Bellingham Church of Christ Church Planting Series November 30, 2011 Part II - Class #7

Philosophy of ministry
I. What is a philosophy of ministry? A philosophy of ministry arises from reading the Bible and then asking, How can we obey the Bible here and now?1 First, we are asking How can we obey the Bible here and now? Matthew 22:29, 23:3-4 Second we are asking How can we obey the Bible here and now? Matthew 16:1-4 Third, we are asking How can we obey the Bible here and now? John 5:39, 2 Tim. 3:16 II. How do we develop a philosophy of ministry? There are 3 perspectives that form our knowledge. They are (1) our understanding of Gods requirements, (2) our understanding of our situation, and (3) our understanding of ourselves.2 (1) What does the Bible say the church should be? What does the Bible require of the church? (2) What do I know about the culture and community I am trying to reach in this time and place? Specific needs, sins, strengths, challenges and opportunities. (3) What do we know about ourselves? Write and discuss our gifts, talents, strengths and weaknesses? How would someone on the outside describe us looking in? Below are 5 categories of things Biblically required in a church. As a church planter, which of these ministries would you give the most emphasis to? Which the least? Rank them 1 through 5, with 5 receiving the most emphasis and 1 receiving the least emphasis. Be prepared to explain your answer. (1) Worship/Prayer
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Keller, T. Church Planting Manual (2002) p.91 Frame, J. The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God, (1987) p.74

Bellingham Church of Christ Church Planting Series November 30, 2011 Part II - Class #7 (2) (3) (4) (5) Teaching/Education Fellowship/Mutual ministry of gifts Evangelism/Mission Social concern/action _____ _____ _____ _____

III. A Profile of the Lost in Bellingham What are some of the common kinds of people groups you see in Bellingham? Describe them. _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ IV.Love Your Neighbor - Group Assignment Work as a group from December 1st through December 24th to check off all of these Loving Your Neighbor suggestions. See Proverbs 3:27-29.

Bellingham Church of Christ Church Planting Series November 30, 2011 Love Your Neighbor A Target List of Suggestions Coffee Appointment Wash someones car, add Offer transportation, give w/new friend air to tires, etc. a ride or pay for a cab Introduce yourself to Buy someone a Lend a tool or other someone new, Christmas gift household item to includes smiling someone to use Rake someones Have a play date with Invite someone over for a leaves up for them another Dad or Mom meal Walk someones dog Babysit someones kids Email a video and/or or offer to pet-sit for personal message to someone someone youve recently met Exercise w/someone, Put someones garbage Carry/give a nonrun, gym, sports, cans away perishable food item(s) or Zumba, etc. toiletries to someone homeless Build a craft w/a Take a snack or treat to a Buy some groceries or neighbor or someone neighbor give a gift card to a new single mom Host a movie night for Scrape someones car Buy a meal at a neighbors/friends windows in the morning restaurant for a neighbor/new friend Part II - Class #7