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Our philosophy of ministry
by Paul Null, Former Teaching Pastor
"Where do I fit in?" That is a question many people ask themselves as they attend worship services on Sundays. If we attempted to answer it based solely upon our experience at Sunday Services we would have to conclude that most of us are mainly spectators while only a few, such as the preacher and the members of the worship team, actively participate in the life of the church.
Now, we know that this is not an accurate picture. We know that there's lots that goes on behind the scenes. but we may still be asking, "Where do I fit in?"
Perhaps that question could be answered by describing four kinds of people who are involved in the life and ministry of Sierra community church. They are represented in the circles below.
Some of you are searchers. We use that term to describe people who have not yet come to the place where they have entrusted themselves and their eternal destiny to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Searchers are always welcome at Sierra. In fact we welcome your interest and strongly desire to be available to answer any questions you may have about Jesus and the Bible and the Christian faith. Our stated mission as a congregation is
...to provide a distinctive witness
of the power and simplicity of the message of Jesus
with a humility that welcomes everyone to hear and respond
and become a growing member of the family of God
without being encumbered by man made traditions,
restrictions, or institutional structures.
Most of you are saints. That's what searchers become when they entrust themselves to Christ. This is the most common word used in the New Testament to describe the followers of Jesus. It literally means "set-apart ones." It pictures being set apart by God for a very special and holy purpose. Saints have been set apart to spend eternity with God in heaven and in the meantime to grow in relationship with him and represent him on the earth.
Saints participate in Sunday services by worshiping God and celebrating their relationship with him. They listen to God's Word as it is preached so that they can grow in relationship with him and learn how to please him in their daily lives. Saints have been provided with spiritual power so that they can learn and obey and serve the Lord (2 Peter 1:3-4). Saints have been given spiritual gifts so that they can minister in God's family in special ways (1 Peter 4:10-11). But wherever they are and whatever they are doing saints can represent the love and mercy and grace and generosity of the Lord as his representatives on the earth.
Some saints are servants. All of the saints are called to serve the Lord in one way or another, but some are assigned specific ministry roles within the congregation. The requirements for assigned service are spelled out in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Basically they involve the evidence of spiritual maturity and the development of Christian character.
The word most often translated "deacon" in the Bible simply describes someone who serves. In fact, it was originally used to describe someone who waited on tables. But the Bible uses it to describe everything from teaching and preaching to administrating and showing hospitality. All of the saints cannot be servants all of the time, but a good question for saints to ask themselves regularly is, "Lord, do you want me to use my gifts in assigned service in the congregation?" If you feel that God is leading you in that direction please let the spiritual leaders know.
Finally, some servants are called to be shepherds. Shepherds are the spiritual leaders of the congregation. The Bible refers to them as "overseers," "elders," and "pastors." Along with demonstrating spiritual maturity the shepherds must be "apt to teach" the Word of God to the congregation (1 Timothy 3:1-7). While some are called primarily to provide administrative oversight to the congregation a few should be set aside to study and teach the Word of God (1 Timothy 5:17). The focus of shepherding is on the work and not the position (1 Timothy 3:1; 1 Peter 5:1-3). In a real sense the leaders are the servants of all. Although we do not believe that the Bible restricts the involvement of women in Christian service it is our understanding that the role of shepherding is reserved for men.
Paul tells us that to aspire to the task of oversight is a good thing (1 Timothy 3:1) and every man should ask himself if this is God's calling for his life. It is the responsibility of the congregation to choose and support the shepherds in their ministry (Hebrews 13:17).
So, we come back to the question, "Where do I fit in?" And you may not know the answer to that yet but I hope that the above explanation provides a starting place to find out. Let me assure you that you do fit in. God has you at Sierra for a reason and we would be happy to help you find out what that is.
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