DNA - Week Three

DNA – Equip the ChurchLéonce Crump, Renovation Church & Jason Gore, Lead Pastor of Hope Community ChurchEvery church has certain aspects of mission and vision that are unique to each church. At Hope, we’re discussing the things that make us who we are at our very core, our DNA as a church.We are meant to “Equip the Church” so that everyone can become who God intended him/her to be. Ephesians 4:11-16  God gives gifts to different people for different purposes.We question whether we have anything of worth to contribute.The church is mobilized and catalyzed by the gifts God gives it—and He has wired you to be one of those gifts. (Ephesians 2:10)Ephesians 1:22-23  The church is meant to be the fullness of Christ in the world, and we have a part in that.Ephesians 4:10  Jesus ascended and took His place of authority beside God.Jesus will fill all things through His church by filling His church with gifts and powers that allow God’s people to not only be who they are called to be, but to do what they are called to do! (Ephesians 1:23)All people will be activated in the church by using their specific gifts. (Ephesians 4:11)Gifts given to the church:Apostolic Gift – Apostles are pioneers, risk-takers, movement starters and architects of systems that either produce or promote new and different.Prophetic Gift – Prophetically gifted people tend to have a keen interest in justice, mercy and a vision for a better world.Evangelistic Gift – Evangelists are particularly gifted at enthusing others about what excites them.Shepherds/Pastors – Shepherds, beyond being activated in the church, are those who show a special concern for seeing and affirming what is human within others and caring deeply for people.Teachers – Teachers are those who make incredible instructors and naturally inspire learning.This five-fold paradigm applies to all Christians, not just to paid staff or leaders.Jesus redeems what is already present, and realigns it with His restoration plan, giving each of us renewed and redemptive significance.Every single person in this church is called to full-time ministry, we all just get paid from different places! (Ephesians 4:12)This is so we can become unified. (Ephesians 4:13)This matters because every person has a part!____________________________________________________________________________The mission of our church is to love people where they are and to encourage them to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.Why is it important to grow? It’s because Jesus came to bring us an abundant life. (John 10:10)For you to experience abundant life, you have to grow in your relationship with Jesus.