Attend to the public reading of scripture
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…
Since Paul’s influence on the early church, when he spread the gospel and offered Christ’s message of hope, love and encouragement, various models of the church have emerged. From the intimate house gatherings of the early Christians to today’s vast, stadium-style megachurches, expressions of the church have changed dramatically. The beautiful truth is that, regardless of the size, location, or style, God works through each model to advance Christ’s kingdom and transform lives. Whether in a modest living room or an awe-inspiring cathedral, and everything in between, the Holy Spirit is powerfully at work in transformative ways.
The book of Acts offers us a glimpse of how the early church began. Through Paul’s teachings, we learn about the heart of the church in its simplest form: the body of Christ with many members. Paul’s instructions to the early church and its leaders are clear and direct. To the disciple Timothy, he writes, “Attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching.” (1 Tim. 4:13). To the church in Colossae, he instructs, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col. 3:16).
Seeking Direction
Discernment is a deliberate process of seeking God’s guidance, both individually and collectively. The Bible teaches that God is always speaking to us. However, without a desire to listen, without a receptive heart to hear, and without the willingness to respond and act, we remain unaware of God’s gracious plan.
In exploring new ministry models, it is crucial for congregations to intentionally seek God’s direction together. The following resource offers principles of prayerful discernment, which require the activation of four key elements:
Funding for Exploring New Models
The New and Renewing Ministry Fund seeks to support ministry leaders and congregations as they open themselves up to discerning God’s vision and exploring new opportunities to live out Christ’s mission. The purpose of The New and Renewed Ministry Fund is to establish new ministries and revitalize existing ministries by providing assistance in the following areas: exploratory ministry, missional engagement, and renewal initiatives. Interested in learning more? Visit The New and Renewing Ministry Fund