Church life should equip people to manifest the kingdom as Jesus described it.

Some of the frustration of serving in church has come from the misconception that only the "clergy" is called and qualified for the ministry. Many "regular members" have felt unprepared and incompetent, thus leaving all ministry to those who supposedly were trained theologically. Too many times, the clergy was willing to accept that role because it gave a position of significance and thus fulfilled a need which should have been met by intimacy with Jesus.

Jesus gave the ministry of the kingdom to all who receive Him as their king. Everyone who has the name of Jesus can, through that name, do the works of God (proclaim good news to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, set the captives free, give sight to the blind, bind up the bruised, and proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord).

When Jesus sent out the twelve, it was to proclaim and demonstrate the presence of the kingdom. When He sent out the seventy, it was to do the same. In His great commission to all disciples, He told us to go into all the world and make disciples and to teach them to do all He had shown His disciples to do.

Jesus gave the five-fold ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12) to the church to equip the members so they could minister the kingdom to saints and sinners. Paul recognized the ability of "regular members" when he wrote to the Romans: "And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able also to admonish one another." (Romans 15:14)

Because we believe this, our determination is to be a people-centered ministry rather than a staff-centered ministry. Every member will be encouraged to get involved in kingdom work at whatever point his or her gifts and desires direct.

Needy people must find the Christ who resides in the body for their provision rather than looking only to the "staff." If the leadership equips the body and releases it to minister, all will be blessed. If leadership does the ministry, all will be robbed. Real fulfillment for each member of the body will be recognized only as he or she enjoys and exposes the life of Jesus to others.

Matthew 28:18-20                                  Ephesians 4:11-16

Luke 10:1-24                                         II Peter 1:2-10