Furthermore, because we are not the generation to worship God, we want to stand on the shoulders of our spiritual forefathers, listening to them as they interpret the Scriptures. We see further and more clearly when we do. Additionally, one of the com- ments visitors often make when they leave our services is, “Boy, you peo- ple really sing!” This cheers my heart to no end.
Discipleship is our other major
disciples and offer a range of oppor- tunities to do so. I call these layers of discipleship. First, is our morning and our evening worship service. Second, are our Sunday school class- es, where the elders have put togeth- er a syllabus of essential instruction covering the basics of doctrine, Bible knowledge, history, and life applica- tion. To compound this investment, we also offer weekly Bible studies and monthly book clubs for both men - the phone with individual members for more intensive study, pastoral care, and counselling.
• Preach a Felt Christ
John Owen once said, “God forbid that I should preach an unfelt Christ.”
Perhaps, more than any other, this line haunts me in my ministry. Another along the same lines comes from Charles Simeon, “No amount of homiletical technique can make up for the want of a close, personal walk with God.” Our fundamental task as ministers is to unpack the truth of God’s Word in such a way that hungry will not do. There must be both light and heat. Our congregation should leave the service saying with Augustine, “I see the depths, but I can’t see the bottom.” God help us!
• Equip Members for Ministry
The essence of my elders’ vision for Christ Covenant Church, rather than hir- ing a staff to do the work of ministry, is to equip the congregation to serve one another (Eph 4:12 ff). Thus far, by the grace of God, this vision has been won- are engaged in regular, monthly ministry in the congregation. This is all carried out by ministry teams who oversee all aspects of our body life: greeters, nurs- ery workers, Sunday School teachers, Bible study leaders, security detail, sound booth workers, and refugee laborers etc. Many of these ministry teams are led by
• Plan to Save Everyone You Meet One of the areas in which we have the most room to grow as a congregation is personal outreach and evangelism. But I am already seeing a growing boldness among the body to invite family, friends, and co-workers to church on the Lord’s Day. One of my catch phrases that I use to encourage the brethren is: Have a plan to save everyone you meet! I shamelessly stole this from a sign outside one of the U.S. bases in Iraq which read: Have a plan to kill everyone you meet (because everyone you meet might have a plan to kill you). Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all had this mindset in sharing Christ with others? I rather suspect that we’d see our slowly slumping statistics reverse overnight, don’t you?
Neil Stewart is married to Catherine and is the father of 6. He is a former pediatric physician and now serves as Senior Pastor of Christ Covenant Church in Greensboro, NC. He is a native of Northern Ireland.
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The Associate Reformed Presbyterian
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