I. The Local Church
(Matthew 16:18) "And I say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Since that statement many things have happen, stock markets have fallen, insurance companies have gone out of business, banks have closed, but the church is still on the corner and open for business because, Jesus stated 2000 years ago that even the gates of hell shall not prevail against it .
The local church is a visible company of regenerate, baptized believers. They are united in a covenant for worship, instruction and the observance of Christian ordinances and for such services as the Gospel requires, recognizing and accepting Jesus Christ as Supreme Lord, and taking the New Testament as the all-sufficient rule of faith and practice.
The local church is visible, independent and self-governing. It's responsibilities are to glorify God, observe the Christian ordinances, evangelize the earth, edify the saints, make disciples and speak as God's prophetic voice in the world today; it's officers being Pastors and Deacons.
God calls, appoints and commissions the Shepherd/Pastor to fulfill his work of ministry. The Pastoral ministry has a threefold nature and function to the office:
- The Pastor is the "Diaconos", the Minister Servant. The pastor serves in the tradition of Jesus. As such, he preaches the Word of God. He teaches, counsels and prays for the sick. He buries the dead, asks God's blessings upon the infants and marries the couples. He also oversees the staff and administers the affairs of the church.
- The Pastor is the "Presbuteros", the Ruling Elder. He governs the people. He is the chief elder of the ruling elders of the church. As such, he presides over the meetings and mediates all disputes. He settles all questions and sets the agenda for the church.
(Matthew 16:18-19, Acts 15:13-21, 20:28, Titus 1:5, Hebrews 13:17)
- The Pastor is the "Episcopos", the Overseer, He represents the church and the Christian faith before the world as the Chief Spokesman. The pastor may have to address certain issues, which not only concern the church, but the community at large. The pastor is God's prophetic voice in the world.
( I Timothy 3:1-7, Acts 25:1-22, Acts 26:1-32)The Pastor is God's gift to the Church:
It was God who gave some to be Apostles, some Prophets,some Evangelists, and some to be Pastors / Teachers,to prepare God's people for the work of service,so that the body of Christ may be build up. (Ephesians 4:11-12)
Now, with Jesus guaranteeing the invincibility of the church, the pastor in position as servant leader and the membership committed to the cause of Christ engaging in the enterprise of evangelism- why is there a need to get involved in an association? The most Biblical and efficient local churches, under the leadership of God's most gifted Pastors who are continually in prayer and in the Word of God, will produce spiritual maturity. However, the association has the ability to accomplish even more.If several gifted leaders unite with common cause, sharing one with another for the up building of the Kingdom of Heaven through associational ties the local church will be strengthened. One lump of coal will burn out quickly, but several lumps will keep the fire burning longer and brighter.
II. Associations are Biblically Modeled
In Mark 2:1-5, Four men formed an association of mercy to get a man with the palsy to Jesus. Because of their cooperative efforts and determination, Jesus healed the man.
One man (one church) could not possibly have been as effective in achieving a goal as these four men were.
Associations don't form churches but, churches form associations to work for the Kingdom from a stronger base.
III. The Vision of the Moderator is the Key to Success or Failure of an Association.
Vision Statement of Intention
I value the truth over tradition and I understand that the success of a moderator or an association is not because of the handling of business as usual. I feel that my desire to serve as moderator is divinely inspired and my vision is clear. In order to build a relevant and effective association for this age, changes are necessary. However, there are some things that are so divine that can not be improved; they are the Biblical foundation of our faith for evangelism. Those things we shall build upon. I will select people who are able to share the vision. Churches and pastors will be called upon to help move the 13th District Association to it's highest potential.
IV. The Vision
Develop and implement a structure for pastors and their interest for their respective congregations
- Utilize pastors who have the ability to draw participants to plan an inclusive retreat just for Pastors and Ministers )
- Develop and implement a retirement program for Pastors , Ministers, church workers, and members (to include all Churches of the 13th District Association)
- Develop a system where Vice Moderators will be accountable to the Moderator for Departments, Projects, Activities, Church Growth, Evangelism, Christian Education, and Committee assignments for Moral Behavior and Christian Ethics. We will implement a program to help young ministers develop skills to enable them to develop spiritual leadership that will help them become effective pastors and administrators. This same program will help seasoned Pastors and young Pastors develop their pastoral skills.
Skill Focus
- Increasing pastoral concepts of Biblical knowledge
- Pre-marriage Counseling
- Marriage Counseling
- Divorce Counseling
- Remarriage Counseling
- Seasonal Programming
- Event Planning
- How to Develop a Sacred Consecrated Music Ministry
- How to Develop the Church's Missionary Program
A Vice Moderator will supervise the committee of Mission Ministry and Evangelism. We can increase the 13th District Baptist Association Missionary activities with churches. To do this we need an all out effort from every Pastor, every officer, and every Christian member of churches in the district.- Church Benefits
- Develop a 13th District Association Medical Plan
- Develop a 13th District Association retirement program available for ministers, pastors, and lay members of the 13th District Association. An Association retirement or health program is stronger than one church's effort.
- Develop a 13th District Association Life Skill School.
- Develop a 13th District Association job skill referral program.
- Develop a 13th District Computer Network System. Equipping each 13th District church with a computer. (The Association of churches can purchase computers at a lower rate than a single church. The 13th District will buy the computers and churches will purchase them at the same low rate from the Association. The Association will not make a profit from the purchase). This project will be to upgrade the efficiency of inter church, and church to church communication.
- Develop an Economical Empowerment System (EES)
- Develop a program that will empower each church of the 13th District with financial power by combining the strength of every church in the 13th District Association.
- Develop an EES Committee of Pastors, Ministers, and Laypersons who are knowledgeable of accounting, finances, and investments involving the security of church finances.
- Meet with bank presidents as an Association of churches concerning church investments (this will serve to strengthen our efforts and put us on the offence and not on the defense when borrowing money for buildings and other financial matters).
- The EES committee will assist in the identification of grants and provide technical assistance in writing grants.
V. Departments and Auxiliaries
This is a new day and we must update our effort to achieve our Mission Mandate.
(Matthew 28:19-20) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.The Department of Mission
- Work with the Men and Women Auxiliaries to strengthen their numbers within the local churches and therefore strengthen the 13th District Men and Women Auxiliaries.
- Vice Moderators will be assigned to the Men and Women Auxiliaries.
They will be able to connect the auxiliary to pastors and the real concern of the parent body.
- Strengthen the Ministry with the Ministers Wives.
- Strengthen the ministry with the Deacons Wives.
- Develop a ministry for Pastors Wives.
- Develop a ministry to connect professional men and women with the local Church Men and Women Auxiliaries.
- Establish a ministry that will help to develop men and women talent for missionary work, evangelism, and their Speaker's Bureau.
- Identify the needs of young people and design a ministry to reach them spiritually, socially, educationally, morally, and establish Christian ethics and church behavior.
- Assign a Director to the Liturgical Ministry, and three coordinators
- Children Coordinator
- Youth Coordinator
- Adult Coordinator
- Assign a Thespian Director to work with Speech and Drama. The director will coordinate all things dealing with Speech, Drama and Mime.
The Vision can only be achieved by working together as a District.
Dr. Murphy L. Hunt
Pastor, Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church
Phone: (318) 636-6172
EMail: DrThunderHunt@aol.com
www.morningstarmbc.org
