Saturday May 19
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Our philosophy of ministry at GVPC emphasizes the whole gospel to the whole person in the context of the whole community. Instead of advocating a separate set of church ministry programs for every "age and stage," we encourage those in the church family to embody the love and truth of Christ by weaving the gospel into the very fabric of their existing life: recreation, daily routine, work, academic pursuits, social networks, community service, political involvement, etc. We take this kingdom-driven approach for three reasons.

First, a kingdom approach emphasizes a holistic and organic approach to life and ministry.  Every dimension of human life provides a forum for ministry. In contrast, a program-driven model leads you to think of ministry as a program to be scheduled:  you step out of your life and into ministry, and then out of ministry and back into your life.  A kingdom approach believes that all of life is ministry.  

Second, ministry in a program-driven model tends to become a juggling act that can lead to frustration, exhaustion, and burnout. Pastors become professional recruiters and members become human resources.

Third, a kingdom approach emphasizes that God calls us out of the world in order to send us into the world as ambassadors of grace and agents of reconciliation.  A dense schedule of church programs tends to draw Christians out of the community--where their influence is desperately needed--and into the isolated "bubble" of the Christian subculture. Instead of withdrawing into the safety of our fortress, God calls us to engage the culture as living testimonies to the gospel, walking trophies of His grace.  Then the church serves as a sneak preview--an advertisement--of His coming kingdom.

And Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
~John 20:21

 

The church is only the church, when it exists for others.
~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Philosophy of Ministry

To see our philosophy of ministry CLICK HERE.
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