Ministry Teams
We believe the church is part of God’s plan for His people (Matthew 16:18), therefore serving Him must be central to our purpose and our programming. What a church believes will shape how it lives, and the vision of our church is to love, live, and serve like Jesus.
We believe that God never intended for only one person to carry the entire responsibility for the church, the Body of Christ. Examples of teamwork in the Bible are Jesus and His apostles, Peter and John, Paul and Barnabas, and Timothy, Paul and Silas. In Romans 12:4-5 we read that, just as there are many parts to our bodies, there are many parts to Christ’s body. No one person possesses all the abilities necessary to make a church fulfill its purpose. If we are to have a fully functioning ministry, teamwork is crucial. Prayerfully and with good communication, each of our ministry teams works together with the pastoral staff to ensure all are working toward a common goal, namely reaching more people with the gospel. We have received a diversity of gifts, talents, and resources, and as faithful stewards, our goal is to present them to God.
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed” Ecclesiastes 4:9.
The Role of Ministry Teams in the church
As a Ministry Team focuses on its area of ministry, the members brainstorm, strategize, make decisions, make recommendations, and then plan how to effectively put into action God’s design, purpose and vision for His church.
A ministry team works to equip and empower God’s people in ministry. A network of workers (shepherds) can come out of ministry teams. In Ephesians 4:11-12, we read that God gave some the responsibility and ability “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Because a pastor cannot effectively equip everyone in the congregation, ministry leaders have the potential to disciple and shepherd those within their ministry.
Ministry Teams model the interconnectedness of God’s family. As they enjoy fellowship with one another and work together to accomplish goals, they remember that their work is done for Him and through Him. “In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord” Ephesians 2:21. It is Jesus from whom “the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” Ephesians 4:16.
Ministry team members collaborate; they share responsibilities, leadership roles, and the workload; they understand what needs to be accomplished; they know how the work being done connects to the overall vision of the church.
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7.
Children’s Ministry Team
Our team has a heart for God, a passion for God’s Word, and a love for children. In Children’s Ministry, we partner with parents to guide each child’s heart toward God. We intentionally partner with parents because they are usually the primary influence on their child’s spiritual formation. We will do everything we can to turn the children’s hearts toward God, but ultimately each child will choose whether or not to heed the call of Jesus.
In Scripture, the heart encompasses our thinking, our will, and our emotions. Our goal is that just as we, the team, have a heart for God, our students will also learn to have a heart for God. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” Proverbs 4:23.
Our purpose: In the early years of Sunday School, the children will learn what the Bible and Christianity are all about. As they progress through the grades, we will encourage students to receive Jesus Christ as their Saviour; teach them how to put what they know about being a Christian into practice in their daily lives, and teach them how to worship God.
Our mission is to meet children at their level of development as we teach them about the love of Jesus, forgiveness and salvation, and the truths of the Bible.
Our vision is that the children will have an abundance of Bible verses committed to memory. They will know the Bible as God’s unchanging word, will embrace the Bible, will know Jesus as the one who loves them, will grow in their spiritual walk, and will be eager to share the gospel message with others.
Plan to Protect: With the safety of our children and youth in mind, we have implemented Plan to Protect policies and protocols for all children and youth programming. The entrance to our children’s wing is locked, all classrooms have large windows, there are student sign-in protocols, washroom policies and monitors, teacher and volunteer screening, as well as training sessions for the staff. We desire that our children and youth come to know Jesus in a safe and loving environment.
“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord…So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting His glorious miracles and obeying His commands” Psalm 78:4 and 7.
Connections Ministry Team
In one sense, the world has never been more connected. We text, e-mail, tweet, post on Instagram, and our iPhone is always nearby. All communication must be quick, or we become impatient. And yet, we have never been more isolated, more disconnected. We spend more time on social media than talking to family, friends, or neighbours.
God never meant for His creation to be isolated. In Genesis 1 and 2 we read that mankind was created to be in a relationship with God and in relationship with each other. We are made in the image of God, who is love. But to love, you need someone to love, which leads to our dilemma: how can we lovingly connect with others in a society that is connected yet disconnected at the same time? More importantly, how can we lead disconnected people to a connection with Christ and the Body of Believers?
As team members, we will use our interpersonal and networking skills to build connections with those who visit our church. We are personable, sociable, are enthusiastically willing to serve Christ and His church and above all, we desire to present a Christ-like image in our interactions.
Our purpose is to facilitate connections among our congregants as well as with our community. We want to be alert to the need for connections and how we can serve those needs.
Our mission is to provide our congregants with opportunities to develop connections and foster unity through Christ-centered spiritual relationships within our church and community.
Our vision is to make disciples of Jesus Christ so that the world might be transformed. If we connect with God, connect with each other, and connect with our community, ultimately, we will connect with the world and begin leading people to Christ.
Our goal is to encourage meaningful relationships through love and trust while pointing people to Jesus. We strive to encourage and nurture each other to grow in faith and love. We will share the love of Jesus with the community of believers and unbelievers, not only in word but also in deed.
Events
“Fellowship in the Fall” and the Annual Church Picnic are two events that are popular with all age groups and provide the opportunity to connect, reconnect, and fellowship.
“Bicycle Rides in the River Valley”, summertime picnics in the park, and other informal gatherings help to foster and develop relationships – with each other and with the Lord.
“Let us, therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” Romans 14:19.
Connectors
Connectors are sociable, enthusiastic, helpful people who desire to serve the Lord by greeting, welcoming, and connecting with visitors to help the visitors connect with other people and ministries in our church. Simply put, connectors bring people together. The person with a big smile and outstretched hand hurrying toward a visitor is probably one of our friendly connectors, looking to make a connection.
The Welcome Centre
Here visitors can get pertinent information about our church. Volunteers at the desk will be glad to answer all questions a visitor might have and bless the first-time visitor with a welcome gift and bundle of information.
“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” Romans 15:7.
Hospitality Ministry Team
The purpose of the Hospitality Team is to help all visitors feel and experience the love of God by sincerely welcoming them into our church through friendly, authentic, and gracious service.
“Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” John 13:34.
The Kitchen
As members of the Hospitality Team, we are passionate about serving others and using the gifts that God has given us for His Glory. We love the Lord and believe our mission is to radiate the love of Christ by working together to serve others as we prepare meals for special occasions or prepare and serve refreshments. We are responsible for all areas of ministry requiring the use of the church kitchen.
Our goal is to provide good food for church-related activities, special events, and programs that will not only provide physical sustenance, but more importantly foster biblical fellowship.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling” 1 Peter 4:8-9.
The Café
The purpose of the Café is to foster fellowship and a sense of community. It is a place to meet, have a cup of coffee or tea, get to know one another on a more personal level, make new friends, or spend a relaxing moment alone or with a brother or sister in Christ. While having tea or coffee, we can encourage and nurture each other, share how God is working in our lives, and perhaps spend a few moments in prayer together.
The Meals Ministry
When a friend is in need, we often wonder, “What can I do to help?” One answer is: provide a meal! Bringing someone a ready-to-eat meal during a difficult time shows grace, generosity, and unity. It is a way to serve others, make a difference in someone’s life, and share the love of Jesus. The Meals Ministry is a simple but powerful ministry to those within the church body during challenging times, such as severe illness, convalescence, a new baby, or grief.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2.
The Ushers and Greeters
In our church, the ushers and greeters often have overlapping duties. The primary job of an usher is to be supportive and encouraging by being service-minded. On the other hand, the greeter’s role is to make a great first impression with a smile and hand-shake, by making eye contact, and by telling the visitors we are happy to see them.
Someone once wrote: “the communication that occurs in the first four minutes of human contact is so crucial that it almost always determines whether strangers will remain strangers or become acquaintances and perhaps friends.” If this is a true statement, and we assume it is, and we apply it to all persons who walk through our church doors, then what an opportunity, what a challenge it provides to our greeters and ushers!
The mission of our ushers and greeters is to help newcomers feel comfortable and safe in our church. As they welcome visitors, ushers and greeters may assist our visitors in finding a parking spot, orient them to our facility, direct them to washrooms, open doors, explain the specifics of the worship service and children’s Sunday School, help them find a seat in the sanctuary, and respond to any unexpected needs they may have before, during or after the service. Our ushers and greeters love the Lord and desire to serve Him as they are of service to all who worship with us.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” Colossians 3:23.
Men’s Ministry Team
The purpose of Men’s Ministry is to connect men to God to clarify what their purpose and role in family, church, and community should be. When men discover and understand that their true identity is in Christ, they will apply God’s word to all areas of their lives and grow in their walk of faith.
We intend to be a ministry that mobilizes men; therefore, our vision is to call forth men and inspire and equip them for service. God needs men who are Christ-like in character; men who are strong, authentic, loving, kind, and faithful leaders in their families, the church, and the community.
Our goal is through Bible study, prayer, discipleship, godly friendships, and special events to create an atmosphere of support and encouragement to unite, equip and grow men to be faithful followers of Jesus and godly husbands, fathers, grandfathers, sons, brothers, uncles, and friends.
Our mission is to provide opportunities for men to fulfill God’s purpose in their lives in the areas of worship, fellowship, discipleship, and ministry so that they might share Christ’s love in tangible ways.
“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14.
Music Ministry Team
The purpose of the Music Ministry is to glorify God, to proclaim God’s Word, and to edify and inspire, all via the medium of music. While the usual audience of our ministry is our congregation, we also endeavour to reach the community through our CDs and live-streamed worship services, which include our music.
The Music Ministry team strives to foster and cultivate the ministry by providing guidance and direction, support, planning, and building community for the various choirs, instrumental groups, and music programs. We are mindful that we have two audiences: our first audience is God, and our second audience is our listeners. Through music, we serve both by bringing them together.
“I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you – I whom you have delivered” Psalm 71:22-23.
Seniors’ Ministry Team
We believe that seniors are vital to the health and ministry of the church, which is why they play a significant role in our church services and ministries. But we also know that seniors benefit from a time of worship and fellowship geared just toward them.
Everyone feels lonely occasionally, but for seniors, loneliness can become an everyday occurrence. As they age, seniors may drift from friends due to retirement, medical problems, or a reduced ability to participate in activities they once enjoyed. Friends, family members, and spouses may have passed away, further contributing to social isolation and feelings of loneliness. Our goal is to ease the loneliness by providing not only social support but more importantly the opportunity to pray together, to worship the Lord together, to study the Word of God together, to fellowship together, and to form new friendships. Our vision is that our seniors are pointed to Jesus, who is the ultimate solution to loneliness, as a favourite hymn so clearly expresses: “What a friend we have in Jesus…. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?”
“Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green” Psalm 92:13-14.
Technology and Internet Ministry Team
The Technology and Internet Ministry sets a strategy and provides solutions for other ministry teams through the use of technology and related resources. Further, we provide guidance for using technology and media and help make technology accessible.
We believe our mission is to spread Christ’s message to as many people as possible. Jesus tells us to share the gospel message with people wherever they are. People are spending a great deal of time on their laptops, tablets, and iPhones. We believe technology helps the church connect with more people than ever before.
One of our significant ministry offerings is our Livestream service, which is viewed by people from all around the globe every week.
The Technology and Internet Ministry team takes great joy in serving all the other ministry teams and our church community.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” Matthew 28:19-20.
Women’s Ministry Team
“God is within her; she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” Psalm 46:5
God created every woman with unique talents and interests. Every woman is important to God, and every woman should know that He has a plan for her life.
As a diverse community of women, we are committed to seeing each other flourish. Through Bible study and prayer, we desire to build healthy relationships, promote spiritual growth, unity, and love.
Our goal is to bring wholeness and balance to women by ministering to mind, body, and spirit. We pray that women are empowered to fulfill God’s purposes for their lives as they find their identity in Him.
The purpose of Women’s ministry is to create strong bonds and foster spiritual development. As we serve, love, encourage and minister to women through fellowship, evangelism, and discipleship, we believe the women will be encouraged to a deeper walk with Jesus Christ. Our vision is that women become mature, caring, loving, confident, productive, and joyful sisters in Christ.
Youth Ministry Team
The purpose of the Youth Ministry is threefold: to invite non-believers into a relationship with Jesus, to equip young believers for a lifetime of service in the Kingdom of God, and in a faith-based community provide a godly support system and a safe place. Together we will explore who God is, we will point the young people to their true value in Him, and we will challenge them to consider what He has to say about their lives.
Our mission is to be a ministry that shows young people that they are known, valued and loved. In a culture that is continually changing, only Jesus remains the same. He is relevant yesterday, today, and forever.
Our goal is to help our youth embrace the relevancy of Jesus so that they can become followers of Jesus in every aspect of life.
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” 1 Timothy 4:12.