CALVARY CHURCH EDUCATIONAL MINISTRIES

PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY

PURPOSE/MISSION STATEMENT :

Calvary Church exists to bring Glory to God through the growing of a biblical spiritual family of fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ who make disciples among the nations.

OUR VISION

PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY:

Bring Glory to God God is of ultimate worth and perfect character. We can’t add to God’s glory but we can glorify God by REFLECTING His worth and character to others. Therefore all of life is not about us, but about God—His Purposes, His Ways, for His Glory (Ps 115:1; 1Cor 10:31; Matt. 6:33).

Growing God will be glorified through our GROWTH—both as individuals

and as a body of believers.

God-glorifying ministry takes into account that:

Growth takes time—it is a process, not a product (2Cor 3:18). Each person is at a different stage of growth in their Christian life

and will mature at a different rate God is the only One who can ultimately bring about growth (1

Cor 3) He works through the Holy Spirit, His Word, the church and individuals, crisis and trials

Therefore our shared ministry goal is to ―present every person mature in Christ, by proclaiming Him, admonishing every person and teaching every person with all wisdom.‖ (Col 1:28).

Biblical God will be glorified through our growth in THOROUGHLY BIBLICAL beliefs and practices.

God-glorifying ministry takes into account that:

The Bible is God’s unchanging, infallible, living and active Word of grace, profitable for building us up (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Acts 20:32)

Our vision is to equip people with the Word to John 7:37-39

Drink deeply of Christ and flow to others from neighborhoods to nations from campuses to continents

God will be most glorified through Calvary Church by G.R.O.W.T.H. . .

Depth with God

Real Community

Ministry Ownership

World Vision

Thoroughly Biblical

Local Harvest

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All that we do is motivated and measured by its conformity to God’s Word which should produce biblically based beliefs and practices.

Biblical truth is meant to be - passionately taught - accurately defined and clearly understood - fervently believed

- authentically practiced in thought and action - compellingly shared

Therefore our shared ministry goal is to equip every person to ―accurately handle the word of truth‖ for themselves, so that each ―may be adequate, equipped for every good work.‖ (2Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17)

Spiritual Family God will be glorified through our growth as members of His spiritual family, enjoying relationships of

REAL COMMUNITY with one another.

God-glorifying ministry takes into account that: The Calvary Church congregation is a local manifestation of God’s larger, universal, extended family God’s primary ―family values‖ are unity and a genuine love for one another. These traits will testify of

Jesus to those outside the family, drawing their attention to Him (John 13:34-35; 17:21-23) Each believer is designed to contribute to the healthy functioning of the community by being

authentic, available and accountable to the Lord and to one another (Phil 2:1-4, Heb 10:19-25). This requires time, interaction, concern for others, self-sacrifice, and support especially during difficult times.

Therefore our shared ministry goal is to equip every person to be a proactive member of our

interdependent, like-minded church family, showing mutual concern for one another.

Fully Devoted Followers God will be glorified through our growth in an intimate relationship of DEPTH WITH GOD.

God-glorifying ministry takes into account that: The Great Commandment calls every believer to ―love God with all your heart, soul, strength and

mind,‖ and to ―love your neighbor as yourself.‖ (Matt 22:37-40) A life that is pleasing to God is founded in wholehearted devotion (not mere duty). (Luke 14:26-35) God delights in revealing Himself personally to those who seek Him with all their heart. (Jer. 29:13;

Deut. 4:29; 1Chron. 28:9)

Therefore our shared ministry goal is to equip every person to consistently experience an intimate walk with God, based in wholehearted devotion to Him.

Make Disciples God will be glorified through our growth in taking MINISTRY OWNERSHIP of Christ’s Great Commission

to make disciples. (Luke 6:40)

God-glorifying ministry takes into account that: Making disciples should be the priority of each of our people, programs, activities and relationships. Ministry ―success‖ is measured by our effectiveness in making reproducing disciples – qualitative not

just quantitative Biblically mature/growing disciples are:

obedient――observing all that I have commanded‖ (Matt. 28:19-20)

fruitful――bearing much fruit,‖ marked by enduring ―fruit that remains.‖ (John 15:8, 16)

Whose ―inner man‖ is being strengthened and deepened in character and relational connection

(Eph. 3:16-19; 4) Individual disciples have be shaped by God for service through a unique blend of Spiritual Gifts, Heart’s

passion, Abilities, Personality and life Experiences.

Therefore our shared ministry goal is to equip every person to be increasingly effective in becoming and making obedient, fruitful and enduring disciples. (Matt. 28:18-20)

Among The Nations God will be glorified through our growth in adopting a WORLD VISION, which includes active

participation in a LOCAL HARVEST as well as in an international one.

God-glorifying ministry takes into account that: We are each called to be salt and light in an unsavory and dark world (Matt. 5:13-16) – wherever He

gives us opportunity Every believer is instructed to ―sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a

defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.‖ (1Peter 3:15)

It is no small thing that God has raised us up as His servants, to be a light to the nations, so that His salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. (Is. 49:6; Acts 26:23)

Our obedience in these areas is directly related to God being glorified among the nations (Rev. 7:9) Therefore our shared ministry goal is to equip every person to increasingly participate in Spirit-empowered outreach to those who are lost with a conviction, compassion and competence that overcomes geographic, ethnic, socio-economic and cultural barriers.

THEREFORE we re-affirm that:

God will be most glorified through Calvary Church by G.R.O.W.T.H. . . Depth with God Focus on glory of God in dynamic worship

Real Community People are the focus not programs

Ministry Ownership Participation in ministry is the norm World Vision Reaching the least reached Thoroughly Biblical Equipping people to think and act biblically

Local Harvest Impacting our community

Nursery Ministry is in the Garden of Grace located on the west end of foyer.

Sunday Morning 9:25 and 11:00

Early Childhood Ministry Room Beginners 1 PS210 Beginners 2 PS209 Beginners 3 PS211

Changers 1 PS204 Changers 2 PS203 Changers 3 PS206 Changers 4 PS 205

Pre-K 1 223 Pre-K 2 224 Pre-K 3 225 Pre-K 4 226

Kindergarten 1 233 Kindergarten 2 234

Elementary Ministry First Grade 235A/235B Second Grade 236A/236B Third Grade 290/291 Fourth Grade 292-293 Fifth Grade 390/391 11:00—no children’s church Sixth Grade 392/393 11:00—no children’s church

Kings Kids Ministry Sunday Evenings 6:00 Room Room 3 year olds PS209 First Grade 235 Pre-K PS203 Second Grade 236 Kindergarten PS204 Third Grade 290 Fourth Grade Orchestra Rm Fifth Grade Choir Room Sixth Grade Choir Room

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Tuesday Morning Study and Share Ministry

Nursery Room 2 & under Nursery

Bible Clubs for Early Childhood children Age/Class Room 2 year olds PS209 & PS210 3 year olds PS204 & PS206 4 & 5 year olds 235

Wednesday Evening Discovery Clubs 6:30 p.m. Little Discovery Clubs

Room

Beginners PS203 & PS 205 Changers PS204 & PS206 Pre-K 225 & 226 Kindergarten 233 DC4K 412 (Divorce Care for Kids)

Elementary Discovery Clubs Grade Room

First Grade 235A/235B Second Grade 236A/236B Third Grade 290/291 Fourth Grade 292/293 Fifth Grade 390/391 Sixth Grade 392/393

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Ministry to children is as foundational as ministry gets. The Lord says to His people,

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your

might.

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart

You shall teach them to your children (Dt 6:5-7a).”

Teaching children—or we might say “discipling children,” because it’s a total life approach—

is God’s calling for parents . . . and for churches. That’s why kids are a priority at Calvary

Church.

Your ministry to children pleases the Lord, strengthens the church and offers hope to the world.

Teach a child and transform a life!

So, give it your heart, soul and strength. All that you spend, the Lord will repay in eternal

dividends.

Whether this is your 1st or 50

th year loving the Lord by ministering to children,

may the Lord in His grace exceed your every expectation.

Your fellow-servant in the Lord,

Brad Mullen

Thank you for your willingness to serve the Lord by serving children. Your ministry is essential to the vitality of our church.

Let me explain why. In many churches, the ministry to children is primarily for the purpose of the adults. That is, “child care”

allows the adults to attend church or other ministries without being “bothered” by their children. That is not our perspective at

all. The ministry to children is a priority. Yes, adults benefit from the opportunity to be taught, to worship and to serve while

their children are ministered to, but that is not the primary goal of Children’s Ministry.

Ministry to children at Calvary Church is a key component of our overall discipleship plan. Just as we are

seeking to provide an intentional discipleship process for teens and adults, we understand that it must start with children.

“In essence,” the researcher noted, “what you believe by the time you are 13 is what you will die believing. Of course, there

are many individuals who go through life-changing experiences in which their beliefs are altered, or instances in which a

concentrated body of religious teaching changes one or more core beliefs. However, most people’s minds are made up and

they believe they know what they need to know spiritually by age 13. Their focus in absorbing religious teaching after that

age is to gain reassurance and confirmation of their existing beliefs rather than to glean new insights that will redefine their

foundations.”

“The most important resource, we believe, was the amazing amount of prayer for children and parents that was evident at

the most effective ministries to children. Some money is required to see serious life change happen, but the more important

resource is the commitment of adults to the spiritual wholeness of the

children – which means sacrificing some of the emphasis upon the ministry to adults.” (Barna Research Group)

That is one of the reasons you will hear us say, “Children are a priority.”

But we are not only discipling children for the future, but for the present. We believe children can have a very meaningful

relationship with the Lord, a great impact, and that they can develop a clear biblical world view that will allow them to continue

to impact the world for the sake of Christ.

Whether you are new to children’s ministry or have been involved for years, thank you for being involved in this vital and

strategic

ministry. May the Lord use you for His glory and for your good.

Steve Kilgore,

Pastor of Adult Ministries and Chairman of C.C. Educational Team

“Children

are

a

priority”