2013 ministry partner workbook

8/9/2019 2013 Ministry Partner Workbook

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Preface

DNASomeones DNA is what makes that person who that person is. So, whatmakes us who we are? What has God woven into our fari! as a !hur!h? "he

shape of our DNA is ased on what the #i$e sa%s aout the nature of the!hur!h, ut our traits are uni&ue to what God desires for us. A$$ human DNA isthe same asi! shape and stru!ture, ut traits'skin and hair !o$or, height,weight, et!.'!hange depending on the individua$. (n that wa%, a$$ !hur!hes,whi$e ased on the same stru!ture, shou$d a$so e uni&ue e)pressions ofGod*s !hara!ter.

"here +ve e$ements that make up our DNA as a !hur!h are found in our isionStatement- to e a !ommunit% of roken peop$e on a /ourne% oftransformation into 0hrists image that $eads us to ree!t the gra!e of God.2

"his ision Statement e)presses how we parti!ipate with God in making 3is4ingdom a rea$it%. (t !ontains the +ve essentia$ e$ements of what we areaout at "rinit% 0hape$- 0ommunit%, #rokenness, 5ourne%, "ransformation,and Gra!e.

0ommunit% is the !onte)t for spiritua$ growth. As we grow more and morein $ove with God in "rinit%, we wi$$ want to parti!ipate in and en/o%re$ationships with ea!h other that ree!t the se$ess, sa!ri+!ia$, uniting$ove of the "rinit%. As a sma$$ pie!e of the $arger 0hur!h, we do this %sharing dai$% $ife together, wa$king in authenti!it% and transparen!%, andspending time e)p$oring Gods Word and responding through worship

together, as we$$ as serving in ministr% and outrea!h together.

#rokenness is the idea that ea!h of us has a histor% of se$f6osession thathas $imited our intima!% with the "rinit% and with others. 7n$% when weegin to !ast aside our se$f6asorption !an we emra!e the $ife God hasdesigned for us. "his is a $ife6$ong spiritua$ e)er!ise in $earning to die to ourown wi$$ and desires. As a !hur!h, our ro$e is to swim upstream in a $arger!u$ture that has emra!ed a !onsumer6!entered mindset. (nstead, we areto en!ourage e$ievers to $ose their $ives in order to +nd them. We e$ievethat as we !ommit our $ives and da%s to God, 3e and 3e a$one !an reshapeour hearts to $ook more $ike 3is.

5ourne% is the re!ognition that our pursuit of God and 3is pursuit of us is agradua$ and !ontinua$ pro!ess that happens in the !onte)t of the $ives 3ehas given us. God has written a stor% that in!$udes ea!h of us, and wedis!over more and more of 3im as we wa$k a$ong, in growing awareness ofhow our sma$$ stor% +ts into 3is $arger stor%. Whi!h $eads us to the rea$it%that we are not /ourne%ing a$one, ut instead we have a !ommunit% of

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fe$$ow trave$ers with whom we !an grow in $ove and good works.

"ransformation ree!ts the idea that the /ourne% is aout spiritua$ growthand transformation that o!!urs through spiritua$ dis!ip$ines that engage theWord of God and the Spirit of God. Gods Word and pra%er are fundamenta$

in our en/o%ment of the "rinit%. We !omp$ement these foundationa$pra!ti!es with the spiritua$ dis!ip$ines. So$itude and si$en!e, pra%er andfasting, worship and stud%, fe$$owship and !onfession 9as we$$ as man%others: he$p us engage our Spirit with Gods. #e!ause God is the 7ne whotransforms us, we want to provide environments in whi!h 3is peop$e !anintera!t with 3im and e !hanged.

Gra!e is the !ore distin!tive of $ife in 0hrist, and it fo!uses on the rea$it%that God has pursued us and $oves us without !ondition. "hrough gra!e,God saves, a!!epts, redeems, and frees us. ;ather than fo!using onperforman!e or on the attempt to attain perfe!tion for perfe!tion


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OVERVIEWof Ministry Partner Class

Part 1 What is a Ministry Partner?

Part 2 Mission/Vision/Vales

Part ! Doctrinal "tate#ent $O%er%ie&'

Part ( )istory of *rinity Cha+el

Part , Ministry Or-ani.ation an 0eaershi+

Part MP Co##it#ent

A++enices

A "harin- 3or "tory

4 "+irital Disci+lines

C )o& to "ty the 4i5le

D "+irital 6ifts

E Constittion

7 )o#e&or8

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PAR* ONE

MINI"*R3 PAR*NER")IP*he Pr+ose of the Ministry Partner Class

1. "o !$arif% the mission, vision, and va$ues of "rinit% 0hape$ as it re$ates to

the /ourne% of spiritua$ formation.

8. "o !reate unit% through a shared !ommitment to the dire!tion God is

$eading us.

B. "o give an opportunit% for peop$e to make a !ommitment to making "rinit%

0hape$ their !hur!h home where the% invest themse$ves and their

resour!es.

*he Pictre of Ministry Partnershi+

"he idea ehind #inistry +artnershi+, rather than memership2, is tohigh$ight the !on!ept of partnership. A$$ of us, as fo$$owers of 0hrist, areinvited to e)press ourse$ves as a part of the od% of 0hrist. When we !ome toknow 0hrist, we are memers2 of the od% of 0hristC our !hoi!e is whether ornot we$$ partner together for ministr%. 0onsider the ana$og% of the od%des!ried in 1 0orinthians 18-1868-

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all themembers of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one bodyJews or Greeks,slaes or freeand all were made to drink of one Spirit.

For the body does not !onsist of one member but of many. "f the footshould say, #$e!ause " am not a hand, " do not belong to the body,%that would not make it any less a part of the body. &nd if the earshould say, #$e!ause " am not an eye, " do not belong to the body,%that would not make it any less a part of the body. "f the whole bodywere an eye, where would be the sense of hearing' "f the whole bodywere an ear, where would be the sense of smell' $ut as it is, Godarranged the members in the body, ea!h one of them, as he !hose. "fall were a single member, where would the body be' &s it is, there aremany parts, yet one body.

0onsider a$so 8 Peter 1-B6>-

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(is diine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and

godliness, through the knowledge of him who !alled us to his own

glory and e)!ellen!e, by whi!h he has granted to us his pre!ious and

ery great promises, so that through them you may be!ome partakers

of the diine nature, haing es!aped from the !orruption that is in the

world be!ause of sinful desire

*he Prere9isites to Ministry Partnershi+

7irst: %ou know 0hrist as %our savior.

"econ:%ou are read% to make a !ommitment to "rinit% 0hape$.

*he Process of Ministry Partnershi+

7irst:!omp$ete the Finistr% Partner 0$ass.

"econ:!omp$ete a$$ homework.

*hir:signif% that %ou wi$$ sumit to the do!trine and vision of "0#0.

)o#e&or8

*hat+s your story' *rite out your testimony-

*here are you in your journey'

Spiritual Gifts and assion in /inistry

/ Commitment

"urn in the homework within the ne)t week

Weve found that those who put it o= rare$% get a!k to it.

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PAR* *WO

VI"ION*he %isionof "rinit% 0hape$ is to e a !ommunit% of roken peop$e on a

/ourne% of transformation into 0hrists image that $eads us to ree!t thegra!e of God.

"he ke% ideas are the DNA of this !hur!h od% that we dis!ussed ear$ierC

!ommunit%, rokenness, /ourne%, transformation, and gra!e.

MI""ION*he #issionof "rinit% 0hape$ is to engage peop$e in spiritua$ transformation

through deepening intima!% with the "rinit%.

*he +r+ose of the ;orney is 5i5lical s+irital for#ationC

18-1K8C 3e L-8EC 1-1>, 1C 5ohn 1-8JK8C 1 5ohn E-1B:.

Retrn of ChristWe e$ieve in our $essed hope2 9"itus 8-1B: the persona$, premi$$ennia$ andimminent return of our Mord and Savior, 5esus 0hrist 9A!ts 1-11C ;ev. 8->C 10or 1E-E1KE8C 1 "hess >-1K1L, 1-1:.

EternityWe e$ieve that a$$ peop$e wi$$ e)perien!e a odi$% resurre!tion after death. "henone$iever wi$$ su=er punishment and torment, and the e$iever wi$$ e inheaven 9Muke 1-1EC 8B->BC ;ev. 8-1BC 8 0or. E-J:.

Clari2!ations'

3uestions'

*hy is do!trine important'

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PAR* 7O>R

)I"*OR3"rinit% 0hape$ was p$anted in August 8> as a resu$t of a shared vision %

founding pastor "ed Wueste and 0hrist 0hape$ #i$e 0hur!h.

(nitia$$%, "rinit% 0hape$ met in rented spa!e at the G$adne% 0enter ehind3arris Fethodist 3ospita$ SW.

or the +rst three and ha$f %ears, "rinit% 0hape$ was supported +nan!ia$$% andhad a $eadership team under the prote!tion and oversight of 0hrist 0hape$se$ders.

(n 5anuar% 8J, "rinit% 0hape$ e!ame $ega$$% independent, e$e!ted its +rste$ders and $ater that spring appointed its +rst dea!ons.

(n Far!h 8J, "rinit% 0hape$ moved from temporar% fa!i$ities to our !urrent$o!ation. "he !hur!h owns the ui$ding.

4is!uss1 (ow did you get inoled at 5rinity Chapel' *hat is your history

with 5rinity'

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PAR* 7IVE

MINI"*R3

Or-ani.ation an 0eaershi+

0i%in- to-ether as Co##nity< Or Ministries

0hi$drens Finistr%'"0#0 4ids strives to $ive out "rinit% 0hape$s vision and

mission through partnering with fami$ies. We ui$d !ommunit% through

events $ike the (!e 0ream So!ia$ and 4ids 0ook. We foster spiritua$

transformation through our Sunda% morning programming. We en!ourage

the deve$opment of servant6hearted kids through events $ike our Annua$

Servi!e Pro/e!t and "runk or "reat Neighorhood 7utrea!h.

Student Finistr%'"0#0 Students is designed to $ead students toward a

deeper passion for the g$or% of God and e&uip parents to do the same, the

goa$ eing students and parents who $ove God with their head, heart, and

hands. 7n Sunda% mornings students parti!ipate in #i$e Stud% and pra%er.

Fonth$% events $ike retreats, team6ui$ding events and servi!e opportunities

give opportunit% for !ommunit% and servi!e. Week$% Stu0o2 groups foster

authenti! re$ationships !entered on the truth of Gods word.

Adu$t Finistr%-

"0#0 Women 6 7ur Womens Finistr% en!ourages women to dis!over and

en/o% the uni&ue wa% God made them. A!tivities in!$ude week$% #i$e studies

through the fa$$ and spring, an annua$ overnight retreat, a month$% ook !$u

in the summer, and &uarter$% fe$$owship opportunities. or more info !onta!t

Sarah Sou$e, sarahsOtrinit%!hape$!.org

"0#0 Fen 6"he goa$ of mens !ommunit% is to meet the uni&ue needs of

men, spiritua$ otherwise, through meaningfu$ re$ationships, e)hortation, events, as the% strive to $ive as god$% men in various aspe!ts of their faith

$ife. "his happens through severa$ venues- week$% #i$e studies, an annua$

retreat, and &uarter$% workda%s for !ampus improvements and fe$$owship.

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0ommunit% Groups 6 7ur mission is to engage peop$e in spiritua$

transformation through deepening intima!% with the "rinit%, and we e$ieve

that true spiritua$ transformation takes p$a!e in the !onte)t of an honest,

authenti! !ommunit% of peop$e who $ove ea!h other enough to e

transparent and a!!epting. 7ur !ommunit% groups of J618 peop$e strive to

e that authenti!, honest, and transparent !ommunit% that en!ourages ea!h

person in the group to know how mu!h God $oves and !ares for them, and

en!ourages ea!h other to greater intima!% with the "rinit%, with ea!h other,

and with others.

Sunda% Forning 0onne!tions 6 0onne!ting points are designed to e a

natura$ p$a!e for new peop$e to /oin in and e!ome invo$ved in the wider

!hur!h od%. "hese are medium6siHed adu$t groups that meet on Sunda%s at

the !hur!h for fe$$owship, #i$e stud%, pra%er, andQor servi!e. I)amp$esin!$ude-

Growing ami$ies- Growing ami$ies is !omposed of married !oup$es in

their 8s and Bs, some with !hi$dren and some without, that meet

together at -B ever% Sunda% morning 9in!$uding San!tuar% Sunda%s:

upstairs. Med % the ever %outhfu$ ;i!k and #e!kie 3inHe, this !$ass studies

and fe$$owships together. 0onta!t ;i!k for more information at

ri!k.hinHeOgmai$.!om.

Roung Adu$ts Group 9RAG:- "his group, !omposed of peop$e in their 8s

and Bs, meets Sunda% evenings for fe$$owship, pra%er, stud% and servi!e.

Ia!h Sunda% servi!e is devoted to one e$ement of our Fission and ision, ut

the% a$wa%s +nd a wa% to s&ueeHe in a $ot of fun. 0onta!t 5oe$ 0o) for more

information at !o)/oe$Ogmai$.!om

5ourne%- An adventure in spiritua$ formation 6 at 11am on Sunda%

mornings in the g$ass room upstairs, Geo= We!ke$ wi$$ $ead a stud%

answering the &uestions- What is spiritua$ formation? 3ow do %ou stud%

s!ripture from a spiritua$ formation perspe!tive? 3ow is spiritua$ formation

app$i!a$e to dai$% $iving? Dont miss it

Re@ectin- 6os 6race $"er%in- an Otreach'

Serving within the !hur!h is strong$% en!ouraged after-

months of attendan!e 9as a genera$ ru$e:

ua$if%ing under our Finistr% Safe guide$ines if %ou are working with 4ids or

Students

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;ea!hing outside the !hur!h wa$$s. Part of the i$i!a$ spiritua$ formation

pro!ess in!$udes serving others 9Fatt 8E-BE6>:. 7ur ministries are-

7ne ;ea!h66"his outrea!h fo!uses on one6on6one spiritua$ dire!tion and

dis!ip$eship. Finistr% Partners 9aka 0hur!h Femers: are en!ouraged to

seek out peop$e for whom the% !an pra% and minster to in their sphere of

inuen!e. "he !hur!h at $arge a$so parti!ipates in this % providing servi!es

to peop$e oth in and outside the !hur!h od% % providing pastora$ !are,

enevo$en!e and +nan!ia$ !onsu$ting, as we$$ as man% other support e=orts.

0it% ;ea!h66"hrough this outrea!h, we seek to e invo$ved in meeting needs

and ui$ding re$ationships in our surrounding neighorhood and !it%. We

partner with severa$ organiHations in the !ommunit%, in!$uding Pregnan!%

Mife$ine 9!risis pregnan!% !enter:, Roung Mives 9ministr% to teenage mothers:,

Apartment Mife 9ministr% to residents in near% apartment !omp$e)es:, andNeighorhood Needs 9!ommunit% !enter that provides food, !$othing, and

mentorshipQ!ounse$ing:. As we e!ome aware of spe!i+! needs, we gather

donations of items or vo$unteers as a !hur!h od% to provide. 7ther

e)amp$es of this ministr% in!$ude "he Gra!e Pro/e!t 9groups within the !hur!h

!hoose peop$e in the !ommunit% to $ess at 0hristmas:, "runk or "reat

9annua$ 3a$$oween event for our apartment neighors in the !hur!h parking

$ot:, and 0amp "rinit% 9annua$ week6$ong a!ation #i$e S!hoo$ at the !hur!h

in the summer:.

G$oa$ ;ea!h66G$oa$ missions are in!$uded in our outrea!hes. We +nan!ia$$%

support missionaries in Afri!a, the Fidd$e Iast, (ndia, and the Tnited States.

(n re!ent %ears, we have sponsored mission trips to Sudan 9fo!used on

!hur!h p$anting and seminar% tea!hing: and #e$iHe 9fo!used on !hi$drens

ministr%:.

4-et an 7inances7ur +s!a$ %ear egins Septemer 1 and ends on August B1 ever% %ear. (n

811618 our udgeted giving and e)penses were EB, and ELE,

respe!tive$%. (n 81861B we are on udget and e)pe!t to remain so through

the end of the %ear thanks to the generosit% of our Finistr% Partners and

other donors. We have a reserve of more than 1, for emergen!ies.

"he udget and +nan!ia$ statements are avai$a$e upon reasona$e re&uest.

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"taB"he "0#0 sta= e)ists to make our mission and vision into an ever%da%,pra!ti!a$ rea$it%, to serve the od% as a who$e, and to provide $eadership tothe various ministries of the !hur!h. 3owever, their primar% ro$e is to e&uipever% person in the !hur!h od% for ministr% 9Iph >-1161B:.

"0#0 is under the $eadership of a @shepherding team@ 9!omposed of thee$der oard U the pastors: that meets regu$ar$% to give guidan!e, dire!tion,a!!ountai$it%, and support to the !hur!h and sta=.

ElersI$ders are responsi$e for pra%er, guarding the spiritua$ $ives of worshippers,and for making sure sound do!trine is taught in the !hur!h.

I$ders are a$so !a$$ed shepherds and overseers in S!ripture. "hats wh% werefer to our e$der oard and pastors as a Shepherding "eam.2 "he% are

advo!ates of spiritua$ growth in the !hur!h, not a oard of dire!tors,2fo!used on the $ogisti!a$ matters of the !hur!h. Serving 86%ear terms, e$dersare $ess $ike a oard of dire!tors, and more $ike fathers and spiritua$ de!ision6makers for the "rinit% 0hape$ !hur!h od%.

Spe!i+!a$$%, our shepherding team !arries out three fun!tions-

O%ersee the 5oy give pra%erfu$ dire!tion to the !orporate andindividua$ memership of "rinit% 0hape$.

Protect the 5oy guard against fa$se tea!hing, disunit%, danger, andother divisive issues, spiritua$ and otherwise.

"he+her the 5oy !ounse$, !are for, dis!ip$ine, and dire!t ourmemership in various wa%s and situations.

"he !urrent e$der oard !onsists of- 5e= #r%an, ;i!k 3inHe, ;a% Steward,Geo= We!ke$, and 0hairman Id Wueste.

DeaconsDea!ons are given ministries that he$p make sure the I$ders and Pastors area$e to sta% faithfu$ to the ministr% of shepherding through the Word of Godand pra%er 9A!ts :.

"he word dea!on is a Greek word 9dea!onos: that means @servant.@ (n a!hur!h, the dea!ons are oV!ia$ servants of the od%. Whi$e we are a$$ !a$$edto e servants, dea!ons take on spe!i+! administrative and ministeria$ ro$esin the od%. "he #i$e does not spe!if% what these ro$es are to e 6 /ust thatthe% are to serve in partnership with the e$ders.

(ow !an stru!tures and enironments help moe us toward our ision'

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(ow !an they hinder' (ow do we ensure that we keep the ision in mind'

(ow do we e)press gra!e to one another'

*hat is !hur!h dis!ipline'

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PAR* "I

MP COMMI*MEN*

"he Finistr% Partner 0ommitment is a !ommitment to partner together withothers at "rinit% 0hape$ to do the work of ministr%. "his invo$ves sumitting to

the do!trine and vision. Sumission to the do!trine and vision means that

%ou are on oard with the dire!tion that the $eaders are taking "rinit% 0hape$.

We ask that ea!h person signif% that the% are on oard2 % doing the

homework and +$$ing out the !ommitment found in Appendi) . "he spe!i+!

!ommitment reads as fo$$ows-

3aving trusted 0hrist as m% Savior, and in sumission to "rinit% 0hape$s

do!trina$ statement, vision, strateg% and va$ues, ( fee$ $ed to e!ome aministr% partner at "rinit% 0hape$. (n doing so, ( !ommit to the fo$$owing-

6. (nvo$vement in a !ommunity of broken people0orporate worshipSma$$ group fe$$owship

7. Ingagement in thejourney of transformation into Christ+s imagePersona$ spiritua$ dis!ip$ines0orporate $earning and stud%

8. 0ommitment to re9e!ting the gra!e of GodServing the od% of "rinit% 0hape$Sharing m% stor% of gra!eGiving +nan!ia$$%

7n!e %ou turn in the 3omework2, the Shepherding "eam wi$$ readthrough the 3omework and aVrm ea!h person for Finistr% Partnership.

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APPIND(0IS S

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APPENDI A

")ARIN6 3O>R "*OR3An evange$isti! testimon% is not an insiders stor% for insiders. (t is not a stor%

for the en!ouragement of 0hristian e$ievers. An evange$isti! testimon% is a!$ear statement of %our !onversion so that an une$iever !an understand theGospe$ and respond a!!ording$%.

Is #ine &orthy?

No matter %our past, e!ause %ou have een saved from sin, death and he$$'and saved to a might% and $oving God'%ou have a powerfu$ testimon%. (t is ava$ua$e too$ e!ause-

Peop$e identif% with a testimon%. Iver%one $oves a stor%.2

A persona$ testimon% has authorit% in it 95ohn -8E:.

A persona$ testimon% !an e used in man% di=erent situations.

A ste+5yste+ +rocess of +re+arin- yor testi#ony

As8 the )oly "+iritto guide %ou as %ou prepare the words %ou speak.

4e 5rief an honestwith %our stor%. Rour testimon% might in!$udethe fo$$owing-

o "haresomething aout %our $ife efore knowing 0hrist. What was$ife $ike? What were %our pursuits other than God? Give suV!ientdetai$ so that peop$e !an see that %ou are a rea$ person.

o "harehow %ou rea$iHed %our need for 0hrist- What steps $ed to %our!onversion? 3ow did God get %our attention?

o "harethe asi!s of the Good News. Share the gospe$ as the #i$eout$ines it- 3ow did %ou !ome to understand the Gospe$ as a rea$it%?

o "harehow %ou !ame to know 0hrist, if %ou !an rememer thedetai$s. What were %ou thinking? When and where did it happen?What did %ou sa% or pra%?

o "harethe di=eren!e 0hrist has made in %our $ife. What are %ourpursuits $ike now? What is %our $ife $ike now? What !hanges have %oufe$t, and what issues are %ou reso$ving?

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Who !ou$d %ou share with? Part of $earning to share %our testimon% is sharing

it. Are there peop$e %ou know who dont know 5esus? What opportunities do

%ou have that %ou !ou$d share %our stor% with them?

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APPENDI 4

"PIRI*>A0 DI"CIP0INE"During summer 8J, "rinit% 0hape$ took an eight6week $ook at various

spiritua$ dis!ip$ines, or pathwa%s to knowing and !onne!ting with God.24nowing that one of %our ministr% partner !ommitments is to pra!ti!e dai$%times of ree!tion, stud%, et!., heres an overview of some of the pathwa%s2%ou might want to pursue.

Da$$as Wi$$ard, in 5he Spirit of the 4is!iplines1 :nderstanding (ow GodChanges ;ies, and ;i!hard oster, in Celebration of 4is!ipline1 5he ath toSpiritual Growth, 9oth of whi!h are avai$a$e on the wesite ookstore: have!ompi$ed a $ist of spiritua$ dis!ip$ines and pra!ti!es the% e$ieve were mode$edin the $ife of 0hrist. "hese dis!ip$ines are t%pi!a$$% organiHed into two!ategories- the dis!ip$ines of astinen!e and the dis!ip$ines of a!tivit%.

Disci+lines of lettin- -o

"hese pra!ti!es a$$ow us to re$in&uish something in order to gain somethingnew. We astain from us%ness in ministr%, fami$% $ife and work. We stopta$king for a whi$e to hear from God. We give up u%ing another materia$possession to e)perien!e God more fu$$%. 1Pet 8-11 warns us to astain fromthe passions of the esh, whi!h wage war against %our sou$.2 (dentif% what iskeeping %ou from e)perien!ing greater strength and perspe!tive. Do %ou ta$ktoo mu!h? Are possessions !ontro$$ing %ou? Are %ou too worried aout whatothers think? 0hoose dis!ip$ines that wi$$ he$p %ou e!ome more dependent onGod.

"olitespending time a$one to e with God. ind a &uiet p$a!e to ea$one with God for a period of time. Tse the #i$e as a sour!e of!ompanionship with God. Misten to him. ;emain a$one and sti$$.

"ilenceremoving nois% distra!tions to hear from God. ind a &uietp$a!e awa% from noise to hear from God. Write %our thoughts andimpressions as God dire!ts %our heart. Si$en!e !an o!!ur even in themidst of noise and distra!tion. #ut %ou must fo!us %our attention on%our sou$. "his !ou$d mean ta$king $ess or ta$king on$% when ne!essar%.And it !ou$d mean turning o= the radio and the ".

7astin- skipping one or more mea$s to +nd greater nourishment fromGod. 0hoose a period of time to go without food. Drink water and, ifne!essar%, take vitamin supp$ements. ee$ the pain of having an empt%stoma!h and depend on God to +$$ %ou with his gra!e.

7r-ality $earning to $ive with $ess mone% and sti$$ meet %our asi!

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needs. #efore u%ing something new, !hoose to go without or pi!k a$ess6e)pensive a$ternative that wi$$ serve %our asi! needs. Mive asimp$e, fo!used $ife.

Chastity vo$untari$% !hoosing to astain from se)ua$ p$easures for a

time 9those p$easures that are deemed mora$$% right in the ond ofmarriage: in order to +nd higher fu$+$$ment in God. De!ide together as a!oup$e to set aside time to go without se)ua$ p$easures in order toe)perien!e a deeper re$ationship with God in pra%er.

"ecrecy avoiding se$f6promotion. Pra!ti!e serving God without othersknowing. Give in se!ret. Serve ehind the s!enes in a ministr% that %ouare assured few wi$$ know aout.

"acrice giving of our resour!es e%ond what seems reasona$e toremind us of our dependen!e on 0hrist. 0hoose to give of %our time or

+nan!es to the Mord e%ond what %ou norma$$% wou$d.

Disci+lines of Acti%ity

Da$$as Wi$$ard writes, "he dis!ip$ines of astinen!e must e !ounter6a$an!edand supp$emented % dis!ip$ines of engagement 9a!tivit%:.2 8(ts !hoosing toparti!ipate in a!tivities that nurture our sou$s and strengthen us for the ra!eahead.

"ty spending time reading the S!riptures and meditating on itsmeaning and importan!e to our $ives. We are nourished % the Worde!ause it is our sour!e of spiritua$ strength. 0hoose a time and a p$a!e

to feed from the Word of God regu$ar$%.

Worshi+ o=ering praise and adoration to God. 3is praise shou$d!ontinua$$% e on our $ips and in our thoughts. ;ead psa$ms, h%mns orspiritua$ songs, or sing to the Mord dai$% using a praise tape. 4eep praiseever efore %ou as %ou think of Gods might% deeds in %our $ife.

Prayer ta$king to and $istening to God aout %our re$ationship with himand aout the !on!erns of others. ind time to pra% to God without thedistra!tion of peop$e or things. 0omine %our pra%er time withmeditation on the S!riptures in order to fo!us on 0hrist.

7ello&shi+mutua$ !aring and ministr% in the od% of 0hrist. Feetregu$ar$% with other 0hristians to +nd wa%s to minister to others.In!ourage one another.

Confession regu$ar$% !onfessing %our sins to the Mord and othertrusted individua$s. As often as %ou are aware of sin in %our $ife, !onfess

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it to the Mord and to those %ou might have o=ended.

"5#ission hum$ing %ourse$f efore God and others whi$e seeking

a!!ountai$it% in re$ationships. ind faithfu$ rothers or sisters in 0hrist

who !an $oving$% ho$d %ou a!!ounta$e for %our a!tions and growth in

0hrist.

FNote Spiritua$ Dis!ip$ines are a$$ aout !reating environments where

we !an grow in our $ove for 0hrist. Another great resour!e is Ade$e

0a$houns Spiritual 4is!iplines (andbook.

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APPENDI C

)OW *O "*>D3 *)E 4I40E

Stud%ing the #i$e !an e !onfusing, ut it doesnt have to e. Mets e)amine amethod !a$$ed indu!tive #i$e stud% that we !an use as a step6%6step pro!essfor dis!overing and understanding i$i!a$ truth-

O5ser%eAsk %ourse$f, What do ( see?2 7serve the passage as a who$e,keeping an e%e out for themes and ideas, and then oserve ea!h versesdetai$s.

Inter+retAsk %ourse$f, What does it mean?2

A++lyAsk %ourse$f, 3ow does it work?2 or What does it mean to me?2Rour answers to these &uestions wi$$ he$p %ou app$% the te)t to %our dai$%$ife.

"ynthesi.e(ntegrate the passages %oure stud%ing with what %ouve$earned in !hur!h or #i$e studies. (n this step, !hoose a few $ifeapp$i!ations to he$p %ou app$% what %ouve read.

(ndu!tive #i$e stud% 9(#S: wi$$ he$p %ou deve$op a deeper know$edge ofS!ripture, grow in %our faith and !hange %our $ife, its important for %ou tos$ow down and e)amine what the verses are sa%ing. "his is essentia$ Rou!annot e=e!tive$% stud% s!ripture indu!tive$% in +ve minutes a week. (nstead,%ou must dwe$$, pro!ess, read, !onne!t and think through the te)t, meanings

and prin!ip$es found in S!ripture. (#S a$$ows %ou to egin with the #i$e, see itin its environment and take it apart %ourse$f.

"he fo$$owing pro!ess, adapted from Wi$$iam and 3oward 3endri!ks, shou$dshed more $ight on the aove statements- O5ser%ation Ask and answer the &uestion, What do ( see?2 Rou must

assume the ro$e of a i$i!a$ dete!tive, making sure that %ou dont missan% detai$s.

Inter+retationAsk and answer the &uestion, What does it mean?2Dont /ump to this step. Rou must oserve the te)t efore %ou egin tointerpret it.

A++lication As and answer the &uestion, 3ow does it work?2 not Doesit work?2 "he #i$e is a$read% re$evant e!ause it is revea$ed. (ts a returnto rea$it%, and it !hanges the $ives of those who read it and heed it.

)el+fl hints

3ere are a few ke% points to he$p %ou with this st%$e of #i$e stud%-

O5ser%ationirst, oserve the paragraph as a who$e- $ook for !onte)t 9the

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environment in whi!h something dwe$$s:C $ook for themes 9!entra$ ideas, truthsor !ommands the passage fo!uses on:C $ook for the ovious2 9things that areeas% to see:. "hese wi$$ he$p %ou shape the overa$$ meaning of the passage."hen $ook at the spe!i+! verses- Whi!h words are emphasiHed? What isrepeated? Whi!h words are re$ated to ea!h other? What are simi$arities or

!ontrasts?

3eres one he$pfu$ s%stem. 9(ts /ust one e)amp$e though. 0ome up with %ourown wa%s:-

Y>nerline %er5sGo through the passage and under$ine a$$ the a!tionwords in ea!h senten!e.

Y"tar $F' co##ans Designate spe!i+! !ommands, admonitions,e)hortations, warnings or promises.

Y4oG connectin- &ors e)amp$es- ut2 means !ontrastC and,2 $ike2or $ikewise2 mean !omparisonC e!ause2 or for2 mean reasons orresu$tsC so that,2 in order that2 or that2 mean purposeC therefore2means !on!$usionsC if2 or then2 mean !onditions.

YCircle 8ey ter#s(mportant theo$ogi!a$ or themati! 9main idea, et!.:words in the passage.

Y)i-hli-ht re+etitionan% word, phrase, idea, et!., that o!!urs often in%our passage

YDene ter#s (f %ou dont know what something is, who someone is,et!., stop and de+ne it (ts 74 to put a &uestion mark somewhere in

order to remind %ou to +gure it out at some other point. Y0in8 &ors Add arrows, $ines, words, et!., that he$p %ou see the

re$ationships of words or ideas within the entire senten!e. Ask &uestions-Who did this a!tion?2 What did that person do?2 Whom did it ene+t?2When did it happen?2 Wh% did the% do it?2 3ow was it a!!omp$ished?2

Inter+retationirst, its vita$ to rememer that %our interpretation mustui$d on %our oservations'%ou !ant skip the vita$ +rst step, $est %ouinterpret in!orre!t$% ;ememer, interpret $itera$$% 9un$ess otherwisespe!i+ed:, and interpret in !onte)t 9of the surrounding verses, of the ook inwhi!h its found, and of the entire #i$es truth:. As %ou interpret, its a$so

he$pfu$ to know the $iterar%, histori!a$ and theo$ogi!a$ !onte)t in whi!h %ourereading. 0ompare it to other passagesC !ompare it to !on!ordan!es 9a too$that $ets %ou tra!e terms or !on!epts a!ross s!ripture:. And !ompare it to the!u$ture in whi!h it was origina$$% written. 9#i$e di!tionaries or #i$e handooksare great for this.:

"he +na$ step in interpretation is dea$ing with +gurative $anguage. irst,determine the genre of the te)t %oure reading. (t !ou$d e e)position,

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narrative, wisdom $iterature, para$es or a$$egories, propheti! or apo!a$%pti!$iterature, poetr% or others. (f %ou are indeed dea$ing with +gurative $anguage'that is, if the te)t te$$s %ou it is +gurativeC if its a +gure of spee!hC if a $itera$interpretation wou$d e impossi$e, asurd, immora$ or !ontrar% to thepassage, authors p$an or other S!ripture or do!trine'ask %ourse$f what kind it

is'simi$e, metaphor, h%pero$e, meton%m%, s%ne!do!he, personi+!ation,iron%, et!. "hen interpret what the passage means.

A++lication;eading and interpreting s!ripture does no good if %ou dontapp$% it to %our $ife. Do not skip the +rst two steps and assume %ou know whata passage means to %ou "hats dangerous and $eads to poor'or hereti!a$'theo$og%. As %ou app$%, %ou must +rst know the te)t 9through the +rst twosteps: and know %ourse$f 9%our strengths and $imitationsC who %ou areC et!.:."hen %ouve got to ask, 3ow does this S!ripture re$ate to m% $ife?2 Feditateon the passage. Dwe$$ in it. What is God tea!hing %ou? (s there an e)amp$e tofo$$ow? A sin to avoid? A promise to !$aim? A pra%er to repeat? A !ommand to

oe%? A !ondition? A verse to rememer? An error to !orre!t? A !ha$$enge tofa!e? Something e$se? igure that out, then pra!ti!e, pra!ti!e, pra!ti!e

As %ou app$% we$$, its he$pfu$ to state %our goa$. "hen !ome up with spe!i+!

steps that %ou$$ fo$$ow to get %ourse$f there. And fo$$ow through ;ememer

the o$d adage, 3e$$ is paved with good intentions.2 (ts theo$ogi!a$$% o=, ut

the prin!ip$e re$ates- Rou !an have great goa$s and do nothing aout them,

so get moving. Ask, What does it mean to me?2 and get going

"hats a &ui!k overview of (#S. ;ememer, its a too$ designed to he$p %ou

oserve, interpret. and app$% the #i$e to %our $ife. #ut the a!!omp$ishment

isnt a good ana$%sis. "he a!!omp$ishment, goa$ and purpose of an% #i$e

stud% is God working in %ou to !hange %our $ife and ring %ou !$oser to

3imse$f. A$$ow this to e %our goa$ as %ou stud% the #i$e, and $et us know if

%ou need he$p advi!e or further resour!es.

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APPENDI DD

"PIRI*>A0 6I7*"NO*E this A is taken from got&uestions.org 9with permission:

estion3ow does God distriute spiritua$ gifts? Wi$$ God give me the gift (ask for?

Ans&er;omans 18-BKJ and 1 0orinthians 18 make it !$ear that ea!h0hristian is given spiritua$ gifts a!!ording to the Mords !hoi!e. Spiritua$ giftsare given for the purpose of the edi+!ation of the od% of 0hrist 91 0or 18-LC1>-18:. "he e)a!t timing of when these gifts are given is not spe!i+!a$$%mentioned. Fost assume that spiritua$ gifts are given at the time of spiritua$irth 9the moment of sa$vation:. 3owever, there are some verses that ma%indi!ate that God sometimes gives spiritua$ gifts $ater, as we$$. #oth 1 "im >-1>

and 8 "im 1- refer to a gift2 that "imoth% had re!eived at the time of hisordination % prophe!%.2 "his $ike$% indi!ates that one of the e$ders at"imoth%s ordination spoke under Gods inuen!e of a spiritua$ gift that"imoth% wou$d have as an ena$ement for his future ministr%.

We are a$so to$d in 1 0or 18-8JKB1 and 1>-18K1B that it is God 9not we: who!hooses the gifts. "hese passages a$so indi!ate that not ever%one wi$$ have aparti!u$ar gift. Pau$ te$$s the 0orinthian e$ievers that if the% are going to !ovetor $ong after spiritua$ gifts, the% shou$d set aside their fas!ination with thespe!ta!u$ar or show% gifts and, instead, strive after the more edif%ing gifts,su!h as prophes%ing'speaking forth the word of God for the ui$ding up ofothers. Now, wh% wou$d Pau$ te$$ them to strong$% desire the est gifts if the%

a$read% had een given a$$ that the% wou$d e given and if there was nofurther opportunit% of gaining these est gifts? (t ma% $ead one to e$ieve thateven as So$omon sought wisdom from God in order to e a good ru$er overGods peop$e, God wi$$ grant to us those gifts that we need in order to e ofgreater ene+t to his !hur!h.

3aving said this, it sti$$ remains that these gifts are distriuted a!!ording toGods !hoosing, not our own. (f ever% 0orinthian strong$% desired a parti!u$argift, su!h as prophes%ing, God wou$d not give ever%one that gift simp$%e!ause the% strong$% desired it. Wh%? Where wou$d e those who are neededto serve a$$ of the other fun!tions of the od% of 0hrist?

"here is one thing that is aundant$% !$ear- Gods !ommand is Gods

ena$ement. (f God !ommands us to do something'su!h as witness, $ove theun$ove$%, dis!ip$e the nations, et!.'he wi$$ ena$e us to do it. Some ma% note as gifted at evange$ism as others, ut God !ommands a$$ 0hristians towitness and dis!ip$e 9Fatt 8J-1JK8C A!ts 1-J:. We are a$$ !a$$ed to evange$iHeno matter if we have the spiritua$ gift of evange$ism. A determined 0hristianwho strives after $earning the word and deve$oping his tea!hing ai$it% wi$$e!ome a etter tea!her than one who ma% have the spiritua$ gift of tea!hingut neg$e!ts the gift.

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(n summar%, are spiritua$ gifts given to us when we re!eive 0hrist, or arethe% !u$tivated through our wa$k with God? "he answer is oth. Norma$$%,spiritua$ gifts are given at sa$vation, ut the% a$so need to e !u$tivatedthrough spiritua$ growth. 0an a desire in %our heart e pursued and deve$opedinto %our spiritua$ gift? 0an %ou seek after !ertain spiritua$ gifts? 1 0or 18-B1

seems to indi!ate that this is possi$e'earnest$% desire the est gifts.2 Rou!an seek from God a spiritua$ gift and e Hea$ous after it % seeking to deve$opthat area. At the same time, if it is not Gods wi$$, %ou wi$$ not re!eive a !ertainspiritua$ gift no matter how strong$% %ou seek after it. God is in+nite$% wise,and he knows with whi!h gifts %ou wi$$ e most produ!tive for his kingdom.

No matter how mu!h we have een gifted with one gift or another, we area$$ !a$$ed upon to deve$op a numer of areas mentioned in the $ists of spiritua$gifts Z to e hospita$e, to show a!ts of mer!%, to serve one another, toevange$iHe, et!. As we seek to serve him out of $ove, for the purpose ofui$ding up others for his g$or%, he wi$$ ring g$or% to his name, grow his!hur!h, and reward us 91 0or B-EKJC 18-B1K1>-1:. God promises that as we

make him our de$ight, he wi$$ give us the desires of our heart 9Ps BL->KE:. "hiswou$d sure$% in!$ude preparing us to serve him in a wa% that wi$$ ring uspurpose and satisfa!tion.

estionWhat is the di=eren!e etween a ta$ent and a spiritua$ gift?

Ans&er"here are simi$arities and di=eren!es etween ta$ents and spiritua$gifts. #oth are given % God. #oth grow in e=e!tiveness with use. #oth areintended to e used on eha$f of others, not for se$+sh purposes. 1 0or 18-Lstates that spiritua$ gifts are given to ene+t others Z not ones se$f. "he twogreat !ommandments dea$ with $oving God and others, so it fo$$ows that one

shou$d use ones ta$ents for that purpose. #ut ta$ents and spiritua$ gifts di=erin to whom the% are given and when. A person'regard$ess of the personse$ief in God or in 0hrist'is given a natura$ ta$ent as a resu$t of a !ominationof geneti!s 9some have natura$ ai$it% in musi!, art or mathemati!s: andsurroundings 9growing up in a musi!a$ fami$% wi$$ aid one in deve$oping ata$ent for musi!:, or e!ause God desired to endow !ertain individua$s with!ertain ta$ents 9for e)amp$e, #eHa$e$ in I). B1-1K:. Spiritua$ gifts are given toe$ievers % the 3o$% Spirit 9;om 18-B, : at the time of their p$a!ing theirfaith in 0hrist for the forgiveness of their sins. At that time, the 3o$% Spiritgives to the new e$iever the spiritua$ gift or gifts he desires the e$iever tohave 91 0or 18-11:. "here are three main $ists of spiritua$ gifts-

;omans 18-BKJ $ists the spiritua$ gifts as fo$$ows- prophe!%, serving others9in a genera$ sense:, tea!hing, e)horting, generosit%, $eadership and showingmer!%. 1 0or 18-JK11 $ists the gifts as- the word of wisdom 9ai$it% to!ommuni!ate spiritua$ wisdom:, the word of know$edge 9ai$it% to!ommuni!ate pra!ti!a$ truth:, faith 9unusua$ re$ian!e upon God:, the workingof mira!$es, prophe!%, dis!erning of spirits, tongues 9ai$it% to speak in a$anguage that one has not studied: and interpretation of tongues. "he third $istis found in Iph >-1K18, whi!h speaks of God giving to his !hur!h apost$es,

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prophets, evange$ists and pastor or tea!hers. "here is a$so a &uestion as tohow man% spiritua$ gifts there are as no two $ists are the same. (t is a$sopossi$e that the #i$es $ists are not e)haustive, that there are additiona$spiritua$ gifts e%ond the ones the #i$e mentions.

Whi$e often one ma% deve$op ones ta$ents and $ater dire!t ones profession

or ho% a$ong those $ines, spiritua$ gifts were given % the 3o$% Spirit for theui$ding up of 0hrists !hur!h. (n that, a$$ 0hristians are to p$a% an a!tive partin the furtheran!e of the gospe$ of 0hrist. A$$ are !a$$ed and e&uipped to einvo$ved in the work of the ministr%2 9Iph >-18:. A$$ are gifted so that the%!an !ontriute to the !ause of 0hrist out of gratitude for a$$ he has done forthem. (n doing so, the% a$so +nd fu$+$$ment in $ife through their $aor for 0hrist.(t is the /o of !hur!h $eaders to he$p ui$d up the saints so the% !an e furthere&uipped for the ministr% to whi!h God has !a$$ed them. "he intended resu$t ofspiritua$ gifts is that the !hur!h as a who$e !an grow, eing strengthened %the !omined supp$% of ea!h memer of 0hrists od%.

"o summariHe the di=eren!es etween spiritua$ gifts and ta$ents- irst, a

ta$ent is the resu$t of geneti!s or training, ut a spiritua$ gift is the resu$t of thepower of the 3o$% Spirit. Se!ond, a ta$ent !an e possessed % an%one,0hristian or non60hristian, ut spiritua$ gifts are on$% possessed % 0hristians."hird, a$though oth ta$ents and spiritua$ gifts shou$d e used for Gods g$or%and to minister to others, spiritua$ gifts are fo!used on these tasks. "a$ents !ane used entire$% for non6spiritua$ purposes.

estionAre the mira!u$ous gifts of the Spirit for toda%?

Ans&erirst, it is important to re!ogniHe that this is not a &uestion ofwhether God sti$$ performs mira!$es toda%. (t wou$d e foo$ish and uni$i!a$ to

!$aim that God does not hea$ peop$e, speak to peop$e and perform mira!u$oussigns and wonders toda%. "he &uestion is whether the mira!u$ous gifts of theSpirit, des!ried primari$% in 1 0orinthians 18K1>, are sti$$ a!tive in the !hur!htoda%. "his is a$so not a &uestion of if the 3o$% Spirit !an give someone amira!u$ous gift. "he &uestion is if the 3o$% Spirit does sti$$ dispense themira!u$ous gifts toda%. Aove a$$ e$se, we entire$% re!ogniHe that the 3o$%Spirit is free to dispense gifts a!!ording to his wi$$ 91 0or 18-LK11:.

(n the ook of A!ts and the Ipist$es, the vast ma/orit% of mira!$es areperformed % the apost$es and their !$ose asso!iates. 8 0or 18-18 gives us thereason wh%, "he things that mark an apost$e'signs, wonders and mira!$es'were done among %ou with great perseveran!e.2 (f ever% e$iever in 0hrist

were e&uipped with the ai$it% to perform signs, wonders and mira!$es, signs,wonders and mira!$es !ou$d in no wa% e the identif%ing marks of an apost$e.A!ts 8-88 te$$s us that 5esus was a!!redited2 % mira!$es, wonders andsigns.2 Simi$ar$% were the apost$es marked2 as genuine messengers fromGod % the mira!$es the% performed? A!ts 1>-B des!ries the Gospe$ messageeing !on+rmed2 % the mira!$es Pau$ and #arnaas performed.

1 0orinthians 18K1> dea$s primari$% with the su/e!t of the gifts of the Spirit.(t seems from that te)t that ordinar%2 0hristians were sometimes given

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mira!u$ous gifts 91 0or 18-JK1, 8JKB:. We are not to$d how !ommonp$a!ethis was. rom what we $earned aove, that the apost$es were marked2 %signs and wonders, it wou$d seem that mira!u$ous gifts eing given toordinar%2 0hristians was the e)!eption, not the ru$e. 7utside of the apost$esand their !$ose asso!iates, the New "estament nowhere spe!i+!a$$% des!ries

individua$s e)er!ising the mira!u$ous gifts of the Spirit.(t is a$so important to rea$iHe that the ear$% !hur!h did not have the

!omp$eted #i$e, as we do toda% 98 "im B-1K1L:. "herefore, the gifts of

prophe!%, know$edge, wisdom, et!., were ne!essar% in order for the ear$%

0hristians to know what God wou$d have them to do. "he gift of prophe!%

ena$ed e$ievers to !ommuni!ate new truth and reve$ation from God. Now

that Gods reve$ation is !omp$ete in the #i$e, the reve$ator%2 gifts are no

$onger needed.

"o &hich s+irital -ifts oes *C4C reco-ni.e as o+erati%e in toays

&orl?"hese are the gifts of the Spirit that "rinit% 0hape$ e$ieves the #i$e tea!hesto e va$id and working toda%-

"er%ice"he ai$it% to identif% and !are for the ph%si!a$ needs of the od%through a variet% of means. "he Greek word for this gift is the same as thatfor ministr%2 or dea!on,2 ut the gift shou$d not e !onfused with theoV!e 9;om 18-L:.

*eachin- "he ai$it% to !$ear$% e)p$ain and e=e!tive$% app$% the truths ofGods word so that others wi$$ $earn. "his re&uires the !apa!it% toa!!urate$% interpret S!ripture, engage in ne!essar% resear!h, and organiHe

the resu$ts in a wa% that is easi$% !ommuni!ated 9;om 18-LC 1 0or 18-8J68C Iph >-11:.

EGhortation"he ai$it% to motivate others to respond to the truth %providing time$% words of !ounse$, en!ouragement and !onso$ation. Whenthis gift is e)er!ised, e$ievers are !ha$$enged to stimu$ate their faith %putting Gods truth to the test in their $ives 9;om 18-J:.

6i%in-"he ai$it% to !ontriute materia$ resour!es with generosit% and!heerfu$ness for the ene+t of others and the g$or% of God. 0hristians withthis spiritua$ gift need not e wea$th% 9;om 18-J:.

0eaershi+"he ai$it% to dis!ern Gods purpose for a group, set and

!ommuni!ate appropriate goa$s, and motivate others to work together tofu$+$$ them in the servi!e of God. A person with this gift is e=e!tive atde$egating tasks to fo$$owers without manipu$ation or !oer!ion 9;om 18-J:.

Mercy"he ai$it% to deep$% empathiHe and engage in !ompassionate a!tson eha$f of peop$e who are su=ering ph%si!a$, menta$, or emotiona$distress. "hose with this gift manifest !on!ern and kindness to peop$e whoare often over$ooked 9;om 18-J:.

Wiso#"he ai$it% to app$% the prin!ip$es of the word of God in a

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pra!ti!a$ wa% to spe!i+! situations and to re!ommend the est !ourse ofa!tion at the est time. "he e)er!ise of this gift ski$$fu$$% disti$$s insight anddis!ernment into e)!e$$ent advi!e 91 0or 18-J:.

Hno&le-e"he ai$it% to dis!over, ana$%He and s%stematiHe truth for theene+t of others. With this gift, one speaks with understanding and

penetration. Some a$so asso!iate supernatura$ per!eption with this gift 910or 18-J:.

7aith"he ai$it% to have a vision for what God wants to e done and to!on+dent$% e$ieve that it wi$$ e a!!omp$ished in spite of !ir!umstan!esand appearan!es to the !ontrar%. "he gift of faith transforms vision intorea$it% 91 0or 18-:.

)el+s"he ai$it% to enhan!e the e=e!tiveness of the ministr% of othermemers of the od%. "his is the on$% usage of this word in the New"estament, and it appears to e distin!t from the gift of servi!e. Somesuggest that whi$e the gift of servi!e is more group6oriented, the gift ofhe$ps is more person6oriented 91 0or 18-8J:.

A#inistration"his word, $ike he$ps, appears on$% one time in the New"estament, and it is used outside of S!ripture of a he$msman who steers aship to its destination. "his suggests that the spiritua$ gift of administrationis the ai$it% to steer a !hur!h or 0hristian organiHation toward thefu$+$$ment of its goa$s % managing its a=airs and imp$ementing ne!essar%p$ans. A person ma% have the gift of $eadership without the gift ofadministration 91 0or 18-8J:.

E%an-elis#"he ai$it% to e an unusua$$% e=e!tive instrument in $eadingune$ievers to a saving know$edge of 0hrist. Some with this gift are moste=e!tive in persona$ evange$ism, whi$e others ma% e used % God ingroup evange$ism or !ross6!u$tura$ evange$ism

9Iph >-11:.

"he+herin- or +astorin- Peter was !ommissioned % 0hrist toshepherd his sheep, and Peter e)horted the e$ders in the !hur!hes of AsiaFinor to do the same. A person with this spiritua$ gift has the ai$it% topersona$$% $ead, nourish, prote!t, and !are for the needs of a o!k2 ofe$ievers. Not a$$ peop$e with the oV!e of pastor 9e$der, overseer: have orneed the gift of pastoring or shepherding, and man% with this gift do nothave or need the oV!e 9Iph >-11C 5ohn 81-1C 1 Pet E-8C A!ts 8-8J:.

We know that there are !hur!hes and denominations who e$ieve in more, ordi=erent, gifts than we do. (f %ou want an e)p$anation as to wh% we stand where wedo, p$ease ask a pastor after !$ass.

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APPENDI E

*C4C CON"*I*>*IONCON"*I*>*ION O7 *RINI*3 C)APE0 4I40E C)>RC)

Prea#5le

We, the memers of "rinit% 0hape$ #i$e 0hur!h, do adopt and esta$ish the

fo$$owing arti!$es to whi!h we vo$untari$% sumit ourse$ves.

AR*IC0E I

Pr+ose

"he purpose of this od% of e$ievers is to g$orif% God %-

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91: Deve$oping a fami$% of e$ievers, whi!h is +rst and foremost !oming to

know, en/o% and $ove God through the Mord 5esus 0hristC

98: Maoring and striving a!!ording to 3is power to present ever% e$iever

!omp$ete in 0hristC

9B: ;egu$ar$% meeting together for the worship of God and for the e&uipping

of the e$ievers for the work of servi!e to the ui$ding up of 0hrist through

the faithfu$ tea!hing of the S!riptures, through pra%er, through the singing of

praises to God and through fe$$owshipC

9>: 0ommitting to work together and to e a!!ounta$e to one another to

permit God to deve$op the spiritua$ gifts of this od% of e$ievers for serving

one another and others as God $eads oth +nan!ia$$% and otherwiseC

9E: Ivange$iHing through the pro!$amation of the Gospe$ of 5esus 0hrist,

$o!a$$% and wor$dwideC

9: Supporting and working with other 0hristian ministries in harmon% with

God*s WordC and

9L: "he ordination of &ua$i+ed men to the ministr%, unti$ the return of the

Mord 5esus 0hrist.

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AR*IC0E II

Doctrine

"EC*ION 1< *he "cri+tres

We e$ieve that @a$$ s!ripture is given % inspiration of God,@ % whi!h we

understand the who$e #i$e is inspired in the sense that ho$% men of God

@were moved % the 3o$% Spirit@ to write the ver% words of S!ripture. We

e$ieve that this divine inspiration e)tends e&ua$$% and fu$$% to a$$ parts of the

writings 6 histori!a$, poeti!a$, do!trina$, and propheti!a$ 6 as appeared in the

origina$ manus!ripts. We e$ieve that the who$e #i$e in the origina$s is

therefore without error. We e$ieve that a$$ the S!riptures !enter aout the

Mord 5esus 0hrist in 3is person and work in 3is +rst and se!ond !oming, and

hen!e that no portion, even of the 7$d "estament, is proper$% read, or

understood, unti$ it $eads to 3im. We a$so e$ieve that a$$ the S!riptures were

designed for our pra!ti!a$ instru!tion 9Fark 18-8, BC 1B-11C Muke 8>-8L, >>C5ohn E-BC A!ts 1-1C 1L-86BC 1J-8JC 8-8868BC 8J-8BC ;om. 1E->C 1 0or. 8-1BC

1-11C 8 "im. B-1C 8 Pet. 1-81:.

"EC*ION 2< *he 6ohea

We e$ieve that the Godhead eterna$$% e)ists in three persons 6 the ather,

the Son, and the 3o$% Spirit 6 and that these three are one God, having

pre!ise$% the same nature, attriutes, and perfe!tions, and worth% of

pre!ise$% the same homage, !on+den!e, and oedien!e 9Fatt. 8J-1J61C

Fark 18-8C 5ohn 1-1>C A!ts E-B6>C 8 0or. 1B-1>C 3e. 1-16BC ;ev. 1->6:.

"EC*ION !< An-els: 7allen an >nfallen

We e$ieve that God !reated an innumera$e !ompan% of sin$ess, spiritua$

eings, known as ange$sC that one, @Mu!ifer, son of the morning@ 6 the highest

in rank 6 sinned through pride, there% e!oming SatanC that a great

!ompan% of the ange$s fo$$owed him in this mora$ fa$$, some of whom e!ame

demons and are a!tive as his agents and asso!iates in the prose!ution of his

unho$% purposes, whi$e others who fe$$ are @reserved in ever$asting !hains

under darkness unto the /udgment of the great da%@ 9(sa. 1>-1861LC IHek.

8J-1161C 1 "im. B-C 8 Pet. 8->C 5ude :.

We e$ieve that Satan is the originator of sin, and that under the permission

of God, he, through sut$et%, $ed our +rst parents into transgression, there%

a!!omp$ishing their mora$ fa$$ and su/e!ting them and their posterit% to his

own powerC that he is the enem% of God and the peop$e of God, opposing

and e)a$ting himse$f aove a$$ that is !a$$ed God or that is worshipedC and

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that he who in the eginning said, @( wi$$ e $ike the Fost 3igh,@ in his warfare

appears as an ange$ of $ight, even !ounterfeiting the works of God %

fostering re$igious movements and s%stems of do!trine, whi!h s%stems in

ever% !ase are !hara!teriHed % a denia$ of the eV!a!% of the $ood of 0hrist

and of sa$vation % gra!e a$one 9Gen. B-161C ;om. E-1861>C 8 0or. >-B6>C

11-1B61EC Iph. -1618C 8 "hess. 8->C 1 "im. >-16B:.

We e$ieve that Satan was /udged at the 0ross, though not then e)e!uted,

and that he, a usurper, now ru$es as the @god of this wor$d@C that, at the

se!ond !oming of 0hrist, Satan wi$$ e ound and !ast into the a%ss for a

thousand %ears, and after the thousand %ears he wi$$ e $oosed for a $itt$e

season and then @!ast into the $ake of +re and rimstone,@ where he @sha$$ e

tormented da% and night forever and ever@ 90o$. 8-1EC ;ev. 8-16B, 1:.

We e$ieve that a great !ompan% of ange$s kept their ho$% estate and areefore the throne of God, from when!e the% are sent forth as ministering

spirits to minister for them who sha$$ e heirs of sa$vation 9Muke 1E-1C Iph.

1-81C 3e. 1-1>C ;ev. L-18:.

We e$ieve that man was made $ower than the ange$sC and that, in 3is

in!arnation, 0hrist took for a $itt$e time this $ower p$a!e that 3e might $ift the

e$iever to 3is own sphere aove the ange$s 93e. 8-61:.

"EC*ION (< Man: Create an 7allen

We e$ieve that man was origina$$% !reated in the image and after the

$ikeness of God, and that he fe$$ through sin, and, as a !onse&uen!e of his

sin, $ost his spiritua$ $ife, e!oming dead in trespasses and sins, and that he

e!ame su/e!t to the power of the devi$. We a$so e$ieve that this spiritua$

death, or tota$ depravit% of human nature, has een transmitted to the entire

human ra!e of man, the Fan 0hrist 5esus a$one eing e)!eptedC and hen!e

that ever% !hi$d of Adam is orn into the wor$d with a nature whi!h not on$%

possesses no spark of divine $ife, ut is essentia$$% and un!hangea$% ad

apart from divine gra!e 9Gen. 1-8C 8-1LC -EC Pss. 1>-16BC E1-EC 5er. 1L-C

5ohn B-C E->C -BEC ;om. B-161C J-6LC Iph. 8-16BC 1 "im. E-C 1 5ohn B-J:.

"EC*ION ,< *he Dis+ensations,

AS:.

We e$ieve that it has a$wa%s een true that @without faith it is impossi$e to

p$ease@ God 93e. 11-:, and that the prin!ip$e of faith was preva$ent in the

$ives of a$$ the 7$d "estament saints. 3owever, we e$ieve that it was

histori!a$$% impossi$e that the% shou$d have had as the !ons!ious o/e!t of

their faith the in!arnate, !ru!i+ed Son, the Mam of God 95ohn 1-8:, and thatit was evident that the% did not !omprehend as we do that the sa!ri+!es

depi!ted the person and work of 0hrist. We e$ieve a$so that the% did not

understand the redemptive signi+!an!e of the prophe!ies or t%pes

!on!erning the su=erings of 0hrist 91 Pet. 1-1618:C therefore, we e$ieve

that their faith toward God was manifested in other wa%s as is shown % the

$ong re!ord in 3erews 11-16>. We e$ieve further that their faith thus

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manifested was !ounted unto them for righteousness 9!f. ;om. >-B with Gen.

1E-C ;om. >-E6JC 3e. 11-L:.

"EC*ION < *he 7irst A%ent

We e$ieve that, as provided and purposed % God and as preannoun!ed in

the prophe!ies of the S!riptures, the eterna$ Son of God !ame into this wor$d

that 3e might manifest God to men, fu$+$$ prophe!%, and e!ome the

;edeemer of a $ost wor$d. "o this end 3e was orn of the virgin and re!eived

a human od% and a sin$ess human nature 9Muke 1-B6BEC 5ohn 1-1JC B-1C

3e. >-1E:.

We e$ieve that, on the human side, 3e e!ame and remained a perfe!t

man, ut sin$ess throughout 3is $ifeC %et 3e retained 3is aso$ute deit%, eing

at the same time ver% God and ver% man, and that 3is earth6$ife sometimes

fun!tioned within the sphere of that whi!h was human and sometimes withinthe sphere of that whi!h was divine 9Muke 8->C 5ohn 1-168C Phi$. 8-E6J:.

We e$ieve that in fu$+$$ment of prophe!% 3e !ame +rst to (srae$ as her

Fessiah64ing, and that, eing re/e!ted of that nation, 3e, a!!ording to the

eterna$ !ounse$s of God, gave 3is $ife as a ransom for a$$ 95ohn 1-11C A!ts

8-8868>C 1 "im. 8-:.

We e$ieve that, in in+nite $ove for the $ost, 3e vo$untari$% a!!epted 3is

ather*s wi$$ and e!ame the divine$% provided sa!ri+!ia$ Mam and took

awa% the sin of the wor$d, earing the ho$% /udgments against sin, whi!h the

righteousness of God must impose. 3is death was therefore sustitutionar%

in the most aso$ute sense 6 the /ust for the un/ust 6 and % 3is death 3e

e!ame the Savior of the $ost 95ohn 1-8C ;om. B-8E68C 8 0or. E-1>C 3e.

1-E61>C 1 Pet. B-1J:.

We e$ieve that, a!!ording to the S!riptures, 3e arose from the dead in the

same od%, though g$ori+ed, in whi!h 3e $ived and died, and that 3is

resurre!tion od% is the pattern of that od% whi!h u$timate$% wi$$ e given to

a$$ e$ievers 95ohn 8-8C Phi$. B-8681:.

We e$ieve that, on departing from the earth, 3e was a!!epted of 3is ather

and that 3is a!!eptan!e is a +na$ assuran!e to us that 3is redeeming work

was perfe!t$% a!!omp$ished 93e. 1-B:.

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We e$ieve that 3e e!ame 3ead over a$$ things to the !hur!h, whi!h is 3is

od%, and in this ministr% 3e !eases not to inter!ede and advo!ate for the

saved 9Iph. 1-8868BC 3e. L-8EC 1 5ohn 8-1:.

"EC*ION < "al%ation Only *hro-h Christ

We e$ieve that, owing to universa$ death through sin, no one !an enter the

4ingdom of God un$ess orn againC and that no degree of reformation

however great, no attainments in mora$it% however high, no !u$ture however

attra!tive, no aptism or other ordinan!e however administered, !an he$p

the sinner to take even one step toward heavenC ut a new nature imparted

from aove, a new $ife imp$anted % the 3o$% Spirit through the Word, is

aso$ute$% essentia$ to sa$vation, and on$% those thus saved are sons of God.

We e$ieve, a$so, that our redemption has een a!!omp$ished so$e$% % the

$ood of our Mord 5esus 0hrist, who was made to e sin and was made a

!urse for us, d%ing in our room and steadC and that no repentan!e, nofee$ing, no faith, no good reso$utions, no sin!ere e=orts, no sumission to the

ru$es and regu$ations of an% !hur!h, nor a$$ the !hur!hes that have e)isted

sin!e the da%s of the apost$es !an add in the ver% $east degree to the va$ue

of the $ood, or to the merit of the +nished work wrought for us % 3im who

united in 3is person true and proper deit% with perfe!t and sin$ess humanit%

9Mev. 1L-11C (sa. >-C Fatt. 8-8JC 5ohn B-L61JC ;om. E-6C 8 0or. E-81C Ga$.

B-1BC -1EC Iph. 1-LC Phi$. B->6C "itus B-EC 5ames 1-1JC 1 Pet. 1-1J61, 8B:.

We e$ieve that the new irth of the e$iever !omes on$% through faith in

0hrist and that repentan!e is a vita$ part of e$ieving, and is in no wa%, in

itse$f, a separate and independent !ondition of sa$vationC nor are an% other

a!ts, su!h as !onfession, aptism, pra%er, or faithfu$ servi!e, to e added to

e$ieving as a !ondition of sa$vation 95ohn 1-18C B-1, 1J, BC E-8>C -8C A!ts

1B-BC 1-B1C ;om. 1-161LC B-88, 8C >-EC 1->C Ga$. B-88:.

"EC*ION J< *he EGtent of "al%ation

We e$ieve that when an unregenerate person e)er!ises that faith in 0hrist

whi!h is i$$ustrated and des!ried as su!h in the New "estament, he passes

immediate$% out of spiritua$ death into spiritua$ $ife, and from the o$d !reationinto the newC eing /usti+ed from a$$ things, a!!epted efore the ather as

0hrist 3is Son is a!!epted, $oved as 0hrist is $oved, having his p$a!e and

portion as $inked to 3im and one with 3im forever. "hough the saved one

ma% have o!!asion to grow in the rea$iHation of his $essings and to know a

fu$$er measure of divine power through the %ie$ding of his $ife more fu$$% to

God, he is, as soon as he is saved, in possession of ever% spiritua$ $essing

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and aso$ute$% !omp$ete in 0hrist, and is therefore in no wa% re&uired % God

to seek a so6!a$$ed @se!ond $essing@ or a @se!ond work of gra!e@ 95ohn E-8>C

1L-8BC A!ts 1B-BC ;om. E-1C 1 0or. B-8168BC Iph. 1-BC 0o$. 8-1C 1 5ohn >-1LC

E-11618:.

"EC*ION K< "anctication

We e$ieve that san!ti+!ation, whi!h is a setting apart unto God, is three6

fo$d- (t is a$read% !omp$ete for ever% saved person e!ause his position

toward God is the same as 0hrist*s position. Sin!e the e$iever is in 0hrist,

he is set apart unto God in the measure in whi!h 0hrist is set apart unto God.

We e$ieve, however, that he retains his sin nature, whi!h !annot e

eradi!ated in this $ife. "herefore, whi$e the standing of the 0hristian in 0hrist

is perfe!t, his present state is no more perfe!t than his e)perien!e in dai$%

$ife. "here is, therefore, a progressive san!ti+!ation wherein the 0hristian is

to @grow in gra!e@ and to @e !hanged@ % the unhindered power of theSpirit. We e$ieve a$so that the !hi$d of God wi$$ %et e fu$$% san!ti+ed in his

state as he is now san!ti+ed in his standing in 0hrist when he sha$$ see his

Mord and sha$$ e @$ike 3im@ 95ohn 1L-1LC 8 0or. B-1JC L-1C Iph. >-8>C E-8E68LC

1 "hess. E-8BC 3e. 1-1, 1>C 18-1:.

"EC*ION 1L< Eternal "ecrity

We e$ieve that, e!ause of the eterna$ purpose of God toward the o/e!ts of

3is $ove, e!ause of 3is freedom to e)er!ise gra!e toward the merit$ess on

the ground of the propitiator% $ood of 0hrist, e!ause of the ver% nature of

the divine gift of eterna$ $ife, e!ause of the present and unending

inter!ession and advo!a!% of 0hrist in heaven, e!ause of the immutai$it%

of the un!hangea$e !ovenants of God, e!ause of the regenerating, aiding

presen!e of the 3o$% Spirit in the hearts of a$$ who are saved, we and a$$ true

e$ievers ever%where, on!e saved sha$$ e kept saved forever. We e$ieve,

however, that God is a ho$% and righteous ather and that, sin!e 3e !annot

over$ook the sin of 3is !hi$dren, 3e wi$$, when the% persistent$% sin, !hasten

them and !orre!t them in in+nite $oveC ut having undertaken to save themand keep them forever, apart from a$$ human merit, 3e, who !annot fai$, wi$$

in the end present ever% one of them fau$t$ess efore the presen!e of 3is

g$or% and !onformed to the image of 3is Son 95ohn E-8>C 1-8JC 1B-1C 1>-16

1LC 1L-11C ;om. J-8C 1 0or. -1C 3e. L-8EC 1 5ohn 8-168C E-1BC 5ude 8>:.

"EC*ION 11< Assrance

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We e$ieve it is the privi$ege, not on$% of some, ut of a$$ who are orn again

% the Spirit through faith in 0hrist as revea$ed in the S!riptures, to e

assured of their sa$vation from the ver% da% the% take 3im to e their Savior

and that this assuran!e is not founded upon an% fan!ied dis!over% of their

own worthiness or +tness, ut who$$% upon the testimon% of God in 3is

written Word, e)!iting within 3is !hi$dren +$ia$ $ove, gratitude, and oedien!e

9Muke 1-8C 88-B8C 8 0or. E-1, 6JC 8 "im. 1-18C 3e. 1-88C 1 5ohn E-1B:.

"EC*ION 12< *he )oly "+irit

We e$ieve that the 3o$% Spirit, the "hird Person of the $essed "rinit%,

though omnipresent from a$$ eternit%, took up 3is aode in the wor$d in a

spe!ia$ sense on the da% of Pente!ost a!!ording to the divine promise, dwe$$s

in ever% e$iever, and % 3is aptism unites a$$ to 0hrist in one od%, and

that 3e, as the (ndwe$$ing 7ne, is the sour!e of a$$ power and a$$ a!!epta$e

worship and servi!e. We e$ieve that 3e never takes 3is departure from the!hur!h, nor from the fee$est of the saints, ut is ever present to testif% of

0hristC seeking to o!!up% e$ievers with 3im and not with themse$ves nor

with their e)perien!es. We e$ieve that 3is aode in the wor$d in this spe!ia$

sense wi$$ !ease when 0hrist !omes to re!eive 3is own at the !omp$etion of

the !hur!h 95ohn 1>-161LC 1-L61EC 1 0or. -1C Iph. 8-88C 8 "hess. 8-L:.

We e$ieve that, in this age, !ertain we$$6de+ned ministries are !ommitted to

the 3o$% Spirit, and that it is the dut% of ever% 0hristian to understand them

and to e ad/usted to them in his own $ife and e)perien!e. "hese ministries

are the restraining of evi$ in the wor$d to the measure of the divine wi$$C the

!onvi!ting of the wor$d respe!ting sin, righteousness, and /udgmentC the

regenerating of a$$ e$ieversC the indwe$$ing and anointing of a$$ who are

saved, there% sea$ing them unto the da% of redemptionC the aptiHing into

the one od% of 0hrist of a$$ who are savedC and the !ontinued +$$ing for

power, tea!hing, and servi!e of those among the saved who are %ie$ded to

3im and who are su/e!t to 3is wi$$ 95ohn B-C 1-L611C ;om. J-C 1 0or.

18-1BC Iph. >-BC E-1JC 8 "hess. 8-LC 1 5ohn 8-868L:.

We e$ieve that the permanent endowment of some gifts of the 3o$% Spirit tospe!i+! individua$s, su!h as speaking in tongues and mira!u$ous hea$ings,

were ne!essar% in the +rst !entur% ut are no $onger ne!essar%. "his does

not mean that God wi$$ not perform mira!$es from time to time as 3e deems

ne!essar%, ut rather that spe!i+! individua$s are no $onger permanent$%

gifted % the Spirit with the power to perform the so6!a$$ed sign gifts.2 We

e$ieve that speaking in tongues was never the !ommon or ne!essar% sign of

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the aptism nor of the +$$ing of the Spirit, and that the u$timate de$iveran!e

of the od% from si!kness or death awaits the !onsummation of our sa$vation

in the resurre!tion 9A!ts >-J, B1C ;om. J-8BC 1 0or. 1B-J:.

"EC*ION 1!< *he Chrch: a >nity of 4elie%ers

We e$ieve that a$$ who are united to the risen and as!ended Son of God are

memers of the !hur!h whi!h is the od% and ride of 0hrist, whi!h egan at

Pente!ost and is !omp$ete$% distin!t from (srae$. (ts memers are !onstituted

as su!h regard$ess of memership or non6memership in the organiHed

!hur!hes of earth. We e$ieve that % the same Spirit a$$ e$ievers in this age

are aptiHed into, and thus e!ome, one od% that is 0hrist*s, whether 5ews

or Genti$es, and having e!ome memers one of another, are under so$emn

dut% to keep the unit% of the Spirit in the ond of pea!e, rising aove a$$

se!tarian di=eren!es, and $oving one another with a pure heart fervent$%

9Fatt. 1-161JC A!ts 8->86>LC ;om. 18-EC 1 0or. 18-1868LC Iph. 1-868BC >-B61C 0o$. B-1>61E:.

"EC*ION 1(< *he "acra#ents or Orinances

We e$ieve that water aptism and the Mord*s Supper are the on$%

sa!raments and ordinan!es of the !hur!h and that the% are a s!riptura$

means of testimon% for the !hur!h in this age 9Fatt. 8J-1C Muke 88-168C

A!ts 1->L6>JC 1-B86BBC 1J-L6JC 1 0or. 11-8:.

"EC*ION 1,< *he Christians Wal8

We e$ieve that we are !a$$ed with a ho$% !a$$ing, to wa$k not after the esh,

ut after the Spirit, and so to $ive in the power of the indwe$$ing Spirit that we

wi$$ not fu$+$$ the $ust of the esh. #ut the esh with its fa$$en, Adami!

nature, whi!h in this $ife is never eradi!ated, eing with us to the end of our

earth$% pi$grimage, needs to e kept % the Spirit !onstant$% in su/e!tion to

0hrist, or it wi$$ sure$% manifest its presen!e in our $ives to the dishonor of our

Mord 9;om. -1161BC J-8, >, 1861BC Ga$. E-168BC Iph. >-8868>C 0o$. 8-161C 1

Pet. 1-1>61C 1 5ohn 1->6LC B-E6:.

"EC*ION 1< *he Christians "er%iceWe e$ieve that divine ena$ing gifts for servi!e are estowed % the Spirit

upon a$$ who are saved. Whi$e there is a diversit% of gifts, the same Spirit

energiHes ea!h e$iever, and ea!h is !a$$ed to his own divine$% appointed

servi!e as the Spirit ma% wi$$. (n the aposto$i! !hur!h there were !ertain

gifted men 6 apost$es, prophets, evange$ists, pastors, and tea!hers 6 who

were appointed % God for the perfe!ting of the saints unto their work of the

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ministr%. We e$ieve a$so that toda% some men are espe!ia$$% !a$$ed of God

to e evange$ists, pastors and tea!hers, and that it is to the fu$+$$ing of 3is

wi$$ and to 3is eterna$ g$or% that these sha$$ e sustained and en!ouraged in

their servi!e for God 9;om. 18-C 1 0or. 18->611C Iph. >-11:.

We e$ieve that, who$$% apart from sa$vation ene+ts whi!h are estowed

e&ua$$% upon a$$ who e$ieve, rewards are promised a!!ording to the

faithfu$ness of ea!h e$iever in his servi!e for his Mord, and that these

rewards wi$$ e estowed at the /udgment seat of 0hrist after 3e !omes to

re!eive 3is own to 3imse$f 91 0or. B-61EC -1J68LC 8 0or. E-1:.

"EC*ION 1< *he 6reat Co##ission

We e$ieve that it is the e)p$i!it message of our Mord 5esus 0hrist to those

whom 3e has saved that the% are sent forth % 3im into the wor$d even as

3e was sent forth of 3is ather into the wor$d. We e$ieve that, after the%are saved, the% are divine$% re!koned to e re$ated to this wor$d as strangers

and pi$grims, amassadors and witnesses, and that their primar% purpose in

$ife shou$d e to make 0hrist known to the who$e wor$d 9Fatt. 8J-1J61C Fark

1-1EC 5ohn 1L-1JC A!ts 1-JC 8 0or. E-1J68C 1 Pet. 1-1LC 8-11:.

"EC*ION 1J< *he 4lesse )o+e

We e$ieve that, a!!ording to the Word of God, the ne)t great event in the

fu$+$$ment of prophe!% wi$$ e the !oming of the Mord in the air to re!eive to

3imse$f into heaven oth 3is own who are a$ive and remain unto 3is !oming,

and a$so a$$ who have fa$$en as$eep in 5esus, and that this event is the

$essed hope set efore us in the S!ripture, and for this we shou$d e

!onstant$% $ooking 95ohn 1>-16BC 1 0or. 1E-E16E8C Phi$. B-8C 1 "hess. >-1B61JC

"itus 8-1161>:.

"EC*ION 1K< *he *ri5lation

We e$ieve that the trans$ation of the !hur!h wi$$ e fo$$owed % the

fu$+$$ment of (srae$*s seventieth week 9Dan. -8LC ;ev. -161-81: during

whi!h the !hur!h, the od% of 0hrist, wi$$ e in heaven. "he who$e period of

(srae$*s seventieth week wi$$ e a time of /udgment on the who$e earth, at theend of whi!h the times of the Genti$es wi$$ e rought to a !$ose. "he $atter

ha$f of this period wi$$ e the time of 5a!o*s trou$e 95er. B-L:, whi!h our

Mord !a$$ed the great triu$ation 9Fatt. 8>-1E681:. We e$ieve that universa$

righteousness wi$$ not e rea$iHed previous to the se!ond !oming of 0hrist,

ut that the wor$d is da% % da% ripening for /udgment and that the age wi$$

end with a fearfu$ apostas%.

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"EC*ION 2L< *he "econ Co#in- of Christ

We e$ieve that the period of great triu$ation in the earth wi$$ e !$ima)ed

% the return of the Mord 5esus 0hrist to the earth as 3e went, in person on

the !$ouds of heaven, and with power and great g$or% to introdu!e the

mi$$ennia$ age, to ind Satan and p$a!e him in the a%ss, to $ift the !urse

whi!h now rests upon the who$e !reation, to restore (srae$ to her own $and

and to give her the rea$iHation of God*s !ovenant promises, and to ring the

who$e wor$d to the know$edge of God 9Deut. B-161C (sa. 11-C IHek. BL-816

8JC Fatt. 8>-1E68E->C A!ts 1E-161LC ;om. J-168BC 11-8E68LC 1 "im. >-16BC

8 "im. B-16EC ;ev. 8-16B:.

"EC*ION 21< *he Eternal "tate

We e$ieve that at death the spirits and sou$s of those who have trusted in

the Mord 5esus 0hrist for sa$vation pass immediate$% into 3is presen!e andthere remain in !ons!ious $iss unti$ the resurre!tion of the g$ori+ed od%

when 0hrist !omes for 3is own, whereupon sou$ and od% reunited sha$$ e

asso!iated with 3im forever in g$or%C ut the spirits and sou$s of the

une$ieving remain after death !ons!ious of !ondemnation and in miser%

unti$ the +na$ /udgment of the great white throne at the !$ose of the

mi$$ennium, when sou$ and od% reunited sha$$ e !ast into the $ake of +re,

not to e annihi$ated, ut to e punished with ever$asting destru!tion from

the presen!e of the Mord and from the g$or% of 3is power 9Muke 1-168C

8B->8C 8 0or. E-JC Phi$. 1-8BC 8 "hess. 1-L6C 5ude 6LC ;ev. 8-1161E:.

AR*IC0E III

*he Me#5ershi+

"EC*ION 1< Denition

or purposes of !hur!h government, the memership sha$$ !onsist of a$$ the

Finistr% Partners of "rinit% 0hape$ #i$e 0hur!h.

"EC*ION 2< alication for Me#5ershi+ $Ministry Partnershi+'

An% person desiring to unite with "rinit% 0hape$ #i$e 0hur!h sha$$ ee)amined % the Shepherding "eam and sha$$ satisf% su!h od% of his

persona$ faith in 5esus 0hrist as Savior % aVrmation of su!h faith, and sha$$

agree that 5esus is GodC that 3e was virgin ornC that 3e died as a vo$untar%

sustitute for sinfu$ manC that 3e was odi$% raised from the deadC that God

imputes righteousness to the e$iever upon a!!eptan!e % faith of 3is Son as

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Savior and gives the e$iever eterna$ $ifeC that 5esus wi$$ odi$% return to the

earth and that the #i$e is the inerrant Word of God.

"EC*ION !< Recei%in- into Me#5ershi+

Tpon the Shepherding "eam eing satis+ed of the app$i!ant*s &ua$i+!ations

he sha$$ e re!eived into memership of the !hur!h and introdu!ed to the

Finistr% Partners at an appropriate time thereafter.

"EC*ION (< *er#ination of Me#5ershi+

(f a Finistr% Partner engages in !ondu!t whi!h, in the opinion of the I$der

#oard, is detrimenta$ to the ministr%, unit%, pea!e or purit% of the !hur!h and

su!h Finistr% Partner remains unrepentant, then the #oard, % unanimous

vote, ma% de!$are su!h Finistr% Partners memership terminated, remove

the Finistr% Partners name from the ro$$ and announ!e su!h remova$ from

the pu$pit of the !hur!h on the +rst Sunda% fo$$owing remova$.

At death, the name of a memer sha$$ e removed from the ro$$.

Tpon a Finistr% Partner /oining another !hur!h, memership sha$$ e

terminated.

"EC*ION ,< Ministry Partner Meetin-s

A Finistr% Partner meeting ma% e !a$$ed at an% time % the I$ders, % the

giving of noti!e of the time, p$a!e, and purpose at a$$ worship servi!es on the

Sunda% at $east one week previous to the da% of the meeting. (n !ase of an

emergen!%, the Finistr% Partners wi$$ e noti+ed % mai$ provided that su!h

noti!e is p$a!ed in the mai$ not $ess than +ve da%s efore the meeting. "he

I$ders sha$$ a$wa%s !a$$ a Finistr% Partner meeting when re&uested in writing

to do so % ten per!ent of the Finistr% Partners of the !hur!h, e)!ept as

provided for in Arti!$e , Se!tion 89>: 9!:. No usiness sha$$ e transa!ted in

su!h meeting e)!ept that stated in the !a$$. "he I$ders sha$$ !a$$ a Finistr%

Partner meeting at $east on!e a %ear to report on the goa$s for the ensuing

0hur!h Rear and to hear the re!ommendations of the Finistr% Partners.

"EC*ION < or#

A &uorum for the transa!tion of usiness in a$$ Finistr% Partner meetings

sha$$ !onsist of twent%6+ve 98E: per!ent of the Finistr% Partners of this

!hur!h who are e$igi$e to vote. 7n$% Finistr% Partners in good standing and

who have attained to the age of eighteen 91J: %ears and upward sha$$ e

e$igi$e to vote at an% usiness meeting.

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"EC*ION < Mintes

Finutes of a$$ Finistr% Partner meetings sha$$ e taken % the se!retar% of

the #oard of I$ders or % a sustitute appointed % the I$ders and sha$$ e

kept in a we$$6ound ook.

"EC*ION J< Orer

(n the transa!tion of usiness in a$$ Finistr% Partner meetings, ;oert*s ;u$es

of 7rder sha$$ e used in a$$ !ases not !overed % this !onstitution.

AR*IC0E IV

6o%ern#ent

"he government of this !hur!h, under the $eadership of 5esus 0hrist, is

vested in the Shepherding "eam 9I$ders and Pastors: and Dea!ons du$%e$e!ted % the Finistr% Partners.

AR*IC0E V

Ocers: Pastors: NonPastoral "taB an *eachers

"EC*ION 1< *he Ocers

"he oV!ers of the !hur!h sha$$ !onsist of a #oard of I$ders, a Shepherding

"eam 9I$ders and Pastors:, a #oard of Dea!ons, and a 0hur!h "reasurer. Ia!h

oV!er sha$$ e insta$$ed in an appropriate ordination servi!e pres!ried %

the I$ders.

"EC*ION 2< Pastors

$1' alications


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on at a regu$ar$% !a$$ed meeting of the Finistr% Partners. Ia!h Pastor sha$$

e re!ommended to the !hur!h % the I$ders and sha$$ e e$e!ted % a three6

fourths 9BQ>: ma/orit% vote of the &ua$i+ed Finistr% Partners present at a

meeting du$% !a$$ed and !onstituted for the e)press purpose of !onsidering

su!h re!ommendation. After his e$e!tion, the Pastor6e$e!t sha$$ e insta$$ed

at an appropriate servi!e pres!ried % the I$ders. Ia!h Pastor*s sa$ar% sha$$

e set % the I$ders.

$!' Dties. (t sha$$ e the dut% of ea!h Pastor to perform the duties given

to him % the I$ders. Ia!h Pastor sha$$ e an e)6oV!io memer of a$$ oards

and !ommittees without vote. Ia!h Pastor sha$$ spiritua$$% en!ourage the

I$ders and Dea!ons and share with them the shepherding responsii$ities for

the !hur!h.

$(' "he+herin- *ea#. A$$ pastors are memers of the Shepherding "eam,whi!h is !omposed of a$$ the I$ders and a$$ of the Pastors. "he Shepherding

"eam is responsi$e for shepherding the Finistr% Partners and for the overa$$

operation of the !hur!h. Pastors are not automati!a$$% !onsidered to e

I$ders, ut ma% e e$e!ted to the I$der #oard the same as an% Finistr%

Partner.

$,' *er#ination


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meeting for !onsideration of the &uestion. "he moderator of this

meeting sha$$ e the !hairman of the #oard of I$ders or an% memer of

the #oard of I$ders so designated % the I$ders. Tpon reading of the

petition to the Finistr% Partners and dis!ussion thereon, a vote % se!ret

written a$$ot sha$$ e taken. A simp$e ma/orit% vote of a$$ those present

sha$$ e suV!ient to !ause termination. "he pastor sha$$ e entit$ed to a

minimum of one month*s sa$ar% after su!h termination.

"EC*ION !< NonPastoral "taB

An% sta= memer sha$$ e approved % the I$ders. An% sta= memer ma%

e terminated % a vote of the I$ders present at a spe!ia$ or regu$ar$% !a$$ed

meeting. "he sa$ar% of sta= memers sha$$ e set % the I$ders.

"EC*ION (< *eachers

A$$ tea!hers wi$$ e approved % the I$ders efore tea!hing in the !hur!h.An% tea!her ma% e terminated at an% time when, in the opinion of the

I$ders, the tea!her*s !ondu!t is detrimenta$ to the ministr%, unit%, pea!e or

purit% of the !hur!h. A$$ tea!hers sha$$ agree to the Do!trina$ Statement of

the !hur!h and sha$$ not tea!h an%thing !ontrar% to the Do!trina$ Statement.

"EC*ION ,< *he Elers

$1' alications< "he &ua$i+!ations are spe!i+!a$$% set forth in 1"imoth%

B-16L and "itus 1-E6. Additiona$$%, ea!h man nominated for I$der must

sus!rie to the Do!trina$ Statement of the !hur!h.

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$a' No#ination


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whi!h noti!e of one week has een given % announ!ement from the

pu$pit during the regu$ar servi!e and a noti!e in!$uded in the !hur!h

u$$etin. Said nominee re!eiving the highest numer of votes on the

+rst a$$ot must re!eive at $east three6fourths ma/orit% of the votes of

the &ua$i+ed Finistr% Partners present and voting on su!h se!ond a$$ot

and the fai$ure to so re!eive a three6fourths ma/orit% sha$$ resu$t in an

unfu$+$$ed p$a!e on su!h #oard of I$ders.

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$,' *er#ination< "ermination of an I$der to serve on the #oard of I$ders

!an e e=e!ted in an% one of the fo$$owing manners-

9a: (f at an% time an I$der sha$$ tender his resignation to the #oard of

I$ders, it sha$$ e a!!epted.

9: "he termination of an I$der !an e a!!omp$ished % a unanimous

vote of the I$ders if an I$der shows himse$f % person or attitude to e

disturing the purit%, pea!e, or unit% of the !hur!hC who has !hanged his

views regarding the Do!trina$ Statement and 0onstitutionC or whose $ife

and a!tivities are !onsistent$% une!oming an oV!er in a 0hristian

0hur!h. Su!h vote on divestiture sha$$ o!!ur at a spe!ia$ or regu$ar$%

!a$$ed meeting, provided that written noti!e of su!h proposed

termination has een mai$ed to the I$ders at $east one week prior to

su!h meeting. "he I$der named in the motion for divestiture sha$$ note permitted to vote. An% I$der who !annot attend the meeting sha$$

e)press his vote on termination in writing.

9!: "he oV!e of I$der sha$$ a$so e terminated % e)piration of term or

death.

$' or#


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e two %ears. No person sha$$ e e$e!ted for more than two su!!essive

terms.

$!' Dties


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$' Co##nication


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mode of aptism eing on$% a testimon% to a spiritua$ rea$it% sha$$ e %

sprink$ing or immersion at the !andidate*s option.

"EC*ION 2< *he 0ors "++er

"he Mord*s Supper sha$$ e administered as fre&uent$% as the I$ders sha$$

order during the !hur!h %ear.

Article I

Orination

"he !hur!h sha$$ have the authorit% to ordain &ua$i+ed men to the gospe$

ministr%. Su!h men sha$$ e ordained and given a !ommission to prea!h and

administer the ordinan!es % an ordination !oun!i$ !omposed of the

Shepherding "eam. "he ordaining !oun!i$ sha$$ thorough$% e)amine a$$

app$i!ants for ordination as to their !a$$ to the 0hristian ministr%, edu!ation,0hristian e)perien!e, reputation, !hara!ter, do!trina$ e$ief, and

demonstrated eV!ien!% in 0hristian servi!e.

Article

Deication of Chilren/Parents

(t sha$$ e the po$i!% of the !hur!h to have !hi$dren dedi!ated to the Mord in a

rief !eremon% where the parents are !ommitted to rear the !hi$dren in the

nurture and admonition of the Mord and re&uest the dedi!ation !eremon%.

Article I

7iscal Policy

I)!ept in !ases approved % a unanimous vote of the fu$$ #oard of I$ders, the

!hur!h sha$$ not a!&uire propert% or servi!es un$ess the% are paid for in fu$$when a!&uired or upon re!eipt of the i$$ for sameC this stipu$ation does not

negate the #oards ai$it% to $ease propert% andQor e&uipment as needed %

the !hur!h in order to fu$+$$ its mission and purposes. No oV!er or Pastor of

the !hur!h is authoriHed to in!ur on eha$f of the !hur!h a det or e)e!ute

eviden!e of det re&uiring the pa%ment of interest.

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APPENDI 7

)OMEWORH

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3O>R "*OR33or ;orney: yor ti#e: yor +assions

Name- \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

*ell s yor story

P$ease $ook a!k at Appendi) A for prin!ip$es to he$p %ou with this. "ake therest of this page to write out %our persona$ testimon% and te$$ us a it of %our$ife stor%.

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Where are yo on yor ;orney?#e as des!riptive as %ou are a$e. Are %ou new in %our faith? 3ave %ou eenin Christfor a whi$e ut fee$ $ike %ouve hit a wa$$? Are %ou in a new p$a!e of$onging for the deeper things of God? 3ow do %ou fee$ $ike %ou need to grow?What are the ne)t steps for %ou on the /ourne%?

)o& #ch ti#e can yo ser%e?

(n asking for %our !ommitment to e servant6minded, we want to honor %ourtime. We a$so want to e rea$isti! and are asking that %ou wi$$ pra%erfu$$% erea$isti!, as we$$, in determining how mu!h time %oure a$e'and wi$$ing'to

pour into a "0#0 ministr% partner position. Rour gifts and ta$ents !an e usedin a numer of ministries, and knowing %our time !ommitment wi$$ he$p us,as we$$ as he$p %ou, know how %ou !an est serve. P$ease take time thisweek and think honest$% through %our $ife and determine %our ai$it% to!ommit.

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Where oes yor +assion lie?

"he $ast thing we need to know, to he$p us get %ou p$ugged into serving the

od% we$$, is where %ou fee$ !ompe$$ed to serve. "hink aout %our gifts, pas6

sions, ai$ities, e)perien!e and persona$it% and $et us know what interests%ou. 9(f %oure !onfused % this or arent sure where %ou est +t, $et us know.

Were here to he$p %ou +gure that out:

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3O>R COMMI*MEN*

Name-\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

"cri+tre

We e$ieve that a$$ S!ripture is reathed out % God2 98 "im B-1:. Weunderstand the who$e #i$e to e inspired in the sense that ho$% men of Godwere moved % the 3o$% Spirit to write the ver% words of S!ripture."herefore, we e$ieve the #i$e is vera$$% and !omp$ete$% inerrant in itsorigina$ writings 98 "im B-1K1LC 8 Pet 1-8K88C 5ohn 1-BEC Fatt E-1J:.

Or trine 6o

We e$ieve in one God, eterna$$% e)isting in three persons- ather, Son and3o$% Spirit 9Deut ->C (sa >>-C Fatt 8J-1JK1C 8 0or 1B-1>:.

*he chrch

We e$ieve in the !hur!h of 5esus 0hrist, that it is a spiritua$ organism madeup of a$$ e$ievers in 0hrist, that in its $o!a$ manifestation it is an autonomousassem$% of e$ievers and that its ordinan!es are aptism and the MordsSupper 90o$ 1-1JC Phi$ 1-1C 1 0or 11-8BKB1C Fatt 8J-1K8:.

*he +ersons of Christ an the )oly "+irit

We e$ieve 5esus 0hrist was egotten of the 3o$% Spirit and orn of the irginFar% and is, therefore, fu$$% God and fu$$% man. "he 3o$% Spirit was sent %the ather to !onvi!t the wor$d of sin, to g$orif% 5esus and to transform the

$ives of e$ievers into the $ikeness of 0hrist 9Fatt 1-8K8EC 5ohn 1-1K8, 1&g

2013 ministry partner workbook

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