ACTION TEAMS
Discipleship
Greek - μαθητής or mathētēs - to learn by use and practice; to be in the habit of or accustomed to
"It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master." Matthew 10:25a
This ministry seeks to help individuals grow in our knowledge of Jesus, so as to become like Jesus. The question, "What would Jesus do?" is not only a nice slogan, but a description of how we seek to live our Christian faith. It's not good enough for us to learn the history if we never become part of His Story. We want people to know Jesus through us.
Service
Greek - διακονία diakonia - ministering aid, service, or relief
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:34-40
Service is an extension of our worship. In worship we experience a λειτουργία (liturgy) or service where God distributes His grace to His people and equips them to share it with others. An apt description of this is seen in the feeding of the 5000. The crowds gathered around as Jesus distributed just a few loaves and fish to the disciples, who then carried an abundant portion to those seated nearby. God continues to make His gifts available in a similar form, utilizing His church as the distribution network. The church seeks to ascertain the need and pursues the means to meet it through God's providential and generous care.
Worship
Hebrew - שָׁחָה šâḥâ - to bow down or reverence / Greek - προσκυνέω proskyneō - to kiss the hand, to reverence, to adore
"O come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
For He is our God,
and we are the people of His pasture,
and the sheep of His hand."
Psalm 95:6-7
In this ministry we focus on our gathering together as the ἐκκλησία (church) or literally as the called out ones. Having come to faith in Jesus as our Savior from sin and death, God has called each of us out of our former way of life to a new and eternal relationship with Him and His church. This ministry seeks to keep our focus on the way we express our faith in Christ as we experience His presence in our worship.
Fellowship
Greek - κοινωνία or koinōnia - partnership / participation / communion
"But if we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."
1 John 1:7
This ministries seeks to engage 100% of the Body of Christ in the new life we have through our baptism. God did not call us to be casual observers, but seeks to include every part of the Body in the activities of Body.
Missions
Greek - μάρτυς martys - a witness
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 1:8
This ministry of missions seeks to strengthen our own personal testimony and ability to share our faith with others. It serves to connect the local mission of the Gospel with the ministry of evangelism around the world. This ministry will schedule and direct efforts to witness Christ in our own families, work places, and communities, as well as supply opportunities to engage in world mission on a personal level.
