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RLC GUIDELINES TO DEVELOP NEW SPECIALISED MINISTRIES
1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
We strive to be the warmest incubator for new ministries. In RLC, the opportunities are endless:
Some of the ministries we may start:
Ministry to the Aged, Ministry to Single Parents, Ministry to Orphans, Escort Ministry (a security ministry escorting people to the car-park), Corresponding Course Outreach, Fashion Outreach, Celerity Outreach, Performing Art Outreach, Children Choir, Transcribe Ministry (Pastor’s messages for later book production), Research Ministry (aiding the Senior Pastor gather materials for messages), Missions Support (ministry of helps to missionaries), Aerobics and Line Dancing Outreaches, Crisis Hotline (24 hours care telephone ministry), Prisoner Family Outreach, Used clothing Ministry, Creative Arts, Costume and Drama Outreach, Multimedia Ministry (Special effects, lighting, stage props, etc), Hosts for Vision Hour with Pastor(sponsoring the food catering), etc.
(This is not to be confused with the regular and existing church ministries like Ushers, Music, Youth, Children, etc. which is directly run by a full-time overseer.)
Before we start a new ministry, we will need to consider the following points:
- Does it fulfill a need? Is it a burden or a call?
- Does it glorify God?
- Is it done as an expression of God’s love or just guilt or legalism?
- Do we have the people and a leader?
- Write your VISION and STRATEGY down. It ensures that it is not a momentary burden. Refine it and put it in one short paragraph.
In 6-7 points, state how you can accomplish it
Have faith but be realistic and count the cost.
The vision statement must flow in with the vision of RLC which is:
We dream of a strong local church, mighty in the Grace of God, reaching out with great compassion, discipled and transformed by the love of Christ.
The mission statement of various ministries within the church should contain these words or the equivalent:
Build strong local churches … mighty in the grace of God …. reaching out … compassion…. discipled …. transformed … the love of Jesus …
This Vision and Strategy must be endorsed by the Ministry Staff Team and the Senior Pastor.
6. Submit to God’s timing and leadership team’s direction. The Church will appoint an Overseer from the full-time staff. The Overseer of specialised ministries does not do the ministry but only oversees and ensures that the ministry flows with the vision, doctrine and philosophy of the Church.
The Ministry Secretary must clearly relate to the Ministry Overseer what the church office is supposed to provide and not assume help is available. Ensure requests are made and granted, eg. printing of handbills, ushers, parking, PA operators, salvation team, etc.
The role of the overseer in a specialised ministry is not to be confused with oversight of church ministries like Ushers, Music, Youth, Children, etc. The overseer of such ministries actually is involved with the day to day running of the ministries.
Please follow the guidelines provided by Ed Cole’s Ministry for excellent management of Christian meetings. It is an excellent reference material that is gleaned from much experiences in a Christian context. We can learn from our mistakes, but better still, learn from others’ mistakes.
7. Be open to correction and refining. Learn to work as a team.
8. The ministry may not be announced from the pulpit. It is the team’s job to promote the ministry creatively with approval. The personal approach is far more effective than any announcements.
9. Pray for workers, and do not be competitive. Church should not be burdened with the task of finding workers for the ministry.
10. Submit budget and accounts after each function to the church office. There must be no personal fund raising by the Team members. All accounts are subject to audit by the church treasurer and the AGM’s appointed auditor. Highest accountability is to be practised. Only a minimum sum needed for the administration of the ministry, approved by the Finance and Development Committee, is to be kept by the ministry after a function.
The church Finance and Development Committee will consider every request for any subsidy.
No offering should be collected during functions unless first approved by the Senior Pastor and the use of the fund is subject to the approval of the F & D Committee.
11. Qualifications of a leader in the ministry. He is designated “Secretary”. The term of office is normally 2 years. He has to complete the Kingdom Series. He is subjected to transfer to another ministry to deepen his experience, as he does not own the ministry. He will not plan functions that clash with the Church programme. The ministry is under the covering of the Church and is part of the church overall ministry to the community and the world. He has to be active and fruitful in evangelism and Care Group.
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