Spokane Bible Church Purpose Mission Vision
- Purpose. The purpose of Spokane Bible Church is to Glorify God in the ever present spiritual warfare (1 Corinthians 10.31; 1 Peter 4.11; Ephesians 6.10-20).
- Mission. The mission of Spokane Bible Church is to make disciples for Jesus Christ through witnessing to the gospel and teaching God’s word. The foundation for this mission is to equip believers for ministry so they may serve in our local church, in our community, in our nation, and in other countries of the world (Matthew 28.19-20; Ephesians 4.11-16).
- Vision. Spokane Bible Church’s vision is to become a body of believers growing in the Lord Jesus Christ by actively and joyfully learning and applying God’s word, and who actively participate in and support this local church, who pray for and support each other and God’s work in the world, who take part in spreading the grace gospel and Bible doctrine locally and internationally, who seek to add new members to our church, and who demonstrate in day to day life love for God and His word, the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and the character of Christ (1 Corinthians 12-14; Hebrews 10.19-25; 1 Peter 4.8-11).
Broad Plan for Christian Living (Also Refer to the Christian Life Teaching)
- Mission—Matthew 28.19-20, Witness and Teach
- Preparation—Ephesians 4.11-16, Equip the Saints
- Environment—Ephesians 5.2, Love God and People
- Practice—Philippians 4.9, Use what we learn
Matthew 28.19-20
- Jesus gave his “big picture plan” for the period between his ascension and return to earth. This was for his disciples and those who would follow. They were to make disciples by witnessing and teaching.
- Go πορεύω poreuo is in the aorist passive participle used with an imperative sense.
- Make disciples is the main verb of verses 19 and 20 (μαθητεύω matheteuo, to be a pupil, to cause to be a pupil) in the aorist active imperative, 2nd plural). Make disciples begins with the witnessing process, moves to the initial faith in Christ for salvation, then baptism, and continues with progressive growth in learning and commitment to Christ.
- The recipients of this ministry are all the nations (ἔθνος ethnos, a body of people united by kinship, culture, traditions), which refers to all ethnic, national, and racial groups.
- Baptizing , βαπτίζω baptizo, and teaching, διδάσκω didasko, are both used in this context to support the main verb make disciples. They are the means or method to make disciples. Both are present active participles, nominative, masculine, plural. Present participles with an aorist main verb indicate the time is contemporaneous. The command is to make disciples. The way to do it is by baptizing and teaching the people.
- The word baptizing, βαπτίζω baptizo, is used here instead of witnessing because in the public ministry of John (Matthew 3:1-7,11,16; Acts 13:24; 18:25), of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17), and the life of the first century church (Acts 2:38, 41; 8:12, 13, 16, 36, 38; 16:15, 33; 1 Corinthians 1:13-17), baptism was linked with a faith response to the message. Therefore, baptizing refers to witnessing followed by faith response to Christ and water baptism (which outwardly indicates the new relationship with Christ).
- Teaching, διδάσκω didasko, refers to the communication of content from one who knows to one who listens in order to learn (Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:28-31; 1 Timothy 4:11; 2 Timothy 2:2; 4:2; Romans 12:7; Hebrews 5:11-14).
- Christ promises that He will be with them (and all believers that accept His commission). This refers to His personal presence, support, and authority as taught in John 13-17 and elsewhere.
- Until the end of the age means until He returns to establish the promised millennial kingdom on earth (Acts 1.6-11).
So what? Application
Live the Christian life in such a way that we as a church and as individuals fulfill the biblical purpose, mission, and vision.
Biblical traits of a healthy congregation include
- Participate actively in church with regular attendance at services and other events.
- Desire spiritual growth, application, and ministry.
- Think through the Bible class material taught and published and look for ways to apply the teaching.
- Reflect spiritual growth by a pleasant and joyful attitude and countenance.
- Behave in a manner consistent with Christian love and therefore refrain from mental attitude sins and sins of the tongue. Put others first.
- Pray for others on a regular basis—others in church, missions, and other ministries.
- Support, as God has prospered, by giving to Spokane Bible Church.
- Do what is needed in accord with one’s spiritual gifts and abilities such as pray, help, encourage, witness, teach, give, assist others in special need, and take leadership.
What are we doing or can we do to carry out the Purpose and Mission and bring about the vision?
- Church Bible classes and special services
- Conferences
- Bible studies and ministries in other locations
- Christmas program
- Church pot lucks
- Church work days
- Church web site
- Mission teaching trips
- Mission support by prayer and giving
- Ladies birthday lunches
- Men’s breakfasts
- Women’s book club
- Training by Goodseed, Evantell, DM2
- Movie nights at church
- Women of the Word Conferences
- Prayer groups