Our Concept of Church-Based

INTRODUCTION

It is the view of the ACTION Zambia Board of Trustees and general membership that right understanding and application of this concept will set the platform and context for focused ministries. Below is a worded statement of the principles agreed upon by the Board. An attempt has also been made to address the challenges of implementation under modulus operands.

THE CHURCH’S MANDATE

The concept of Church-based ministries can only be understood in the context of understanding the mind of God in fulfilling His agenda for His creation. Other than the expression of His mind in general revelation, God has revealed His purposes for all creation through His Son, Jesus Christ (Heb.1:1 – 2). When Christ came, He fulfilled God’s purpose through His life and death on the cross as an expression of God’s love for all creation.

God established His Church and appointed her to carry out His mandate to all creation. The mandate was about spreading the gospel in order to make disciples and teaching disciples the all things commanded by Christ (Matt.28:19 – 20; Acts 1:8; 11:22; Ephesians 2:19 – 20). The church is therefore the appointed primary institution to carry out the mandate or agenda of God in this world.  It is in this light that the New Testament was written to the local churches detailing out the master’s instructions and expectations of the church (1 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:1; 1 Thess. 1:1).

DEFINITION OF THE CONCEPT

Church-based ministries are therefore the created unique organs or functions of a local church which are managed and/or under the oversight of the local church leadership (elders) (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:2) and made up of the members of a local church with the same persuaded passion to meet the needs of the community through the proclamation of the gospel as a means to salvation and sanctification by spreading and teaching the gospel (Romans 12:5 – 8; 1 Cor. 12:12 – 31).

Action International defines it’s work within the context of local church ministry, as articulated in the Principles and Practices Manual: “Action believes that in partnership with local churches we must proclaim the gospel of Christ in cities. With the church we minister to the overlooked, un-reached social and cultural groups… We conduct our ministries in a way that support and complement the local churches… Therefore, our ministry programs are designed to build up and enhance the vitality of the local evangelical church… ” (D.7, E & E.3).

ACTION Zambia ministries that are based on this concept can therefore be defined as the ministries done with and through the local churches with the blessing and support of the local church leadership. They are ministries that identify and relate with the local churches programmes and needs and are done with and through the local church. Action Ministries therefore aim at equipping and helping the local church fulfill its mandate including meeting the needs of it’s members and the communities where the church exercises it’s ministry.

This means that individuals and Christian organisations (NGOs) are to carry out their Christian obligations or ministries with and through the local churches which are the expressions of His invisible body as opposed to running ministries which are independent of the local churches. The individuals and organisations are to support, work (with) and equip the local churches in order for the church to be an effective witness of Christ so that the church does not just participate but take a leading role in the work with a view to owning or taking responsibility of the ministry (2 Cor. 8:16 – 24; 1 Cor. 16:1 – 4).

MODULUS OPERANDS

The modulus operands of the AZ work with the church will address itself to the following implementation issues:

(a) What will AZ seek to do?

(i)     Recognize that the church is the primary agent of fulfilling Christ’s commission.

(ii)    Understand the role we will play with and through the local churches.

(iii)   Establish relationships with the local churches with a view to understand the church’s vision, ministries, potential and needs (expressed and identified).

(iv)   Identify the gaps in the existence and effectiveness of the ministries of the local church.

(b) How will AZ fit in within the church’s mandate?

(i)     Help strengthen the local churches’ leadership and ministries through appropriate training programmes.

(ii)   Partner with churches in the development and strengthening of the existing ministries.

(iii)  Work with and through the local churches on programs, ministries and needs (expressed and identified) where there may not be capacity in the local church.

(iv)  Provide resources (financial, material, equipment, consumables etc) as part of the comprehensive approach to the supported ministries with a view to help the local church fulfill it’s mandate and become an effective witness to the members and the community.

(c) What will be the AZ approach to realize it’s goals?

(i)     Identify the category of potential churches for each identified AZ ministry with which AZ can work with but maintain an open door policy with churches at large.

(ii)   Visit the potential churches identified and develop relationships.

(iii)  Conduct sensitization campaigns in the local churches on the work of Action Zambia through Newsletters and/or open talks when invited/requested.

(iv)  Team members of Action Zambia to maintain vital and meaningful relationships with local churches via membership.