The "Support" of Ministry:  The structure of the church that enables ministry to take place.      Our ministry-supporting structure involves all of God's people in four levels of service.  This Biblical structure can stand firm because it's rooted in Jesus Christ and His Word.  As Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus:  "you are...members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ himself as the chief cornerstone.  In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.  And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit," Ephesians 2:19-22.

1.  The CONGREGATION

a.   The role and responsibility of each believer at The Chapel is to grow as a committed follower of Jesus Christ, to know and be trained to use his/her gifts, and to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to directly minister to other believers and to those who have not yet come to Christ, all to the glory of God.  The church will encourage and seek to enable individuals to be creative, to take initiative, to respond properly to needs and to be involved in evangelism, discipleship, and service both inside and outside the walls of The Chapel.

b .  We recognize that the Holy Spirit distributes gifts to each believer in order for them to serve in the body.  We recognize that all the gifts are equally important in building a healthy, disciple-making church.

c .  All pastoral staff and ministry leaders must be growing disciples, committed to the church's philosophy of ministry.

d .  The church body will identify leaders called by God to serve by considering their Godly character both in the home and in the community and the appropriate spiritual gifts required for the specific assignment.  Leaders will recognize that they are servant-leaders called to serve the body rather then to be served.

e.   All leaders of key church ministries will take part in on-going leader training to continue strengthening their skills in the areas that God has gifted them.

2.  The ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEES

a.   Each committee chair meets on a regular basis as the Administrative Council , to facilitate cooperation between the multiple ministries of the church.

b.   Some of these committees center on administration, i.e. Finance, Facilities.

c.   Some of these committees center on ministry, i.e. Missions, Body Life, Discipleship-Evangelism.

The administration of all ministries will be delegated to leaders of those ministries.  Accountability will be maintained through their relationship to the Administative Council, leadership training, and normal disciple-making channels.

Whenever possible, task forces and discipleship structures will be utilized rather than boards and committees to make decisions and accomplish ministry.  It is our objective to maximize the number of persons involved in ministry.

The Ministry Leaders' role is to model discipleship, to grow in their own ministry skills, and to help equip the rest of the congregation for ministry.

3.  The ELDERS

a.   The Elders' role is to serve as the overseers of the church body and as fellow shepherds with the pastoral staff by setting vision, giving direction, training leaders, teaching the Word, and being model disciples.

b.   The relationship of the Board of Elders to the ministries of the church will be to set broad policies,  to provide general oversight to the church, and to keep all ministries in line with the docctrinal statement, constitution, and philosophy of ministry.

4.  The PASTORS

The Pastors' role and commitment is primarily to shepherd by setting vision, giving direction, training leaders, teaching the Word, and being model disciples.

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