Comprehensive Reflection Paper Assignment
Lynn Williams
CHMN 679 : Capstone (D01)
December 7, 2025
Contents
Part I: Soteriological Implications and Priesthood Believer......................................................1
Part II: Biblical Applications to Transform Laity into Leaders for Christ’s Work.........................2
Part III: Church Leaders and Church Extending Christ’s Kingdom..............................................5
Bibliography............................................................................................................................9
ii
1
Part I: Soteriological Implications and Priesthood Believer
I Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for
God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out
of darkness into His marvelous light;” (NASB) This scripture gives the believer in Christ a sure
identity, that all are called in the body of Christ. The call is to disciple and to know their place
and who they are within the Kingdom of God. Puritans believe that not certain people are
“called” but all believers are “called”. “Cotton Mather asserted, “Every Christian ordinarily
should have a calling. That is to say, there should be some special business…wherein a Christian
should for the most part spend the most of his time; and this, that so he may glorify God.”1 The
reason so many believers are inactive within the church is because they do not understand who
they really are and what it is that they should be doing. According to McClendon, “We have to
fight daily to label ourselves according to God’s word, battling against the untrue definitions that
surround us.”2
From reading the texts and the Scriptures it has provided extra clarity for how I see laity
and how to lead them. There is a need for strong, confident, holy, visionary pastors, and leaders
to have a healthy church which models strong discipleship. The church that I pastor, is laid out
core values and beliefs not just for the leaders but for the entire church. Core values are
principles that the church/ ministry is built upon. They are foundational truths that keep the
ministry standing up right and become a flourishing garden that produces healthy disciples that
will help build a healthy church.
By fostering an environment and atmosphere where everyone from the children to the
eldest generation will know and be taught about how vital they are to the body of Christ and
1 (Ryken 2010), 27
2 (McClendon 2018), 74
2
the Lord and His work. I am currently teaching on how to be more like Christ, building Christ-like
character. This series is not only going to help those I am leading but bring me to more
selfawareness as a pastor. “Spurgeon helps us with proper self-awareness (how we see
ourselves), social awareness (how we read our members and our harvest field), and Spirit of
God awareness (how we personally relate to God—this informs and guides all our attitudes and
actions towards others)”.3
My view of God must be healthy and constantly build intimacy with Him to help me in
leading His people. “Spurgeon knew the work of a pastor was to represent Christ and lead
others to know and represent Christ—so they could lead others to know and serve Him.”4 As I
worship, pray, serve God the leaders and people are looking at me to be their example here on
earth. Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy his spiritual son in 2 Timothy 2:2, “and what you have
heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men,[e] who will be able to
teach others also”. (ESV) Keeping my eyes on the Lord and remaining in a spirit of humility, will
breed leaders and follow believers who have a heart for the Lord and His work.
Part II: Biblical Applications to Transform Laity into Leaders for Christ’s Work
The Pastor with the guidance of the Holy Spirit is at the helm of the leadership within
the local church. For the church to have a sense of direction and ordered structure, the Pastor
should bear a strong standing in faith and spiritual foundation in the Lord to guide His people
and uphold the structure of the church. Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision the people
perish”
3 (Earls 2022), 176
4 (Earls 2022), 180
3
(KJV) Not only is the pastor at helm of the local church but also has the responsibility of helping
to cultivate a healthy environment in which not just for the members to grow and become
spiritually develop but also the laity into strong leaders for the work of the Lord.
Strong leaders are the backbone to any local church or ministry. Exodus 17:8-17, gives
the account of Moses and the children of Israel fighting against the Amalekites at Rephidim,
God had given Moses the uphold his staff up on the hill to give encouragement to the men of
war as long as Moses held the staff they were prevailing. When Mose would lower his staff the
Amalekites would prevail, but there were two standing with Moses, Aaron, and Hur. It was the
action of Aaron and Hur upholding the arms of Moses so that the children of Israel would win
the battle against the Amalekites. Aaron and Hur’s support of Moses give an example of how
the leadership plays the crucial role of helping the pastor in the work of the Lord in the local
church.
Just as Jesus discipled the Disciples, so must the pastor disciple those lay members who
will become the leaders within the local church. In the modern world there are many local
churches that do not have a structured plan in developing their leaders, weak leadership can
bring destruction to a local church. “We must always look to the Savior and study what He
practiced and the principles He applied, particularly His investing in the Twelve and why He gave
more time to Peter, James, and John.”5 As a pastor I must have a keen eye and develop those
that God has entrusted me to lead, and call out the called.
The church that I pastor God gave me a model for leadership. One part of the leadership
development is the C.O.R.E Team, it stands for Christ leadership development, Ordained chosen
and validated by God, Revealed by the Holy Spirit to the pastor, Empowerment is the intentional
transfer of authority to an emerging leader. This C.O.R.E team is just that those who were just
5 (Earls 2022), 177
4
like Peter, James and John was to Jesus, they are to me. I noticed their keen awareness of the
Holy Spirit, their dedication to the vision of the church, their love for the Lord, and their
reliability. This particular team consists of only a handful of individuals that the Lord has shown
me to serve as executive leaders within our church. As the pastor I know that I must be a Godly
example for all of the leadership within our local church, as Paul exhorted to Timothy in 2
Timothy 2:1-2 and they in turn will do the same with the other laity and members.
The other forms of leadership development that are practiced at our church is our
School of Ministry and Leadership Training Academy. It our goal to provide a curriculum to
produce strong Godly leadership that is modeled through the gospels and biblical teachings.
Those who are being developed as leaders must meet certain qualifications like those that Paul
shared with Timothy and Titus. Titus 1: 6-9, 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and others that are in alignment
with the scriptures. The School of Ministry is for those who are called to be in the five-fold
ministry. The School of Ministry has two levels, beginners and advanced. The beginner’s level is
a six-toeight-month curriculum based on various doctrines such as scriptures, the Trinity,
salvation, also preaching and pulpit etiquette amongst other needed essential spiritual
developmental tools and knowledge. The Leadership Academy is an on-going spiritual
development training, to be disciples of Christ, is to always be learning and following the
example of Christ. Any leadership training should be centered around the gospels this is where
we learn about true discipleship, if not then it is a gospel less church leadership. “It also means
that the longer we think people can be Christians without being disciples (that they can believe
in Jesus without following him), the more we’ll see our best disciple-making efforts fail (no
matter how sincere we might be or how much money we might spend).”6
6 (Hull 2018), 30
5
In the Leadership Academy we start off the training with what I call “The Five Pillars of
Leadership,” which is commitment, humility, excellence, truth, and passion. It is taught that
these pillars are expected to be evident in the service and life of every leader within our local
church. It is expected that the life of leader resembles a Christ-like character and attitude. Jesus
in the gospels always challenged His followers to think about the cost to follow after Him, by
bearing their own crosses daily. It is in bearing our own crosses that brings forth transformation
and Christ-like characteristics. “Following Jesus comes at a significant cost. That is why Jesus
challenges us to consider the personal cost involved and commit to him supremely, not just
above every other relationship but even above our own desires and life.”7 This is crucial in the
life of the believer in Christ especially more for leaders in the Church because there is a given
responsibility and accountability from God in regards to their call for service. The forms of
leadership development that is instituted through the church I pastor, has shown to be
productive and spirit led and I pray that it continues to be that way.
Part III: Church Leaders and Church Extending Christ’s Kingdom
The biblical culture is where the teachings of the Bible help in shaping the very aspects
of the church through producing a communal environment where spiritual growth, character
building, and relationships with fellow believers. The principles that are laid out by a church to
practice can have a great influence over how that church worships, serve, teaches, the believes
of the Scriptures, even as how Christ is seen and valued. The Apostle Paul provided some
muchneeded advice to his sons in the ministry Timothy and Titus in his pastoral letters. In his
letters to them I notice the words “sound doctrine” Titus 1:9, 1 Timothy1:10 being spoken to
them in regard to staying true and not being led astray by the false teachers and false doctrines
7 (McClendon 2018), 90
6
that was floating around. Sound doctrine is healthy doctrine that is contrary to false doctrine
that leads to immoral character and disobedience to God.
As leaders/pastors we are upheld to a higher standard because the doctrine that we stand
under directly affects all the people that follow leaders. Jesus warns Luke 17:2, about leading
others astray, so staying true to the scriptures and the teachings of the gospels will cultivate a
healthy church and culture within the local church and the Church. Hull and Sobels states, “The
gospel that Jesus preached was punctuated by God’s kingdom. The different “gospels” being
preached today are not. A gospel without God’s kingdom isn’t Jesus’ gospel”.8 If you asked some
people what the church is and its mission they would not know because is it not being
cultivated. “Billy Graham wrote, “The situation in the organized and institutional church today is
in danger … One of the problems is that the average person [member] has little concept of what
the true church really is.”9 As a pastor this is a goal for me is not to put our church in the danger
zone by not cultivating the gospel or the true understanding of the church.
It is the mission of The Lighthouse Worship Church to share the love of God through the
gospel of Jesus Christ and develop disciples to have a thirst and hunger for righteousness. The
church that is different and making a difference. The mission of our church is centered around
the Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20 and being the light of the world, Matthew 5:14-16.
The culture of our church is centered on being disciples for Christ. Knowing and understanding
the gospels and the working of the cross Helps to cultivate culture of service, love, humility,
unity, and Kingdom mindset. As the pastor I understand and know that whatever is put in place
however I connect with the members and as well as my relationship with God will ultimately
8 (Hull 2018), 50
9 (Earls 2022), 150
7
have an effect on the environment of our church and atmosphere. The Church, whether
universal or locally, has been called to be disciples and to disciple others. In the modern church
we exclude what Jesus spoke in Matthew 4:19, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”
(KJV), this was a call to discipleship not just for those of the first century but to any that would
believe in Him throughout the ages. “Spurgeon believed Scripture to teach that every follower
of Christ is a minister, missionary, and disciple-maker.”10 The culture of the church I pastor that
everyone will have the understanding they are all disciples. This is to be accomplished through
various practices and teachings that are implemented in our ministry.
When someone joins our ministry, they attend new member classes which is for duration
of seven weeks. Within those seven weeks they are taught fundamental truths about their
salvation, about being discipled, learning about the Holy Spirit, finding their fit in the church and
some other necessary information that is going to help them in their new journey. At the
completion of the new members’ class, they will receive certificates and have a mentor as well
as being engaged in other parts of the ministries. We also have the implementation of Bible
studies weekly along with discipleship courses in which everyone is invited and encouraged to
be a part of. We also have evangelism meetings where we discuss ideas on how to reach others
outside of the walls of the church. Not only do we hold evangelism meetings, but we also do
community activities providing social services as well as feeding the less fortunate and being a
helping hand to those in need.
Family is very important and we encourage family at our church so through various programs
and even conferences and periodically family Bible studies are held at the church. For the
Puritans families were of great importance because they believed that families were created to
glorify God. Healthy families produce healthy societies, the church’s focus on the family needs
10 (Earls 2022), 149
8
to increase so that families can even a greater impact on our society. ““Well-ordered families,”
said Cotton Mather, “naturally produce a good order in other societies.””11 Building healthy
families is a part of our church culture because they also have the ability to grow God’s
kingdom.
“God has a master plan, and it includes us. Look closely at what Paul also wrote. “All this
is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of
reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins
against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore
Christ’s ambassadors…” (2 Cor. 5:18–20a).”12 We are all called to do a work in this earth, no
matter the creed, financial status, God graciously saved us for himself. Paul wrote in Romans
12:1, that we are” to render ourselves as living sacrifices holy accept unto God which is our
reasonable service” ESV, which means the least we can do is look beyond ourselves and see the
greater need. As long as I am here in the earth I pray to be able to help others to become more
like Christ.
Bibliography
Earls, Rod. Spurgeon's Theology for Multiplying Disciples and Churches: The Story of How
Spurgeon and the Metropolitan Tabernacle Followe Christ. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock,
2022.
Hull, Bill and Sobels, Ben. The Discipleship Gospel: What Jesus Preached-We Must Follow.
HIM Publications, 2018.
McClendon, Adam. Square One: Back to the Basics. Chicago: Histria Books, 2018.
11 (Ryken 2010), 74
12 (McClendon 2018), 103
9
Ryken, Leland. Worldly Saints: The Puritans as They Really Were. Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan Academic, 2010.
