Synopsis "The Church's Ministries 9Marks Journal"
The main gathering and the ordinary means of grace are central to the Christian walk. That said, churches often find other ministries, like children's ministry and small groups, to be helpful discipling tools. These ministries are healthiest when they relate to and support the whole church gathering. In doing so, the main gathering rightly remains on first, and other good ministries follow its lead. This Journal explores what this paradigm looks like in action on the ground. 9MarksAt 9Marks, we help pastors, future pastors, and church members see what a biblical church looks like, and help them take practical steps toward becoming one. We believe every local church should be characterized by expository preaching, biblical theology, a biblical understanding of the gospel and of conversion, biblical evangelism, church membership, church discipline, discipleship, and a biblical model of leadership. In order to inform and influence churches, 9Marks creates a wide variety of practical resources including books, articles, podcasts, book reviews, and a quarterly Journal. We also host regular events around the world-almost all of them geared toward equipping and encouraging pastors. Table of ContentsTHE MAIN GATHERINGA Foolproof Discipling Program: Corporate Worship by John SarverI Hear There Are Divisions Among You: Moving Away from Music-Specific Services by Allen DutyThe Empty Promises of a Busy Ministry Schedule by Justin PerdueCatering to Ministry Consumers by Josh Hayward CHILDREN'S MINISTRYPreacher, What's on Your Kids Menu? by John JosephChildren's Ministry Is NOT the Church by Nathan LoudinWhy A Pastor Should Care About Children's Ministry by Ed MooreWhy Parents Are the Primary Spiritual Caregivers of Their Children by Rhys PlantHow to Select a Children's Curriculum by Mark RedfernPaul the Youth Pastor by Sam Emadi and Mark Redfern5 Steps for Preventing Abuse in Children's Ministry by Chad Holmgren AGE-SPECIFIC MINISTRYRisks and Benefits of Age-Specific Ministry by Jason SevilleHow to Redeem Your Singles Ministry by John LeeRaising the Cane: Refreshing Ministry to Senior Saints by Will ParejaOur Main Goals for Youth Ministry: Teaching and Discipling Our Teens by Deepak Reju SMALL GROUPSSmall Groups: Thoroughfares, Not Cul-De-Sacs by Andy JohnsonHow Small Groups Can Foster Church Unity... Or Fracture It by Dave RussellParachute, Not Parachute: Advantages and Disadvantages of Extra-Church Bible Studies and Fellowships by Sam CritesWhy An Elder Should Oversee the Church Bookstall by Josh ManleySpotting, Assessing, and Training Leaders for Church Ministries by Joel Kurz GENDER-SPECIFIC MINISTRYHow to Encourage Women's Discipling in the Local Church by Madison HetzlerWhy Pastors Should Oversee the Women's Ministry by Camryn Zamora BOOK REVIEWBuild on Jesus, by Deepak Reju & Marty Machowski by Connie Dever
