by
Tracey A.
Coleman
CHMN201
Introduction to Church Ministries
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Submitted to Dr. Bethany Lay,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
1
Contents
Teaching the Truth...................................................................................................................2
What Should Be Taught.................................................................................................2
Methods of Teaching......................................................................................................2
Sharing and Receiving the Gospel..........................................................................................3
Conversion.....................................................................................................................3
Evangelism.....................................................................................................................3
Membership and Church Discipline......................................................................................4
Membership...................................................................................................................4
Church Discipline..........................................................................................................4
Spiritual Leadership................................................................................................................5
Requirements for Spiritual Leadership..........................................................................5
Activities of Spiritual Leadership..................................................................................4
Conclusion ...............................................................................................................................6
Bibliography ............................................................................................................................7
Teaching the Truth
What Should Be Taught
The Bible should be the primary source of teaching and instruction in the church The
Bible is the inspired Word of God it is the absolute truth. The use of Extrabiblical Sources can
add additional context, historical data, and insight into biblical facts. My thoughts have not
changed as they relate to teaching God’s word because of my strong belief in the inerrancy of
scripture and belief that “the Bible alone, the written Word of God, is the ultimate authority for
all matters of faith and practice. This is the consistent teaching of Scripture.”1 (2 Timothy 3:16
New International Version) “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…”
Methods of Teaching
Leaders should be equipped with the skills to teach God’s word effectively. Jesus's
methods of teaching consisted of storytelling, repetition, and asking questions. All of these are
methods that can be used in teaching God’s word effectively Expository teaching is another
effective method that should be practiced. “A church in which there is expositional preaching
will be a church that encourages Christian growth.”2 My thoughts have not changed as they
relate to effectively teaching God’s word. Jesus's style of teaching has set the example that we
should follow. (Isaiah 28:10-11 NIV) “For it is: Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that; a
little here, a little there.” Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues, God will speak to
this people…”
1 Stewart, 2018.
2 Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, Fourth Edition., 182.
2
Membership and Church Discipline
Sharing and Receiving the Gospel
Conversion
“Conversion is literally turning: turning from sinning to repenting of our sins and turning
from trusting in ourselves to trusting only in Christ to reconcile us to God.”3 True conversion has
a submissive, loyal, intimate, pure, focused, sin-hating, humble heart.”4 These characteristics
along with the confession and belief in Christ are evidence of Christianity and true conversion.
My thoughts have not changed as they relate to conversion. There must be sincere, true
repentance and reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit to perform the work of conversion of the
mind and heart of the believer. (James 4:7-9 NIV) “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the
devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your
hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Evangelism
The role of evangelism in the church is the collective effort of telling the good news of
Jesus Christ and pointing the way to Salvation that is provided through him. My thoughts have
not changed as they relate to evangelism. Scripture explains the necessity of evangelism in
(Ephesians 4:12 NIV) “To equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may
be built up.” Christ has mandated in (Matthew 28:19 NIV) “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,”
“This is a matter of obedience as Christians…. we glorify God when we evangelize”5
3 Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, Fourth Edition., 94.
4 Mueller, 2022.
5 Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, Fourth Edition., 110
3
4
Spiritual Leadership
Membership
The role of membership is to assemble, protect the Gospel, love one another, pray for the
leaders, and evangelize the world. Membership can be formal or informal depending on the
congregation as long as the focus remains on the goals of evangelism, mission, and outreach. My
thoughts have not changed as they relate to the importance of Christian membership It is a
corporate and collective effort. “Church membership provides a profound means of telling the
world that we are followers of Christ.” 6 (Ephesians 4:16 NIV) “From him the whole body,
joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each
part does its work.”
Church Discipline
Discipline has its place in the church and is a necessary action to bring about correction,
inspiration, and accountability. My thoughts have changed as I have a better understanding of
how critical the absence of discipline can be within the church. This lesson has taught me to view
discipline positively and establish biblical “riverbanks in the approach to disciplining.” “If we
take Paul’s instructions apart, we can learn the type of spirit needed to confront effectively and to
“convince, rebuke, encourage, have great patience, and to teach.” 7 (Hebrews 12:11 NIV) “No
discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of
righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
6 Osborne, 2021.
7 Gutierrez, Everyday Ministry, 2070.
Requirements for Spiritual Leadership
Spiritual leaders are required to be spirit-filled, reputable, and effective authoritative
figures leading with compassion and sympathy and most of all with the love of Christ. My
thoughts have not changed as they relate to the importance of spiritual leadership. Spiritual
leader. My thoughts have not changed as they relate to the requirements of spiritual leadership.
“Inside local congregations, the leaders are to reflect the character of Christ, something of his
roles and responsibilities to the requirements for spiritual leadership.” 8 (Colossians 3:23-24
NIV) “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human
masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the
Lord Christ you are serving.”
Activities of Spiritual Leadership
The spiritual leader is responsible for overseeing the church, leading, and shepherding the
flock with patience and compassion. Exhibit a life of service, sound teaching, preaching, and
delving into reading the truth. Praying for the flock, visiting the sick, exhortation, edifying the
church, and proclaiming the word of God. My thoughts have not changed as they relate to the
activities of spiritual leadership. “Jesus defined leadership as service and His definition applies
whether a leader works in a secular or church organization.” 9 Jesus' attitude of service should be
the example that should be followed by those who are spiritual leaders. (Mark 10:45 NIV) “For
even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for
many.”
Conclusion
8 Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, Fourth Edition., 219. 9
Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 151.
5
Bibliography
6
In conclusion, The Bible should be the primary source of teaching and instruction in the
church The Bible is the inspired Word of God it is the absolute truth. Leaders should be equipped
with the skills to teach God’s word effectively. Jesus's methods of teaching consisted of
storytelling, repetition, and asking questions. True conversion has a submissive, loyal, intimate,
pure, focused, sin-hating, humble heart.” Scripture explains the necessity of evangelism in
(Ephesians 4:12 NIV) “To equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may
be built up.” The role of membership is to assemble, protect the Gospel, love one another, pray
for the leaders, and evangelize the world.
Spiritual leaders are required to be spirit-filled, reputable, and effective authoritative
figures leading with compassion and sympathy and most of all with the love of Christ. Jesus'
attitude of service should be the example that should be followed by those who are spiritual
leaders. (Mark 10:45 NIV) “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
7
Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, Fourth Edition., 9Marks: Building Healthy
Churches (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021), 219.
Stewart, Don. What Source or Sources Should Be Used to Compile Christian Doctrine? (The
Bible or the Church?). July 18, 2018.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/stewart_don/faq/bible-basics/question3-what-
sources-should-be-used-to-compile-doctrine.cfm (accessed AUGUST 11, 2023).
Ben Gutierrez, “Confronting Sin,” in Everyday Ministry: Applying the Christian Faith (B&H
Academic, 2010), 2070.
Sanders, J. Oswald. Spiritual Leadership Principles of Excellence for Every Believer. Chicago:
Moody Publishers, 2007.
Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, Fourth Edition., 9Marks: Building Healthy
Churches (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021), 182
Ibid., 94.
Mueller, Chirs. The Heart Of Genuine Conversion (James 4:7-10). February 13, 2022.
https://media.faith-bible.net/scripture/james/the-heart-of-genuine-conversion/ (accessed
August 12, 2023).
Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, Fourth Edition., 9Marks: Building Healthy
Churches (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021), 110.
Osborne, Michael E. Why Church Membership? July 30, 2021.
https://tabletalkmagazine.com/posts/why-church-membership/ (accessed August 12,
2023).
