Serve

Welcome to Ministry!

You Were S.H.A.P.E.d to Serve God

At First Baptist, we believe that "ministry" is using whatever God has given me to serve Him and the needs of others.

Our goal is "Every Member A Minister."  We accomplish that goad by helping people discover their God-given "S.H.A.P.E."  S.H.A.P.E. is an acrostic that stands for:  Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences.

The first step in service is deciding to serve.  The decision to move from spectator to participant is the most important one!  Once you decide to serve, First Baptist is committed to helping you find a place!  Of course, you don't have to take a class to start serving.  We encourage you to begin serving now, as you see a need around you, do what you can to meet that need!

The primary way that First Baptist helps believers learn about their S.H.A.P.E. is through class 301, "Discovering My Ministry."  This is a 4 hour class that is offered currently at intervals during the year for 4 weeks on Sunday mornings at 9:30.  It is taught by Pastor Steve and concludes with developing your S.H.A.P.E. profile and seeing where it matches the ministries of the church.

OUR PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY
We Minister to 3 Areas of Need:

• To people's physical needs.
  "(God says) I was hungry and you fed me...thirsty and you gave me a drink...needed clothes and you clothed me...sick and you cared for me...in prison and you visited me...Whenever you have done this to the least person, you did it to me."  Matthew 25:35-36,40
  
  "If, as my representative, you give even a cup of cold water to a little child, you will surely be rewarded."  Matthew 10:42 (LB)
   
• To people's emotional needs.
  "...Warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with all."  1 Thessalonians 5:14 (GN)
  
• To people's spiritual needs.
  "...God reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."  2 Corinthians 5:18

The Bible says this:  "We proclaim Christ, counseling and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ."  Colossians 1:28,29

THE PURPOSE OF MINISTRY

"There are different kinds of service to God, but it is the same Lord we are serving.  The Holy Spirit displays God's power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church.  All of you together are the one Body of Christ and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it."  1 Corinthians 12:5,7,27 (LB)

If you have questions about the "Discovery My Ministry" class of about serving at First Baptist, please contact us at (479) 524-3106.

First Baptist has many areas of ministry that are led by Ministry Teams (Committees).  You do not have to be on a committee to serve at First Baptist.  The Ministry Teams are responsible for giving leadership and direction to the various areas of ministry.

Click here to find a place to serve!