DISCOVER YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS
EXPLORE MINISTRIES THAT FIT YOUR GIFTS
MORE MINISTRY DESCRIPTIONS
-
Description
Introduction
God asks the church to be a community of people sharing a common purpose and fellowship, continually growing in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God.
The church is a servant body. Created for service, it serves the Lord in praise, serves one another in love, and serves the world in humility. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Eph. 2:10).
The Sabbath School secretary, like every other church officer, is a ministering servant of God. Every Christian believer is called to ministry, gifted by the Holy Spirit, and in baptism ordained for ministry (Eph. 4:11-12).
Duties of the Sabbath School Secretary
The ministry to which a person is called when they are appointed Sabbath School secretary involves the following duties:
Communication. You will send out announcements or make phone calls to remind people of the meetings of the Sabbath School committee. You will check with the leaders of the adult Sabbath School classes and other divisions each week to review their membership list, gather their offerings, provide them with supplies, as well as listen for their suggestions and needs. You will communicate these needs to the pastor or other appropriate leader. You are the contact person for the conference church ministries department and will be sent bulletins, and other items of information which need to be routed to the right person in your congregation. You are the link in the chain through which most communication will travel.
Records and statistics. The minutes of the church ministries council and perhaps other committees may be kept by the Sabbath School secretary, and copies promptly sent to each of the committee members as a reminder of decisions and assignments and as a way to inform absent members. Each Sabbath School teacher and division leader is to be supplied with a membership record folder and encouraged to keep a list of people in the group. On the second Sabbath of each quarter, attendance counts are to be collected both during Sabbath School and the worship hour. These form the basis for filling out the Sabbath School profile (Form A-300) which is the official statistical report of the Sabbath School in your church.
Supplies. A number of Sabbath School supplies and materials are needed in each local Adventist church. The Sabbath School must have quarterlies, helps for teachers and leaders, and many other items in order to function. It is the responsibility of the Sabbath School secretary to see that these items are ordered in advance of the need, received, stored carefully and distributed on time. You
Secretarial assistance. Unless you are in a large church which hires an office secretary, the leaders of your congregation will need you to help provide secretarial work necessary to carry on the business of the Sabbath School. This may include general correspondence, mailings, filing, setting up and maintaining mailing lists, preparing announcements and agendas. You may need additional help when major projects require lots of work.
Meetings. At meetings of the Sabbath School council, you will need to be secretary of the group. Depending on the size and organization of your local church, you may also be a member of various other committees.
Money. The Sabbath School secretary and his or her assistants collect the offerings taken in Sabbath School classes and divisions, count them and turn the money over to the church treasurer. Special donations may also be given to you from time to time to be deposited in specific accounts with the church treasurer. You will need to get regular monthly financial statements from the treasurer so you can monitor the funds in the various accounts of the Sabbath School as you order supplies. The treasurer should not pay any bill from the Adventist Book Center or other supplier until you have checked and approved it. You are an important link in the management of the church’s funds.
-
Description
Introduction
In no other part of the church’s Sabbath morning activities is the ministry of the laity more vital than in the Sabbath School class.
In the class setting there is an interchange of ideas that is non-threatening, a sharing of faith and biblical instruction. Friendships are made in the circle of fellowship; a sense of community is built up. Questions are asked and answered in an informal setting.
For most of the Sabbath service the visitor or member listens – to the prayer, special music, and the sermon. He or she may participate in the congregational singing, but the main opportunity for sharing comes in the Sabbath School class. As a Sabbath School class facilitator, you have a sacred responsibility to share your personal experience, as well as knowledge. “Those who teach in Sabbath School must have their hearts warmed and invigorated by the truth of God, being not hearers only, but also doers of the Word. They should be nourished in Christ as the branches are nourished in the vine” (Ellen G. White, Counsels on Sabbath School Work, page 94). You can’t share with others what you have not experienced yourself.
Duties of the Adult Sabbath School Facilitator
The duties of an adult Sabbath School facilitator or class leader are:
Preparation. Before opening God’s Word to teach, there should be more preparation than a brief perusal on Friday night. A good habit to establish is to spend a concentrated hour on Sabbath afternoon becoming familiar with the main points of the new lesson. During the rest of the week you can dig for more material.
Helping everyone feel welcome. At the beginning of each class meeting, it is essential to make newcomers, as well as regular members, feel welcome. A simple question like “What has your week been like?” can help everyone to feel cared for so they can let go of the worries of the week and concentrate on Bible study. A good question with new people is “Where is your church home?” It can give you a lot of information and help you to know how best to minister to them. Keep some extra quarterlies on hand to give to those who may not have one and invite newcomers to participate in the lesson study. If your church has a fellowship dinner, invite them to attend. A good missionary project for your family would be to invite visitors to your home for Sabbath dinner. A sumptuous feast isn’t necessary to make the guest feel at home. The fellowship and sharing will do that.
Serving as the “undershepherd” of the class. The Sabbath School class is the most important fellowship unit in the church. For most of your class members it is the primary place where they receive support and friendship. It is your responsibility as the facilitator to enable this to happen. It is recommended that you have a “shepherding time” or “sharing time” preceding the lesson discussion. Announcements can be made regarding plans. You can ask about missing members. Often those in the class will have information about these persons and some can be asked to make personal visits. In cases of illness, arrangements can be made to visit the person, perhaps to supply a warm meal or volunteer to help with housework or childcare. This time of sharing opens the door for better participation in the discussion part of the class.
Prayer. The opening of hearts to the Holy Spirit is essential to each successful class meeting. And as the class members pray for one another, they come closer to each other and are enabled to bear one another’s burdens. It is important to take time to ask for the prayer requests of those present. You should offer prayer at the beginning and end of each class, ask a class member do so, or ask the group to pray together in twos or threes. In smaller classes it may be appropriate at times to have a season of prayer in which everyone has opportunity to pray.
Guiding class members to learn and grow. The important thing for your class members to learn is the practical application of Bible truth. Sabbath School is not so much a place to learn facts and abstract doctrines, but to grow in Christian living. Help them to make specific applications of the lesson each week in practical issues they face everyday. Key discussion questions are: "What difference does this topic make in how you live your life?" "How would you explain this truth to a friend who does not attend any church?"
Starting on time. Nothing is more discouraging for a Sabbath School class than to be assembled and wonder where the facilitator is. You should be one of the first to arrive at the classroom. This gives you time to greet individuals and see that everything is in readiness. In case of emergency or illness, preparation should be made for a substitute facilitator. You have the responsibility to see that the Sabbath School superintendent is notified and that a substitute has been provided if you must be absent.
-
Description
Introduction
The last words of Christ before His departure from this world to those whom He had trained to carry on His work are of utmost importance to the church today. Notice His exact words: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8 KJV).
This command was given not only to all those who heard Him speak, but also to all who would accept Him in the ages to come. They were to make known to the world the story of the Father’s love and salvation.
Revival and church renewal take place when members use their Bibles to witness for Christ. Ellen White has written of “a great reformatory movement among God’s people... Hundreds and thousands were... visiting families, and opening before them the Word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be lightened with the heavenly influence. Great blessings were received by the true and humble people of God” (Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 9, page 126).
Duties of the Lay Bible Minister
The work to which a person is called when he or she becomes a lay Bible minister can best be described as follows:
Bible studies. Most of the time that the lay Bible minister has available will be used to conduct personal Bible studies with individuals and families who have expressed an interest in studying the Word of God. Each study will take one or two hours a week. A regular routine of appointments is important in order to build relationships and help people grow in discipleship.
Inquirers class. Lay Bible ministers assist with the pastor’s Bible class and bring their students to this class as they begin to attend church. (Sometimes the special Sabbath School class for prospective members is called the discovery class or visitor’s class. It is often led by an elder or a lay Bible minister because the pastor has two or more congregations to work with each Sabbath and cannot attend Sabbath School.)
Missing member visits. From time to time the pastor may assign the names of former or missing members to visit. This will give you contact with people with whom you will be able to study after you gain their friendship and confidence.
An undershepherd. The lay Bible minister will help the pastor seek and find the lost. He or she provides the pastoral caring and attention which the pastor will not have the time to give to each prospective member. Often people turn to Christ and begin to think of joining a church at times of crisis in their lives. This means that the lay Bible minister must help to meet their emotional, economic and social needs as well as their spiritual needs and religious questions. Much time may be spent just listening. Time will also be invested in helping prospective members to make friends among church members, attend classes that are important to their growth, such as stop-smoking programs or family life seminars, and make use of the aid provided by Adventist Community Services and other social services.
Finding prospects. A lay Bible minister is constantly on the alert for people who may be ready to enter into Bible study. He or she will be sensitive to possibilities among friends, relatives, work associates, visitors at church, newcomers in the community, participants in outreach seminars and those who respond to Adventist media ministries and awareness activities. And he or she will learn to invite prospects to begin Bible studies.
-
Description
Introduction
Responsible to the division leader.
Relates closely with the division Sabbath School teachers and other assistant leaders on the team.
Ministry mission: To help children know God, to hear God’s Word, and to respond appropriately. The assistant leader fulfills the ministry mission by supporting the Sabbath School teachers and by teaching when asked.
Responsibilites
The assistant leader of a children’s division of the Sabbath School—beginner, kindergarten, primary, junior, earliteen, or combined age groups—has the following responsibilities:
Attends division team meetings for planning and room preparation.
Takes turns teaching in Sabbath School when assigned by the leader.
Steps in when a substitute class teacher is needed.
May team teach with another assistant or with the leader.
Demonstrates a concern for child safety by completing the volunteer ministry information form and returning it when asked, and by following the requirements for volunteers and caregivers.
Coordination of Sabbath School Ministry
Delegates and coordinates the following aspects of ministry, as assigned by the leader:
Record keeping: Maintains and updates files on the children who participate in the ministry program, including their attendance; alerts the leader to current birthdays.
Welcoming ministry: Greets kids at the door and recognizes visitors.
Mail ministry: Sends absent member postcards or birthday cards.
Hospitality ministry: Provides weekly snacks, organizes food for class potlucks and socials.
Family visitation ministry: Divides the students among leaders and teachers so that each receives a home visit at least once during the year (fall suggested).
Music ministry: Chooses songs, leads the singing; includes students in special music.
Class teacher ministry: Assigns one teacher per five students to guide, but not to actually teach.
Program leader/teacher: Models leadership of the program (which amounts to teaching Sabbath School) up front; may team teach with an assistant or delegate parts of or the whole program.
Screening Volunteers
Assists the leader and children’s coordinator, as requested, in the following screening activities:
Evaluating written applications with the children’s coordinator.
Interviewing promising volunteers and helps match their spiritual gift with a ministry need in the division.
Allowing nobody to work with children who has not successfully completed the volunteer ministry information form and been approved by the screening committee.
Teaching Ministry
Learns to lead out following the teaching resource material provided for the GraceLink lessons.
Learns to lead a child to Jesus, encouraging the child in daily prayer and lesson study.
Learns to understand the goals of the GraceLink Sabbath School and the philosophy behind the lessons.
Learns to adapt the activities suggested in the GraceLink material so as to meet the specific needs of their church.
Follows the standard for classroom management and Sabbath School programming set by the leader; tries to maintain that standard so teaching will be seamless from one leader to another.
Time Commitment
Approximately 5-10 hours per week.
Length of Commitment
One or two years, depending on the practice of the local church.
Training
Basic children’s ministries certification (nearing completion).
Advanced children’s ministries certification (on-going).
Qualifications
1. Volunteer Ministry Qualifications
A commitment to
a. Jesus Christ and to a growing personal relationship with Him.
b. Christ-centered ministry to children.
c. The Seventh-day Adventist Church and to its beliefs.
d. A balanced Christian lifestyle.
e. Teamwork
f. Cooperative ministry under the leadership of the pastor and church board.
g. Personal growth and learning, continually upgrading methods and skills.
2. Special Qualifications
An attitude of servant leadership.
A passion for children and children’s ministries.
Leadership experience in a ministry to children.
-
Description
Introduction
Responsible to the children’s ministries committee
Relates closely with the children’s coordinator and other children’s Sabbath School division teams.
Ministry mission: Through the ministry of Sabbath School to help children know God, to hear God’s Word, and to respond appropriately; the leader fulfills the ministry mission either alone or by leading a team of volunteer teachers, depending on the size of the church.
Responsibilites
The leader of a children’s division of the Sabbath School—beginner, kindergarten, primary, junior, earliteen, or combined age groups—has the following responsibilities:
Meets regularly with the division team for planning and room preparation.
Represents the age division on the children’s ministries committee.
Develops a division budget with the help of the children’s coordinator.
Organizes the division Sabbath School storage and room decorations; assigns general responsibilities.
Organizes the Sabbath School time and assigns responsibilities to teachers and assistant(s).
Demonstrates a concern for child safety by completing the volunteer ministry information form and returning it when asked, and by observing the guidelines for volunteers and caregivers.
Coordination of Sabbath School Ministry
Delegates and coordinates the following aspects of ministry
Record keeping: Maintains and updates files on the children who participate in the ministry program, including their attendance; alerts the leader to current birthdays.
Welcoming ministry: Greets kids at the door and recognizes visitors.
Mail ministry: Sends absent member postcards, birthday cards.
Hospitality ministry: Provides weekly snacks, organizes food for class potlucks and socials.
Family visitation ministry: Divides the students among leaders and teachers so that each receives a home visit at least once during the year (fall suggested).
Music ministry: Chooses songs, leads the singing; includes students in special music.
Class teacher ministry: Assigns one teacher per five students to guide, but not to actually teach.
Program leader/teacher: Models leadership of the program (which amounts to teaching Sabbath School) up front; may team teach with an assistant or delegate parts of or the whole program.
Screening Volunteers
Evaluates written applications with the children’s coordinator.
Interviews promising volunteers and helps match their spiritual gift with a ministry need in the division.
Allows nobody to work with children who has not successfully completed the volunteer ministry information form and been approved by the screening committee.
Leading and Teaching
Encourages both children and volunteers to pursue personal prayer life.
Looks for opportunities to invite children to accept Jesus; leads them through the steps to Jesus in age-appropriate ways.
Mentors ministry team members by demonstrating ministry functions, giving clear directions, verbalizing expectations, and affirming their efforts.
Mentors a promising assistant leader for future leadership.
Sets a standard for classroom management and Sabbath School programming—and expects assistants to maintain that standard so teaching will be seamless.
Selecting Children’s Curriculum
Places orders with the Sabbath School secretary for Seventh-day Adventist Sabbath School materials, published by the General Conference.
Adapts the materials as necessary to fit the local needs.
Expects assistant leaders to use the same basic curriculum, adapting as needed.
Time Commitment
Approximately 10 hours per week.
Length of Commitment
One or two years, depending on the practice of the local church.
Training
Basic children’s ministries certification (on-going).
Advanced children’s ministries certification (on-going).
A volunteer management seminar (recommended).
Qualifications
1. Volunteer Ministry Qualifications
A Commitment to:
a. Jesus Christ and to a growing personal relationship with Him.b. Christ-centered ministry to children.
c. The Seventh-day Adventist Church and to its beliefs.
d. A balanced Christian lifestyle.
e. Teamwork.
f. Cooperative ministry under the leadership of the pastor and church board.
g. Personal growth and learning, continually upgrading methods and skills.
2. Special Qualifications
a. An attitude of servant leadership.
b. A passion for children and children’s ministries.
c. Leadership experience in a ministry to children.
-
Description
Introduction
Responsible to the Sabbath School division leader
Relates closely with the children, their parents, and others on the leadership team.
Ministry mission: Through the ministry of Sabbath School to help children know God, to hear God’s Word, and to respond appropriately to it.
Responsibilites
The Sabbath School teacher plays a key role in achieving the ministry mission for Sabbath School and has the following responsibilities:
Sits with the children assigned and learns their names.
Relates to children in a loving, respectful manner.
Notes missing members and gives their names to the mailing ministry leader.
Calls children during the week to encourage and pray with them.
Recognizes the children outside of class.
Looks for opportunities to encourage children to accept Jesus; helps them start their own plan for daily devotions.
Demonstrates a concern for child safety by filling out the volunteer ministry information form and returning it when asked and by observing the guidelines for volunteers and caregivers.
To the Leader
Attends division leadership meetings as called by the leader.
Assists the leader with room organization/decoration, as asked.
Adapts to the leadership and classroom management style of the leader.
Attends Sabbath School regularly; notifies the leader when emergencies cause a change of plans.
In Sabbath School; encourages children to get involved and complete activities described by the leader.
Coaches a group of children; is not called upon to prepare a lesson or be an up-front lecturer.
To the Team
Fills in where needed in an emergency.
Supports the leader and other teachers.
Accepts responsibility for one or more aspect of Sabbath School ministry, such as
Record keeping. Maintaining and updating student card files; records visitor information and attendance.
Welcoming ministry. Greeting kids at the door and helping them feel at home.
Mail ministry. Sending absent member postcards or birthday cards.
Hospitality ministry. Providing weekly snacks and organizing food for class potlucks and socials.
Music ministry. Choosing songs, leading the singing and involving students in special music.
Family visitation ministry. Visiting assigned students in their homes.
To God
Maintain a habit of daily personal prayer and Bible study.
Model God’s grace in relationships within the class.
Seeks to love and accept each child at all times.
Expresses love for God by praying with the class and telling a personal salvation story—what God has done for them—and by “walking the talk.”
Encourages the children to express their love for God in their everyday actions, by telling their stories and by praying with someone in need of prayer.
Time Commitment
Approximately 30 minutes to one hour per week.
Length of Commitment
One or two years, depending on the practice of the local church.
Training
Basic children’s ministries certification (on-going classes).
Qualifications
1. Volunteer Ministry Qualifications
A Commitment to:
a. Jesus Christ and to a growing personal relationship with Him.
b. Christ-centered ministry to children.
c. The Seventh-day Adventist Church and to its beliefs.
d. A balanced Christian lifestyle.
e. Teamwork.
f. Cooperative ministry under the leadership of the pastor and church board
g. Personal growth and learning, continually upgrading methods and skills.
2. Special Qualifications
An attitude of servant leadership.
A passion for children and children’s ministries.
Leadership experience in a ministry to children.
-
Description
Introduction
The most valuable earthly possession a person can have is a warm, supportive friendship. People without relationships are miserable people, but relationships cannot be purchased. They arise from our innermost needs, grounded in our God-given ability to love and care for others. A growing, healthy church nurtures healthy relationships.
In all cultures, friendships are developed through hospitality. True hospitality is a spiritual ministry. In today’s busy world, a counterfeit hospitality often undermines our desire to meet this basic human need. People think, “I’d really like to have someone over, but...” Fear of being inadequate in time, skills, or a suitably furnished home creates in many Christians a reluctance to undertake hospitality.
Adventist congregations face some real challenges in becoming caring churches. These include a reluctance to get too friendly with secular people which results in few friendships with non-Christians. Adventist standards for leisure activity may pose a problem. And many homemakers work outside the home, resulting in very little time to prepare for “entertaining.” In order for the gospel commission to be realized, the Adventist church needs a renewed spirit of Christian hospitality.
The Bible suggests several attributes found in a ministry of hospitality. A focus on the needs of others rather than on one’s own is exemplified in the stories of Abraham and the three visitors (Genesis 18), the Shunammite woman (II Kings 4:8- 37), and the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). A willingness to share whatever one has, even if it is meager, is demonstrated in the widow of Zarephath (I Kings 17), the little boy with a lunch (John 6:9), and the disciples from Emmaus (Luke 24:13- 32).
A loving heart seeking relationship is exemplified by Mary (Luke 10:38) and in Simon’s home (Luke 7:36-50). Courage to risk developing relationships is seen in Abigail (I Samuel 25) and in Rahab (Joshua 2).
Strikingly little is said about skills of cooking, the possession of a beautiful home, or ability in conversation. In fact, the only reference to this is Christ’s gentle remon- strance with Martha not to “fret and fuss” about the details of preparing a meal for Him. He pointed her instead to the priority of being with Him. Thus, simplicity and service characterize the type of hospitality found in the scriptures.
A counterfeit form of hospitality is often confused with true Christian hospitality. This “entertaining” is ego-centered and based on materialistic concepts sold in advertisements and the media which suggest that being a “good” host or hostess demands gourmet cooking ability, a spotless and sparkling home, witty and charming conversations, etc. This form of entertaining can result in bondage, excessive labor, preoccupation with one’s own needs, and reluctance to be spontaneously generous.
Duties of the Hospitality Team
The ministry to which a person is called when he or she becomes a member of the hospitality team will include the following duties:
Study and preparation. Development of a deeper understanding of Christian hospitality and the supporting skills requires study in a small support group. The hospitality team should meet once a month or once a quarter. It is important to spend time in caring for one another and in spiritual nurture through Bible study and prayer in order to be able to really love and care for others.
Taking care of visitors. Organize a system for visitor hospitality which will provide follow-up for their needs as appropriate. This usually includes providing a Sabbath meal. In smaller churches, this function may include the greeter activities on Sabbaths. It also means contacting each visitor, listening to each man and woman, and doing the things they need and expect in order to feel cared for by your congregation. The tradition of a festive Sabbath dinner, with animated conversation and rich fellowship is key to this, but no group activity can replace individual ministry.
Caring for new members. There is a special need for a system of hospitality for prospective and new members, as well as members with special needs, which will integrate them into the fellowship of the church. This may take many forms and may overlap to some extent with other activities in your congregation. It could include a pastor’s Bible class, a new member class, home Bible study groups, a special fellowship dinner for new members once or twice a year, visitation and personal ministry, or the assignment of a special friend or “spiritual helper.”
Coordination. You must promote and cooperate with efforts to encourage social fellowship among church members as a whole. What is the relationship between your hospitality ministry and the social committee of the church or the small group ministry? You need to settle these questions in discussions with the other leaders involved and work together with them in building the total program of your congregation. In this meeting there will be time for group study and discussion of a Bible passage about hospitality, sharing of experiences and blessings, and scheduling teams.
-
Description
Introduction
God created the church to be a fellowship of people growing in faith and with a common purpose. The New Testament describes it as the “body” of Christ (Eph. 1:22).
God calls us into His body for the purpose of establishing a saving relationship with Him and a bond of common life with one another. Water baptism is a symbol that marks our entrance into the body and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives (John 3:5). The Holy Spirit is the vital force of the church.
The church is a servant body. God created it for service. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Eph. 2:10). When the church serves the world it is the expression of Christ’s love to the world, being used by the Spirit as an agency of salvation.
God calls every member of the church into ministry. Our priesthood is to each other within the church and to the world (I Peter 2:9). Every believer is a minister, called by God and ordained in baptism (Eph. 4:11-12).
God supplies each person in the church with the resources for ministry—scripture, spiritual power, God’s character and spiritual gifts. Some church members are called to a special ministry in the inner city and equipped to fulfill that special calling by the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Duties of the Inner City Coordinator
The ministry to which a person is called when he or she becomes an inner city coor- dinator or urban ministries coordinator can best be described in the following ways:
Planning. A primary task of the inner city coordinator is that of a guide and facilitator who helps the church and the community establish and find ways to achieve their goals. He or she helps the church move effectively in the direction it chooses to go. The choice of direction and methods of implementation must be that of the congregation and the community, with the coordinator assisting. The coordinator is not without opinions, but his or her goal is always to help the church become aware of the needs in the city and find the means of working cooperatively toward meeting these needs. The coordinator encourages discussion, invites participation in fact finding, and maintains a process of planning and program development.
Identifying needs. The inner city coordinator tries to be aware of conditions in the community and the metro area. He or she is interested in the social problems, public attitudes and values of the various segments of urban society. He or she does not place blame or criticize, but seeks under- standing and ways to be helpful. Plans for urban ministry will be effective only to the extent that they are based on objective fact and a sensitivity to the self-identity and perceptions of each ethnic, socioeconomic and life- style group. This means learning to conduct surveys, interview civic leaders, make use of census data and social science information, and seek out opportunities for the church to meet needs in the community.
Community relations. The urban church must relate to a complex community situation where there are many diverse groupings instead of one culture. The inner city coordinator helps the church to find ways to establish a caring, healing relationship with each group. He or she must maintain open lines of communication with the specific groups within the community and at the same time resist being “captured” or used by any group or class. He will seek to establish good relations with community groups even when they may be suspicious or resistant. A coordinator cannot function effectively in community relations for the church if he speaks as a partisan for one group, project or point of view over another. Instead he is an advocate for a process of inter-group cooperation and effective methods of community work.
Advocacy. There are times when the inner city coordinator must take initiative. The most difficult task is to stimulate a sense of need with churches or communities which appear apathetic or actively disinterested. Many churches and communities are content with the status quo. The inner city coordinator has the responsibility of communicating the needs of hurting people and stimulating discontent about painful conditions in the community. He or she speaks for the poor, the oppressed, the victims, the discouraged and shut-out.
Program development. Special programs of urban ministry have been set up by Adventist churches in many large cities in the United States and Canada. Sometimes these are directed by the Community Services lead- er, personal ministries leader, health-temperance leader, Adventist Youth Society or a Community Services Center. At times they are managed by the inner city coordinator. This responsibility includes the recruitment and training of volunteers, learning to delegate, providing operational supervision and overall project leadership. These programs vary greatly in their exact nature and each requires specific technical skills of its own. Before you agree to be inner city coordinator in your local church, you will want to clarify with your pastor precisely what details of program management are included among the expectations.
-
Description
Introduction
The lay evangelist dates to the time when Jesus sent out the seventy to minister in areas that He and the disciples would be unable to reach during His brief ministry (Luke 10:1-17). Just as these lay evangelists went out preaching the gospel of Jesus at His first coming, you are called to go and preach the gospel of His second coming. In the modern setting the lay evangelist reaches areas where the pastor or conference evangelist may never have the opportunity or budget to set foot. As a volunteer you can establish a work there.
The church serves the Lord in praise, serves one another in love, and serves the world in humility. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).
Jesus, in His last words before ascending to Heaven, gave the commission to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations...” (Matt. 28:19): For the lay evangelist the target audience is the world, beginning at the doorstep of his or her home.
Duties of the Lay Evangelist
The work of the lay evangelist is varied, but some of the specific functions include the following:
Hold public evangelistic meetings. Meetings could be in your town or in a nearby town where no formal Seventh-day Adventist work has been start- ed. You could do all the preaching yourself, or organize a team to share the preaching duties. Don’t overlook the possibilities of holding meetings for individuals in retirement centers, or for structuring your outreach to a specific ethnic group in your community. A series of meetings for the hearing impaired or other handicapped individuals who have special needs (that are often overlooked by regular outreach events) could be very rewarding.
Conduct Revelation seminars. This form of public evangelism has been particularly effective in recent years with church members leading out. There is also material available to hold Daniel seminars which open up even more Bible prophecy to your hearers.
Assist the pastor. The lay evangelist can assist the pastor in evangelistic meetings or by preaching. Especially in a district with more than one church, the pastor needs the help of a lay minister to fill speaking appointments for Sabbath worship services and mid-week meetings from time to time. The pastor may also seek your assistance for visiting individuals who have shown an interest in learning more about Adventists.
Organize neighborhood outreach. In cooperation with your church ministries leader, help plan outreach activities for your community, especially when laying the groundwork for evangelistic meetings with entry events, such as stop-smoking seminars, cooking and nutrition classes, etc.
Recruit volunteers. You will have the opportunity in your projects to minister to others in your church family by giving them the opportunity to become involved in active witnessing. Build a network of persons around you who also have a burden for soul-winning. Help train them for outreach ministry and encourage them to stay actively involved in witnessing.
Small group evangelism. Once called “cottage meetings,” this form of outreach provides opportunities to teach the gospel to two, three or a dozen individuals in a less formal situation. You may find this a good way to begin.
-
Description
Introduction
The rich heritage of music has been recorded for us from ancient times. Both voices and instruments were used to express the full range of human emotions. Even the brief glimpses we have of what takes place in the heavenly courts often includ a description of the music there.
And when God gathers His children around His throne they hold harps and sing “the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb” (Rev. 15:3).
“The history of the songs of the Bible is full of suggestions as to the uses and bene- fits of music and song. Music is often perverted to serve purposes of evil, and it thus becomes one of the most alluring agencies of temptation. But, rightly employed, it is a precious gift of God, designed to uplift the thoughts to high and noble themes, to inspire and elevate the soul... As our Redeemer leads us to the threshold of the Infinite, flushed with the glory of God, we may catch the themes of praise and thanksgiving from the heavenly choir round about the throne; and as the echo of the angels’ song is awakened in our earthly homes, hearts will be drawn closer to the heavenly singers. Heaven’s communion begins on earth. We learn here the keynote of its praise.” (Ellen G. White, Education, pages 167-168.)
Music can convey our thanks to God. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song” (Psalm 28:7).
Music can be joyful. “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song” (Psalm 95:1, 2). “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs” (Psalm 100:1, 2).
Music can be praise to the Lord. “The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang...” (II Chron. 5:13).
Music can be a prayer for forgiveness or a petition for help when trials threaten to overwhelm. It can be a medium to weld a diverse group of people into one accord. “When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives” (Matt. 26:30).
Duties of the Minister of Music
The duties of the minister of music include the following:
Serve as music committee chairperson. If your church does not currently have a music committee, now is a good time to establish one. This commit- tee can assist you in finding talent and scheduling musicians for the worship service. This group can also work creatively with you to develop ideas for expanding your existing music program. The group should consist of at least the following members: minister of music (who serves as chairperson), head organist and/or pianist, pastor, two members at large (preferably one younger person and one older person). Depending on the size of your congregation, you can add other individuals contribute to the music program.
Schedule musicians for the worship service. You will need to arrange for an organist and/or pianist and special music for the worship service each week. This will require some planning every week and should be scheduled three to four weeks in advance with a follow-up call to the musicians one week prior to the service.
Get music information into the church bulletin. Once you have made these arrangements, contact the church secretary or bulletin typist with the musicians’ names and the selection to be presented.
Serve on the worship committee. Your responsibility on this commit- tee is to ensure that the musical considerations in the worship service are addressed. If you have ideas for using music more effectively or for expanding the music in the service, this committee can discuss and implement your ideas.
-
Description
Introduction
Most of the heroes of the New Testament church were evangelists. The personal ministry of Jesus in saving the lost (the woman at the well, Zacchaeus, etc.) continues to be the primary model; but Peter, Paul, Barnabas, Philip, Steven, Timothy, and John Mark all figure prominently in early church history because they worked tirelessly and effectively to win new converts to Jesus Christ and to make the first century church grow. That pattern has continued through the centuries to our day.
You are called to that noble heritage as you become involved in coordinating the outreach of your local church. You have two thousand years of success on which to build. You have the model of thousands of successful men and women in history. Welcome to the most important task God ever assigned to church leaders—to find God’s lost children and bring them home to the church and to eternal life.
Duties of the Outreach Coordinator
Your job title may be evangelism committee chairperson, personal ministries or lay activities leader, or something else. No matter what the title is, your ministry includes:
Working with volunteers. The personnel for outreach in the local church are volunteers, and much of your work is the recruiting, training, and over- seeing of this volunteer workforce. Supervising volunteers is not the same as working with employees. Volunteers will do what they enjoy or are convicted to do, not necessarily what needs to be done. Pleading with them from the pulpit or trying to make them feel guilty will not succeed. Personal contacts are more effective than public appeals. Building a support team is essential for long-term success. You will be working with a minority of the congregation. Church growth specialists say that 10% of church member- ship have the gift of evangelism. That is a worthy objective, but it will take great persuasiveness to achieve even that percentage.
Planning. You are the key person in helping the leaders of your congregation develop a plan for outreach and soul-winning. It is your responsibility to get the key leaders together early to set goals. Get ownership for the goals from the church leadership, and they will help meet them. Some wise person said, “Good goals are my goals; bad goals are your goals.” Remember that too many goals are confusing to the congregation and more difficult to reach. Experience demonstrates that most congregations can only handle one, two or three outreach goals at a time, and this “time” usually spans two or three years.
Education and communication. Your first goal is to help every church member become aware that he or she is witnessing in his or her own way. Every believer is a missionary to the family members, work associates, neighbors and others that he touches every day, whether he likes it or not, whether he intends it or not. It is a surprising thought to many of our members who “hate witnessing” that they cannot “not witness.” Your task is to help the church members use the unique opportunities and spiritual gifts that God has given to each to accomplish His will. The teaching tools in The Sabbath School Leader magazine, the materials on spiritual gifts and friendship evangelism are key tools in doing this. You can make use of them each Sabbath during the time allotted. This time may be called “King’s Business” or “personal ministries time” or something else, but whatever it is called it is essential that you communicate with the church members regularly about their witness and opportunities for service. This is a “non-negotiable” part of what it means to be an Adventist church. It is equally important that you make this time interesting and relevant to your members, and not a time of haranguing, selling books, or reading in a ritual manner.
Program Management. You will be the manager of a number of programs sponsored by your congregation. Some are denomination-wide, international campaigns. Some are local ideas that a small group of your members have created. Each requires careful preparation, adequate supplies and manpower, and steady attention to detail. Checklists and worksheets to help you manage these projects are published in many different program manuals, handbooks and “how-to” volumes. Remember, every project is a process, not a goal. If you remember this, you will not feel defeated when a project fails. The goal is to save men and women for heaven. If one thing does not work, another will.
-
Description
Introduction
God asks the church to be a community of people sharing a common purpose and fellowship, continually growing in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God. Paul describes the church as “his body, the fullness of him who filleth every thing in every way” (Eph. 1:22).
God calls us into His body for the purpose of establishing a saving relationship with Him and community with one another. The symbol of water baptism marks our entrance into the body of Christ and also marks the baptism of the Holy Spirit experienced by a new disciple. “I tell you the truth, unless a man is born of the water and the Spirit, He cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
You experience the presence of Jesus Christ in the world within your church; the world experiences the living presence of Jesus Christ as it witnesses your church. When a local church serves the world it is an expression of the love of Christ to the world. It is the body of Christ serving the world’s needs and being used by the Spirit as an agency of salvation.
God calls every member of the church into ministry. The church is a kingdom of priests set free to minister effectively for Christ. Our priesthood is to each other within the church and to the world. The planning committee members, like other church officers, are ministering servants of God. Every Christian believer is called to ministry, gifted by the Holy Spirit, and in baptism ordained for ministry (Eph. 4:11- 12).
Duties of the Planning Committee
Although the specific group assigned to do planning varies from church to church, the basic responsibilities of any planning committee are the same:
Fact-finding. The committee will gather facts about the existing programs and current needs in the church and the community. This includes church growth statistics, surveys of church members and neighborhood residents, demographic data and input from program leaders.
Prayer. The committee will seek to find God’s will for His church, and spend significant time in seasons of prayer. The members of a planning committee must believe that the Holy Spirit will guide them in understanding the information and in choosing the right objectives and methods. A concert of prayer throughout the congregation, interceding on behalf of the planning committee and pleading for church renewal, is a vital part of the planning process.
Study. The committee will undertake a careful study of the mission of the Adventist church as presented in scripture, the vision of Ellen White and the official Statement of Mission of the North American Division of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. It will spend time reviewing the unique mission of your local church.
Written plans. The committee will produce carefully written plans, including a general goal or statement of mission, several specific objectives and detailed methods for achieving those objectives. The document will include a master calendar for the year with specific activities noted, assignments for the church officers indicating who will lead each activity, and a budget for the expenses involved in these activities. It is rare that a local church can handle more than two or three objectives at a time.
Report. The document developed by the planning committee is not official until it has been voted by the church board or a general church business meeting. The committee will present its report to the church board. Copies should be circulated to all church members. The work of the planning committee and the church budget committee should be combined and presented to a church business meeting at the same time. It is recommended that the planning document written by the planning committee be combined with the budget recommended by the church board, and that church members be given the opportunity of voting on a total package. This motivates support for the local church both through involvement and giving.
-
Description
Introduction
God asks the church to be a community of people sharing a common purpose and fellowship, continually growing in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God. Paul describes the church as Christ’s “body” (Eph. 1:22).
The church is a kingdom of priests set free to minister for Christ. Our priesthood is to each other within the church and to the world. Every Christian believer is called to ministry and, in baptism, ordained for ministry (Eph. 4:11-12). You should view your work for the church as a ministry to which God has called you; it is His will operating in your life.
God supplies each person in the church with the resources for ministry—scripture, spiritual power, God’s character, and spiritual gifts. You are equipped for your ministry by gifts received from the Holy Spirit. These spiritual gifts are special abilities given to make your ministry effective and build up the body of Christ.
Duties of the Prospect Care Coordinator
Whether you are prospect care coordinator or work as interest coordinator in your church, the duties are the same:
Gather names. Systematically get the name of every person who visits on Sabbath, attends a seminar or group, phones or writes for information, requests prayer, contacts the media ministries or gets a missionary magazine. Double check each name to sort out church members and discover previous involvement.
Make contacts. Use the telephone to contact each person. Did they get the information or help they wanted? How did it meet their expectations? How did they happen to know about the program? What motivated them to attend, call or write? The local church prospect care coordinator is an official field representative for each and every Adventist program, and this is how you help the church provide better “customer service” to the public.
Listen for needs. A prospect care coordinator must develop good listening skills. If you are a good listener, people will feel free to share their stories with you. As you listen, your mind learns to sort the information given by each person into workable categories: religious background, present spiritual condition, emotional, family, health and economic needs.
Establish readiness. The contacts made by the prospect care coordinator are called “evaluation interviews” because the purpose of the conversation is to find out how we can minister to the person. Is there a pressing social or physical need that must be met? What is his attitude toward the message and activities of the Adventist Church? Will he accept a visit? Is he ready to enter into serious Bible study or participate in Christian fellowship? What can your church do for this person? The readiness of an individual is coded on the following scale: “A” means they are ready for a visit by a pastor and will probably attend church or evangelistic meetings; “B+” means they are ready for Bible studies, either one-to-one or in a small group; “B-” means they are ready to take a Bible correspondence course; “C” means they want more literature on a particular question or help with a particular problem, but are not ready for Bible study. The names of those with no interest are file separately.
Make referrals. As you listen to each person, a nurturing plan made especially for them begins to form. This is the next step after your conversation to keep them growing in their spiritual journey. Is there a particular piece of literature they should have? Is there a specific person who should visit them? Is there a seminar or small group they should attend? Is there a tape they should hear or a video they should see? In each interview you have only a few minutes to create this plan while they talk, so it is essential that you have quick information and a good supply of materials right at hand. You will need a listing of resources that can meet emotional, economic, health and spiritual needs.
Maintain the list. The work of the prospect care coordinator will require some clerical organization to keep names in a prospect list. They must be coded so that specialized mailings can be sent to those with various interests and needs. Additional clerical help may be needed. A computer would be more efficient in larger churches. It is essential that every name kept on the list be sent a missionary magazine subscription and mailings from your church about seminars, etc.
-
Description
Anyone leading a recovery ministry must be a recovering addict with solid sobriety while continuing to work rigorously at the 12 Steps as a model for those being led. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:27, “But I buffet my body and make it my slave lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.” The leader must not be above strict accountability, and needs to have a mentor; someone who can help point out blind spots, and keep him or her on the right track in recovery and in relation- ship with God. That mentor, by the way, needs to be a recovering addict also. Otherwise, it’s like a golfer trying to train a football player. You have to have been there to know how to lead another through that landscape.
-
Description
Introduction
God asks the church to be a community of people sharing a common purpose and fellowship, continually growing in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God. Paul describes the church as “his body, the fullness of him who filleth every thing in every way” (Eph. 1:22).
God supplies each person in the church with the resources for ministry—scripture, spiritual power, God’s character, and spiritual gifts. A seminar coordinator is equipped for his or her ministry by the gifts received from the Holy Spirit. These spiritual gifts are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit to make their ministry effective and build up the body of Christ.
Duties of the Seminar Coordinator
The ministry of the seminar coordinator includes the following duties:
Planning. You will work with the church ministries council or the personal ministries committee to develop an overall plan for seminars over the next year or two. This plan must be based on the identified needs in the congregation and the community, and a sequence of seminars moving from health education to family life, then Bible evangelism.
Teamwork. Involve a group of people with you in the planning stage. As you begin to think about the needs of your church and community, identify those church members who will be most productive in your seminar team. Rely on practical thinkers, good workers, people with ideas and imagination, and people who are good motivators and organizers. In the group you will need some who have excellent relational skills and can work one-on-one with the non-members who attend the seminars, develop friendships and invite them to church or into Bible studies.
Program management. Many details must be cared for by the seminar team such as arrangements for a location, obtaining materials and supplies, handling registration, obtaining and setting up equipment and the audio-visuals, and providing for greeters and other amenities at the seminar itself. Registration is a key part of the program because how it is handled and the materials handed out will give first impressions as to the value and warmth of the program. Child care is an important service if you wish to invite young married couples or single parents. It is vital that this all be smooth and friendly.
Publicity. A marketing approach must be developed for each seminar based on what audience group is targeted and their needs. You must arrange for advertising to be prepared and distributed well in advance, so that people can plan on attending and pre-register by phone. Advertising can be purchased through television and radio stations and newspapers. Posters, bus cards, and other forms of outdoor advertising may also be available. Direct mail is the most cost effective type of advertising. It will be your duty to obtain from the church interest coordinator (or prospect care coordinator) the prospect list, or help get the list started. This will be the key to advertising success. Mass mailings can also be arranged. And you are responsible for obtaining as much free publicity as possible through the news media and by encouraging church members to use word- of-mouth and distribute handbills among their friends, neighbors, relatives and work associates.
Prayer support. You will want to organize a network of “prayer warriors” to support the seminar through their intercessory prayer and especially to pray for those non-members in attendance. This may be done in groups or individually.
Friendship evangelism. A major purpose of seminar outreach is to establish friendships with non-members who attend. Small group discussion needs to be built into the program and church members used as the group leaders to give opportunity for acquaintances to be made. Feedback sheets used throughout the seminar build communication with individuals, and allow you to ask for specific decisions such as “Would you like for one of our staff to visit with you personally about the issues raised in the seminar?” As soon as the seminar is over, the prospect list must be updated and subscriptions to appropriate missionary magazines arranged for all who attended.
-
Introduction
Since the time when Adam realized he was without a mate, thereby experiencing loneliness, many persons have found themselves in a similar state. A careful examination of Scripture reveals a deep concern for the "widows and fatherless," individuals who, in their singleness, might be struggling. Not all singles in our society today are struggling—any more than married people struggle—but all these people have special family needs.
Paul visualized the church as an oasis where all gifts were valuable, a home where all could find fellowship and support. All who belong to Christ, are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:29) The fellowship of believers in Christ transcends sexual, racial, economic, marital, or social distinctions.
Duties of the Singles Coordinator
The duties of a person when he or she becomes a coordinator of singles ministries in the church will include the following duties.
1. Form a Committee. Find responsible people who will help plan and develop activities and programs. Keep in mind when choosing committee members that the adult singles need to "own" their ministry in order for it to be relevant to their needs. Other important aspects of your ministry will be to brainstorm, develop friendship in the committees, and delegate responsibilities in a way that involves as many individuals as possible in the program.
2. Bible Study. A ministry to single adults must include Bible teaching which may take place in a large or small group situation, or maybe both. Small group Bible studies can meet during Sabbath School and be recognized as a Sabbath School class, or meet as a Home Bible Fellowship, or a midweek meeting at the church. Large group activities might take the form of a monthly Singles Fellowship where Bible study would not be the only item on the agenda.
3. Involve Singles in the Worship Service. Look for ways to help the singles in the church to become part of the worship services and contribute to a spirit of commitment among the members of the church.
4. Plan Entry Events. You will need to help the church plan entry events and build pathways that will attract new members, specifically single members, and nurture their growing faith. A divorce recovery seminar, a single parent workshop, and other seminar packages are available.
5. Attitudes. Help the congregation and its leaders develop a non-judgmental, open and accepting attitude. Focus on how to minister to singles in the situations in which they are found. The question is "What can be done now?" Rather than, "What happened?" or "Why did you do what you did to get yourself into this?" -
Description
Introduction
Fundamentally the church is a fabric of relationships. Jesus gives a clear command to love each other (John 13:34, 35), with His love for us being the standard.
Throughout the New Testament there are specific suggestions about church rela- tionships. Congregations are to care for each other and give attention to the needs of each other: (I Cor. 12:25; Phil. 2:4), forbear and forgive (Eph. 2:2, 32), defer to one another (Eph. 5:21), bear each other’s burdens (Gal. 6:2), teach and admonish each other (Col. 3:16, 17), encourage and build up one another (I Thess. 5:11), confess and pray together (James 5:16), and love each other (I John 3:22, 23; 4:4, 11).
To be a Christian is to join a body whose head is Jesus Christ. It is a theological contradiction to become a Christian and then live in isolation and independence.
Since building relationships is a primary function of the church, it must provide settings and structures that give opportunities for this to happen. Experience has demonstrated that the small group is one of the best vehicles for the church to become what God intends it to be—a people sharing Christ, meeting each other’s needs and reaching out in love to the world.
Duties of the Small Group Leader
There are some basic tasks for you when you take the responsibility of leading a small group:
1. Preparations. Before the meeting the leader should pray specifically for the people who are coming. Pray also for yourself as a person and as leader. Specific preparations must be made prior to each meeting:
a. Arrangements. What needs to be done to care for details such as location, seating, Bibles, temperature, food, child care, music, materials, etc.?
b. Relationships. How will you help people to feel cared for and caring? What will you do to help people get to know each other and build positive relationships among the members of the group.
c. Study topic or task. What steps will you follow to accomplish the task or go through the study? You will want to make a list of questions you will use and estimate the time each will take. What are your goals for the praying time? What will be your prayer format? Who will pray?
d. Time. How much time is available and how will you divide it? Block out the time into major segments and jot down the activity to be done in each segment. What is your “real” starting time? Your firm closing time? How will you open and close each segment? Are you attempting too much? Too little? Do you want to ask other people to take responsibility for some segments at this meeting?
2. Facilitator. During the group meeting the most important function of the leader is to ask questions. As group leader you are not the expert lecturer but the facilitator for discussion and sharing. Be sensitive to individual needs. Try to create a climate of openness and acceptance through affirmation and encouragement. You will direct the flow of discussion by making sure everyone has an opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings. Try to keep the discussion on the subject. Make sure everyone in the group can see each other by arranging the chairs in a circle and removing the empty chairs. The leader helps the group members to be personal by sensitively asking questions that enable them to share openly without feeling coerced, intimidated or put on the spot. You will also need to deal with the problem of those who talk too much. Help the group focus on solutions rather than only problems. Ask questions that help people be positive and affirmative about themselves and other group members.
3. Caring for individuals. Outside the group meetings the leader stays in touch with group members by phone. You are the lay pastor of the people in your group. Watch for those who seem to be hurting or have questions during the meetings. A prime time to offer care and support is during the informal conversation immediately following group meetings. Try to plan your time so you can stay by, but don’t let troubled people consume your time and energy. Be free to say, “You seem to be hurting a lot. How can I assist you in getting help?”
4. Outreach. A healthy group always “keeps an empty chair” for new people. One of the tasks of the leader is to find likely group members, invite them to try the meetings, and help the group to make them feel comfortable and safe. You should watch for visitors on Sabbaths, newcomers in the community, individuals going through lonely times in their lives and especially unchurched friends and acquaintances who seem to be opening up to spiritual things.
-
Description
Introduction
God asks the church to be a community of people sharing a common purpose and fellowship, continually growing in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God. Paul describes the church as “his body, the fullness of him who filleth every thing in every way” (Eph. 1:22).
Thus the church is a servant body. Created for service, it serves the Lord in praise, serves one another in love, and serves the world in humility. “For we are his work- manship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).
Shortly after Pentecost, the gift of sharing with those who have not, otherwise known as the gift of hospitality (Rom. 12:13; I Tim. 3:2; I Peter 4:9), was first exer- cised specifically for the body of Christ and the world Christ died to save. As the believers praised God in this fellowship, they had favor with people. Their love for one another attracted those who observed their fellowship and “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47). These new converts did not all have wealth; consequently, these new believers met together in one another’s homes, pooled their resources and shared what they had with those who possessed little or nothing.
God supplies each person in the church with the resources for ministry—scripture, spiritual power, God’s character, and spiritual gifts. The members of the social com- mittee are equipped for their ministry by the gifts received from the Holy Spirit. These spiritual gifts are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit to make their min- istry effective and build up the body of Christ.
Duties of the Social Committee
Although the program varies from church to church, the ministry of the social committee can best be described in the following ways:
Planning. It is important to plan well ahead. In today’s world many church members have busy, packed schedules and if they do not have advance knowledge of an event for several weeks, they will not be able to attend. It is also true that to produce an excellent activity that makes people feel good about their church family and really enjoy themselves, it takes time for careful preparation.
Hosts and hostesses. Do not forget that the most important element in any church social is the people. Committee members should be assigned to serve as hosts and hostesses for each event, and those with this assignment should be freed of details like preparing food, setting up tables and chairs, etc., so they can concentrate on greeting each person as he or she arrives, introducing those who do not know one another very well, watching the flow of conversation so that no one is left out, and generally supervising the relational elements of the activity. These little communication tasks are sometimes ignored and as a result new people in the group feel uncomfortable and unwelcome.
Details and arrangements. Each event requires a lot of errands, purchases of supplies, setup of furniture and equipment, creation of decorations and handouts, and many other preparations. The members of the social committee are all expected to share in these tasks, and it will destroy the value of the event if some one on the committee has to carry an undue share of the burden. It is essential that the coordinator assigned to each event make up a detailed check-list well in advance and assign each item to someone on the committee. Then check regularly on their progress, or you will be embarrassed!
Recruiting and managing volunteers. The crew that does the work at any church social is made up of volunteers, not paid employees. It has to be recruited and supervised with the utmost care. Successful social committee chairpersons are those who learn how to see that volunteers “get paid” not with money, but with friendship, a sense of usefulness, opportunities for creativity and the joy of seeing church members come closer together and enjoy times of real fellowship.
Creativity. The congregation has a right to expect the social committee will plan and produce events that have a touch of beauty, quality and creativity. A sense of “specialness” must touch each freshly baked roll, bowl of fruit, decorative flower display, and linen tablecloth, as well as the high school photos of the honored guests mounted on the bulletin board or the favorite hymn of the new pastor sung by the guest musician, or whatever item is appropriate! Remember that our God is the creator of all that is spectacular and winsome in the world around us and that He wants us to share with Him the joy of the exquisite. It takes a little extra thinking and effort to come up with these special touches, but it is worth it because it tells those who participate that your congregation cares.
-
Description
Introduction
God asks the church to be a fellowship sharing a common purpose and continually growing in faith. Paul describes the church as Christ’s “body” (Eph. 1:22).
People experience the presence of Jesus Christ in the world through the ministry
of the church. When your local church serves the needs of people, members and non-members, it is an expression of the love of Christ. The church is a servant body, created for service. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).Christ calls every member of the church into ministry. The church is “a kingdom of priests” (I Peter 2:9). As an usher, you are a minister of hospitality and caring in the church. Every Christian believer is called to ministry, gifted by the Holy Spirit, and in baptism ordained for ministry (Eph. 4:11-12).
Shortly after Pentecost, the gift of hospitality (Rom. 12:13, I Tim. 3:2, I Peter 4:9) was first exercised specifically for the church and those whom Christ died to save. As believers praised God, they had favor with people. Their love for one another attracted others to their fellowship and “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47).
God supplies each person in the church with the resources for ministry—scripture, spiritual power, God’s character, and spiritual gifts. An usher is equipped for his or her ministry by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These spiritual gifts are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit to make their ministry effective and build up the body of Christ.
When people come to church they are sometimes burdened, sad or discouraged. Each person, member or newcomer, comes with the hope that the Sabbath will be an experience of uplift and inspiration, a time of renewal and celebration. The skillful usher helps to make this a reality for those in attendance.
Although an usher’s love should be no stronger than is the love found in the rest of the body of Christ, nevertheless the usher performs a major role in ensuring that peo- ple see and experience that love. In Christ, you have received God’s unconditional love, and, in Christ, you are called to extend that same unconditional love to others. The ministry of ushering is one of the most crucial because it is one of the most vis- ible in the church.
Duties of the Usher
The ministry to which a person is called when he or she becomes a church usher can best be described in the following ways:
Greet worshippers, making every attempt to help them feel welcome and at ease.
Escort members and guests to their seats.
Distribute materials related to the service/meeting such as bulletins, hymnals, handouts, etc.
Receive certain offerings, delivering them promptly to the treasury department of the church.
Maintain an alertness for any emergency that may arise, relieving the need or contacting the person(s) needed to provide the proper assistance.
Direct individuals out of the service/meeting in an orderly fashion (in most instances row by row), leaving the auditorium or room ready for the next service or meeting.
-
Description
Introduction
God asks the church to be a community of people sharing a common purpose and fellowship, continually growing in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God. Paul describes the church as “his body, the fullness of him who filleth every thing in every way” (Eph. 1:22).
In the church we are specifically asked to “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:12) and “encourage one another” (I Thess. 5:11). People come to the church because they believe that in the body of Christ they will be cared for, challenged to grow and supported in their times of difficulty. Yet, in today’s world, they often find the church as impersonal and uncaring as secular institutions.
A church faithful to the Bible is a caring church. It is a church that plans to care for its members and visitors. It is intentional about implementing the New Testament commands to “serve one another” (Gal. 5:13) and to be “devoted to one another” (Rom. 12:10) by organizing planned ministries of visitation.
Because every believer is called to ministry and gifted for a specific form of ministry (Eph. 4:11-12), the work of visiting church members in their homes is not restricted to professional pastors, but shared by all those who have the ability. Each visitation team member is as dedicated and equipped for this purpose as the pastor.
Duties of the Visitation Team Member
The ministry to which a person is called when he or she becomes a minister of visitation can best be described in the following ways:
Incorporating new members. Unless a newly baptized or recently transferred member becomes friends with at least seven compatible individuals during the first six months, it is highly likely they will quit attending. Several visits should be made in those six months to find out about the new member and get them involved in ministry in the church, to identify the kind of friends that will be most appropriate and to invite them to events where they can make friends. With the newly baptized it is also important to help them identify their spiritual gifts, understand the organization and plans of the church, and learn to practice the standards of the church.
Contact visitors. Each new person who shows up on Sabbath and lives in the area should be contacted as soon as possible. It is usually most appropriate for a first-time visitor to be contacted by telephone, and often the prospect care coordinator (or interest coordinator) will make this call. Once a visitor has returned, or requested a house call, then the name will be given to one of the lay visitors. In this visit it is important to use listening skills to find out what has motivated attendance at church. What is happening with this person and how can we care for them? Is this a former Adventist or a friend or relative of an Adventist? Have they ever attended Adventist programs such as a stop-smoking plan, family life workshop or Bible seminar?
Visit inactive. When a person breaks their regular routine of church attendance with no simple explanation such as vacation or business travel, it is “a cry for help.” They are experiencing some pain in their lives and have found it more comfortable to quit attending than to continue. Often the source of pain has nothing directly to do with the church, but is complicated because their regular friends in the congregation are not responding to their needs. For example, when a church member goes through a divorce it is common for the other church members to back off from contact because they “don’t know what to say.” The visitation team has the task of arrang- ing for a contact immediately to listen, try to identify the real source of pain and help them bear that burden. If members or non-members who have stopped attending are visited promptly—within six weeks of the attendance break—nine out of ten will return to the church.
Visit members who are hurting. People who are hospitalized, individuals who are terminally ill as well as their families, persons who are separated or in the process of divorce, those having an unplanned pregnancy, individuals and families of those who are in trouble with the law, families who must put a loved one in a nursing home, parents with handicapped children, the bereaved including parents suffering a miscarriage, those shut-in at home or institutionalized, those who have lost their job, and members struggling with their faith in God all deserve a visit from the church. The visitation team plays a key role in meeting this need because in a typical congregation at any one time fully one quarter of the members may fall into one of these categories and the pastor, who usually has more than one church, cannot carry the full load.
Visit at the time of life events. Occasions of joy, as well as pain, need the participation of the church in order to bring them into spiritual focus. Members of the visitation team will be asked to contact parents whose children are leaving home for school, people getting married, families having a graduation, couples experiencing the birth of a child, people in the process of moving in or out of town, and those who are retiring.
Yearly contact. In healthy churches each member household gets a visit at least once a year. It may simply be a “listening visit” to get their input regarding the church program. This goal cannot be achieved in most congregations unless lay visitors help it happen.
-
Introduction
One of the most precious assets of the local church is volunteers. God has invited all of His children to serve in the body of Christ. “For we are His workmanship, creat- ed in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). While the Nominating Committee annually calls and invites people to specific ministry positions, a Volunteer Ministries Coordinators serves throughout the year to support volunteers, cooperate with the Nominating Committee, and assist ministry leaders in training, affirming, monitoring and evalu- ating volunteers. The biblical term used for this type of ministry is “equipping” (see Ephesians 4:12).
Ministry Department: Administration
Responsible To: Senior Pastor / church board
Duties of the Volunteer Ministries Coordinator
The ministry to which a person is called when he or she becomes a minister of visi- tation can best be described in the following ways:
To work closely with church leaders in setting up a system to guide volunteers into meaningful places of service in the church.
To develop a committee/team to assist in a volunteer ministry program.
To cooperate with existing recruiting methods and programs, such as the Nominating Committee and the Equip seminar.
To partner with ministry leaders in determining the needs of volunteers.
To support ministry leaders in training, affirming, and monitoring volunteers.
To assist in conducting annual evaluations of volunteers.
To seek to create new avenues and methods for involving volunteers in the church.
To coordinate an annual volunteers orientation.
To develop a master list of Ministry Position Descriptions for your church.
Ministry Purpose
To coordinate with a team a church-wide volunteer recruitment, training, and sup- port program.
Spiritual Gifts
Leadership, administration, faith, discernment
Talents / Desired Abilities
Organizational skills, working with committees, interviewing people
Time Commitment
[This will vary depending on the size of the church.]Large church/paid position: 20-40 hours per week
Medium church/stipend or volunteer: 10-20 hours per week
Small church/volunteer: 6-10 hours per week
-
Description
Introduction
God asks the church to be a community of people sharing a common purpose and fellowship, continually growing in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God. Paul describes the church as Christ’s “body” (Eph. 1:22).
God calls us into His body for the purpose of establishing a saving relationship with Him and community with one another. The Holy Spirit convicts our minds, leads us to repentance, and plants us within the church.
You experience the presence of Jesus Christ in the world within your church; the world experiences the living presence of Jesus Christ as it witnesses your church. When a local church serves the world it is an expression of the love of Christ to the world. It is the body of Christ serving the world’s needs and being used by the Spirit as an agency of salvation. Thus, the church is a servant body. Created for service, it serves the Lord in praise, serves one another in love, and serves the world in humili- ty. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).
God calls every member of the church into ministry. The church is “a kingdom of priests” (I Peter 2:9). Our priesthood is to each other within the church and to the world. A youth leader, like any other church officer, is a ministering servant of God. Every Christian believer is called to ministry, gifted by the Holy Spirit, and in bap- tism ordained for ministry (Eph. 4:11-12).
As a youth ministry leader it is important that you see teens as an important part of the present church, not just the church to come.
Duties of the Youth Sabbath School Assistant
The program varies from church to church, but the ministry to which a person is called when he or she agrees to help in the youth division of the Sabbath School often includes the following:
Teaching. It will often be your job to teach the youth Sabbath School les- son. In smaller churches this will probably be done with the entire group together. In big churches the large group may break into several smaller “classes,” each with its own teacher. Skills in group process and learning styles are essential to this task. And it takes adequate preparation time. You cannot expect to minister effectively to the needs of teenagers if you simply glance over the teaching materials at the last minute. The North American Division Sabbath School curriculum for teens is quite demand- ing because it deals with the difficult issues of life: sexuality, occupations, the meaning of life, death and dying, ethics, etc. You cannot teach it with casual preparation. You cannot significantly touch the lives of your teens by finding an “easier” set of materials to use.
Programming. Perhaps once a month or one month of each quarter you will have the responsibility of planning and organizing the special features and group activities during the first half of the youth Sabbath School. This usually includes music, an opening prayer, time for the teens to share and mix, and an educational or spiritual feature such as a guest speaker, a film or video, a role play, a panel discussion or a learning game or simulation. There are program helps in the Youth Ministry Resource Magazine and they can be found in other resource materials from Christian publishers. The best programs include a lot of participation by the teenagers both in planning and implementation.
Spiritual helper. Teenagers may come to you asking that you act as a bridge between them and their parents. Often teens are very shy and you will want to preserve their dignity. Listening skills are important!
Teamwork. Group members need to know that they can depend on you and that your attendance and participation will be regular. You must take the time to communicate regularly with your division leader and the others involved. You may be asked to attend a planning session once a quarter, and this is a significant time to share insights about the needs of your teens, get your signals straight and coordinate calendars. The youth will pick up on confusion and disagreement between adult leaders, and this will dampen their involvement.
Music. You may have special talents with the piano or guitar, or even in organizing and leading a choral group. If so, that is undoubtedly the reason you’ve been asked to help with the youth Sabbath School! Music is an important part of worship and fellowship for teenagers, but they find it difficult to respect and get involved in a poorly run, traditional “song service.” Music ministry with youth requires creativity and up-to-date resources. Use the youth hymnal—He Is Our Song (Review & Herald Publishing Association, 1988). If you would like to start a praise team, try the Step by Step song service (see below).
-
Description
Download the ministry description for the Youth Sabbath School Leader by clicking on the Download link above.
Introduction
God asks the church to be a community of people sharing a common purpose and fellowship, continually growing in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God. Paul describes the church as Christ’s “body” (Eph. 1:22).
God calls us into His body for the purpose of establishing a saving relationship with Him and community with one another. The Holy Spirit convicts our minds, leads us to repentance, and plants us within the church.
You experience the presence of Jesus Christ in the world within your church; the world experiences the living presence of Jesus Christ as it witnesses your church. When a local church serves the world it is an expression of the love of Christ to the world. Thus, the church is a servant body. Created for service, it serves the Lord
in praise, serves one another in love, and serves the world in humility. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).
God calls every member of the church into ministry. The church is “a kingdom of priests” (I Peter 2:9). Our priesthood is to each other within the church and to the world. A youth leader, like any other church officer, is a ministering servant of God.
As a youth ministry leader it is important that you see teens as an important part of the present church, not just the church to come.
Duties of the Youth Sabbath School Leader
Although the program varies from church to church, the ministry to which a person is called when he or she becomes the leader of the youth division of the Sabbath School can best be described in the following ways:
Planning. You will provide leadership for the youth Sabbath School by bringing together a team of assistants and teenagers who will help plan and implement the group’s activities. This includes overseeing the schedule of leadership, special programs, and teaching. It is vital that this group meet together at least once a quarter to brainstorm, make decisions, and create the calendar for the next few months. Learn to delegate.
Spiritual helper. Teenagers whose trust you have won will come to you with questions and personal problems. This may occasionally require that you act as bridge between troubled teenagers and their parents. If you really care, they will be able to see it. Often people at this age are very shy and you will want to preserve their dignity. Listening skills are important!
Teaching. Unless you are in a very large church, it will often be your job to teach the Sabbath School lesson. On occasion you should schedule others to teach so that there is more participation. Skills in group process and learning styles are essential to this task. It takes adequate preparation time. You cannot expect to minister effectively to the needs of teenagers if you simply glance over the teaching materials at the last minute. The North American Division Sabbath School curriculum for teens is quite demanding because it deals with the difficult issues of life: sexuality, occupations, the meaning of life, death and dying, ethics, etc. You cannot teach it with casual preparation. You cannot significantly touch the lives of your teens by finding an “easier” set of materials to use.
Building a sense of community. It will be your work to create an atmosphere that is friendly, comfortable and safe, where God is praised, but where no question need remain unasked. The goal of the youth Sabbath School leader is to bring together a cluster of awkward teenagers and help them become real friends. Relational skills are key in this process. Smiles and expressions of caring are very important! Even the most shy person warms to a smile. Some of the more gregarious ones benefit from a hug. In most situations, a handshake or touch to the shoulder to accompany the warm smile shows you care. You must not be afraid to be vulnerable. Teenagers can be intimidating because of their directness and often rebellious behavior. Unless you are open and accepting in your manner, you will not be able to lead this age group.
Commitment. Next to your commitment to have God’s presence in every aspect of your life, your commitment to serve your church is perhaps the most important one you will make. It is just as important as your vocation- al and relational commitments. Group members need to know that they can depend on you and that your attendance and participation will be regular.
-
Description
Introduction
Young people form a precious, most important part of God’s church. They are not only the “church of the future,” but also the church of the present.
When Timothy was just a young adult in the church, Paul wrote him the following counsel: “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers...” (I Tim. 4:12).
Christ created the church to be a fellowship where people share in a common purpose and help one another grow in faith. The strength, vigor and fresh ideas of the young adults in our church family are needed to accomplish the great commission of Jesus to give the Gospel to all the world.
The church is a servant body. It was created for service or “ministry.” It serves the Lord in praise, serves one another in love, and serves the world in humility. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).
God calls every member of the church, young and old alike, into ministry. As a young adult leader, you are a minister called by God to a vital ministry within your congregation and in your community. God supplies each person in the church with the resources for ministry—scripture, spiritual power, God’s character, and spiritual gifts.
Duties of the Young Adult Coordinator
Your ministry as the young adult coordinator can be described in the following ways:
1. Young adult ministries committee. You will need to meet with those who nurture young adults in Sabbath School, the “Young Adult Club” and any other young adult ministries of the church. The agenda of this meeting will include the scheduling of all fund raisers and trips for the year and a discussion of the Bible learning curriculum planned for each. Together you can reduce overlap, look for gaps in programs, and coordinate efforts. Your leadership as chairperson can encourage a cooperative spirit in which all of the leaders of the various programs work together.
2. Planning and ideas. In consultation with individual leaders, teachers and representatives of the young adults, you have a wonderful opportunity to spark new ideas. It is your responsibility to work with the program leaders to draw together an overall plan and budget for a comprehensive program of young adult ministries for the congregation.
3. Communication. You will represent the interests of young adult ministries to
a. The church board. As a participating member, you have an opportunity to keep the concerns and needs of young adults before the church leaders.
b. The pastor. Keep the pastor informed of plans and problems. Listen to concerns and together look for ways to help make the church service interesting and meaningful for young adults.
c. The church ministries council. You will join the leaders of the various minis- tries of the church in this council to plan a mix of nurture, witnessing, community service, stewardship, and family life activities for the whole church.
d. The Sabbath School leader. You may want to sit down with your pastor, the adult Sabbath School superintendent and the young adult Sabbath School leader to discuss possible overlap of responsibilities. Together you can plan some great cross-generational programs for special Sabbath programs.
e. Church treasurer. The treasurer can help you develop an overall budget for the young adult ministries.
4. Information. You are the primary source of information for the congregation about young adult ministries. You should put together a calendar listing all young adult activities and events for the local church and see that these events get advertised in the church bulletin and newsletter. Keep an up-to-date, permanent record of all the young adults in the church and those non-members who have attended outreach programs or visited on Sabbath. Also, provide information to your leaders about training events and new resources.
5. Clarify goals. You are responsible for conducting a needs assessment among the young adults in the congregation and the community, and helping the leaders of young adult activities understand these needs and set goals for ministry. You will need to support and encourage the young adult leaders in their programming and evaluate the effectiveness of their programs in meeting the needs. You will want to support the overall church leadership, while at the same time safeguarding the creativity of the young adults so that they may enjoy spiritual nurture in a comfortable, accepting environment.
-
Description
Introduction
God created the church to be a community of people sharing a common purpose and fellowship, continually growing in faith and in the knowledge of Christ. The New Testament describes the church as “his body, the fullness of him who filleth every thing in every way” (Eph. 1:22).
God calls us into His body for the purpose of establishing a saving relationship with Him and community with one another. The Holy Spirit convicts our minds, leads us to repentance, and plants us within the church.
Thus the church is a servant body. Created for service, it serves the Lord in praise, serves one another in love, and serves the world in humility. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).
God calls every member of the church into ministry. The church is a “kingdom of priests,” and that priesthood is to one another within the church and to the world. Those who assist in leading young adults, like any other church officer, are ministers or servants of God. Every Christian believer is called to ministry, gifted by the Holy Spirit, and in baptism ordained for ministry (Eph. 4:11-12).
From the record of Christ’s life, we receive an indication of the value He has placed upon the young. He selected young adults among the twelve apostles such as John “the beloved.” Those who would lead young adults today must see them as an important part of today’s church, not the church to come, for these young adults are about the same age as were the founders of Adventism.
Duties of the Young Adult Sabbath School Assistant
Although the program varies from church to church, the ministry to which a person is called as an assistant in the young adult division of the Sabbath School can best be described in the following ways:
Planning. Together with the leader, you should select young adults whose personalities and temperaments best fit them for helping run the program. This group should meet frequently to help you become comfortable in the performance of your tasks.
Spiritual helper. Young adults who have spiritual and relational problems will come to you with questions which need to be answered. This may occasionally require that you act as bridge between troubled young adults and their families. If you really care, they will be able to see it. Some are shy and you will want to preserve their dignity by not being too forward yourself. Others are gregarious and want to be asked questions that invite self-disclosing answers. Listening skills are important! As you learn to know more about what makes people tick, you will catch more of the nuances.
Teaching. Unless you are in a very large church, it will often be your job to teach the Sabbath School lesson. Your group may have a rotation plan in which many of the class members have a turn at leading the discussion. Skills in group process and learning styles are essential to this task.
Building a sense of community. You must not be afraid to give yourself to others. Many older adults find young adults intimidating, usually because young adults confront adults by being able to see through their facades. Unless you become open to others, your leadership will lose effectiveness. You are not called to lead from a position of strength, as if you had all of the answers. Enable your group to see that you, too, struggle with problems and search for answers. It is only through the honest sharing of your struggles that they will be able to see Christianity as an alive and practical choice. They need real people, with real problems and real solutions to lead them.
Interest in people. Relational skills are key in this process. Smiles and expressions of caring are very important! Even the most shy person warms to a smile. Some of the more gregarious ones benefit from a hug. In most situations, a warm handshake or touch to the shoulder to accompany a warm smile shows you care.
Commitment. Next to your commitment to have God’s presence in every aspect of your life, the commitment you make to serve your church body is perhaps the most important one you will make. It is just as important as your vocational and relational commitments. Group members need to know that they can depend on you and that your attendance and participation will be regular.
-
Description
Introduction
God created the church to be a community of people sharing a common purpose and fellowship, continually growing in faith and in the knowledge of Christ. The New Testament describes the church as “his body, the fullness of him who filleth every thing in every way” (Eph. 1:22).
God calls us into His body for the purpose of establishing a saving relationship with Him and community with one another. The Holy Spirit convicts our minds, leads us to repentance, and plants us within the church.
Thus, the church is a servant body. Created for service, it serves the Lord in praise, serves one another in love, and serves the world in humility. “For we are his work- manship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).
God calls every member of the church into ministry. The church is a “kingdom of priests,” and that priesthood is to one another within the church and to the world. A young adult leader, like any other church officer, is a minister or servant of God. Every Christian believer is called to ministry, gifted by the Holy Spirit, and in bap- tism ordained for ministry (Eph. 4:11-12).
From the record of Christ’s life, we receive an indication of the value He has placed upon the young. He selected young adults among the twelve apostles such as John “the beloved.” Those who would lead young adults today must see them as an important part of today’s church, not the church to come, for these young adults are about the same age as were the founders of Adventism.
Duties of the Young Adult Sabbath School Leader
Although the program varies from church to church, the ministry to which a person is called as the leader of the young adult division of a Sabbath School can best be described in the following ways:
Planning. You will provide leadership for the young adult Sabbath School by bringing together a team of assistants, young adults who will help plan and implement the group’s activities. This includes overseeing the schedule of leadership, special programs, and teaching. It is vital that this group meet together at least once a quarter to brainstorm, make decisions, and create the calendar for the next few months. Learn to delegate. Find people who can be trusted and let them take responsibility.
Spiritual helper. Young adults who have spiritual and relational problems will come to you with questions which need to be answered. This may occasionally require that you act as bridge between troubled young adults and their families. If you really care, they will be able to see it. Some are shy and you will want to preserve their dignity by not being too forward yourself. Others are gregarious and want to be asked questions that invite self-disclosing answers. Listening skills are important! As you learn to know more about what makes people tick, you will catch more of the nuances.
Teaching. Unless you are in a very large church, it will often be your job to teach the Sabbath School lesson. On occasion you should schedule others to teach so that there is more participation. You might even consider setting up a rotation plan in which many of the class members have a turn at leading the discussion. Skills in group process and learning styles are essential to this task.
Building a sense of community. It will be your work to create an atmosphere that is friendly, comfortable and safe, where God is praised, but where no question need remain unasked. The goal of the young adult Sabbath School leader is to bring together a cluster of strangers and help them become a real fellowship. Relational skills are key in this process. Smiles and expressions of caring are very important! Even the most shy person warms to a smile. Some of the more gregarious ones benefit from a hug. In most situations, a warm handshake or touch to the shoulder to accompany the warm smile shows you care. You must not be afraid to be vulnerable. Many older adults find young adults intimidating, usually because the young are able to see through facades. Unless you are open and accepting in your manner, your leadership will lose effectiveness. You are not called to lead from a position of strength, as if you had all of the answers, but from a position of weakness. Admit to the group that you, too, struggle with problems and search for answers. It is only through the honest sharing of your struggles and how God has resolved them that others will be able to see Christianity as alive and practical.
Commitment. Next to your commitment to have God’s presence in every aspect of your life, the commitment you make to serve your church body is perhaps the most important one you will make. It is just as important as your vocational and relational commitments. Group members need to know that they can depend on you and that your attendance and participation will be regular.
-
Description
Introduction
God asks the church to be a community of people sharing a common purpose and fellowship, continually growing in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God. Paul describes the church as “...his body, the fullness of him who filleth every thing in every way” (Eph. 1:22).
Christians are called not only to be Christlike in character, but to share in Christ’s mission to the world (John 3:16; Luke 19:10).
When a church serves the world it is an expression of the love of Christ to the world. It is the body of Christ serving the world’s needs and being used by the Spirit as an agency of salvation.
God calls every member of the church into ministry. The church is a kingdom of priests set free to minister for Christ. Our priesthood is to each other within the church, as to the world. Every Christian believer is called to ministry, gifted by the Holy Spirit, and in baptism ordained for ministry (Eph. 4:11-12).
The message of Christ’s soon coming must be carried to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people on planet Earth before He returns (Matt. 24:14; Rev. 14:6).
Ellen White says “To show a liberal, self-denying spirit for the success of foreign missions is a sure way to advance home missionary work; for the prosperity of the home work depends largely, under God, upon the reflex influence of the evangelical work done in countries afar off” (Gospel Workers, page 465).
Duties of the World Missions Coordinator
The ministry to which a person is called when he or she becomes the world missions coordinator can be described in the following ways:
Weekly reports. Provide an interesting mission emphasis for each week’s Sabbath School program. This can be read from the Mission quarterly or Sabbath School Leader magazine, or audio-visuals can be used such as the Mission Spotlight slide-sound program or videos such as First Wednesday or ADRA reports. Sometimes church members who travel, student missionaries or returned career missionaries can be scheduled to share personal stories.
Distribute materials. See that every division has Mission for their age group and encourage its use.
Educate the children and youth. Work with the division leaders to plan goals and make visual aids to promote mission giving through regular mission offerings, birthday and thank offerings, and Investment projects. Help them to find interesting story books, speakers and tapes. Make sure the youth and junior Sabbath Schools get an opportunity to see the videos shared in the adult division.
Information. Keep the church members informed about world budget offerings that are scheduled for the church service such as missions extension, Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA), etc. See that regular items are in the bulletin.
Plan special events. Plan ways to promote the worldwide mission of the church through events such as mission conferences, mission theme days, mission potlucks, mission study groups, mission trips, mission prayer circles, a mission newsletter or bulletin insert, or a mission vespers.