WHAT MAKES SIERRA TICK, Part #5

Our Philosophy of Ministry
by Paul Null, Former Teaching Pastor

HOW TO GET STARTED IN MINISTRY

Have you been wondering how you might get started in a ministry at Sierra Community Church? There is a wonderful verse in Scripture that guarantees we all have a role to play in the service of the Lord.

. . . from whom the whole body, joined and knit together

by every ligament with which it is equipped,

as each part is working properly,

promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:16

But sometimes we tend to limit our thinking about Christian service to some kind of official ministry connected with our local church or some Christian organization. We might only consider such things as Sunday School Teacher, Usher, Worship Team Member, Committee Member, Nursery Worker or Elder as legitimate areas of Christian service. If that were the case only a few among the many would have a significant role to play in the service of our Lord.

At Sierra we are committed to the belief that everyone in Christ's family has something significant to offer and so we have divided ministry into two dimensions. Dimension One Ministries are those ministries directly related to the basic ministries of the church under the direction of the Elders such as, Worship Team, Preaching, Adult Education, Youth Ministry, Children's Education, Nursery, Benevolent Ministry and Women's Ministry. The Elders directly supervise these ministries or work directly with Staff members who do. We supervise recruiting, planning, programing and any other thing that might have to do with their operation.

Dimension Two Ministries are those specialized ministries originated and directed by members of the congregation who have a particular burden for a specific ministry. Examples of these presently in operation are Foodline Ministry, Victory Foundation and Overcomers Outreach. The Elders have no direct supervisory responsibilities over these areas of ministry. They are run completely by those members of the Sierra family who have been given the vision for them. At Sierra we encourage all believers to respond to the burden God has placed on their hearts for ministry. We only ask four things of those who want to pursue Dimension Two Ministries under the umbrella of Sierra Community Church.

1. Share your vision for ministry with the Elders before you embark.
2. 2. Don't ask for financial support for at least one year. We will provide building space for your ministry if it is available.
3. Commit yourself to not deviating from the doctrinal, ethical and moral standards of Sierra Community Church.
4. Accept responsibility for recruiting your own staff and keeping the ministry in operation.

Back to Sierra Community Church's Home Page