As Allen and Kristy are in transition from Associate to Lead pastor, it is often asked what our vision would be for a church that we have the opportunity to lead. While much of that vision would need to be determined through conversation with the leaders and other members of the congregation, there are three pillars that we would embrace regardless of where God leads us.
1) Missions
Whether it be sending missionaries around the world or supporting students going to the local schools and colleges, missions has always been at the heart of the Assemblies of God. Likewise, it is at the heart of our ministry. Supporting those who take the gospel to those outside the walls of the church is critical to meeting the church’s overall commission given by Christ in Matthew 28:19-20:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
So, whether the church has a well-established history of supporting missionaries or is just getting started, we will encourage the members to expand their missions mindedness.
2) Worship
While most people in church, when you mention Worship, think immediately of the song service; worship should be so much more. The definition of worship is the act of magnifying God or making Him bigger to you. While that can be done through song, it can also be done through giving, Bible study, teaching Sunday School, and working in the nursery. But it’s still bigger than that. True worship should encompass all that you do. Do you teach in a public school? Teaching should be done in worship to God. Do you deliver the mail? That should be done in worship to God. As Colossians 3:17 says:
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
So, as with missions, we will push all members of the church to expand their view of God through their worship.
3) The Next Generation
The next generation of church members, whether they are currently kids or youth, are critical both to the church now and into the future. They are and will be the future missionaries, youth and kids’ pastors, lead pastors, worship leaders, and Sunday School teachers as well as influencing the world through “marketplace” jobs throughout the community and the world. The statistics about the percent of young adults who leave the church are staggering but they shouldn’t be crippling. Kids who are taught to worship, taught to support missions (i.e. something bigger than themselves), and are discipled just like we do for adults will be set up to become effective adults working in the ministries of the church and ministering to those they meet outside of the church. Proverbs 22:6 says:
Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.
As we pour into and lead the adults, we will also pay attention to the youth and children of the church and encourage those that work with them to build effective discipleship paths for the Next Generation.
See my full ministry resume here.