multiple specific groups rather than using a generic approach.
- While making all our ministries warm and accepting of newcomers, the primary function of our worship services will be true worship and proclaiming the Word.
- Our adult Sunday school will be a key assimilation point for the church as well as a place for fellowship and teaching.
- The primary function of our elder board regarding church programs will be to set broad policies, macro-manage the church, and keep all ministries in line with the doctrinal statement, constitution, and philosophy of ministry.
- The micro-management of all ministries will be delegated to leaders of those ministries, and accountability will be maintained through leadership training meetings and normal disciplemaking channels.
- We will, whenever possible, use ministries, task forces, and discipleship structures rather than boards and committees to make decisions and do ministry. We will seek to minimize our policy makers and maximize the number of persons doing ministry.
- We will carry out our purpose as a local church in cooperaiton with other biblically sound and Christ-honoring individuals and ministries both locally and around the world.
Body Life in A.C.T.I.O.N.
There are six components which characterize the ministry of BBC. Each is essential to the healthy development of the whole church, and each plays a unique role in the encouragement of individual believers. A well-rounded participation in all six components will help equip each believer for service and prepare the body for ACTION.
Just as 1 Chronicles 12:32, when the sons of Issachar were gathering to help make David king, they were "men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do." Even so, today it is important to understand the times with knowledge of what believers should do.
A = Adoration
Adoration is worship, when reverential awe and humble affection produce grateful service and responsible action.
C = Caring
Caring is fellowship, when people who know Jesus Christ as their Savior provide mutual encouragement for spiritual growth.
T = Teaching
Teaching is discipleship, when the word of God is planted in believers' lives, bearing the fruit of Christlikeness.
I = Involvement
Involvement is service, when each believer uses individual spiritual gifts to strengthen the body for growth and maturity.
O = Outreach
Outreach is evangelism, when the church penetrates spiritual darkness with the light of life and impacts non-Christian society for the Kingdom of God.
N = Network
Networking is when individual believers coordinate their efforts for their mutual benefit and with the common goal of glorifying God.
