5 core values
4. To skillfully resource our constituency
Tools for 21st-Century Ministries
By Wes Bartel
The military term logistics describes the vital task of
getting supplies to troops in the field. Without effective logistical support,
our troops can easily become casualties and the cause for which they are
fighting can be lost. Those who are on the front lines of battle are only as
effective as the resources with which they are provided.
NATO has established five important principles of logistics:
foresight, economy, flexibility, simplicity and cooperation. These attributes
are absolutely essential to the success of today’s military efforts; they are
also essential to the success of the Church’s efforts to fulfill the Great
Commission.
Foresight helps followers of Christ identify issues and
needs on the horizon in society at large. Economy is best described in a church
context as stewardship of the resources God gives. The believer who is flexible
in ministry is prepared to follow new directions and priorities at the leading
of the Holy Spirit. The gospel has always been communicated most effectively
when its truths are shared with simplicity. And there should be no lack of
cooperation within the body of Christ.
The Assemblies of God is committed to providing effective
resources to meet the need of today’s church and equip it for effective
ministry. Over the past several years many new and innovative ministry aids and
initiatives have been developed to assist every church in the fulfillment of
its important commission.
The Church Multiplication Network
In the last three years, Assemblies of God pastors have
started more than 750 new churches. The Church Multiplication Network is an
innovative ministry that helps to equip, strategically fund and innovatively
network a church planting team (churchmultiplication.net).
The National Prayer Center
The National Prayer Center provides a unique prayer ministry
linking hurting people with compassionate prayer volunteers through 1-800-4PRAYER.
The NPC also provides online resources to help people to learn how to pray more
effectively (prayer.ag.org).
Gospel Publishing House
GPH has historically functioned as the primary resource
provider for Assemblies of God churches. Several recently produced resources
are helping to meet changing discipleship needs within the church. 360 Degree
Disciples is a new book addressing the need for effective discipleship within
the church. Faith Case is a new DVD-based study for kids that covers the doctrines
of the church. Other children’s ministry tools include MEGA Sports Camp (a fun
sports-themed day camp that helps churches connect with neighborhood kids) and
Hi Point (a character-building discipleship resource). Secrets, a DVD-based
group study, is a recently released resource for women’s ministry. And a
longstanding GPH resource is Radiant Life Curriculum, which provides
cutting-edge Sunday School curriculum for every age group.
The Church Multiplication Network, National Prayer Center
and Gospel Publishing House continue to come alongside the national departments
in the Assemblies of God to offer valuable tools and products to AG churches
with the goal of maximizing each church’s ministry.
The task is vital. Every AG national ministry shares the call
to “skillfully resource our constituency” and make sure the logistical needs of
our churches are met.
WES BARTEL is the director of Discipleship Ministries for
the Assemblies of God.
E-mail your comments to pe@ag.org.
