Christ-Centered Personal Ministry

The Local church has been commissioned by her Head, the Lord Jesus, to
go and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20). This requires
local evangelism as well as world missions. Discipleship includes
reaching the lost and then training them in the Christian life. Christ
modeled the best method of discipleship by choosing a small group and
training them for ministry (Mark 3:14). The local church today needs
to follow His example by using small group Bible studies for nurture
and outreach.

The pastor is placed in the Body of Christ to equip God's people for
ministry (Eph. 4:11-13). All believers have been given abilities by
the Holy Spirit to enable the church to do God's will. These gifts
need to be identified and used for the Body to b��ˇe edified and
serve effectively (1 Peter 4:10,11). Instead of emphasizing a
clergy / laity distinction, the church should affirm the priesthood of
all believers (1 Pet. 2:9).

The process of discipleship can often be assisted through biblical
counseling. This remedial discipleship helps believers who are
hindered by personal problems. By gaining freedom in Christ, believers
are able to make further progress toward spiritual maturity. Biblical
counseling is not secular psychology in Christian terms. Healing from
spiritual / emotional / mental problems requires a Christ-centered,
cross-centered focus. Exchanged Life Counseling is a remedial
discipleship strategy which promotes abiding in Christ (John 15:1-8)
and the importance of the believer's identity in Christ : "I have been
crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in
me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the
Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).

- John Woodward
Grace Fellowship International