Loudonville Community Church

MINISTRY PLATFORM
LOUDONVILLE COMMUNITY CHURCH

Ministry Platform Planks & Sections

Our Identity
Our Personality
Our Future
About Strategic Planning
Plank 1: Our Affirmation of Faith
Plank 2: Our Mission
Plank 3: Our Core Values
Plank 4: Our Philosophy of Ministry
Plank 5: Our Strategy of Ministry
Plank 6: Our Objectives
Plank 7: Our Policies
Plank 8: Our Constitution

Introduction to the “Ministry Platform”

A platform is something you stand on, a stage for performing or carrying out a purpose. An unstable platform is a dangerous place, but a well-built platform is solid and sturdy. The ministry of LCC must stand on a solid and sturdy platform to do the work Jesus has called us to do. Our church Ministry Platform is composed of a few vital planks, which help articulate our identity, our personality, and our future.

Our Identity…
As a church, who are we? Why do we exist? What do we believe? These are questions of origin and identity. Like every other church, ours is a unique work of God. The Ministry Platform includes planks defining our identity.

Our Personality…
Every church has a unique personality shaped by its own setting, congregation, history, experiences, and God’s specific work in each person. A church’s personality influences values and styles in ministry. The Ministry Platform includes planks that express our personality, how we do ministry.

Our Future…
Where are we headed? The Platform also serves like a compass to guide us toward the future. It helps us set goals, make major decisions, allocate resources, and seek to choose God’s best in every way so that we can bring glory to Him and advance His Kingdom.

The Ministry Platform is meant to serve as a raised stage upon which every LCC ministry functions. Leaders of ministries are called on to know and understand the Ministry Platform, and to integrate each plank into the mission, activities, methodologies, and goals of their ministry area. The platform is indispensable in helping us at LCC to accomplish three important tasks: assessment, evaluation, and strategic planning.

About Strategic Planning
Sometimes we fear strategic plans because of false assumptions or bad experiences in our past. Strategic planning is more a process than definite product. Planning continues to grow and develop over time. It must not be dominated by personal agendas; rather, it needs to be “Body”-owned and Spirit-driven. A strategic plan will often lead to daunting and risky goals in ministry, but the plan will help bring about clear and bold goals toward the God-given mission of the church.

The strategic planning process helps ministry leadership to become proactive rather than passive about their role in accomplishing God’s mission for the church. “We’ve always done it this way” is not a good answer when inquiry is made about why we do what we do. As ministries and programs age, it is easy to forget the original reasons that gave them birth. The Ministry Platform will be a tremendous help in enabling us to better assess and evaluate the place and function of each ministry so that we can work toward a common purpose. The plans are not man-made, but come from the Holy Spirit and will undoubtedly challenge our own small vision and strength. Indeed, plans that are truly inspired by the Holy Spirit will drive us to dependence on Him, and will require faith in His Word, our own disciplined and diligent efforts, as well as oneness and accountability in the church community.

In short, any strategic plan and goal that comes from God will be God-sized and accomplished only by the united work of His people in His strength. Our planning is a process that must be directed by God through His Holy Spirit. Let’s be people of prayer and trust Him for His design for our church.“Almighty God, you are wise in all your ways and patient in all your dealings with your children. You are the potter, we are the clay; mold us and make us to reflect your radiant splendor throughout our days of service here on earth. We want to be wise in all our dealings with one another, in all of our planning for the future, in all of our responsible acts of leadership and oversight of the ministries you have called us to serve. Teach us what it means to trust you as we manage the changes that come our way. Love us as we assess and evaluate ourselves and one another—may this be affirming and building for all. Give us a renewed sense of our accountability first and foremost to you, and secondarily to each others as brothers and sisters in Christ. Help us to dream big dreams for you and your Kingdom, and set realistic goals for accomplishing what you have destined for us to do. In all ways and in every day, keep us in the center of your will, held securely in the palms of your loving hands. Our love for you continues to grow with each succeeding day. Refresh us in our love and service. For Your name’s sake. Amen.

Plank 1: Our Affirmation of Faith

LCC’s Doctrinal Statement*

We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. (2Timothy 3:16)
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 4:4-6, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 1 Peter 1:2—note the roles of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in these passages)
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. (Titus 3:5)
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. (Galatians 5:22-23)
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. (Revelation 20:12-13)
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Corinthians 12:4-6 ff)

*For a more detailed explanation of our doctrinal statement and articles of faith, read the church "Constitution and By-Laws."

Plank 2: Our Mission

Our mission is to reach and teach people to become devoted disciples of Jesus Christ, sending them to serve in their families, church, communities, and around the world.

1. Where did our Mission come from?

A. The Great Commission,

Matthew 28:18-20: Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jesus commands us to make disciples.

B. The Great Commandment:

Matthew 22:34-40: Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 ‘‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: ”‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Jesus commands us to: Love God & Love those around us.

2. Three Dimensions of Our Church’s Mission:

A. Reach people: EVANGELISM

The first task is to reach those who are lost. Jesus came to seek and to save those who were lost. This mission continues in His Church.
To accomplish this strategic task we will maintain and develop programs and ministries aimed at evangelism, pre-evangelism ; community service, and care ministries. We will encourage attendees to cultivate relationships with those outside the church.
The goal is to introduce people to Jesus Christ so that they can respond in repentance, faith, and full commitment to Him.
The result will be a church that is growing with new believers where every member feels the responsibility and privilege of reaching out to lost people.
B. Teach people: DISCIPLESHIP
The next task is to teach those who have been reached. Once someone meets Christ and becomes a new creation through His blood, the role of the church has only begun. We are also called to help people to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
To accomplish this strategic task we will maintain and develop programs and ministries aimed at discipleship, equipping to share the faith and to use one’s spiritual gifts, growth in spiritual disciplines, stewardship, worship, pastoral care, and loving service.
The goal is to grow believers into spiritual maturity.
The result will be a church where every member of the body is continuously learning, being challenged, encouraged, and growing into the image of Jesus Christ.
C. Send people: DEPLOYMENT
Finally, we want to send those who have been taught. The church exists not for itself… but for others. Disciples are meant to reproduce discipleship in others! We dream of the day when every disciple will know his spiritual gift and be using it in ministry to reach and teach others to be reproducing disciples. Through "one reaching one" multiplication, the reach of the church and the power of the Gospel can reach the ends of the earth.
To accomplish this strategic task we will maintain and develop programs and ministries devoted to equipping the saints for the work of ministry.
The goal is a church that has a gift-based ministry where every member of the body is passionately involved in service.
The result will be a community of faith where every member is passionately committed to ministry in the church or through the church in local or global missions.

3. What is a Disciple?

A disciple is a person who follows Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:19). Such a person is passionate about growing in knowledge of God, in Christ-like character, and in loving service.

A. The Disciple's Identity: "A disciple is someone who follows Jesus Christ…"

The word disciple means "an apprentice." It denotes someone who learns by following. In the Bible, people who believed Jesus and obeyed His teaching were called "disciples" .

True discipleship is found only in devotion to Jesus Christ. The word devoted means set apart, wholly given over, and dedicated for a particular use. When asked what is the most important commandment, Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31). A disciple is fully committed to understanding and living out love for God and neighbor.

As disciples, we purposefully declare that our Master, Savior, and Teacher is the Lord Jesus Christ.

B. The Disciple's Journey: “Such a person is passionate about growing in knowledge of God, in Christ-like character, and in loving service."

The journey of a disciple is one of continuous growth. This growth should not cease until our last breath and we are ushered into His presence. The more disciples grow, the more aware we become of how much more growth is needed. As we grow in our knowledge of God's perfect holiness, justice, and righteousness, we became more aware of our own imperfections.

Knowledge of God. There are two ways we must "know" God. The first is to know about Him. As we learn about His nature, attributes, and His truth, we establish a base of theology and doctrine that help us to discern right from wrong and understand His will. The second is to know Him personally. He declares His love for us, demonstrated on the cross. He invites us to call Him Father and friend. He commands us to love Him with all of our being. We need to "know" the Gospel, His Word, our role in the body of Christ, and how to share our faith. Much of this knowledge comes through the spiritual disciplines of Bible study, prayer, fellowship, and stewardship. Our knowledge of God must go beyond head knowledge and become life-transforming, making us new creatures in Christ.

Christ-like Character. Disciples are reborn, new creatures, being transformed into the likeness of Christ . Jesus modeled for us the life of a disciple. He called His disciples "witnesses" which means “martyrs.” Disciples are dying to selfish purposes and living for Christ’s purposes. Others should see in us the love and character of Jesus Christ. We become more Christ-like over time as we learn to listen, obey, and live out His attitudes in our relationships with one another. Many of the qualities of Christ-like character are seen in the "fruit of the Spirit".

Loving Service. Jesus teaches that greatness in discipleship is measured in loving service . The higher we rise in discipleship, the lower we stoop in service! The disciple's life may be described as one of ongoing service that brings God glory and builds up other people. God has given to each of His disciples "spiritual gifts" to be used in service . These gifts are given that we might glorify God and edify others in the Body of Christ.

There is no greater joy than knowing God, becoming like Jesus, and serving in love! From this, life derives its greatest fulfillment and satisfaction. Ongoing growth is the normal biblical standard for all disciples of Jesus. Each year we ought to know God, reflect Christ, and serve others more fully than we could the year before. The epitaph of a faithful disciple should be that he or she knew God, was like Jesus, and a loving servant.

C. Three Areas of Growth for Every Disciple

Plank 3: Our Core Values

These core values are convictions that we hold as a church. They help define who we are and permeate all that we do.

The Bible. The Word of God is the standard against which all our activities and teachings are measured.
Prayer. We value prayer as a vital part of all our church functions. Prayer enables us to worship, to give thanks, to confess our sins, to petition God for our needs, and to intercede for others and for the world. Without a solid foundation of prayer, nothing we do will have lasting significance.
Doctrinal Diversity. We recognize that people join our fellowship from a wide variety of backgrounds. Within our evangelical understanding of faith, we enjoy a rather wide range of diversity. With the Reformers of old, we say: “In essentials, unity. In nonessentials, diversity. In all things, love.”
World Missions. From the earliest days, LCC has been passionately committed to the cause of worldwide evangelization. This commitment continues today.
Christian Education. LCC grew out of a community Sunday School program. We are committed to providing a Christian view of God and the world at all ages, through our preaching, teaching and Christian Education ministries (e.g., Sunday School, Loudonville Christian School, etc.).
The Family. The family is the most fundamental and sacred of all human relationships. We value programs and activities that enhance and strengthen family ties.
Worship. We practice a blended worship style, combining the best of traditional and contemporary forms of worship. Since God deserves our best, we seek to worship Him with excellence, honor, and in a “fitting and orderly way” (1Corinthians 14:40).
Children and Youth. Our ministry priorities reflect the high value we place on our youth and children. We’re committed to helping children and youth understand the Gospel and become devoted disciples of Jesus Christ.
Human Life. God created human beings, male and female, in His image. This makes every man and woman a creature of inestimable worth. We value every human life: old and young, born and unborn, healthy and handicapped, rich and poor. We oppose all attitudes and actions that devalue and degrade the dignity and worth of a human being made in the image of God.
Caring for One Another. We believe that Christian ministry should include caring for the total person (body, mind, and spirit). Ministry to others should respond to physical and material needs as well as spiritual and emotional ones. With the New Testament church we want to do good to all people as we have opportunity, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:10).
Community. We value a Christ-centered oneness among God’s people where members are committed to honoring and serving God together and loving one another as Christ has loved us. We aspire to become a church where “no one stands alone.”

Plank 4: Our Philosophy of Ministry

I. Why Ministry Matters

1. What is Ministry?

Ministry is service in the name of Jesus Christ. Ministry is the bridge between mission and vision. It is all that is done individually and corporately by the church to fulfill our mission and make our vision a reality. Disciples are called to serve both God and those around them for the glory of God. Ministry in two ways impacts disciples’ lives:

A. First, we come to Christ and receive ministry. As we follow Him, the Holy Spirit ministers to us through the teaching of His Word, worship, sacraments, and fellowship in the Body. The outcome of receiving ministry is growth in holiness and intimacy with God.

B. Secondly, in the name of Christ we offer ministry to others. Every disciple is called to ministry service and given spiritual gifts that we might serve God and others effectively. The outcome of offering ministry service is a stronger Body characterized by support, encouragement, loving, caring and sharing, and Christ-centered fellowship.

2. Who is Responsible for Ministry?

Everyone in the Body of Christ is called to ministry service. A misguided assumption in some churches is that the staff is hired to do the ministry to and for the congregation. Such a view has very unfortunate consequences for the local church, where the staff becomes the professional “ministers” and the congregants become “pew potatoes.” A biblical understanding of ministry concludes that the staff exists to equip and mobilize the Body toward effective ministry and spiritual maturity. Thus, every staff member is hired to serve, support, equip, and encourage the disciples toward fruitful ministry, and every believer is a minister in the Body of Christ

3. Why We Do Ministry. We do ministry because…

A. The Bible calls us to minister:

“…as the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21).

“…but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain,…” (John 15:16).

“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men…” (Galatians 6:10).

B. People Need to be Ministered to:

All people need a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Every person is valued and loved by God and so must be valued and loved by us (Luke 15).

Ministry to others is an expression of God’s love for them.

C. Disciples Need to Minister:

Every disciple of Jesus Christ is blessed with Spiritual Gifts for obedient service and edification of the community in Christ (Matthew 25, Romans12, 1Corinthians12).

Servanthood is the way of life modeled by Jesus for His followers.

“It is more blessed to give, than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

The love of Christ, which we have received, compels disciples to minister to others (2 Corinthians 5:14).

D. The Church is a Ministry Center:

Disciples are reached, taught, and sent through various methods of ministry.

Through the Holy Spirit, God has equipped the church with all the gifted people and resources needed to reach the Capital District for Christ.

Ministry is how the church does what it is here to do.

4. Essentials for Effective Ministry

A. In the Life of the Disciple:

humble heart for service motivated by agape love (1Corinthians 13)

Inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Understanding God’s call and using Spiritual Gifts He gives.

Commitment to God’s glory and the building up of others.

B. In the Life of the Church:

The priority of prayer as requisite to the success of any specific ministry initiative.

Gifted and united leadership under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Truth and integrity at all costs.

Ongoing equipping and training that sends people into gift-based service.

Oneness in purpose and strategy.

5. Five Outcomes of Effective Ministry

A. Lost people are coming to Christ.

B. Disciples are growing deeper in Christ.

C. God is being worshipped in Spirit and in Truth.

D. Disciples are mobilized in service for Christ.

E. The needs of the Body are being cared for.

Plank 5: Our Strategy of Ministry

I. Our Strategy of Ministry - How we implement the mission at LCC. All of our ministries are instruments to help people grow through this process.

II. How We Send…

Lifestyle: Being light at home, work, school, neighborhood, and recreation.

World Missions: Supporting and commissioning people to go.

Gift-based Ministry: Discovering spiritual gifts and calling to ministry.

Stewardship: Giving of time, talents and treasure.

III. How we Teach…

Community: Building up one another

Word: Teaching and applying the Bible

Faith: Sharing the Lord’s Table and Baptism

Prayer: Confession and Intercession

Worship: In Spirit and Truth

Mentoring

Service Opportunities

IV. How we Reach…

Friendship: Building relationships with people.

Service: Meeting needs around us.

Missions: Going into the world, locally and across the globe.

Proclamation: Sharing Christ in lifestyle, verbal witness, and preaching the Gospel.

Invitation: Bring people to a church service, event, or ministry.

Plank 6: Our Objectives

Objectives for Becoming a “Great Commission & Great Commandment” Church

We live out our Mission Statement (Plank 2) through the ‘ministries’ of the church. LCC has dozens of ministries which organize individual disciples to work collectively in accomplishing specific ministry purposes and goals. We are far more productive for the Kingdom of God when we serve as a body, employing the spiritual gifts and partnership that is ours in the Holy Spirit (Phil. 1:5).

Our plans for ministry development stand on the foundation of the Ministry Platform. Seven Key Areas have been identified as essential for the healthy development of LCC Ministry and effectiveness in carrying out the Church Mission. While no individual ministry will embody all seven key areas, every ministry should be purpose-driven toward one or more of the seven key areas. The table below explains the Seven Key Areas for healthy ministry and identifies church wide objectives for these areas. These objectives are subject to regular review by the Pastors and Elders that they might remain current and fresh in church leadership.

7 Key Ministry Areas . . .

Ministry Area Church Objectives

Worship – We will be a church where believers worship the Lord in spirit, truth and unity (John 4:23-24). We will help LCCers better know God through preaching, teaching, and personal spiritual growth.
2) We will teach people to worship God individually and corporately as the Body of Christ.
3) We will lead the congregation in corporate worship through heartfelt singing, prayer, Scripture, and testimonies.
4) We will blend traditional and contemporary forms of corporate worship.

Serving – We will be a church where service unto Jesus Christ is a way of life (Ephesians 4:11-16).
1) We will learn and live out biblical values for serving in ministry:

a) Our service is “gift-based” (Romans 12:4-8)
b) We serve together as a body (1Corinthians 12)
c) We are all called to serve (Galatians 5:13)
d) Serving is a lifestyle, not an event (Galatians 5:9-10)
e) We value all service (1Corinthians 12:14-20)
f) Serving is a form of good stewardship (Luke 19:11-26)

2) We will call LCCers to greater understanding and practice of “Acts 1:8 Serving-Sending” . . . In our Jerusalem (Families, Neighborhoods, Schools, Workplace)

a) In our Judea-Samaria (Capital District)
b) In our World (as World Christians)

3) We will team with para-church organizations and other churches, as appropriate, to multiply effectiveness.

Evangelism – We will be a church where the Gospel is central in all we do and we will intentionally reach out to the lost in our neighborhoods, region, and world (Matthew 28:18-20).
1) We will equip LCCers to reach the lost . . .

a) We will raise compassion for the lost
b) We will train people to share the Gospel
c) Leadership will model personal evangelism
d) We will tell salvation stories
e) We will teach and mentor lifestyle evangelism at all ages
f) We will emphasize evangelism in Sunday services

2) We will reach the lost by . . .

a) We will pray diligently for the lost
b) We will build relationships with the lost
c) We will live the life of faith so that the lost can see the difference Jesus makes
d) We will bring people to church services and events where they can meet Christ
e) We will use various media and events for outreach
f) We will follow-up and keep track of seekers and new believers
g) We will send and support world missionaries
h) Teaming in evangelistic outreach with other local ministries

Discipleship – We will be a church of devoted disciples of Jesus Christ, growing in the knowledge of God, Christ-like character, and loving service (Matthew 4:19). 1) We will challenge LCCers to greater spiritual depth and holy living at all ages.
2) We will call and equip LCCers to “make disciples” who reproduce disciples.
3) We will regularly teach a core curriculum that addresses growth in knowledge, character, and service as disciples.
4) We will offer disciple-building ministries, conferences, seminars, and workshops on a regular basis.

Community – We will be a church where people share Christ-centered brotherhood and commitment to loving, honoring, and caring for one another (Philippians 2:1-13). 1) We will build stronger church community by employing relational ministry methods whenever possible (such as small groups, leadership teams, etc.)
2) As we develop ministry, we will value and prioritize ‘people’ over ‘programs’.
3) We will improve LCC infrastructure to better care for the needs in the body so that “no one stands alone”.
4) We will endeavor to follow-up on visitors and missing LCCers.

Leadership – We will be a church where Christ-centered leadership is valued and modeled (Romans 12:8; Acts 6:3).
1) We will identify and equip spiritually gifted leaders to be highly effective church leaders.
2) We will hold LCC leaders accountable to biblical leadership values and clearly stated ministry purposes.
3) We will provide ongoing leadership development helps, and encouragements to raise up leaders who:

a) Recognize and respond to their calling by God.
b) Have a servant’s heart.
c) Develop Godly wisdom.
d) Are passionate about serving others.
e) Have Godly vision, courage, and strength.

Stewardship – We will be a church where people honor God with all the resources He has given (Luke 19:11-26). 1) We will grow in our understanding and practice of biblical stewardship as expressed in giving of our service, finances, and time through regular preaching and modeling.
2) We will train people to be godly stewards of their own finances and resources.
3) We will challenge all the giving units of the church to practice tithing.
4) We will model stewardship as a church institution by giving a significant percentage of our annual general budget to world missions and “care” needs.

Plank 7: Our Policies

The latest issue of LCC’s Policy Manual is kept in the Church Library. Ministry Leaders may direct requests for a personal copy to the Church Business Administrator.

Plank 8: Constitution