Method
1. Rock and blues music for worship
2. Relaxed, friendly atmosphere
3. Casual dress
4. Promote and practice a family oriented experience
5. Work with addictions, especially sexual
6. Without compromising the Word, create a non-judgmental
environment. People will be accepted regardless of past, appearance, and other
characteristics but will be encouraged to change through Biblical teaching, counseling,
and personal example
7. People with strong testimonies of redemption will be
encouraged to share them openly without censorship but focusing on God's grace
and salvation
8. Fellowship will be encouraged including but not
limited to small groups
9. Everyone will be encouraged to volunteer for some
type of ministry but leadership will be after at least six months in
congregation (see leadership/platform ministry requirements later)
Overall
Leadership Style/Culture
Ministry directors will have a great deal of license
in running their individual departments/ministries. As long as the activity
fits into the overall mission, vision, and character of the church, they will
have full authority to act. Directors are accountable to the elders and to the
pastoral staff. A culture of freedom and creativity must be established if the
church is to thrive.
Music
Within the stylistic needs of the congregation and
creating an environment conducive to worship, the Worship Pastor has full reign
to create teams, train and equip leaders, and produce original music.
Musician will be encouraged and perhaps required to
improve as musicians and grow as worship leaders. All musicians are responsible
to lead the congregation into worship, not just the worship pastor/leader.
There is to be an emphasis on playing skillfully before the Lord (Psalm 33:3)
Musical style is Rock but can include elements of
blues, classic rock, and other modern styles. If the occasion warrants, modern
country (not southern gospel) can be played.
All music must honoring to God while remaining
culturally relevant to the congregation and outreach targets.
Service
Service flow is as loose as time permits. Strong
Biblical teaching, humor, and multimedia will be blended into a service that is
unique, challenging, and draws people closer to Christ or into a new
relationship. A balance of evangelistic teaching, instruction for growth, and
calls to greater commitment will be blended so that everyone, no matter their
level of maturity, can receive from the Lord in the service.
Prayer will be central. Teams/pastors will pray
together before service. Intercessors will be praying throughout the service
for the word, the hearts of the congregation, and for the Lord's will to be
done. After service, leaders and seasoned Christians will be available to pray
with individuals needing prayer. Positioning will be determined by the layout
of the facility in which services are being held.
Nothing in the service is more important that the
leadings of the Holy Spirit. Obedience to His desires and intentions outweigh
anything else in the service. Worship, prayer, preaching, and other parts of
the service can be lengthened or shortened as necessary according to the Lord's
desires.
Basic Leadership Structure
Leadership is divided into Elders and Deacons. The
senior pastor is the chair of the elder board but is also accountable to it as
well.
The Elders are responsible for the spiritual
development of the congregation. Each member is to meet all the qualifications
in I Tim and be involved in the work of the ministry. Members of the pastoral
staff may be elders but a majority of the elders must not be staff. All
ministries involved in the spiritual development and growth of the congregation
along with evangelism and related ministries are accountable to the elders.
Deacons are responsible for the physical needs of
the congregation and the financial well-being of the congregation. Just as with
the elders, they must meet all the requirements of leadership in I Tim and be
involved in the work of the ministry. The church administrator/administrative
pastor chairs the committee. If none, then the committee will elect a leader
until the church grows to the point that a church administrator has been
hired/appointed. The church treasurer is a member of this committee and can
chair in the absence of an administrator.
Ministry directors lead their individual ministries
within the guidelines of the Elders or Deacons depending on the type of
ministry.
The church board consists of the combined elder and
deacon boards. The church counsel adds ministry directors. Each will handle
matters beyond the scope of the main leadership boards. This includes hiring or
removal of a member of the staff, purchase of real estate, approval of annual
budget, determination of salaries, or other large financial decisions.
Additional requirements for leadership, specific
roles, and other leadership matters will be addressed in the final version of
the church constitution.
No comments:
Post a Comment