|
With respect to new Christian leaders, how can you not respect a divinely-inspired outlook to do things right away? Not many things are as amazingly wonderful to witness as the unbridled faith of a Christian who is determined to do the Lords will. If this is just like you, we both know you will definitely forcefully advance Gods kingdom. While others may already
be part of a ministry, you consider starting a church from its infancy and entering the pastoral ministry. Which probably means that you want to spread the Word right away. Before that happens, take some time to think through some necessary questions. Have you really examined what it takes to ensure a robust and hearty body of Believers for years to come? Time invested to carefully evaluate how a body of Believers may be made strong and excellent, is always time well-spent. These are among the main things that better make up your initial risk management strategy.
Thoughtfully establish a constitution, which is worthy of consideration in its value to a ministry. While the by lawswhich are frequently included in the same documentaddress mostly director and corporate protocol, the constitution should deal with the most important
and uniquely church-related matters. Examples of what these include are: a declaration of the churchs primary purpose and faith principles; precepts and sacraments;
ministers' sacerdotal functions; ordination practices; elements of membership; legal and religious authority; decisions concerning clergy; and other such concerns. You must have balance, as neither the constitution nor a church by law record can contain everything that could possibly occur in Gods church. After a while, it may become unwieldy. Even worse, by trying to be exhaustive in the church-related issues you include, you could defeat yourself. Essentially, a determined litigant could make a case that if you stuffed everything imaginable into the by laws, what you specifically left out you intended to not include. This can be impossible to rebut.
Establish choices about legal and religious authority in a church, which involve the guidelines by which a church is administered and decisions are made. Christians can be confused by authority in the church. Its not the concept that eludes them, but how its employed.
Some believe church governance should just be understood. Others think that church authority is directed by the scriptures, and people of God should simply know it and submit to it. Still others dont really give it much thought and will simply shoot from the hip along the way. As a result, despite their relevance to help start new church ministries, structures of authority are forgotten. This is about much more than how to define authority in a body of Believers. Various avenues exist to realize that and ministries are able to do as they decide. The real issue is that completely ignoring the matter leaves the ministry open to intrusion by secular courts. In the event of a dispute, courts can create a concept of church authority that was never bargained for by the ministry group. And that is never good because secular courts are not spiritually fit to choose what is right for a body of Believers, even when pastors have failed to decide for themselves.
Above all things, adopt these two wise steps and youll be seventy-five percent of the way to an effective practice of protecting the ministry that will serve your members well for generations. Youll be able to see additional issues to address in time. But, you cant afford to forget the Big Two when just starting a ministry. Also seek more information about how to start a church or ministry from expert sources and professionals who work primarily with Christian organizations. And may the Lord bless all your efforts done in faith!
|