Grace Church of Napa Valley

Introduction

A Philosophy of Ministry details the principles of how we intend to fulfill the mission of the church. This is not a comprehensive doctrinal statement, rather it is the application of doctrine to the practices of Grace Church of Napa Valley.

Acknowledging the Lordship of Christ and the Sufficiency of His Word, the Church seeks to Bring Glory to God by Making Disciples of Jesus relying on the Power of the Holy Spirit under the Oversight of Exemplary Leaders in the context of Christ-Centered Community, as we await His Immanent Return.

  1. The Lordship of Christ: Jesus is in Charge (Colossians 1:18, Revelation 17:14). Therefore, we submit to His will in all things.
  2. The Sufficiency of His Word: He has revealed His will and provided everything we need to know for salvation and sanctification that we might please God in all respects (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3). Therefore, everything we do must have Biblical warrant. We devote ourselves to studying, applying, and teaching God's Word in every area of life.
  3. The Church: Is the collective of all believers throughout all time (Ephesians 1:22-23). Jesus' work is focused on building His Church, both in numbers and in godliness (Matthew 16:18). Therefore, our priority is the edification and replication of the Church.
  4. Glory to God: God's purpose for us is that we live to magnify His glory, Jesus being the radiance of it (1 Corinthians 10:31, Hebrews 1:3). Therefore, we seek to orient our desires and decisions around the glory of God and to worship Him according to His matchless worth.
  5. Making Disciples: This is the mission of the Church, to make followers of Jesus by preaching the Gospel and teaching believers to obey everything Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:19-20). According to Scripture, the church accomplishes this by continually preaching, praying, singing, connecting, serving, training, reaching out, and checking in (Acts 2:42-47). Therefore, we will stay focused on our mission and not allow "mission creep" to distract us and dilute our efforts toward politics, cultural transformation, social justice, or humanitarian projects. Individual believers and organizations may chose to become involved in these kinds of things, but they are not the Church's primary mission.
  6. Power of the Holy Spirit: All spiritual fruit comes through the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of individuals (Galatians 5:22-23, Acts 1:8). Therefore, we prayerfully labor to make disciples by trusting in His Word and in His timing, and that without compromise. We will not rely on business techniques, religious rituals, or crafty schemes for Church Growth.
  7. Oversight of Exemplary Leaders: God has ordained the basic structure, qualifications, functions, and standards for leadership in His Church (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9). Therefore, without compromise, we will only appoint leaders that meet the biblical qualifications and who will strive to lead according to God's designs. They will give oversight and direction to every ministry of the Church. The members will submit to leadership with humility and honor, unless their leaders ask them to sin (Hebrews 13:17). Leaders will be held accountable to biblical qualifications.
  8. Christ-Centered: God's desire for His Church is that they be centered on Jesus in all of the following ways: Listen to Christ, Believe Christ, Love Christ, Worship Christ, Know Christ, Obey Christ, Imitate Christ, Proclaim Christ, Depend on Christ, and Let the Word of Christ dwell richly among us (Colossians 3:16, John 15:5). Therefore, we will ensure that everything we do is centered on Christ alone and not on man.
  9. Community: God intends His Church to be an interdependent community of believers who partner in the spread of the Gospel and who build one another up in the faith by speaking the truth in love, by meeting one another's needs, and by holding one another accountable to Jesus commands (Ephesians 4:15-16, Acts 2:44-45). Effective discipleship can only take place in Christ-Centered Community. Therefore, we will structure our events, calendars, ministries, and teaching content to foster relationships and a welcoming community among our members.
  10. His Imminent Return: Jesus has promised to return at any moment (Revelation 22:20, Matthew 24:42-44). This gives us endurance and urgency. Therefore, we will remind one another of this truth and work with hopeful urgency knowing that the time is near.

How Disciples are Made

4 Commitments to Fulfill the Great Commission

Philosophy of Church Finances

Scope and Sequence:

“The Lordship of Christ”

“The Sufficiency of His Word”

“The Purpose”

“The Mission of the Church: Making Disciples”

“The Power of the Holy Spirit”

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Contexts of Discipleship:

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SOS Training Path:

  1. Membership Class
  2. Fundamentals of the Faith
    1. Completed Workbook
  3. Hermeneutics
    1. Read Fee
  4. OT 1 & 2 1.
  5. NT 1 & 2
  6. Theology 1 & 2
    1. Read MacArthur