I define "Church" as a body of believers with the same goals thoughts and hearts. They should not only be committed first to God, to each other, and to showing their love to those around them, but it is also helpful if they have the same ideas regarding worship, similar styles and tastes when it comes to outreaching missions etc.
Ministry is the act of sharing God's love with those around us, no matter when or where...it is the simplest and easiest and most expected response to our knowledge of Gods love for us...that we share it with others.

CLASS NOTES:

A. The Changing Scene of Ministry: What has changed in the last few generations: technology, drop in church attendance, etc.
B. The sending God: A theology of mission springs from the doctrine of the Trinity
i) Israel sent ot be a blessing to the nations
Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 22:15-18
2. Gods character: a sender
i) Exodus 34:5-7
ii) Psalmists - inviting nations to the praise of God
Psalm 67; 138:4-5
iii) Prophets: Isaiah 56:6-8, Daniel 7:13-14, Jonah etc.
3. Jesus sent to work out salvation for all nations....confirming the covenant made to Abraham
i) Parables of a seeking God...lost sheep, coin, son, etc.
iii)Teaching about the kingdom of God...missio dei...the redemptive mission of God to the whole world
iiii) Jesus wanted us to know that under Gods reign in Christ the whole world is being redeemed and the church is the sign of that possibility a taste of the presence of the kingdom. Gary Nelson
iiiii) Sends us as he was sent.
John 20:21.."as the Father send me, so I am sending you
Matt 28:28-30..going, make disciples, baptizing, teaching
Acts 1:8..and the Holy Spirit will come on you with power and you will be my witnesses in to the ends of the earth
The Spirit sent to call forth the church
Acts 2, Ephesians 1:3-10, 2:7, 3:8-10, 1 Peter 2:9-12

JESUS IS LORD

-Ephesians 1:1-14 Our first calling is into relationship with God.
-The basic creedal statement of the New Testament (Rom.10:9, 1 Cor. 12:3, Phil 2:10-11); the heart of Christian Faith.

THE JESUS CREED

pg. 48: (Matt. 22:34-40) Hear oh Israel the Lord is one, love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, the second is this, love your neighbour as yourself.

	Created by heinrichs.mark over 12 years ago

What is your definition of church and ministry. What would you change?