Crescent Hill Baptist Church recently moved from a church structure that involved a Deacon Council and elected committees to a Ministry Team model. Here is an explanation of that model.

Explanation of the Congregational Ministry Organization

Christian "ministry," is defined as doing what Jesus did (Luke 4:16-21). In other words, "ministry" may be thought of as... meeting the needs of others in the name of Jesus. It is also interesting to note that in Acts 6, the "Diaconate" {those who minister, or those who serve) includes the apostles... in other words, the "ministry," the "deaconing," was shared by laity and clergy ( Acts 6:3-4). As a result of their sharing the ministry, a wide range of the needs (physical and spiritual) of people were met in the name of Jesus...the number of believers increased and there was greater harmony in the fellowship.

This organizational plan for congregational ministry is built upon this concept of shared ministry. It calls for team leaders and staff resource ministers who form partnerships to provide leadership for the churdh. These area lay persons and ministers form a Ministry Coordination Council. The MCC will choose an additional person to serve as the Ministry Coordination Council Coordinator.

Ministry Teams are formed as individuals perceive a need and discern a call to meet that need. Ideally, each team functions according to small group dynamics, including the development of a covenant of purpose and accountability. The length of service on a team depends upon the length of the life of the team (some teams exist to do a short-term project, others continue indefinitely) and the continued interest and sense of calling of the team member. Each team does its own planning and requests its needed funding (budget requests are approved by the Ministry Coordination Council functioning as the Budget Planning Team). The ideal is that all church members will be part of a growth activity and a serving team.

The Gifts Identification Team, formed by up to ten persons, approved by the Ministry Coordination Council, shall encourage church members to discover their spiritual gifts and then use their gifts in creating or joining ministry teams. As ministry teams are formed, the Gifts Identification Team may provide names of people (to ministry area leaders and ministry team leaders) they become aware of who are gifted in the various areas...and who may have the interest/desire to become a part of a particular ministry. This team will also seek to be alert to burnout for those who have been serving.