The student should explain the philosophy of ministry of the church they are observing. They
should discuss the vision statement, mission statement, core values, and strategy statement of the
church (Not every church may have each of these statements but do your best to discuss the
explicit and implicit statements for all four). The student should also explain how each of these
aspects of the philosophy of ministry is or is not fleshed out within the ministry.
The paper should follow Turabian format, double spaced, and be 3-5 pages in length. Make sure
to including headings stating which topic you are discussing. Example headings would be
Philosophy of Ministry, Mission Statement, etc. The paper should be submitted to Blackboard by
the due date.
Description Points
ContentFollowing instructions:125
discussing the philosophy
of ministry of the church,
explaining the vision and
mission statements, strategy
statements and core values.
FormatFollowed Turabian style25
formatting: cover page,
bibliography, footnotes,
double-spaced, etc.
WritingSpelling, Grammar, college25
level writing
Length3-5 Pages25
Total 200
Introduction
Growing up in both the North and the South, my family always attended pretty small
churches. I grew up with a hymnal that had my name engraved into the cover and I was taught all
the old gospel songs from a super young age. My grandma's church was always my favorite, and
still to this day I love to travel down there on Sunday mornings and visit all the old people who
still call me by my full name and tell endless stories of me from my younger years running
around the church. I love knowing everyone and everything and being able to call everyone by
their name. Grandma's church was only about 30 people at most, whereas my home church
reached closer to a hundred. Now as you can imagine, the day I switched churches when I started
high school, attending Sunday morning service to sit with an overabundance of youth. The same
amount of people total from my old church, was the same number of members in the youth group
alone. Over time, I took it to heart to grow close with a lot of people and get to know everyone,
especially call them by name.
In the Beginning
Beginning my fall semester here at Liberty, as it is incredibly encouraging to find a
church and stick to it, build relationships, and keep those bonds all four years. I started the hunt
for churches, trying different services here and there until I was continuously drawn back to
Thomas Road Baptist Church. After spending a lot of time in prayer, especially since my initial
thought was honestly quite opposed to attending such a large church. I have grown quite fond of
the church and the people within it. Starting my practicum this second semester, I joined the
TRBC choir and immediately fell in love with it. Aside from this being a way to serve, I have
loved just being a part of something that has such a close connection to the heart of the church.
Getting to stand and praise not only personally, but lead the church family in worship, being on
that side of things, it’s so beautiful watching everyone lift their hands and lay themselves down
before the Lord. I also joined a co-ed small group, started attending a women's bible study
focusing on Ruth, and spent time after service getting to know the elders around me. Something I
love about this church is even though the size and the number of people may be super large, they
have what may seem like endless amounts of rows and seats that somehow always feel as though
they may not fit everyone Sunday mornings, plus a whole balcony of more people. The church
can also feel really small. People may not always remember the faces they see every week or
even remember people's names. However, there is a way about this church that everyone can feel
super loved, welcomed, and enough. There is a community that constantly has room for more.
That encourages you to go out and live your life the way you are called, seek those that need a
place to feel loved, and bring everyone together and support one another in such a way that
mocks the characteristics and the life of the Lord.
Mission Statement
TRBC’s mission statement is to Love God and Love People. “Our mission is to change
the world by developing Christ-Followers who love God and love people.” After spending even
just a short bit of time there, even someone who knew could assume their mission statement and
it resembles something very alike to what it actually is. The away you can see this being lived
out through the people, from the second they walk in the door, to the moment they leave. Even in
class, my professors who attend Thomas Road live lives that resemble the life of Jesus and have
a character that is so joyful and rejoices each day because of their obedience and dependency on
him.
One of the first services I attended had a baby benediction. It seemed like 100 little
babies were brought forward and introduced to their church families and presented before the
congregation. My understanding changed completely that day and had lit a passion in my heart
for a longing to bear children, as well as raise them upon a beautiful foundation of Christ so they
might too come to know Him one day. As a baby, my parents had me baptized but I actually
gave my life to Christ several years later when I actually developed an understanding of life with
the Lord. In the summer of junior year, I decided to get baptized because of what I had learned
about the importance of sharing the decision to follow Jesus. After getting called into a ministry
that same summer and realizing where I was planning on going to college, by proclaiming my
faith and sharing this season of life with my church family, it opened the door for their
encouragement through each of these next few seasons as well.
Seeing Thomas Road dedicate themselves; the church members and the families of the
children bring forth a baby, we all welcomed another one of God's beautiful creations and
pronounced we will now support, love, and encourage this child through all the seasons to come.
What an amazing gift that is.
Not only that but seeing it live out through all the offered ministries on campus. Whether
it's small groups, bible studies, Sunday school, and so much more. So many different
communities and ministries in one for everyone at any age and at any stage of life. newlyweds?
Divorced? Widowed? College or high school? Babies and infants? Elders? Literally, everyone
can come and feel so loved!! Feel this and seek it in the Lord and understand what it means to
live this life on a mission and go out and share with those around you!
Vision Statement
“Thomas road wants to compassionately serve our local community, as well as actively
participate in missions around the world. We want to reach our city and the “uttermost parts of
the earth.” Jesus was moved with compassion as He ministered to the multitudes.” This being
their vision statement as well as one that is constantly lived out is really important. It not only
lets the church body know where the church stands but others outside the church. Their vision is
to seek out everyone. In and outside the walls of the church and live out the Great Commission.
There are also constant groups going on missions. Whether it's around Lynchburg or
signing up to travel across the nation come the summer. Or even simply within the US. The
church is regularly doing things on mission and encouraging everyone to join in as well.
Core Values
Strategy Statement
This isn’t necessarily the statement of their strategies, but knowing some of TRBC’S
main values are to be prayer-focused, community-focused, worship, and scripture-focused. Sets a
pretty good standard to follow that the people live out. Especially those in leadership, knowing if
you are starting out at this church, you will be encouraged and taught biblically, everything
revolving around the word of God straight out of scripture, as well as building a community that
is for you, constantly praying for you. And one of the most beautiful pictures representing this
church is for anyone, who is watching the small section every Sunday where various leaders
stand up and sign to one another and translate the message to those who are hard of hearing and
deaf. How cool is that!!
Conclusion
I had no idea I’d even get the chance to experience something like this. Being the oldest,
coming to college, the first child to even leave the house. It’s been a whole new world. So much
about me and my life has changed. Especially my heart. Getting to experience this and getting
more encouragement through doing this practicum. I am so blessed, to say the least for this
opportunity. My calling in ministry is with the youth and just people and missions in general. It’s
something I know in the future I will plug more into, especially in leadership positions. This
semester has just been amazing getting to ride along and get a feel for what exactly all of this is.
Whether it’s been the practical in general, getting more involved in a church on my own, or
simply just being a ministry major student at LU. I cannot wait to see all the Lord does with me
and how He uses Thomas Road over the next few years!
