As A United Methodist Church

We Have a Mission

           Why does the Church exist? According to Matthew's Gospel, the risen Christ made it clear: "God therefor and make disciples of all nation, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you" ( Matthew 28:19-20)

 

           Based on this " Great Commission" our United Methodist Church has stated its purpose: " The Mission of the Church is make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Local Churches provide the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs" (From The Book of Discipline of The United methodist Church-2008, p.87. Copyright @2008 by The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission).

 

           So the mission of our cogregation is to make disciples. This is a four-fold task...We could abbreviate our mission as one of welcoming worship-nuturing-sending. (See The Book of Discipline of The All Christians are call by God, through their baptism, to be in Ministry in the world. Therefor, the term Ministry is appropriately used to describe any Christian who responds to God's call to reach out to the world and its people throughj loving acts of service. The Ministers of the Church are called to serve in a variety of ways.

 

As Laity 

          From its earlist days, Methodist has been a Lay movement. The term Laity comes from Laos, which means of the poeple. The Laity are the whole people of God, who serve as Ministers witnessing to the work of God in individual lives and the world.

 

As Clergy

          Within the body of all Christian Ministers, though, some are called to fulfill a specific Ministry through the Church.

        *     Deacons 

                         Ordained Ministers appointed to focus on servanthood. A deacon models the relationship between wrship in the                        community of faith  and service to God in the world. Deacons serve in variety of ministry setting, both in the Church   

                   and in the world.

       *     Elders

                         Ordained Ministers appoint to lead congregation or Christians in the celebration of the sacraments and guids and                    care for the life  of the community. Some elder may also serve in extension monistries beyond the local Church.

       *     Local Pastors

                Licensed Ministers appoint to perform the duties of a Pastor in specific Church or charge.

Excerpt from What Every Teacher Needs to Know About The United methodist Church, p 38-39, Discipleship Resources @2002. Used by permission.

 

We Are All Called to Minister

          Though our gifts vary widely, we're all called to end engaged in the one ministry of Jesus Christ. Some aspects of our ministry are easy and come naturally. Some are difficult, involving long hours, tough work, perhaps with conflict, perhaps with disappointing results. What drives us? What keeps us going? The list includes at least these three things.

         *     The memory of Jesus' life of service to other, which inspires us to follow him in ministry.

         *     The assurance of God's gracious love for us, which empower us to love other.

         *     The promise of God's coming reign on earth, which draws us into action directed to ward this vision.

Where does Ministry happen?

It happens in our daily activity

          For those who are alert to the needs of other, each day abounds with opportunities to serve. We minister with our families as we inquire about one another's lives, as we listen and respond with care, as we touch, as we smile and offer a kind word, and as we decide questions and reconcile conflicts. We take time to listen to a friend in need and work, to both co-workers and those we serve. We minister in the neighborhoor or the shops as we go about the day's work.

It happens through new initiatives

          We also go out of our way to minister. We hear of a need, read of a crisis, or see an opportunty to share God's love. It may be with someone across town, someone of another racial or economic group, a person with a disability, or a person of anthoer nation or culture. We take time to call, to visit, to write, ask how we can help. We also take the time to respond.

It happens through groups and institutions

          Many needs are best met by joining force with other. We take part in community groups that are trying to serve human need or trying to change social force that cause suffering. We give our time, our energy, and our money. Though others in these organizations may not think of it this way, for us it's Christ's Ministry.