In an age of experts it can be hard to feel necessary or useful; and in an age of entertainment, it can be tempting to sit back and let others do the work. This class will explore all the ways you were created (and re-created in Christ!) to bless the body of Christ and receive blessings from others. 

Thesis: 

“Every believer has been assigned by the Holy Spirit to specific positions and activities of service, small and large, short-term and long-term. These ministry assignments have been given by the Holy Spirit to individual believers and, in turn, these individuals in their ministries have been given as gifts to the church. God deeply desires that his glory be declared to the world through the community he has brought together by his grace, a community that Paul often refers to as the body of Christ.” - Kenneth Berding

Description: 

The aim of this class is to empower each Christian believer in the discovery of their spiritual worth and calling as an essential element of the church's mandate of the gospel on mission.  It will be discerned how each member of the body of Christ is participating in the mediatorial presence of Christ through his/her calling(s) in service vis-a-vis a vital member of the body of Christ.  So vital is their ministry that it is worthy of the sacrted vow of poverty in the privilege of sharing in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of God's glory revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that … I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.  Philippians 1:27

Other than the two Plenary Sermons followed by Joint Sunday School for Q & A (see schedule), each class will meet severally within demographically diffined groups as follows:

  • 20/30s: Lead by Doug B. and Diane M. | Meet in the Parlor
  • Young Family: Lead by George L. and Jennifer C. | Meet in the 2nd Floor Library Extension (across from the copy room)
  • 40s/Middle Family: Lead by Alan T. and Meg B. | Meet in the 2nd Floor Conference Room (across from the Sr. Pastor’s Study)
  • 50+: Lead by Alan P. and Stacy R. | Meet in the Fellowship Hall

Each lesson will be provided a handout by the pastoral staff. The most relevant sources are as follows. Each participant is encouraged to read selectyion from Berding as noted in each leasson if desired.

Suggested Readings: 

Schedule: 

JANUARY 12th, First Lesson: “What are Spiritual Gifts: Rethinking the Conventional View” - Conventional View vs. Biblical Alternative Introduced. Cf. Berding Chapter 1 - (Conventional view) and Chapter 2 (The Biblical Alternative Introduced).

JANUARY 19th, PLENARY #1: (Sermon and Joint SS Q & A) “The Nature of the Church and Spiritual Ministries”

JANUARY 26th, Second Lesson: “Spiritual Abilities or Spiritual Ministries?” Biblical View Argued and Explored. Cf. Berding, Chapter 2 (review) and esp. Chapter 13. (Chapters 4-6-- don’t read, noted in handout)

FEBRUARY 2nd, Third Lesson: “There’s No ‘I’ in ‘Church’” - Paul's central concern in Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12-14; and Ephesians 4 is that every believer fulfills his or her role in building up the community of faith. Cf. Berding Chapter 7.

FEBRUARY 9th, Fourth Lesson: “Whatever Needs to Be Done: In Weakness or in Strength” - Cf. Berding Chapter 18

FEBRUARY 16th, Fifth Lesson: “Fleshing out the Body of Christ” - Paul’s lists of “gifts” in the NT are meant to be representative, not comprehensive. Cf. Berding Chapters 19-20.

(FEBRUARY 23rd is MISSIONS SUNDAY)

MARCH 1st, Sixth Lesson: “Spiritual Ministry and Authority” - Spiritual authority flows from what Christ has accomplished (EPH. 2 and then EPH. 4). Cf. Poythress article and Keller handout.

MARCH 8th, Seventh Lesson: “Discerning a Call, part 1: Personal Inventory”
Cf. http://ebcrochester.org/misc/php/LifeWaySpiritualGiftsSurvey.php, resource from PG, and Berding Chapter 22.

MARCH 15th, Eighth Lesson: “Discerning a Call, part 2: The Anatomy of the Body of Christ at CPC” - Descriptive review of ministries and services. Cf. CPC Leadership Map modified, plus “Ministries and Services” (Keller)

  • Study Guide

MARCH 22nd, PLENARY #2: (Joint SS) A Church-wide collaboration: “Going Forward as the Family of God”