 The Ministry of Reconciliation
We understand that for us to become "Ministers of Reconciliation", we must effectively restore those who have fallen out of fellowship with Christ's body (the church) to faithful attendance with, nurture from, and support to Berean Baptist Church (Galatians 6:1).
Rationale: 2 Corinthians 5:19 says that God made peace with the world through Jesus. He has committed this same work of ministry to the believer. We are responsible to bring peace that Jesus earned through the cross (Colossians 1:20). There is great power in being used of God to give peace to those who know not the peace of being "Justified by faith" (Romans 5:1). James 3:18 says that those who "make peace" bear the "fruit of righteousness". Matthew 5:9 says those who are known as "Children of God" are characterized by their ability to be "peacemakers".
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Supporting the Weak
We realize that "pure religion" is exercised, in part, by visiting the fatherless and widows (James 1:27). We have some precious saints of God that are "shut in" because of weakness or lasting illness, and as such, we must go to them. These are folks that we may visit in their homes, or in their hospital/nursing home rooms.
Rationale: Matthew 25:36 says when we perform ministry to the brethren, we are doing so to Christ. This ministry includes visiting the sick. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 says that we are to "support the weak, and be patient toward all men". The fact that many are too weak or sick to attend church does not minimize their contribution in prayer and resources to this body of Christ at Berean Baptist Church.
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Ministry of Follow-up
We understand the importance of being faithful with those whom God has allowed to visit us. We believe our church is special, and that those who attend are precious in His eyes. We seek to immediately via phone call, email, face to face visitation, or other means follow up on those who blessed us with their visiting to worship with us.
Rationale: We do understand that Berean is not for everyone, however, we want to be careful to allow the Holy Spirit to do the work that He desires so that the members are set in the body as He desires (1 Corinthians 12:18). Hebrews 2:13 gives the sense that Christ was given His peope from the Father. He took these children committed to His charge very seriously, and we find Jesus following up on disciples whom He believed were given to Him for oversight as in Luke 5 and John 21. Moreover, it is Acts 20:28 which identifies the Holy Spirit Who makes the shepherd-flock connection, and as such, these relationships must be sought out and prayerfully investigated.
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Publically and House to House
We understand that personal contact is the best contact. We know that there is no more effective way to evangelize than for people to speak to people. We are committed to reaching, first and foremost, our Montclaire subdivision.
Rationale: Acts 5:42 tells of the early church both preaching publically, and engaging people where they live. This may not be as "culture friendly" as certain means today, yet we are more interested in making connections with people for eternity's sake, than we are with being "sensitive to continual changes". Acts 1:8 commands the believer to be a witness. This can be done with the language of "lifestyle", but that is only implicit. Explicitly, believers are commanded to open their mouths and "preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). We take seriously the words of the Apostle Paul who said, "Awake to righteousness and sin not, for some have not the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame" (1 Corinthians 15:34).
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