Ministry Partnership

In the unfolding story of Scripture, God gathers people in a set-apart community. He gives the Old Testament nation of Israel clear identity markers to distinguish them as his chosen people—circumcision, dietary laws, worship regulations, etc. Pentecost changed the markers; God’s people are no longer determined by genealogy and the law but by the indwelling Spirit of God (Ezek. 36:26–27; Gal. 3:28). Through the gospel, God is gathering us into his family from every nation, tribe, and tongue (Rev. 7:9).

The universal (or global) church finds its visible and contextualized expression in local churches. Local churches are neither buildings nor social clubs. They are contextualized disciples who covenant together to create a distinct counter-cultural, missional community. They commit to leverage their lives for the sake of loving one another and living on mission together.

What does it mean to belong to and partner with a local church? It means covering, community, commitment, and commission.

COVERING

Kingdom City Church was planted and is currently led by Pastor Blake under the governance and oversight of an external board of older and experienced Pastors. However, we are moving towards a leadership structure consisting of a plurality of elders who will be nominated and affirmed by our Ministry Partners. These elders will exercise spiritual care and oversight of Kingdom City Church. Our staff and leaders will be accountable to these elders (1 Tim. 5:17). The elders, pastors, and leaders of Kingdom City Church desire to serve in a manner reflective of 1 Pt. 5:1-5 and take seriously the responsibility to contend for the integrity of the church because of the type of resistance noted in Acts 20:29-30.

COMMUNITY

God calls us to dwell in community, and Scripture demonstrates and instructs us in how to pursue unity. Being a Ministry Partner does not grant salvation (Acts 4:12), but does provide a biblical covering and the many benefits of community. Being a Ministry Partner provides the opportunity to be encouraged toward and accountable to living a Christian lifestyle (Rom. 12:11-16).  It also provides us an opportunity to be challenged in more intentional ways by brothers and sisters who have the same aim to please Christ and to confess and repent in community. We believe one of the best ways to experience life together in Christ is when we are a part of Missional Communities and smaller groups. In this, we also become an extension of God’s church throughout our city and are best prepared to advance the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven (Acts 2:42-47).

COMMISSION

It is a joy to share the love of Jesus and the message of the gospel in our city and with those around us. The Scriptures clearly remind us to be mindful of others as we pursue Christ. As a Ministry Partner of Kingdom City Church, you will be equipped and provided specific opportunities to do just that (Matt. 28:18-20). When we are unified as Ministry Partners, we begin to think differently about how we can be best equipped to love and serve our neighbors well with a shared purpose and focus (Matt. 6:10).

COMMITMENT

One of the signs of the kingdom of God is belonging. Our hearts long for this, yet our tendency is to keep our options open. We believe that we can’t have true community and belonging without commitment. Becoming Ministry Partners signifies our commitment to partnering with one another and contending for the health and work of the church. Every Ministry Partner has a unique gift that is needed for our church to thrive and truly be at its best for the advancement of the kingdom of God (1 Pt. 4:10). In our hope to be a church that loves and serves people well, we commit to serve our body in a specific capacity and remain aware of the present needs of Kingdom City Church and meet those needs when able (Gal. 6:10; John 13:34-35).

To become a Ministry Partner, an individual must be 16 years of age or older and in full understanding of the commitments connected to this distinction. A Ministry Partner of Kingdom City Church is responsible for participating in the life and mission of the church by following Christ and seeking to live as He would live. We commit to do so according to the following premises:

Authentically Profess Faith in Christ

The local church is a body of believers in Jesus Christ, seeking to be His hands and feet on earth (Ephesians 4:4-6). It is under this shared belief that we unite as a local expression of the body at Kingdom City Church. We have professed our faith and have publicly identified with Jesus and His church through baptism.

Commit to Living as a Follower of Christ

We commit to continually be moving toward living a life that is a reflection of the love and the way of Jesus. We commit ourselves to the practices of the faith, as well as relationship and discipleship with fellow believers (Galatians 3:27).

Protect the Peace and Purity of the Church

We believe we are called to fight to preserve peace and not to participate in sowing discord and disunity in the church. As Ministry Partners, we commit to forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration as guideposts for relationship (Ephesians 4:32).

Support the Worship and Practices of the Church

We commit to move toward regularly attending and faithfully praying for our gatherings and to partake in the Lord’s Supper (Hebrews 10:24-25). We also commit to move toward the practice of generosity in God’s kingdom through financially giving to our local church (1 Timothy 6:18-19).

Serve and Reinforce the Mission of the Church

We commit to identify our gifts, serve our body in a specific capacity, and remain aware of the present needs of Kingdom City Church. (1 Peter 4:10). We will also commit to moving toward participation and engagement with a Missional Community. We believe that this is a venue in which both spiritual development and engagement with our neighborhoods for the gospel can occur (Acts 5:42).

Ministry Partners have the right and responsibility to influence the key decisions of the church, most importantly through the selection and affirmation of elder candidates. From time to time, meetings or other functions are held for “Ministry Partners only.” These events are usually called either to inform the church about an important decision, major concern, or to garner input from the body; therefore, they are limited only to those who are participating Ministry Partners. Finally, leadership positions in the church require being a Ministry Partner as a prerequisite. The primary reason to become a Ministry Partner, however, is not to gain a personal advantage, but to identify with and live according to the values of Jesus through Kingdom City Church.