CHMN 201
Exam
#2 Review 10/2/2002
- What is a
Philosophy of Ministry?
It is the spiritual guidelines that:
1) Keep the church and its
leadership true to the Scripture
2) Present a clear understanding of
the purpose for “having church”
3) Present unique characteristics of
a particular local church
- Know what both
preference and conviction are rooted in.
Conviction is rooted
in Scripture and Preference is rooted in one’s personality.
- Know how many
benefits there are to forming a Philosophy of Ministry. Be able to identify them.
1)
It forces us to be biblical
2)
It makes practical sense
3)
It assists us in ministering efficiently
4)
It assists us in being more effective
5)
It reinforces faithfulness among leadership
- Know which
chapter in Acts that one can see a Philosophy of Ministry. Be able to identify them.
(Acts
6:2) – So the Twelve
gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for
us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.
- Know the
objections some individuals have with the whole idea of forming a
Philosophy of Ministry.
It may be non-biblical human
thoughts.
- Know how many
“aspects” are involved in forming a Philosophy of Ministry.
3 aspects (Mission Statement, Vision
Statement, Core Values)
- Identify the
differences between a Mission Statement & a Vision Statement.
|
Mission
Statement |
Vision
Statement |
|
A definition |
A picture |
|
Used in planning |
Used for communication |
|
Shorter |
Longer |
|
Informs |
Inspires |
|
Doing |
Seeing |
|
From the head |
From the heart |
|
Focus on narrower |
Focus on broader |
|
Clarifies |
Challenges |
- In class, we
discussed various questions one should ask himself/herself when forming a
Mission Statement, Vision Statement, or a list of Core Values. Be able to match questions with the
appropriate statement.
Mission Statement
·
What are we supposed to be doing, according to the Bible?
·
Can the Mission Statement be understood?
·
Is the mission statement clear, brief, and simple?
·
Is it unique and specific to this church?
·
What scriptures could support your statement?
·
Is it memorable & energizing?
Vision Statement
·
Does it glorify God?
·
Does it promote faith rather than fear? (Daunting task to accomplish?)
·
Does it motivate people to action?
·
Does it require stepping out on faith/taking risks?
·
Is it right for the time, the place, and the people?
Core Values
·
What excites me to the degree of becoming passionate about
it?
·
Where & how do I currently invest my time, energy, and
resources?
·
How does the church want to be uniquely known in the
community?
·
Do these core values parallel scripture regarding the
purpose of the church?
- Know the “rules
to remember” when forming a Philosophy of Ministry.
·
Is it biblical (Is the philosophy from man or God?)
- Know various
points made by Rick Warren in his book, Purpose Driven Church (1995), Chapters
9 and 10.
·
Never criticize any method of evangelism that God is
blessing. Different kinds of bait catch
different kinds of fish. (respect the
difference gifts and manifestation of Holy Spirit in people’s lives. Each is uniquely gifted to suit their best
personalities. (Romans 12:4-6)
·
For your church to be most effective in evangelism you must
decide on a target.
·
The Bible determines our message, but our target determines
when, where, and how we communicate it.
·
People choose churches today primarily on the basis of
relationships and programs, not location.
·
The larger your church grows, the farther its reach will
extend (more programs).
·
The best way to find out the culture, mind-set, and
lifestyle of people is to talk to them.
·
The pastor does not attract first-time visitors, but he is a
major reason visitors come back.
·
You will attract who you are, not who you want.
·
God uses all kinds of emotional pain to get people’s
attention: the pain of divorce, death of a loved one, unemployment, financial
problems, marriage and family difficulties, loneliness, resentment, guilt, and
other stresses. Fearful or anxious
people often begin looking for something greater than themselves to ease the
pain and fill the void they feel.
·
God uses both change and pain to make people to receptive to
the gospel.
·
Growing churches focus on reaching receptive people. Non growing churches focus on reenlisting
inactive people.
CH.9
·
Know what must come first when thinking about who your
target will be.
Discover what types of people live in your area.
·
Be familiar with Rick Warren’s view on the church’s ability
to reach everyone.
Not single church can reach everyone in the world. Difference in people requires difference in
approaches of delivering the gospel.
·
Be able to list the 3 scripture references Rick Warren uses
to support the idea of “Targeting for Evangelism”.
Matthew
15:22
Matthew
10:5-6
Galatians
2:7
·
Be able to identify the 4 things Rick Warren suggested to
consider when attempting defining your target.
Geographically
Demographically
Culturally
Spiritually
·
Know what the term “UNCHURCHED” refers to according to Rick
Warren.
Unchurched refers to
those who never had a personal relationship to Christ and haven’t been in a
church for some time, usually years.
CH.10
·
Know the two major questions one should ask himself/herself
in order to know whom you can best reach.
1) Who already attends our church?
2) What kind of leaders do we have?
·
Know the three options Rick Warren suggests a church can do
if it does not match its community.
1) Build on your strength (gifted
area, concentrate on age group most-effectively you minister to and don’t worry
about the age group you can’t)
2) Reinvent your congregation (not recommended)
3) Start new congregation (highly recommended)
·
Know which one he highly recommends and which he does not
recommend. (Above)
