CHAPTER 10: THE JESUS-CENTERED FLOWER COMMITTEE
(revised)
The following summary and questions are based on the book Creatures of The Word by Matt Chandler, Josh Patterson, and Eric Geiger
SUMMARY
The gospel is for the counseling ministry, the deacon nomination process, the budget planning, the custodial checklist, the equipment purchases, the hiring process, the church calendar, the facilities, the greeters…everything. Not everything is the gospel, but the gospel is for everything. One way to know how deeply the gospel is being woven into the culture of your church is to continually check the details for gospel proof. If there is gospel absence in practice, you will know what areas of your theological foundation and ministry philosophy need to be addressed.
1.
“Churches that have effectively created a volunteer culture possess a deep-seated biblical conviction that all believers are gifted for ministry, not just the ‘professional’ ministers.” (p. 185).
What are challenges inherent in this statement?
2.
“Hospitality is the means by which the church, from the ground level, models the gospel to others. And by God’s grace, the teams of people investing in hospitality will set the tone for the entire church so that everyone who has experienced the hospitality of God practices hospitality in the church.” (pp. 186-187).
What is your view of the newcomers who visit your church? In what ways are you welcoming them?
Where do they encounter the gospel at your church?
3.
Look at the questions evaluating church programs on p. 188. How can these guidelines steer programs away from the motivations of tradition, guilt, or validation and towards the gospel?
4.
“The church budget is a doctrinal statement”. (p. 192).
What does your budget reveal about your church?