What’s our vision? Our vision and purpose is to fulfill the Great Commission (cf. Matthew 28:18-20). 

What’s the Great Commission? The Great Commission is the vision and purpose statement given every Christian, and therefore every Christian church, by none other than Jesus Christ (in whom we as Christians say we all trust, believe in, and follow). 

What does the Great Commission say? The Great Commission reads as follows: 

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  ¹⁹ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20)."

 

 What does this mean? Jesus statement means three things: 

• Jesus is our authority because He has authority over all things (verse 18). 
• Therefore, we are to respond to Him obediently by sharing the gospel. What is the gospel? The content of Jesus message: “unless you are born again you will not see the kingdom of heaven (John 3:1ff).” Salvation is not earned, it is bestowed upon those humble enough to recognize their need of a Savior (Matthew 18:3-4). Jesus is that unique and only Savior John 14:6; John 4: 25). A sign of your humility is being baptized as one who has believed in Jesus (Matthew 28:19). 
• Therefore, we are to respond to Him obediently by teaching those who have trusted Jesus to follow Him (i.e. observe His teachings and command to teach others to obey)—Matthew 28:20. Those who love Jesus obey His commands (John 14:15). 

How is this done? Studying His Word, preaching His Word (i.e. the whole counsel of Scripture, Genesis to Revelation—Matthew 5:17-19), teaching His Word, and practicing (implementing) what we learn—1 John 2:6. At minimum, the most important thing is the preaching and teaching of God’s word (Acts 6:1ff). 
 

Is that it? Scripture exists to reveal to us God’s will so that we can serve Him by doing the work He has ordained that we should do (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Jesus said that those who are wise hear His word and act upon it; those who are foolish do not (Matthew 7:24-28). Jesus is our authority (John 1:1-18; Matthew 7:29). We follow Jesus. 
 

Where do “programs” fit into the equation? Ministries are the response of God’s people to His word. Sometimes the responses are individual (i.e. sharing the gospel with a family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker). Sometimes, our response is as a people, expressed in or through a local church (community outreach, works of service, etc…). However, the basis of every program or activity is to glorify God and benefit others (Matthew 22:36-40). Obviously, the greatest way to show God’s love is to tell people about God (i.e. Jesus Christ). Everything we do is driven out of the Great Commission. 
 

Is there a more detailed explanation of how Bethel functions as a visible church? Yes, there is: our philosophy of ministry. “The Philosophy of Ministry” is a more comprehensive document that explains how we minister. 
 

Why do you need “a philosophy of ministry?” There are so many activities a church could undertake that we might be tempted, as a people to go off in several directions at once. The philosophy of ministry functions as a compass and a delivery truck. It reminds us of our focus and becomes a symbol of what types of ministries we are positioned to undertake as a church. If a ministry does not fit into our philosophy of ministry we do not take it on. There are many good and wonderful ministries but not every one will fit into the ability of our church, given the number of people, our other resources, and our abilities (or giftedness). The Philosophy of Ministry keeps us on track. It is a larger scale vision-mission statement. 
 

What is the “source” or basis for the philosophy of ministry? God’s word is the basis for all we do. Based upon our understanding of God’s word, we develop and implement a philosophy of ministry. It does not replace God’s word; it is a vision/mission statement. 
 

Aren’t there many interpretations of God’s word? Actually, no—there is only one correct interpretation--what God intended. As His servants our job isn’t to impose our bias on God’s word so that we can justify our preferences. On the contrary, our purpose is to understand God’s word and take from it, as opposed to reading into it, our direction.  While there is one interpretation it has many applications. For example, “you shall not steal” can be applied to robbing banks, cheating on exams in school, or running pirated software on your home computer. But “you shall not steal” means you shall not steal. It is an absolute statement that has to do with respecting God by respecting another person’s property, ideas, or creation by not taking it without their permission. 
 

Can you summarize what you believe God’s word says? Well, perhaps you are referring to a statement of faith? We have one that is brief and easily understood. And as we did with our philosophy of ministry and this document, we have a more thorough explanation, for those who are interested, of how it fleshes out (called “What We Teach at Bethel ”).