Observation Paper CHMN
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School
Liberty University *
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Course
201
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
4
Uploaded by JusticeBearPerson617
The student should explain the philosophy of ministry of the church they are observing. They should discuss the vision statement, mission statement, core values, and strategy statement of the
church (Not every church may have each of these statements but do your best to discuss the explicit and implicit statements for all four). The student should also explain how each of these aspects of the philosophy of ministry is or is not fleshed out within the ministry. The paper should follow Turabian format, double spaced, and be 3-5 pages in length. Make sure to including headings stating which topic you are discussing. Example headings would be Philosophy of Ministry, Mission Statement, etc. The paper should be submitted to Blackboard by
the due date. Description
Points
Content
Following instructions:
discussing the philosophy
of ministry of the church,
explaining the vision and
mission statements, strategy
statements and core values.
125
Format
Followed Turabian style
formatting: cover page,
bibliography, footnotes,
double-spaced, etc.
25
Writing
Spelling, Grammar, college
level writing
25
Length
3-5 Pages
25
Total
200
Introduction
Growing up in both the North and the South, my family always attended pretty small churches. I grew up with a hymnal that had my name engraved into the cover and I was taught all
the old gospel songs from a super young age. My grandma's church was always my favorite, and still to this day I love to travel down there on Sunday mornings and visit all the old people who still call me by my full name and tell endless stories of me from my younger years running around the church. I love knowing everyone and everything and being able to call everyone by their name. Grandma's church was only about 30 people at most, whereas my home church reached closer to a hundred. Now as you can imagine, the day I switched churches when I started
high school, attending Sunday morning service to sit with an overabundance of youth. The same amount of people total from my old church, was the same number of members in the youth group
alone. Over time, I took it to heart to grow close with a lot of people and get to know everyone, especially call them by name. In the Beginning
Beginning my fall semester here at Liberty, as it is incredibly encouraging to find a church and stick to it, build relationships, and keep those bonds all four years. I started the hunt for churches, trying different services here and there until I was continuously drawn back to Thomas Road Baptist Church. After spending a lot of time in prayer, especially since my initial thought was honestly quite opposed to attending such a large church. I have grown quite fond of the church and the people within it. Starting my practicum this second semester, I joined the TRBC choir and immediately fell in love with it. Aside from this being a way to serve, I have loved just being a part of something that has such a close connection to the heart of the church. Getting to stand and praise not only personally, but lead the church family in worship, being on that side of things, it’s so beautiful watching everyone lift their hands and lay themselves down before the Lord. I also joined a co-ed small group, started attending a women's bible study focusing on Ruth, and spent time after service getting to know the elders around me. Something I
love about this church is even though the size and the number of people may be super large, they have what may seem like endless amounts of rows and seats that somehow always feel as though
they may not fit everyone Sunday mornings, plus a whole balcony of more people. The church can also feel really small. People may not always remember the faces they see every week or even remember people's names. However, there is a way about this church that everyone can feel
super loved, welcomed, and enough. There is a community that constantly has room for more. That encourages you to go out and live your life the way you are called, seek those that need a place to feel loved, and bring everyone together and support one another in such a way that mocks the characteristics and the life of the Lord.
Mission Statement
TRBC’s mission statement is to Love God and Love People. “Our mission is to change the world by developing Christ-Followers who love God and love people.” After spending even just a short bit of time there, even someone who knew could assume their mission statement and it resembles something very alike to what it actually is. The away you can see this being lived out through the people, from the second they walk in the door, to the moment they leave. Even in
class, my professors who attend Thomas Road live lives that resemble the life of Jesus and have a character that is so joyful and rejoices each day because of their obedience and dependency on him. One of the first services I attended had a baby benediction. It seemed like 100 little babies were brought forward and introduced to their church families and presented before the congregation. My understanding changed completely that day and had lit a passion in my heart for a longing to bear children, as well as raise them upon a beautiful foundation of Christ so they might too come to know Him one day. As a baby, my parents had me baptized but I actually gave my life to Christ several years later when I actually developed an understanding of life with
the Lord. In the summer of junior year, I decided to get baptized because of what I had learned about the importance of sharing the decision to follow Jesus. After getting called into a ministry that same summer and realizing where I was planning on going to college, by proclaiming my faith and sharing this season of life with my church family, it opened the door for their encouragement through each of these next few seasons as well. Seeing Thomas Road dedicate themselves; the church members and the families of the children bring forth a baby, we all welcomed another one of God's beautiful creations and pronounced we will now support, love, and encourage this child through all the seasons to come. What an amazing gift that is. Not only that but seeing it live out through all the offered ministries on campus. Whether it's small groups, bible studies, Sunday school, and so much more. So many different communities and ministries in one for everyone at any age and at any stage of life. newlyweds? Divorced? Widowed? College or high school? Babies and infants? Elders? Literally, everyone can come and feel so loved!! Feel this and seek it in the Lord and understand what it means to live this life on a mission and go out and share with those around you! Vision Statement
“Thomas road wants to compassionately serve our local community, as well as actively participate in missions around the world. We want to reach our city and the “uttermost parts of the earth.” Jesus was moved with compassion as He ministered to the multitudes.” This being their vision statement as well as one that is constantly lived out is really important. It not only lets the church body know where the church stands but others outside the church. Their vision is to seek out everyone. In and outside the walls of the church and live out the Great Commission.
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There are also constant groups going on missions. Whether it's around Lynchburg or signing up to travel across the nation come the summer. Or even simply within the US. The church is regularly doing things on mission and encouraging everyone to join in as well. Core Values
Strategy Statement
This isn’t necessarily the statement of their strategies, but knowing some of TRBC’S main values are to be prayer-focused, community-focused, worship, and scripture-focused. Sets a
pretty good standard to follow that the people live out. Especially those in leadership, knowing if
you are starting out at this church, you will be encouraged and taught biblically, everything revolving around the word of God straight out of scripture, as well as building a community that is for you, constantly praying for you. And one of the most beautiful pictures representing this church is for anyone, who is watching the small section every Sunday where various leaders stand up and sign to one another and translate the message to those who are hard of hearing and deaf. How cool is that!! Conclusion
I had no idea I’d even get the chance to experience something like this. Being the oldest, coming to college, the first child to even leave the house. It’s been a whole new world. So much about me and my life has changed. Especially my heart. Getting to experience this and getting more encouragement through doing this practicum. I am so blessed, to say the least for this opportunity. My calling in ministry is with the youth and just people and missions in general. It’s
something I know in the future I will plug more into, especially in leadership positions. This semester has just been amazing getting to ride along and get a feel for what exactly all of this is. Whether it’s been the practical in general, getting more involved in a church on my own, or simply just being a ministry major student at LU. I cannot wait to see all the Lord does with me and how He uses Thomas Road over the next few years!