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MODELS OF MINISTRY
1. EVANGELISM BASED.by Rob Lamont This may be a Church that uses Evangelism Explosion or Christianity Explained. The ministry is centred on outreaches, door knocking, witnessing classes etc. Most sermons include a summary of the gospel with a prayer for conversion. Key Inputs: Preach the Gospel Matthew 28:20 Gift emphasis: Evangelism and preaching Strengths: _______________________________________________________________________________ Weaknesses: ____________________________________________________________________________ 2. GIFT DISCOVERY AND GIFT USE BASED. This is a church with a strong emphasis on spiritual gifts. Sermons on how to discover your gifts, healing, prophecy, tongues may be common if from a Pentecostal background or if nor Pentecostal the emphasis may be on the lay mobilisation, lay ministry, team ministry where the minister is one of the team etc. Key Inputs: The body life Ephesians 4:11 Gift emphasis: Discernment of gifts, exhortation. Strengths: ______________________________________________________________ Weaknesses: ______________________________________________________________ 3. BRIDGE BUILDING AND CARING BASED. This involves a range of welfare or semi welfare type ministries. Some example may be a children club, youth centre, feeding program, craft mornings, visitation, ethnic fellowship times, morning teas etc. Key Inputs: The poor Luke 4:11 Gift emphasis: Mercy, Shepherd Strengths: ______________________________________________________________ Weaknesses: ___________________________________________________________ 4. TEACHING BASED. A strong teaching pulpit (normally expository preaching) most members of the Church bring Bibles to church with many taking sermon notes. Traditionally the services are designed for the committed Christian. The church may have a large number of Bible study groups. Key Inputs: The Word 2 Tim. 3:16 Gift emphasis: Teaching, wisdom, prophecy (proclamation) and preaching Strengths: ______________________________________________________________ Weaknesses: ___________________________________________________________ 5. WORSHIP STYLE BASED. The ministry has a strong emphasis on Music, prayer, worshipful drama or dance. The church may employ a music director and operates a choir, band or some other creative arts type ministries. Key Inputs: Character of God. Gift emphasis: Prayer, faith Strengths: ______________________________________________________________ Weaknesses: ___________________________________________________________ 6. INFORMAL BASED. The church is seen by new comers to be very laid back with a strong emphasis on fellowship events, Supper after Church is seen to be as important as the service itself. The church is relationship based rather than organisational based. Home groups have an emphasis on sharing. Key Inputs: The Church as a community. Gift emphasis: Shepherd, Strengths: ______________________________________________________________ Weaknesses: ______________________________________________________________ Factors that can hinder growth. In farming wheat and sheep thrive is a totally different environment to say apples. A farmer may buy the side of a rocky mountain to grow lettuces and hit his head against the wall and blame the location as useless, sell the farm to a person who breeds goats who makes an incredible success. The lesson is the same for the church the key lies in appropriate ministry to the area not superimposing another ministry and hoping that it fits. Thus a key problem with church growth is using the wrong model. None of the models on their own are wrong but not all models will suit all areas. WHAT MODEL SUITS WHERE YOU ARE? Looking at the above models how could you effectively design a ministry that would suit your style? |