17
09
2008
Session 5: Ministries of the Church: How is the Church Supposed to do it?
Posted by: carrie in Fall 2008Fall 2007 Online Certificate Students:
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What are the ministries of the Church? [8:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download What ministries does your local church have? [5:17m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download What constitutes a local church? Part 1 [16:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download What constitutes a local church? Part 2 [8:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download What constitutes a local church? Part 3 [14:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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September 26th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Group Discussion # 5
1. Reread the “church plant discussion” at the beginning of this session. What ministries would you begin first? Explain.
The Acts chapter 2 paradigm works: Teaching, fellowship, communion (Lord’s Supper) and prayer. As the church correctly worships together, outreach/evangelism will be a natural supernatural byproduct. Acts 2:41-42 enhances the final instructions of Christ before His ascension (Matt. 28:19-20). Baptism following salvation is mentioned in both. Also, sacrificial giving is in Acts 2:43-45 as a byproduct of true worship.
2. Discuss Martin Burcer’s inclusion of Church discipline as one of the sine quo non (essentials) of the local church. Give argument for and against this inclusion.
In Matt. 18 where Jesus teaches (verses 12-20) about discipline and reclaiming the wayward one, it is within the context of the church. In I Cor. 5 Paul instructs the church on the necessity of church discipline. In both passages, the emphasis is the individual and the church body. Discipline, whether formal or informal, must be practiced or you have chaos. Paul’s instructions concerning church leaders in I Tim. 3 contain statements of discipline. “If you stand for anything, you stand for nothing.”
3. Discuss William Booth’s three essentials of the local church (preaching of God’s Word, caring for the needs of society, mission to the lost). Do you agree or disagree that these are what make a local church? Explain.
It certainly fit Booth’s practice and remains the cornerstone of the Salvation Army. It has worked and continues to do so. People come to know Christ as Savior and much discipleship takes place.
4. How important do you think having a missions program is for the local church? Explain.
Missions are a major theme of the New Testament. We are told by Christ to “Go ye therefore and teach all nations.” And “Ye shall be witnesses.” Acts gives us the account of early missions and Paul details the trials and successes of early mission ventures. If we are converted, we are called to be missionaries. The local church serves in part to teach missions and as a facilitator of mission enterprises. If the New Testament church did anything, it did missions.
5. Do you think that one could claim to have a legitimate local church without outreach of some sort? Explain.
Ideally, every Christian is an outreach agent. There is no New Testament picture of silent saints or spectators. If we are a church made up of “legitimate” Christians, there will be outreach. The function of the church is to train, equip, and facilitate.
6. Corporate worship was defined as “the responsibility of the local church to come together to express the worthiness of God in one voice.” Give some more options how this principle can be expressed by local churches.
We speak/sing in one voice through hymns, praise songs, creeds, responses, etc. We are in one voice in that we affirm the written and spoken word and its exposition. We are also in one voice when selected worshippers read or pray as we silently affirm their words. We are also in one voice as we present a quiet chorus of prayer or praise.
7. How would you describe the education program of your church? Do you find balance between exhortation (preaching) and teaching?
This is timely. I met yesterday to discuss with a young adult leader the growth that is occurring in their area of work. We are becoming a church that has almost as many in Sunday School as are present in worship. That is as much the result of fellowship as it is teaching. Our church places a high emphasis on small group Bible study. Over half of our Sunday morning attendees return for Sunday evening and Wednesday evening Bible studies. There is not a perfect balance between exhortation and teaching but is close.
8. Fellowship was defined as “the responsibility of the local church to have authentic Christ-centered relationships for the building up of one another through dependable and lasting friendships, encouragement, and accountability.” Many people have proposed starting internet based churches. Do you believe that true fellowship can exist in such a situation?
I have difficulty sometimes being understood when I email. You miss the inflexion of the voice, the smile, the pauses. You also miss the touch whether that be a handshake, a pat on the back, or a family embrace. I for one, would miss hugging the children and hearing their laughter. Heb. 10:23-25 is clear on the need for assembly. I’m sure it will happen, but I will not be a member and for me, it could never be true fellowship. Jerry Bridges authored “True Fellowship” in 1985. Later, it was re-titled “The crises of Caring”. I quote from p. 187: “We cannot develop a spiritual intimacy with another believer until we have first had communion or spiritual fellowship with him. And we cannot develop a communion until we have first developed a social relationship. The social dimension, then, always provides the larger context in which spiritual fellowship and one-to-one intimacy are developed.” Rom. 12:5 - “In Christ…each member belongs to all the others.”
9. How was your thinking challenged the most by the lesson? Explain.
Instead of answering the question, let me share about our church. On October 5th, we will celebrate our 12th birthday. I remember those early days when we sought to determine direction; when we defined our purpose, and established our policies. We have found it necessary to revisit those early concepts to determine if we are being true to the vision God gave to us when we began. This lesson took me back to those days. What is the church? What is our purpose in this place?
One final thought on church discipline: Our church has participated in church discipline since our first meeting. As pastor, I have met (or our Elders have met) with those seeking to be members. Some have been turned down because of a sinful lifestyle that would have hurt the witness of the church in the community. Members have lovingly been counseled when issues of morality or doctrine have arisen. Several have been welcomed with the understanding that they could never teach due to doctrinal errors they chose not to recant. What has been interesting is how many have been reclaimed and even when the doctrinal errors would not be recanted, we remain close friends, and they have great respect for the position taken. Loving discipline should never embarrass or estrange. The object of discipline is to correct and reclaim; and to protect the spiritually immature in the flock. I understood the model for the local church put forth by Martin Burcer.
September 27th, 2008 at 7:47 am
EE -Week 5 – Group Discussion Questions;
1. Reread the “church plant discussion” at the beginning of this session. What ministries would you begin first? Explain.
— I would start with Sunday morning service ministry. Then I would assemble a leadership team and spend 4-5 days a week with them until they are trained and ready to help in the congregation. Next I would have 100% membership in small groups (lead by the leadership) where the care and fellowship ministries would happen. In the meantime we would be looking for pastoral ministry leadership.
2. Discuss Martin Burcer’s inclusion of Church discipline as one of the sine quo non (essentials) of the local church. Give argument for and against this inclusion.
— In his mature works, his understanding of discipline had four elements: religious instruction for both children and adults; a public confession of faith and obedience, especially as part of a confirmation ceremony; fraternal admonition combined with the oversight of morals by pastors and lay elders; and in cases of grave sin, the imposition of public penance and, if necessary, excommunication. I found this as a reference, http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1020&context=historyfacpub
…For, I agree with several areas, instruction for adults and youth, confession of faith and obedience, oversight of pastors and lay leaders, membership and excommunication if necessary.
… Against, I disagree that instructions be heavy on religion, it should be heavy on the teaching and understanding of Christ and the Apostles. Oversight is good as long as it is held by a revolving group of leaders voted in. not hand picked or self appointed.
3. Discuss William Booth’s three essentials of the local church (preaching of God’s Word, carrying for the needs of society, mission to the lost). Do you agree or disagree that these are what make a local church? Explain.
–After reading thru http://wesley.nnu.edu/wts/42_annual_meeting/papers/Suffering_to_and_for_Christ.pdf , I caught a larger glimpse of Booth’s Salvation Army.
…for, I agree that part of the mission of the church is the carrying for the needs of society and show the love of Christ. To the believers and the lost.
…disagree, The Salvation Army today has become a group of “soldiers without swords,” marching in local parades, ringing bells during Christmas. They still do help the needy but don’t offer communion with Christ or baptism. Their function has diminished.
4. How important do you think having a missions program is for the local church? Explain.
–I do feel that it is important for a local church to have a missions program. It provides a way for the members to reach out their arms in the name of Jesus to all corners of the earth as He called for. Not for the sake of “works credit” but to teach the members how to serve others and reach out to those who need to experience the love of the Lord. It’s a Win-Win results.
5. Do you think that one could claim to have a legitimate local church with out outreach of some sort? Explain.
–Yes I do. Not every local church is surrounded by other communities or have the access to others. Take the mission of JAARS for example. In their efforts to find and reach out to severed tribes around the world, they combine their mission with Wycliffe Bible translators to teach them about Jesus and set them up as a local church. The “New church community” has no neighbors or the ability to go out and outreach. Are they a church, absolutely.
6. Corporate worship was defined as “the responsibility of the local church to come together to express the worthiness of God in one voice.” Give some more options how this principle can be expressed by local churches.
–There are many opportunities for corporate worship in a local church. Celebrating baptism and communion together as a body, giving our tithes and offerings together, singing songs of admiration to God together. Sharing testimonies of life’s changes together including birth-death-commitment-recovery-healing.
7. How would you describe the education program of your church? Do you find balance between exhortation (preaching) and teaching?
–I think we have the typical education setup of a church…101-401 membership classes, “Knowing God” classes, help and care classes ie, “The 5 love languages” and “After the boxes are unpacked.” Also K-12 Sunday school and youth group’s. No TTP yet… I’m pushing for that.
8. Fellowship was defined as “the responsibility of the local church to have authentic Christ-centered relationships for the building up of one another through dependable and lasting friendships, encouragement, and accountability.” Many people have proposed starting Internet based churches. Do you believe that true fellowship can exist in such a situation?
–If handled properly…yes I do. The failure of TV ministries in the past has been a 1 way relationship, TV on, you watch, learn, feel Christ’s love thru the message, maybe cut a check… TV off. The internet has posed a new opportunity, 2 way fellowship thru the ability of linking people together “Live”. Not everyone is a hugger even in a local church environment. http://www.lifechurch.tv/ is a perfect example of what can happen with the internet. They now have 13 campus’s plus home viewers. The home viewers can connect for small groups. Perfect? No… Adapting? Yes.
9. How was your thinking challenged the most by the lesson? Explain.
–It made me look at the definitions of church discipline. What’s really needed or essential for a church and how many different ways there are to accomplish the task of reaching out and touching someone. The question always arises… Who is in charge of this church in the name of Jesus and what is their governing authority?
September 28th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
EE…Session 5 Group Discussion Questions…
1. Reread the “church plant discussion” at the beginning of this session. What ministries would you begin first? Explain.
Using our definition of the purpose of the Church, I would start:
- Regularly scheduled corporate worship services…scripture reading, prayer, singing, confession, sacraments of Baptism and The Lord’s Supper to provide an opportunity to praise God, glorify Him and enjoy him.
- Teaching/Discipleship meetings…a time to study the Bible.
- Outreach…plan ways to take the Gospel throughout the village and surrounding areas.
2. Discuss Martin Burcer’s inclusion of Church discipline as one of the sine quo non (essentials) of the local church. Give argument for and against this inclusion.
Church discipline is necessary to preserve the holiness of the church, setting it apart from the culture so that it is “in the world” but not “of the world”. Discipline is also necessary to maintain a common confession, which the early Church seemed to have: “All believers were together and had everything in common.” Acts 2:44. Discipline may not be a “sine quo non”, however, because without it a “church” may still exist, albeit an unhealthy one. I think discipline might be an indicator of a church’s health.
3. Discuss William Booth’s three essentials of the local church (preaching of God’s Word, caring for the needs of society, mission to the lost). Do you agree or disagree that these are what make a local church? Explain.
The definition seems to neglect the need to praise, worship and glorify God with the goal of enjoying Him. I think preaching God’s Word, caring for society and reaching the lost can all be thought of as worshiping Him, but this definition seems to lack an element of worship that is solely devoted to glorifying God simply by enjoying Him.
4. How important do you think having a missions program is for the local church? Explain.
This seems important because Jesus commanded the Apostles to “go and make disciples of every nation”. In Acts 2:47 we see “the Lord added to their numbers daily”, which means the news of what they were doing and the Gospel message was getting out from within the local church.
5. Do you think that one could claim to have a legitimate local church without outreach of some sort? Explain.
No. I think Christ’s command to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20), to build a church (Matt. 16:17-19), to be “sent” (John 20:21) and the growth of the Acts 2 church all show us the importance of outreach.
6. Corporate worship was defined as “the responsibility of the local church to come together to express the worthiness of God in one voice.” Give some more options how this principle can be expressed by local churches.
Singing hymns and psalms, praying together, baptizing, celebrating The Lord’s Supper, confession, sharing of testimonies, reading Scripture together.
7. How would you describe the education program of your church? Do you find balance between exhortation (preaching) and teaching?
In my local church we have done a fantastic job of providing quality preaching, but we are just now focusing on the need for more teaching. The preaching itself has provided important teaching, but our members are expressing a need to learn and grow and they are looking for teaching in doctrine, apologetics and biblically dealing with life issues.
8. Fellowship was defined as “the responsibility of the local church to have authentic Christ-centered relationships for the building up of one another through dependable and lasting friendships, encouragement, and accountability.” Many people have proposed starting internet based churches. Do you believe that true fellowship can exist in such a situation?
In the absence of a chance to meet physically in one place, this cold be the next best option, but I don’t think it suffices otherwise. Communication via internet and email does not seem like complete communication. It provides a voice, but the full range of human interaction that true fellowships needs.
9. How was your thinking challenged the most by the lesson? Explain.
It is surprising how many different flavors of “local church” are possible. It seems that the core elements remain: worship God, teach the Bible and reach out to unbelievers. Other than these, God has given us a lot of options.
September 30th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Discussion Questions 5
1. Reread the “church plant discussion” at the beginning of this session. What ministries would you begin first?
Preaching and Teaching ministries would be the primary ones. The Greek word, “ecclesia”, originally meant a group of people gathered together with the implication that these who were called out met for a common purpose. So it is with the Christian church. Unity based on agreement on the essentials of the faith must exist before any local church can do any other ministry.
2. Discuss Martin Bucer’s inclusion of Church discipline as one of the sine qua non (essentials) of the local church. Give argument for and against this inclusion.
If the question is whether a body of believers can be considered a church without the inclusion of church discipline, I would have to say it would not be an essential for it to be defined as a church because there are many churches today where the practice of church discipline is totally lacking. However, a local church where there is no discipline is headed for trouble should blatant and gross sin among members arises. To not deal with such sins causes great harm not only to the church but also the cause of Christ. Also, the church that neglects this mandate is in danger of being judged. So in another sense, church discipline is an essential to maintain the spiritual health of any church.
3. Discuss William Booth’s three essentials of the local church (preaching of God’s Word, carrying for the needs of society, mission to the lost). Do you agree or disagree that these are what make a local church?
These three activities were part of the first church at Jerusalem and are essentials of what make a local church. I wonder why fellowship was not mentioned on this particular list, though.
4. How important do you think having a missions program is for the local church?
P.T. Forsyth stated it well when he wrote, “A Church cold to missions is a Church dead to the cross.” A church that overlooks missions often turns inward, membership dwindles and this type of church often dies sooner or later.
5. Do you think that one could claim to have a legitimate local church without outreach of some sort?
It’s hard for me to conceive of an evangelical, Bible believing church without some kind of outreach because the Scriptural call to missions is clear. Even so most churches are lacking in one or more areas yet they are still churches.
6. Corporate worship was defined as “the responsibility of the local church to come together to express the worthiness of God in one voice.” Give some more options how this principle can be expressed by local churches.
Sorry that this is something of a “hobby horse” for me, but I have this suggestion. One area I would like developed would be to see church music ministries explore the history of, and use in worship, older hymns that are increasingly neglected in our day. There should be more balance between Christian Contemporary music with the great hymns of the past. In many cases, inspiring stories are tied with the authors and should be shared in the church.
7. How would you describe the education program of your church? Do you find balance between exhortation (preaching) and teaching?
I am very fortunate that the Church I belong to balances these two activities well. They do a good job not only of Scriptural exegesis but also of making applications from these Bible studies for daily living.
8. Fellowship was defined as “the responsibility of the local church to have authentic Christ-centered relationships for the building up of one another through dependable and lasting friendships, encouragement, and accountability.” Many people have proposed starting Internet based churches. Do you believe that true fellowship can exist in such a situation?
True fellowship often happens when believers gather together for a common purpose even on the internet, as happens in online courses such as the Theology Program. But such interaction among believers is limited. Accountability would be one area that would be somewhat lacking. It’s just my opinion, but I don’t believe that so-called internet churches would really be churches as defined in the New Testament.
9. How was your thinking challenged the most by the lesson?
Looking at what ministries are to be carried out by the local church brought me conviction of where I personally need to improve in helping these ministries.
September 30th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Announcement to Fellow Ecclesiology/Eschatology Students:
I have once again prepared a study sheet for our course Scripture Memory Verses. The verses are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) and are in Microsoft Word format. If you would like a free copy, please email me at argom3@cox.net and I’ll be happy to send you one.
God bless,
Rick
September 30th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
1. Reread the “church plant discussion” at the beginning of this session. What ministries would you begin first? Explain.
For me, teaching the Word is important. Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Beginning a Bible teaching ministry is where I would start.
2. Discuss Martin Bucer’s inclusion of Church discipline as one of the sine qua non (essentials) of the local church. Give argument for and against this inclusion.
I think that church discipline and placing yourself under the authority of the elders or leaders of a church is important. It makes us accountable to one another and make a public commitment or presentation of our faith. Christ wants us to recognize him publically. However, I do not feel that this is practically done in our churches. I know people who have attended my church for 20 years and are not members, but are certainly welcome. Leadership being accountable is crucial and needs to be considered also.
3. Discuss William Booth’s three essentials of the local church (preaching of God’s Word, carrying for the needs of society, mission to the lost). Do you agree or disagree that these are what make a local church?
I agree in principle with these essentials. I think that they are important and consistent with the Great Commission. So much more can come from these principles. My church’s stated mission is “shaping people who shape the world.”
4. How important do you think having a missions program is for the local church?
I think a missions program is very important and very essential for a local church. I think every local church needs some sort of outreach whether it be foreign or domestic missions. A major purpose of the church is to make disciples and spread the Gospel, therefore, missions is an essential and in my opinion, a necessary element of the church.
5. Do you think that one could claim to have a legitimate local church without outreach of some sort?
I am not going to count it out. I think that new churches and new believers would need time to grow before going into outreach. I think a church needs to work toward an outreach program and certainly express Christ in their life.
6. Corporate worship was defined as “the responsibility of the local church to come together to express the worthiness of God in one voice.” Give some more options how this principle can be expressed by local churches.
Well, I think this depends on how we want to define worship. Certainly, we are supposed to do everything for the glory of God. Giving, singing, praying, and teaching can all be forms of worship. I think churches need to facilitate peoples gifts to allow God to work through them to glorify Himself. This can be done in various ways through music, Bible study, giving, service, etc…
7. How would you describe the education program of your church? Do you find balance between exhortation (preaching) and teaching?
I think our preaching and teaching are closely related. I go to a Bible church, and we call our ‘preacher’ a ‘teaching pastor’. So, for our congregation, we have a teaching-based message each Sunday. Our education program is carried out in Sunday school, during service and also Sunday nights. So, we are very teaching based.
8. Fellowship was defined as “the responsibility of the local church to have authentic Christ-centered relationships for the building up of one another through dependable and lasting friendships, encouragement, and accountability.” Many people have proposed starting Internet based churches. Do you believe that true fellowship can exist in such a situation?
I think its a stretch, but I’m not discounting it entirely. I think personal interaction and really knowing and understanding a person can only happen in a local, personal, physical way. That is my opinion. I’m sure many relationships are carried out via the internet and can be beneficial, but I have a hard time understanding how a church can be a church if they are not physically together.
9. How was your thinking challenged the most by the lesson?
Well, understanding the balance and essentials of church ministry is tough. There are so many things we take for granted, especially in the USA. I think that a shared confession, and personal accountability and important aspects of the local church.