Pattern of Ministry
This is to be underpinned by an ongoing basic pattern of ministry, into which people can move easily and different areas of which can be emphasised at different times:
- INTRODUCE: creating opportunities to introduce people to Jesus Christ...
...i.e. friendship - INVITE: creating opportunities to invite people to come to faith in Christ...
...i.e. evangelism - INSPIRE: promote every member pastoral care and a biblical basis for discipleship...
...i.e. nurture - IDENTIFY: creating the means by which gifting can be recognized and nurtured...
...i.e. equipping - INTERACT: supporting members in their witness/mission where they are called...
...i.e. sending - IMPACT: helping members to live in the dynamic power of the Spirit in the world...
...i.e. living the Kingdom
All groups that are a part of St Nic’s should fit into the above pattern of ministry at some point and measure their progress or “success” in terms of how people are moving forward. We will all from time to time have a foot in different areas, and occasionally only in one. People’s gifting needs to be recognised too. For example, some will be brilliant carers, others teachers, others befrienders or evangelisers of non-Christians, and others of those who are living on the fringe of society.
Our aim should be to nurture all people in Christ-likeness, to have the confidence to interact with non-Christian friends and society, challenge them with the gospel and have such compassion that suffering with the pain of the world is second nature.
