Question: Was the Bible written to men only and not to women? Some teach that the New Testament letters address brothers exclusively. Executive Summary Answer: Women and men share in the blessings of the gospel, Scripture was written for both women and men. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Gen. 1:27 ESV) Answer: The Bible recognizes differences between genders but also recognizes the commonality between male and female genders. The book of Proverbs is written to sons to gain wisdom. “Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.” (Prov. 1:8-9 ESV) The book of Proverbs was written in order to teach young men wisdom. Even so, often it is the female gender that teaches wisdom. Early in the book, the male gender, a son, is to embrace the teaching from a member of the
Comments
Good question to ask. I think much of the answer is based in the context of the church plant. I also wonder if starting with a sunday worship service as a 'default' is correct?
I know of plants that really start as cell based and only gather once a month as a time for all the churches groups to get together ... everything else is just more small group based.
I guess it is a philiosophy of ministry question. Maybe you have already considered that and ended up with a Sunday morning based style - cool. I wonder if we just 'default' it too fast sometimes.
Anyway, blessing on all you are up to! Keep pushing into the heart of the Father and thanks for stopping by nmy blog this morning!
::dan::
Thanks for giving your input beyond just voting. I happen to agree that one could question if Sunday worship is the starting point. I began with that assumption because of the size of the survey and as a jumping off point for discussion. So I'm glad you brought up the issue. Also, I am intrigued by the idea of starting with cell groups as the base for the church. Hopefully the result would be a church that has more close knit relationships at the outset.
Other than that, the only mandatory thing is visitation of those who need visitation.
Especially when a ministry is starting out, small study groups/cells are unnecessary - as the church plant itself is pretty much a small group. I'm a big booster of mid-week studies, but not of men's and women's groups. Men's groups in my experience have either been one of two things: a) groups of men whining about their special "man-problems" and trying to get in touch with their special "man-feelings" or b) good solid Bible studies that make one wonder why couldn't women be present. Sunday school classes offered before or after the worship service are cool, but not necessary. As far as Conferences go, cool and all but shouldn't a church wait 'til it gets a bit beyond being a plant before it starts planning conferences? Just seems like muddled priorities is all.
Personally I don't think there are any right or wrong answers. A church plant should be prepared to serve the needs of the community it is planted in - if the community needs a youth group then running something else minstry might prove to be a waste of time. No point running a nursery in a community full of single, childless people - a singles ministry would surely be far more useful (and might produce a need for a nursery at a later date?)
All of the things in your list have their place in a church but only when they are actually needed by the community around and in the church itself.
I agree with the necessity of focued prayer. Thanks for pointing out the oversite.
I was a little amazed that you pointed out visitation. I have read a lot of the Puritians and older Scottish ministers discuss why a visitation ministry was important. I did not expect you to mention it but I'm glad you did.
I see that the one with the most votes is the cell group one. Here's the reason I didn't vote for that: My parents did church planting. Chances are, your whole church is not going to be all that much larger than the size of a normal cell group, at least for a while. Cell groups aren't that important unless the church is large.