Bethlehem Baptist Church Deals with the Sexual Abuse of a Child

Another learning lesson from another prominent church. This time it is Bethlehem Baptist Church. The elders of the church announced a week ago (July 14) that a child had been abused by a juvenile in their children’s ministry. From all outward appearances, the elders are handling the situation with as much transparency as possible and … Continue reading Bethlehem Baptist Church Deals with the Sexual Abuse of a Child →

Pastoral Candidate Interview Questions

Describe your call to ministry. How do you view the relationship of a senior pastor to the associate staff positions, other members of the staff and the elders? Define your understanding of an elder form of church government. Please define discipleship and explain how it functions within a local church. How do you envision assimilating … Continue reading Pastoral Candidate Interview Questions →

Kitchen Use Policies

Grace Church Kitchen Policy It will be the policy of Grace Church to offer kitchen facilities in support of authorized and organized ministry and program activities of the church. Kitchen supply budget allocations will support facility and equipment purchases and maintenance. The service of meals, refreshments, or snacks will be either on a cost reimbursement … Continue reading Kitchen Use Policies →

A Biblical Model for a Deacon Ministry

Grace Church Deacon Ministry Purpose: The purpose of the deacon ministry at Grace Church is two-fold. First, the deacons will serve the congregation through a comprehensive ministry of helping meet needs; physical, material, financial, and legal. Second, the deacons will assist the pastors/elders by allowing them to concentrate of the ministries of the Word, prayer, … Continue reading A Biblical Model for a Deacon Ministry →

Description of a “Typical” Church

"It is easier to give birth than to raise the dead." The typical church in America has lost its First Love. In most congregations, the reason for existance has become self-serving and self-centered. The pastor, God’s appointed leader within the body, is many times little more than a paid errand boy. The direction and focus … Continue reading Description of a “Typical” Church →

Stages of a Church’s Life

New Church/Church Plant. In its infancy a church can be summarized by the word “simple.” Everything, from its facilities to its form of government, is simple. The congregation is madeup of a committed core of believers with a simple vision of seeing their church grow. The Growing Church. If a church catches fire in a … Continue reading Stages of a Church’s Life →

When to Walk Away from a Dead Church

When to walk away from a dead church. “When the horse is dead...dismount.” This has to be one of the most difficult questions for any pastor to answer. This question assumes, first of all that you are already serving at a dead church and have taken the time to carefully evaluate its condition. It’s difficult … Continue reading When to Walk Away from a Dead Church →

Children’s Ministry Policy Manual

Children’s Ministry Policy Manual Grace Church 4200 E. 25th Street w Des Moines, IA 50317 w (515) 265-0199 Grace Church Children's Ministry The Children’s Ministry of Grace Church, Kidstitute, is dedicated to supplementing the family in their attempt to lay a spiritual foundation that, in God’s timing, will lead a child into a … Continue reading Children’s Ministry Policy Manual →

Church Financial Policies

GRACE CHURCH FINANCIAL POLICIES We believe the way a church handles itself in the financial arena is a reflection of integrity in every area. The Elders, therefore, have established the following policies to guide us in the years ahead: Grace Church belongs to God. It is not a monument to one man or even to … Continue reading Church Financial Policies →

Missions Support Guidelines

GRACE CHURCH Missions Support Guidelines Grace Church places a high priority on world missions. It is our desire as a church family to help missionaries spread the gospel in Central Iowa, the State of Iowa, the United States, and on foreign fields throughout the world. At the same time, however, it is our desire to … Continue reading Missions Support Guidelines →