 |
 |
|
 |
||
 |
 |
Opportunities for serving God and His Church
The most exciting part of being a "permission giving" church is the involvement of every person in a ministry they feel passionate about and are gifted by God to accomplish. Inviting every person to volunteer for ministry is one of the most effective ways of bringing together the talents of the congregation for productive ministry. When people volunteer, they are free to use their God given gifts to bring glory to God. When people follow their spiritual calling and apply their spiritual gifts, the result is exceptional ability, creativity, effectiveness, commitment and accountability. When members of the church are free to perform their ministries, the church can experience a genuine renewal, a "new beginning." The opportunities are unlimited. The Bible tells us that ministry belongs to every individual within the church for the purpose of building up the faith of others. The bible says that we are:
"To prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." Ephesians 4:12
The professional staff is called by God to prepare all the people within the congregation for works of service in their area of giftedness, calling and passion, so that every one of us will be strengthened in our Christian faith. As part of our core values and philosophy of ministry, it is stated that we believe "God gifts and calls every person to ministry." This core value is based on these Scriptures; I Corinthians 12:4-5, Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11-13. Take some time right now to look up these verses and read them and you will understand why we seek to give every member an opportunity to apply his or her gifts in ministry. Some team service opportunities will require training.
THERE ARE SEVERAL MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
This ministry menu contains several Ministry Opportunities. The prayer at New Beginnings Church is that each of us will clearly hear God's call toward the ministries He wants us to be involved with this year. Most of the ministries listed are already up and running and could use additional volunteers. A few ministries listed focus on existing needs that await gifted and called volunteers to form a ministry team to meet those needs. The ministry opportunities are listed to assist each of us in discerning God's call. Prayerfully select those ministries you feel God directing you toward and we will leave the remaining ministries in the hands of God until someone steps forward to fulfill that ministry for His glory. There is also an invitation for you to offer suggestions for new ministry opportunities that are not listed that you feel gifted and called to do. There is a more detailed descriptions of the ministry teams available in the church office.
- STEP 1 Read through the list of various ministries and place a check mark in the box next to those which interest you.
- STEP 2 If you are aware of your spiritual gifts, write them down and then review those ministries again that you have checked in step 1. If your spiritual gift is used directly or indirectly to accomplish that ministry, put a second pencil mark next to it. If you would like help discovering your spiritual gifts, sign up for the next Uniquely You Seminar.
- STEP 3 We encourage every member to be involved in ministry. However, some servants want to do everything and then they take on too much and when they burn out, they remove themselves from doing anything for years. Balance is the key to effective ministry for the long term. So, step 3 involves a balance check. Use the following key to keep your ministry involvement to 2 points or less (if you are employed full time) and 5 points or less (if you are not employed full time). Review the ministries with two pencil marks and, with the balance point key in mind, place the point value next to those ministries.
- Balance Points Key
L= Leader of a team (Teacher) .. 1 point
P= Participation at least monthly 1 point
O= Occasional participation .. point - STEP 4 Review those ministry opportunities and their point values and pray that God will help you select only those ministries that you have the most passion for and keep you within the healthy balance of ministry involvement. Circle only those that keep you close to the 2 point limit or the 5 point limit.
- STEP 5 Take the Ministry Menu Response Sheet and check only those ministries that you have circled and then turn it into the office or leave it at the Welcome center display.
- STEP 6 The Ministry Team Supervisors and Team Captains will review these response sheets and be contacting you about involvement in your areas of ministry selection. If you have not been contacted within three weeks for a Team Captain interview, please call the church office (294-5393) and inquire about the status of your follow-up interview and ministry placement.
"God Gifts and Calls Every Person to Ministry"
* These teams need leadership to activate. If you are not interested in leading, please do not sign up for it.
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others."
I Peter 4:10
What It Takes
New Beginnings Church worship services and Bible studies on Sunday morning involve more than 96 volunteers. Following is a list of volunteer ministries and the numbers it takes to do them.
Sunday Morning Volunteers: 81
|
Activity
|
Early
|
Late
|
|
Service
|
Service
|
|
|
Set Up Team
|
7
|
|
|
Communion
|
2
|
2
|
|
Door Greeters
|
2
|
2
|
|
Ushers
|
2
|
2
|
|
Nursery
|
2
|
3
|
|
Children S.S.
|
5
|
|
|
Teen S.S.
|
2
|
|
|
Adult S.S.
|
2
|
|
|
Musicians
|
5
|
5
|
|
Choir
|
12
|
|
|
Praise Singers
|
5
|
5
|
|
Sound Tech
|
3
|
3
|
|
Visual Arts
|
1
|
1
|
|
Take Down Team
|
7
|
|
|
Totals
|
46
|
35
|
The Benefits of Serving
For several reasons, a volunteer system generally serves the church and the individual better than recruiting volunteers.
- When people are asked to serve in a specific ministry, they usually hate to say "no." Consequently, they end up frustrated or serving in the ministry that they do not enjoy.
- Church staff does not have the ability to adequately determine the gifts, abilities and talents of all of our members. But you, as a volunteer, can know where God is calling you. The church staff can help you discern those gifts, but only you can hear the call.
- When you prayerfully consider your own gifts and passion and match them to the ministries in the Ministry Menu, you have ownership of those decisions. That leads to a stronger commitment, more positive experience and more fruitful results!
- You are a uniquely gifted individual whom God has called to serve some place. You are important and we want to give you the opportunity to experience the joy of service.
- The decision is yours. We are not trying to sell you anything. We believe you will serve more effectively and receive more satisfaction from a ministry YOU choose.
Some ministries only require limited and sporadic work and volunteers are only required at special times.
Pray that God will lead you to the best time and the best place of service for his glory!
- Read This Booklet
- Study the Ministry Menu
- Choose ministries that you would be willing to serve in for a one year period if asked to do so
- Complete the menu and return it
- You will then receive more information about the ministries you marked
- You will be asked to make a year long commitment during this final contact
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."
Romans 12:6-8