Philosophy of Ministry at Redeemer Presbyterian Church – Waco, Texas Objective: Pause: gospel growth in people work What is a Philosophy of Ministry? vision for ministry in a particular place. philosophy of ministry vision for ministry Vision Theological Identity Core Convictions or Operating Values Location or Place 2 Gospel growth in people work extending work deepening work “Of this you have heard before in the word of truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing – as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth…” (Col 1.5 6). “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt 28.18 20).
What is Redeemer’s Vision? To extend the Supremacy of God (the what) by delighting in the Worth and Work of Jesus Christ (the how) in Waco and beyond (the where). gospel growth in people work3 move The 1,000: Delighting in Christ Together. The 1,000: Delighting in Christ Together gospel growth gospel growth gospel growth gospel growth only delight in Christ together
Gospel growth in people work extending work deepening work “Of this you have heard before in the word of truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing – as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth…” (Col 1.5 6). “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt 28.18 20).
What is Redeemer’s Theological Identity?4 Reformed and Presbyterian Westminster Confession of Faith Larger and Shorter Catechisms The 5 Points of Calvinism The 5 Solas of the Reformation
“It is important to recognize that one’s theological identity is essential to, but not necessarily determinative of one’s philosophy of ministry” “Philosophy of Ministry at Redeemer Presbyterian Church – San Antonio, Texas” Separating the theological identity from the philosophy of ministry Making the theological identity the philosophy of ministry. info ministry “The Reformed understanding of the Gospel gives us a God who is more holy than any conservative can bear and more loving than any liberal can conceive. Reformed theology deals with relationship to the whole of life, not just private or emotional worlds. It is a positive view and way to help Christians be comfortable and distinctive in their vocations in the world. Reformed theology gives humility because both classic fundamentalism and Pentecostalism can be over confident in their own ways. They can act superior to non Christians, and they can break Christians with a ‘performance orientation.’ Reformed theology combines the strengths from other traditions that are usually seen as mutually exclusive. Like mainline: concern to be culturally relevant, social concern. Like fundamentalists: high view of the Bible, emphasis upon evangelism and discipling. Like charismatics: expectancy in worship, priesthood of all believers, small groups. That means you must have a sense that you have something great, something significant to offer. Not doctrinal pridefulness but a sincere belief that Reformed theology taught, caught and lived out, a Reformed life and worldview, will transform and renew any person, church, or community.”
What are Redeemer’s Core Convictions or Operating Values? Extending the Supremacy of God by delighting in the Worth and Work of Jesus Christ in Waco and Beyond 1) We are BOOK PEOPLE. The Word of God is an uncaged lion! implications for ministry Book People will be Christ Centered Jesus events Jesus messages “Operating values focus the raw data of a church’s theological identity so that it serves the purpose of ministry. They are fundamental values, which reflect the priorities within our theological identity. If we answer this question by simply saying ‘We are a Reformed Church,’ then we have communicated that our operating values are highly theological and narrowly focused on the articulation and preservation of certain propositions, rather than on achieving a more comprehensive and, I would argue, more biblical vision for ministry” “Philosophy of Ministry at Redeemer Presbyterian Church – San Antonio, Texas” .
Book People will be confessional Gospel of Grace in Christ Book People will have a passion for truth theology on fire! “light and heat.” 2) We are GOD CENTERED PEOPLE. God is on the move hall of fame
implications for ministry There is a God shaped hole in the human soul “Every human being must live for something. Something must capture our imaginations, our heart’s most fundamental allegiance and hope. But, the Bible tells us without the intervention of the Holy Spirit, that object will never be God himself” “Counterfeit Gods”, salvation The root of all sin is stuffing the God shaped hole in our soul with something or someone other than God – even good things “The biblical concept of idolatry is an extremely sophisticated idea, integrating intellectual, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual categories” “Counterfeit Gods”, “The Bible is therefore filled with story after story depicting the innumerable forms and devastating effects of idol worship. Every counterfeit god a heart can choose – whether love, money, success, or power – has a powerful biblical narrative that explains how that particular kind of idolatry works itself out in our lives” “Counterfeit Gods”, Real ministry must address the God shaped hole in the soul or the heart
Not only were we made for God (relationship), but we were also made to make God famous (reflection or image bearing). reflection The Church must live by grace alone to make God famous or to truly glorify God. God is always on the move, always at work for his glory and grace. God on the move shapes our ministry character 3) We are GOSPEL DRIVEN PEOPLE.
When Jesus shows up . God Himself Redeemer is all about Jesus and Worth and Work of Jesus Christ “The Gospel is that you are more sinful and flawed than you ever dared believed, yet you are more accepted and loved than you ever dared hope at the same time because Jesus Christ lived and died in your place. Salvation is of the Lord” “Gospel In Life” implications for ministry The human heart is addicted to god making, to trying to be its own savior. replacing The gospel is everyone’s deepest need and greatest longing
The gospel must be applied to the heart. There are three ways of living that gospel driven people need to be aware of in ministry: The first way of living is the way of self indulgence or seeking to save yourself through pleasure . bad The second way of living is the way of self righteousness or seeking to save yourself through your performance and record “The Prodigal God” . The way of religion good The third way of living is the way of the gospel.
grace alone Building our messy lives around the gospel results in a lifestyle of redemptive repentance. relationships third way The church culture created by the gospel is radically different from the church cultures created by the other two ways to live. self indulgent way isolation and self absorption.
self righteous way control and coldness. gospel way delight and freedom, wonder and worship, passion and praise, love and joy, glory and grace, humility and confidence, faith and hope, service and good works, mission and ministry, and courage and celebration. Gospel growth in people work becomes the normal work of the church. 4) We are WORSHIPPING PEOPLE. Worship is at the core of our humanity because God made us for Himself – “Man’s chief
end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” light and heat or truth and heart implications for ministry True worship centers on the Triune God and is driven by his gospel (light/truth). begins and ends with “God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth” WSC Q.4 driven by reaches into the past extends into the present absolutize moralize
True worship hits the heart or engages the whole person (heat/heart). begins and ends with “Dialogical” And his people respond to Him engages the full range of human emotion 5) We are FOR PEOPLE. PEOPLE Nicene Creed “we believe in...One Lord Jesus Christ...who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven...was crucified...suffered...and was buried.” people. implications for ministry Redeemer seeks to be marked by a genuine love for people.
love each other indicators means love for those outside the church manner open warm Much of ministry will look like regular things that regular people do. normal life the path “just hanging out.” In all of our decisions and actions, we will seek to be humane.
6) We are GOD’S PEOPLE, THE CHURCH, AN OUTPOST OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. people We Are For People community covenant community unshockable community pilgrim community redemptive community missional community Our commitment to the communal nature of the church is most clearly seen with our covenant children and in our community groups: Our covenant children are deeply loved members of the church Jesus loves and gave himself for. Ministry to our covenant children (nursery to 5th grade) is intentionally pastoral, staff, and parent driven. Ministry to our covenant youth (junior and senior high) is
intentionally pastoral, staff, parent, and the broader church community driven. more leaders important tools redemptive friendships and community gospel outreach and growth to youth and parents Community groups are a vital vehicle for gospel growth in peoples’ lives within the context of community. vital vehicle expects to experience
more than more than informational Community groups are a place to apply the gospel to our lives. driving agenda Community groups are a place to care for each other. Community groups are a place where gifts are exercised. Community groups are a place for reaching out. welcome new people 7) We are MISSIONAL PEOPLE. make God famous “Extending the Supremacy of God by people delighting in the Worth and Work of Jesus Christ in Waco and Beyond” commands us participant
get Therefore being a missional people not only means that we are committed to the mission of proclaiming the gospel to every people in every culture but also in ways that they can understand our own cultural practices and preferences implications for ministry We are committed to being an anchor church in Central Texas. gospel movement We are committed to “network evangelism.” pathway of relationships gospel movement
networks family, geography, vocation, and recreation/other We are committed to “deeds of mercy” accompanying or adorning “words of truth.” Truth mercy false choice full healing incomplete We will bend for the visitor and outsider. willingly decentralize We are committed to “beyond” Waco.
supporting sending The communication of the church will be culturally accessible. consciously seek to communicate The Gospel’s mission encourages cultural creativity. cultural creativity What is the particular place God has placed Redeemer to extend his gospel? incarnation the message the form divinize the culture denigrate the culture “Whenever we come upon these matters in secular writers, let that admirable light of truth shining in them teach us that the mind of man, though fallen and perverted from its wholeness, is nevertheless clothed and ornamented with God’s excellent gifts. If we regard the Spirit of God as the sole fountain of
1) First, Jesus’ relationship to the culture he was in marks out the path that the church is to walk in the world cultural superiority cultural escapism 2) Second, Jesus’ relationship to the culture he was in encourages us to live where we live. the freedom to live where we live the reason to live where we live truth, we shall neither reject the truth itself, nor despise it wherever it shall appear, unless we wish to dishonor the Spirit of God. For by holding the gifts of the Spirit in slight esteem, we contemn and reproach the Spirit himself. What then? Shall we deny that the truth shone upon the ancient jurists who established civic order and discipline with such great equity? Shall we say that the philosophers were blind in their fine observation and artful description of nature? Shall we say that those men were devoid of understanding who conceived the art of disputation and taught us to speak reasonably? Shall we say that they are insane who developed medicine, devoting their labor to our benefit? What shall we say of the mathematical sciences? Shall we consider them the ravings of madmen? No, we cannot read the writings of the ancients on these subjects without great admiration. We marvel at them because we are compelled to recognize how preeminent they are. But shall we count anything praiseworthy or noble without recognizing at the same time that it comes from God? Let us be ashamed of such ingratitude, into which not even the pagan poets fell, for they confessed that the gods had invented philosophy, laws, and all useful arts. Those men whom Scripture [I Cor. 2:14] calls “natural men” were, indeed, sharp and penetrating in their investigation of inferior things. Let us, accordingly, learn by their example how many gifts the Lord left to human nature even after it was despoiled of its true good” Institutes of Christian Religion
in the world for the sake of the world, in our communities for the sake of our communities, and in our city for the sake of our city. 3) Third, Jesus’ relationship to the culture he was in calls us to love where we live. “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jer 29.4 7). “welfare” “shalom ” seek shalom “plans for welfare and not for evil.” our 1) We will need to open our eyes and hearts to the diverse communities and cultures in Waco in order to be a part of God’s gospel mission to Waco. 2) We will need to know the stories of Waco.
“Although Waco is a spiritually aware place, it is not a spiritually rich place.” 3) We will need to dream about the story that Jesus wants to tell about Waco 4) We will need to enact a better story in the life of Waco.