Ministry and Mission Exam 1

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism

• God exists who created the world and watches over human life

• God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other

• The central goal in life is to be happy and feel good about oneself

• God does not need to be involved in one’s life except when needed to solve a problem

• Good people go to heaven when they die

Centrifugal Mission

We go out to bring people into the kingdom

Centripetal Mission

We draw people in because our covenant community is attractive

Unreached People Group

People groups with few, if any, indigenous believers, missionaries, Bibles, Christian resources, or churches

Body of Christ

Christ serves as the head of the church, acting as the source, nurturer, and sustainer for the body. As Christ’s body, we use our different gifts to carry out his mission. Through the body, we experience union with Christ and with the different members of the body.

People of God

This emphasizes belonging to God. We are his covenant people. Under oath, God promised to love and bless the Israelites if they obeyed and remained loyal to him. Under the New Covenant, which began with the death and resurrection of Christ, we are the new Israel. By responding in obedience to the call of Christ, we become God’s chosen people. 

Temple of the Holy Spirit

We are the dwelling place for God. Though he once resided in a physical temple, he now resides in us through his Spirit. Because of this, we are a royal priesthood, representing God to the rest of the world. 

Kingdom of God

God’s reign and authority over the entire world. His reign will be ultimately fulfilled by the physical rule of Christ at his second coming. The church is not the KoG but exists in the here and now, serving under God’s authority. 

diakonia

Meaning “ministry” or “service” in Greek, this is the idea that the fundamental idea of biblical ministry is service. We serve God, first and foremost. As part of his mission, we also serve those around us, just as Jesus came to serve.

semper ecclesia reformanda

Meaning, “the church is always reforming” in Latin, this was a belief held by the reformers during the Reformation. They believed that the church must continually reexamine itself and let itself be shaped by Christ to best live out his mission.

Ministry

The means by which the mission of the church is accomplished. Christ provided atonement, and the Church cannot do this, but atonement is the root for all of the Church’s ministry. 

Function vs. Form

Function is the most basic/fundamental tasks which must be completed by the Church for it to truly be the Church. Form is the particular way in which a function is practiced. 

Mission of the Church

The mission of the church is to live into its identity, which is the missio Dei. The mission of the church is not just a part of its identity. The very essence of the church is wrapped up in inviting others to know God.

ecclesia

Meaning “assembly; church” in Greek, it comes from “ek kaleo” which means “called out.” It originally served a political function in the Roman Empire but was adopted by Christians for theological use. The church is to be a called-out community, responding to Christ by actively seeking to follow Him, live as he lived, and share Him with the world.

Reconciliation

The changed relations between God and man which are the result of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This was completed in Christ’s death, but still needs to be taken for our own. Reconciliation with others has its source in reconciliation with God. The goal of ministry is reconciliation with God

missio Dei

Meaning “mission of God” in Latin, this refers to God’s ongoing work in the world. He has made himself known to the world through the person of Jesus, and he sends his Spirit to believers. The church is invited into this mission to help bring others to know God. This mission is relational, as God is relational. It flows from God’s perfect love.

Apostolicity

The church is faithful to the teachings of Jesus and is sent into the world as the Son was sent.

Prophetic (characteristic of the church)

Biblical call to address ungodliness and injustice

What are the two “faces” of church? How are they different?

• Sociological face: can be measured; includes statistics and demographics of who is attending church, how many people are Christians, etc.

• Spiritual face: cannot be measured; involves how the church is genuinely leaning into its mission and impacting others (are people growing in their relationship with God? are people’s needs being met and served?)

What specific evidence tells us that there is something right with the church?

• Christianity is the largest religion in the world (2.6 billion people)

• Some 380,000+ churches in America

• Most American say they have made a commitment to Jesus

• Greater variety of ministries and programs than before, addressing more diverse needs

• Many congregations are re-engaging in mission in their own communities

What specific evidence tells us that there is something wrong with the church?

• Importance of religion is beginning to fade in America (growing percentage of those with no religious affiliation)

• Number of “unchurched” people have increased rapidly in America

• Interest in new religious movements (e.g. New Age, Wicca) is growing rapidly

• Non-Christians see Christians as “un-Christian”: hypocritical and judgmental

• U.S. Christians are not very distinct from Non-Christians in terms of horoscope reading, believing all religions are the same, pornography, and divorce rates

What are Cymbala’s three “lures”/“diversions”?

• Lure of Novelty

• Lure of Marketing

• Lure of Doctrine without Power

The Lure of Novelty

• We are trying to make the gospel “new,” “exciting,” and more “spectacular.”

• This is rooted in pride.

• Solutions include returning to the simple gospel in the Bible, going deeper in understanding God’s truth (as opposed to wider), praying, and repenting. 

The Lure of Marketing

• There is more concern for style and appeal than for speaking God’s truth. We measure success by attendance, buildings, and cash.

• This is a problem because we have no permission to adjust the message of the gospel, even if it brings in more people.

• Solutions include speaking God’s truth in boldness, directness, and faithfulness and shifting from quantity to quality 

The Lure of Doctrine without Power

• There is a dead intellectualism, where we know good doctrine without the power of the Holy Spirit in our beliefs. This doctrine is often spoken without compassion. 

• This is a problem because Jesus demonstrated the truth of what he preached by acting on it.

• Solutions include allowing for spontaneity (but not disorder) in services and living out the truth in action

What are three analyses/critiques of what is wrong with the church and what it needs to reform?

• The church is not seen as primarily responsible for meeting local needs

• Few missionaries are being sent to areas with unreached peoples

• Many people’s faith is actually a form of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism

What are five strategies/breakthroughs currently employed for renewing the church?

• Greater variety of ministries and programs than before, addressing more diverse needs

• Many congregations are reengaging in mission within their own communities 

• Global Christianity is showing remarkable growth, especially in Africa and Asia

• Young people, especially men, are leading the shift back towards Christ

• Current focus of renewal is shifting towards ecclesiology and theology

What is the cycle of change in the church?

• Normalcy

• Discontent

• Conversation

• Deconstruction (feels like exile)

• Awakening (feels like hope)

• Movement (feels like action)

• Hardship, suffering, setback, criticism, delay (feels like disaster)

• Breakthrough (feels like rebirth)

• Normalcy

What metaphors does Scripture use for the church and what aspects of the church do they point to?

• Chosen people (God has chosen to be faithful to all believers as he chose to be faithful to Israel)

• Royal priesthood (we represent God to the rest of the world)

• Bride of Christ (we wait to be united with Christ)

• Household of Faith (all believers become members of the same family and are united together in Christ)

• Hospital (we serve others and point them to spiritual life in Christ)

What marks make the church recognizable today?

• One (united by sharing the single body of the risen Lord)

• Holy (set apart from the world through the holiness of Jesus)

• Catholic (whole Word of God’s truth is offered to the whole world)

• Apostolic (faithful to the teachings of Jesus and sent into the world as the Son was sent)

What are Snyder’s two different list of marks for the church? How do they relate to one another?

• Unity (all have relationship based in Christ’s redemption) / Diversity (Spirit provides unique giftedness and personality to enjoy relationship and the work of the Church)

• Holiness (Spirit makes the church pure and holy, setting it apart from the world) / Pentecostal or Charismatic (diverse fruits and gifts of the Spirit)

• Catholic (universal church, including all whose names are in the Lamb’s book of life) / Local or Contextual (individual congregations and denominations)

• Apostolic (sent to the world to share the gospel message) / Prophetic (biblical call to address ungodliness and injustice)

Primary Functions of the Church

• Worship

• Community (Koinonia)

• Discipleship (Catechesis/Educational Ministry)

• Witness (Evangelism)

• Service/Justice 

The church as “visible” and “invisible”

The church is visible and can be seen in various congregations throughout the world. The church is also invisible, encompassing all whose names are in the Lamb’s book of life. This includes those who were, who are, and who will come. 

The church as “saved” community and “saving” community

The church is made up of believers who have been saved and redeemed by Christ. The mission of this group of believers is to go out and invite others into right relationship with God. In this way, the church is also a saving community, partnering with God as he saves others. 

What are the implications of incarnational mission?

Just as Jesus was incarnated and sent into the world, we are sent into the world to minister in the same way he did. Christ is the true minister, and we must point others to him.

Genesis 12:1-3 (implications for ministry)

We are commanded to go and be a blessing to the nations through the power of the Trinity

Matthew 28:16-20 (implications for ministry)

• Make disciples

• Baptize

• Teach to obey what Jesus taught

• Jesus will always be with us

• All authority is Jesus’

Acts 1:8 (implications for ministry)

• Empowered by the Holy Spirit

• Witnesses locally and globally

Acts 2:42-47 (implications for ministry)

• Ownership is God’s and we should share possessions for His work

• There needs to be community/fellowship

• Core practices: devotion to Apostle’s teaching (Scripture), fellowship, worship, prayer

• Actions clothed with humility and joy

2 Corinthians 5:10-20 (implications for ministry)

• Focus on reconciliation

• Motivated by love

• Humble to represent Jesus to the world

• See people through the eyes of Christ

• New creation in Christ

• We are ambassadors for Christ

Ephesians 4:11-16 (implications for ministry)

• The church is the Body of Christ, with different parts to do different things

• Gifts for apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers who equip others to do ministry

• Church growing in discernment 

• Speak the truth in love

What are the biblical principles of ministry?

• Founded upon the authority of Jesus (Matt. 28:18)

• Empowered by the spirit (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:28-31; Eph. 4:11-12)

• Focused on the Word (Acts 2, 6; Eph. 4)

• Motivated by “fear of the Lord” and “love of Christ” (2 Cor. 5:11-14)

• Guided by over-riding concern for others to be reconciled to God (Matt. 28:18-20; 1 Cor. 9:19-23; 2 Cor. 5:16-21)

• Seeks the glory of God and the establishment of his kingdom

• Has primary functions (Acts 2:42-47)

• Personal transformation (2 Cor. 5:16-21) and gifting (Eph. 4:11-13) are pre-requisite to doing ministry

• All Christians are called to ministry

• God calls some ministers to leadership of the Church (Eph. 4:11-16)

What are the differences between ministry in the Old and New Testaments?

• OT priestly focus was on the sacrificial system, providing atonement for God’s people. This is no longer necessary in NT because Christ has completed what was lacking in the sacrificial system through his sacrifice on the cross

• OT prophetic focus was on declaring God’s truth and calling people back to covenant faithfulness. By receiving the Great Commission, the NT church retains this focus. Ministers are gifted to call people to repentance and faith in Christ

• OT ministers were specially identified by birth (priests) or by divine call (prophets) and were generally separate from the people. In NT, all of God’s people are considered ministers.

What is different between the ministry of “lay persons” and “clergy”?

All Christians are called to ministers in Jesus name, but there are differences in ministry functions and roles within the church. Clergy have unique authority and a distinctive role, but they have no special status over lay persons. Clergy are gifted for roles of leadership within the church to help equip the lay persons for their roles in ministry. These duties are administrative, pastoral, and instructional.

What is the relationship between church, ministry, and the Kingdom of God?

The church is not the KoG and vice versa. The KoG is “already” and “not yet",” while the church exists in the here and now. It operates in the sphere of God’s kingdom and under his authority. Our work in the KoG is our ministry, our way of working to fulfill God’s ultimate mission for his kingdom.