As you arrive at Grace Community Church you’ll find that we have an education hour that begins at 9:15am and a corporate worship service at 10:30 am. There are children’s classes during both time slots.

The education hour is designed to provide deeper instruction in specific areas. You’ll find several adult classes during the education hour and people of various age groups in each adult class. Most will be in the midst of a series, but fell free to sit in on any of them. The youth group meets on Sunday morning during the education hour.

The normal attire on Sunday morning is modest and business-casual; some men wear ties and some don’t, some women wear dresses, some don’t (we’ll leave the fashion choices to the experts). The most important part of our appearance is that we desire to honor and glorify God through it.

The corporate worship service includes corporate singing, Scripture reading, and a sermon. The sermon is usually part of a series through a book of the Bible. Most who attend our church bring their own Bibles. If you don’t have a Bible or forget one we will gladly lend you one to use during the service. We observe the Lord’s Table (or communion) on the first Sunday of each month. Baptisms are scheduled as needed and are usually incorporated into the Sunday morning worship service. Regular attendees and members also participate in the worship service through giving a financial offering each week. The offering time is for those who are a part of our church, and visitors are not expected to participate.

We hope that you find our church warm and welcoming, but most of all we hope that at Grace Community Church you clearly see the truth of who God is in Jesus Christ and His love His love for the world. If you have any questions feel free to contact us by phone at 904-268-8854 or e-mail us at office@gracejax.org.

We teach that the sixty-six books of the Bible are the written revelation of God. We teach that the Bible is verbally inspired in every word by the Holy Spirit, inerrant in the original documents, and is the infallible and authoritative Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). We teach the literal, grammatical-historical, interpretation of Scripture, which affirms the belief that the opening chapters of Genesis present creation in six literal days (Genesis 1:31; Exodus 31:17).

We teach that there is but one living and true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; 1 Corinthians 8:4), perfect in all His attributes, one in essence, existing eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14), coequal, consubstantial, equally deserving of worship and obedience.

We teach that Jesus Christ is God, who added humanity to His deity, becoming the God-man, without divesting Himself of any of His divine attributes (Philippians 2:5-8). Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; John 1:1, 2, 14). We teach that Jesus Christ accomplished redemption for believing sinners through the shedding of His blood and His sacrificial death on the cross and that His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive (John 10:15; Romans 3:24, 25; 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24). Jesus Christ rose bodily from the dead on the third day and ascended to the Father's right hand, where He presently mediates as our Advocate and High Priest (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:38-39; Acts 2:30-31; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1).

We teach that Adam was created by God in His image, free of sin. Adam was tempted and committed the sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of God. Because of Adam's sin, man lost his innocence; incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death; became subject to the wrath of God; and became inherently corrupt and utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace and the ministry of the Holy Spirit (Genesis 2:16, 17; 3:1-19; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:9-12, 23; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3).

We teach that salvation consists of the remission of sins and the imputation of Christ's righteousness, and is the gracious gift of God, based upon the finished redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and is received by faith alone, apart from works (Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; Titus 3:5).

We teach that the Holy Spirit is the supernatural agent of regeneration who gives spiritual life to the repentant sinner as he is enabled by the Holy Spirit to respond in faith to the divine provision of salvation. The Holy Spirit baptizes all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling, sanctifying, instructing, empowering them for service, and sealing them unto the day of redemption (Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13, 14; Titus 3:5).

We teach that the Holy Spirit sovereignly administers spiritual gifts to believers at the moment of regeneration and that these gifts are for the edification of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 1 Peter 4:10, 11).

We teach that speaking in tongues, the working of sign miracles, and healing in the first century church were temporary sign gifts and are not for the church today (1 Corinthians 13:8-13). They were for the purpose of pointing to and authenticating Jesus Christ and the apostles as revealers of divine truth and were never intended to be characteristic of the lives of other believers (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 13:8-10; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:7-12; Hebrews 2:1-4).

We teach that the church, the body of Christ, distinct from Israel, consists of all those who are born again and have been baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion. These believers are eternally secure and are kept by the power of God (1 Corinthians 10:32; 12:12, 13; John 10:27-30; Philippians 1:6).

We teach that the two ordinances of the church are baptism and the Lord's table (communion). Baptism is by immersion, and is the believer's step of obedience, as well as a sign of identification with Christ and His church. The Lord's Table is the celebration of the Lord's death until He comes, and is preceded by careful self-examination (Acts 2:41-42; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32).

We teach that the return of Jesus Christ at the Rapture is imminent, personal and pretribulational. He will meet His church in the air, and "so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). We teach that after the seven-year period of tribulation, Christ will visibly return with His church to occupy the throne of David (Luke 1:31-33) and establish His 1,000 year kingdom reign upon the earth (Zechariah 14:4-11; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-6).

We teach that believers will be raised to eternal life and blessedness in heaven, and that non-believers will be physically raised to eternal and conscious punishment in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41, 46; Revelation 20:11-15; John 5:28, 29; 11:25, 26).

Grace Community Church is a fellowship of believers committed to Jesus Christ and His Word. Our ministries are organized around the simple, clear explanation of the Bible and how what it says impacts our lives.

We offer ministries for all ages including children, youth, single and married adults. We also offer men’s and women’s groups, mid-week Bible training, and service opportunities.

Our worship services are designed to encourage the worship of God in the spirit and truth and are focused on the teaching of His Word through expository preaching. (Expository preaching is the process of explaining what the Bible meant in its original context and then applying it appropriately in today’s context). We sing worship songs consistent with Biblical teaching – some from generations past and some from today.

GCC PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY
A BIBLICAL PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY

If we are to be faithful stewards of the ministry God has granted us, we must work diligently to develop a philosophy of ministry that is both fundamentally strategic and thoroughly biblical.

DEFINING A PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY
What is a philosophy of ministry and why is a clearly defined philosophy of ministry important?

A. Defined generally
A philosophy of ministry is a set of unalterable principles that determines how you will function in your ministry. Simply stated, your philosophy of ministry defines why you do what you do.
B. Defined specifically
A biblical philosophy of ministry is a set of non-negotiable, biblical principles that guides all the choices and decisions in your ministry.
Your philosophy of ministry should be drawn from a careful investigation of both the explicit teaching of Scripture and any implicit methodologies which can be gleaned from seeing how ministry occurred in the early church. Of course, any discussion of teachings from Scripture must stand in accord with a natural understanding or interpretation of the text.
When you are able to define your philosophy of ministry in this crucial way, you will not only know why you do what you do, but how to actually do it.

BENEFITS OF A PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY

A. It develops a unity of direction. Once your philosophy of ministry has been firmly established, it filters down through the rest of the flock to form a consistent approach to ministry. It also works to encourage consistent communication of your purpose and overall direction. It keeps the congregation on the same page. Keep in mind that this does not happen overnight.
B. It forces you to determine your month-to-month and year-to-year goals with an overall biblical understanding of ministry firmly in your mind.
C. It delineates our biblical priorities for pastoral ministry.

DEVELOPING A PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY Everyone has a philosophy of ministry, whether or not it is perceived or understood, clearly defined, or biblically consistent.

How is a philosophy of ministry developed?
It has been said that if you aim at nothing you will hit it every time. To approach ministry without proper and accurate aim is to miss the intent of the Scripture’s clear admonition to set things in order in the church (Titus 1:5).

A. A High View of God
1. God is holy, righteous, and just (and other perfections).
2. We must seek to express His communicable (shared) attributes (e.g., we then must be holy [sanctification]).

Note: A failure to have a high view of God leads to … A toleration of sin A focus on man, evidenced in teaching and programs Result: The church reflects a man-centered ministry that attempts to please peers rather than glorify God. A commitment to a high view of God leads us to view His Word as the perfect compass for our lives… B. A Sufficient View of Scripture The Bible is the very word of God (2 Tim. 3:16) and is therefore without error and completely trustworthy in all that it asserts. In a world of no absolutes, God’s Word stands as absolute truth to be known and applied in every area of life. Scripture is the very foundation upon which the church is built and comprises not only the content of the message that the church proclaims but also the methods by which the church operates. Every decision and aspect of ministry must be submitted to the scrutiny of relevant biblical data. A ministry void of the teachings of Scripture will also be void of the blessings of God. 1. Scripture is Inspired—verbal, plenary inspiration (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21). The very words are “breathed out” by God. 2. Scripture is Inerrant—it contains no errors. God conveyed truth to divinely chosen individuals. And what they wrote did not stray from the original formulation of truth as it existed in the mind of God (Psa. 19). 3. Scripture is Authoritative—simply stated: What it says, I must do (Psa. 119)! The ramifications of the authority of Scripture upon a ministry are manifold. For example, the church is never to stray outside of the boundaries given in the Word of God. Every aspect of ministry (whether a sermon, Bible study, program, or activity) must be motivated by an understanding of the authority of Scripture and must bring that Scripture to bear upon the lives of believers. Furthermore, since the Bible is completely authoritative for belief and practice, the church need not derive its methods from the culture of the day nor conform its message to that which is acceptable in the eyes of the world. Rather, ministry must be dictated by principles taught in Scripture itself. 4. Scripture is Sufficient—2 Pet. 1:3-4; Ps. 19; 2 Tim. 3:17; Heb. 4:12 The Scriptures are not only authoritative over every aspect of life and ministry; they are also sufficient for the same. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” The implications of this verse are astounding, for it asserts that the Word of God is sufficient for all areas of ministry, including preaching, teaching, and counseling believers unto godliness. Therefore, the primary focus of every sermon, Bible study, or counseling opportunity must be the teaching of Scripture. Any time the church gathers, the emphasis must be on the proclamation of God’s Word and the exhortation to obey it (1 Tim. 4:13). A ministry that believes in the sufficiency of Scripture will do everything possible to bring the Word to bear on the lives of the congregation. The sufficiency of Scripture demands that individuals as well as ministries be devoted to and trusting of the Word of God. In other words, a proper view of Scripture demands our obedience and our belief. It demands our affections, our faith, and our understanding. A belief in the sufficiency of Scripture prohibits any attempt to integrate it with psychology or worldly philosophies. 5. Scripture is Relevant—It is totally relevant for every situation (Psa. 19; 2 Tim. 3:17; Psa. 119:105; Isa. 40:8). It may not give us an explicit answer to every specific problem, but it will always give us the principles by which we can, through obedience, glorify God. Note: A failure to recognize the inspiration, inerrancy, authority, sufficiency, and relevancy of the Word leads to: Personal experience as your authority rather than the authority of God’s Word. Contemporary thinking as your guide for living rather than the principles of divine truth. Result: The church produces people who pursue their own desires based upon human reason. The outgrowth of this essential component, the right perspective of Scripture, will be a commitment to teaching sound doctrine, and then how Christians are to change and grow. One commentator states: If you have a high view of God and are committed to Him, you must adhere to what His Word teaches. The teachings of God’s Word make up sound doctrine. We need truths that we can hold onto. You need to read a text, find out what it says and means, draw out a divine truth, and plant that truth in the minds of people by repeating it…. The point is that people need solid doctrine to build their lives on. (John MacArthur, The Master’s Plan for the Church [Chicago: Moody, 1991], p. 27). A sufficient view of the Word of God is the basis of a biblical view of mankind… C. A Low View of Man 1. Mankind is totally depraved. • On his own he cannot do good (Rom. 3:10-18). • Own his own he is unable to understand or accept the things of God (1 Cor. 1:18; 2:14). • His heart is deceitfully wicked (Jer. 17:9-10). • His goal in life is selfishness and only evil continually (Gen. 6:5; Eccl. 9:3). That man is depraved means not that he always acts as wickedly as possible, but rather that wickedness so permeates his entire being that he is enslaved to it and is therefore inherently unable to respond to the Gospel in faith and repentance. This reality has profound implications for the ministry of the church, particularly in the area of evangelism. Because the unbeliever is spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1; Col. 2:13), no amount of eloquence on the part of the evangelist is able to grant him life. Because he is spiritually blind, no amount of human logic or reason is able to open his eyes to the truth. And because he is spiritually enslaved to sin, no amount of evangelistic persuasion is able to free him from his unbelief. In light of these truths, the evangelist must depend not on his own rhetorical ability to convince the sinner to come to Christ, for this ability simply does not exist. He must look instead to the One whose power supersedes his own in drawing sinners to faith in the Savior. Simply stated, the evangelist’s hope as he seeks the conversion of the lost is found in the sovereignty of God. 2. Man was created to glorify God, but because of sin, he seeks to glorify himself (Rom. 3:23). Note: A sinner is alienated from God, and as a result, he will seek fulfillment from the world’s evil system (1 John 2:15-17). The implications are disturbing: • Christ will not be seen as the only solution to man’s needs. • Substitutes will be provided that promise fulfillment and a better view of self. • Felt needs rather than real needs will be addressed. Result: The church produces people who make choices to solve their life’s problems based on what they believe will practically meet their perceived needs. Knowing this enables us to formulate ministry that seeks to meet real needs, not just felt needs. Therefore, the goal of all true ministry is to lead man to a greater relationship with God through obedience to His Word. An accurate view of man enables us to correctly understand the purposes of the church… D. An Accurate View of the Church In Matthew 16:18, Christ said, “I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it,” and He has done just that! The church, which is comprised of all who have repented of their sin and placed their faith in Christ, is a living organism made up of true believers who “offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). Christ so loved the church that He died for her (Eph. 5:25) that He might sanctify her and present her to Himself in all her glory blameless and without spot or blemish (Eph. 5:26-27). Christ both nourishes and cherishes the church (Eph. 5:29), and exists as head over His bride (Eph. 5:23). The church, having been “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Eph. 2:20), is to function as “the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). It is through the church that believers are equipped to mature into the likeness of Christ (Eph. 4:11-16) and unbelievers are presented the Good News of the Gospel (Matt. 28:19-20). Because the church constitutes God’s primary vehicle for working in this age, it is vital that all believers identify with, function in, and submit to the leadership of, a local church (Heb. 13:17). Believers are to edify one another with their spiritual gifts (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Peter 4:10-11), regularly assembling together (Heb. 10:24-25) that they might devote themselves to the teaching of God’s Word, fellowship, celebration of the Lord’s Supper, and prayer (Acts 2:42). Because of the premium that Scripture puts on this kind of involvement in the local church, a given ministry must seek to foster in God’s people a deepening love for and commitment to the church, as well as a biblical understanding of what it means to function as the church. 1. The church exists to glorify God by exalting the Savior in worship (1 Cor. 10:31; Heb. 13:15). 2. The church exists as a training center where the saints are edified or equipped to use their spiritual gifts in ministry. (1 Cor. 12-14; Rom. 12; Eph. 4). 3. The church exists to be a light in this dark world, for the evangelization of sinners (Matt. 5:13-16; 28:19-20; Titus 2:11-15). 4. The church exists to be a repository of divine truth (1 Tim. 3:15). 5. The church exists to provide a context of loving fellowship with one another for the purpose of mutual edification (Eph. 3:16-19; 4:12-16). 6. The church exists to provide accountability to the purity of the church (Matthew 18). Note: A failure to correctly understand the purpose of the church leads to superficial and counterfeit ministry, resulting in disunity, and “program success” is glorified rather than God. People become passive spectators rather than active participants. Leadership is forced to spin all the plates to keep the programs functioning. Result: The church becomes an organization, run by men and programs, rather than an organism of committed believers empowered by the Spirit of God. A correct perception of the purposes of the church helps us to correctly understand the importance of biblical leadership… E. A Biblical View of Church Leadership Spiritual leaders are not masters but servants. Their servant-leadership comes from their divine call to serve (Acts 20:29). The New Testament teaches that the local church has elders or overseers who have special responsibility to equip (Eph. 4:11) and care for (Acts 20:28) and teach (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9) the members. Furthermore, the New Testament teaches that the members are to respect (1 Thess. 5:12) and be submissive to these leaders (Heb. 13:17), but not to treat them as infallible (1 Tim. 5:20). 1. Leaders must reflect the character of Christ to be models for the flock (1 Thess. 2:4-12; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Tit. 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-5). 2. Leaders must adequately equip their people to do the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:12). 3. Leaders must provide ample opportunity for them to do this work (Heb. 10:24-25). Note: • A failure to correctly understand biblical leadership leads to unbiblical discipleship and modeling and skewed ministry priorities. • A lack of biblical priorities leads to ministry with a focus on skills or ability rather than godly character. This can lead to disqualifying sins. • Lack of adequate equipping for the task leads to frustration, which can produce a high turnover of lay leadership. • Lack of adequate equipping leads to the failure to reproduce oneself in ministry which results in the few faithful doing all the work. CONCLUSION A well-articulated philosophy of ministry that is biblical is essential to “doing ministry God’s way.” It’s crucial that this biblical philosophy of ministry be the grid through which all your ministry decisions are filtered and passed. Your responsibility is to develop it… absorb it… live by it… and teach it to your family.

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