Maintaining the priorities listed below is essential in maintaining order in the church as well as one’s personal life. Each priority, in question form, and the well prayed through answer to that question will lead us into action. Each priority is connected to and builds upon one another.
What does Christ want His church to be and do?
What are we going to be and why? We must start every time with what Christ would have us do. Although it may be easier or more popular we don't start with what people want. Our purpose originates with God and He has already told us as the church how to function in His Word. We will continually be asking ourselves the question: Are we doing what we said we believed Christ wanted us to do as a first priority? When churches lose sight of this as a first priority, they get mired in other things (even good things) that will cloud the first and greatest priority, loving and honoring and obeying God.
What are the needs of people that need to be met, so God's PURPOSE can take place their life?
People are obviously important in a church. But we also consistently need the reminder that as important as people are, they will always be secomd to God and His purpose at Generations Church. Knowing peoples' needs in light of God's purpose church to know where, when, and how to strategize and prioritize the necessary resources for ministry.
What kinds of ministries do we need to have that meet the needs of people so that God's purpose can take place in their life?
In a church where program fills the number one priority position you will almost always here this statement, “We have never done it that way before”.
When programs become more important than God's purpose and people, we think they are out of place. Churches that value programs over people also tend to USE people at the expense of ministry instead of valuing people and helping to enhance ministry that effectively benefits both the servers and the served. With programs in this position, it gives the church the opportunity to evaluate itself from time to time asking themselves, “Are we doing the kinds of ministry that accomplishes God's purpose in people”, and if not, “what can we do to make the changes necessary to implement that or another strategy?”
What kinds of tools are necessary to have the kinds of ministry/programs that meet the needs of people so that God's purpose can take place in their lives?
Generations Church will need different kinds of tools for every season of its development. Tools may be further equipping as a body in a specific area. At some point one tool that may be necessary to increase the effectiveness of ministry may mean acquiring a home or a building. Property is mostly the material things needed to facilitate life giving ministry.