DR. WILLIAM NOLTE, MISSION LEAD
Moving Into A HEALTHY New Day (Part 2)
We believe God has called this network of TM churches to covenant together to pursue God’s Kingdom work through a commitment to growing pastors; healthy churches; and multiplication of leaders and congregations. In the June edition of E-Formation, I put forth my clear conviction that for a HEALTHY new day to become a reality our commitment must be to ACCOUNTABILITY and PARTNERSHIP.
Our commitment to ACCOUNTABILITY is to:
- Our Passion for Christ and the Gospel Ministry,
- Excellence in Ministry and Life, and to
- Covenant Relationship
The second area of commitment must be to PARTNERSHIP.
First and foremost, we must see ourselves as part of the highest possible call and a Kingdom plan FAR BEYOND our personal circumstance and context [Incredibly, the Apostle Paul identifies leaders as “co-workers with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:1) and even “Christ’s ambassadors” (2 Corinthians 5:20)].
- Partnership involves a larger picture. In many ways, we already understand this reality. The world in which we live has become very small due to technology, ease of travel, and the “world at our doorstep” reality. (Literally, every tribe and nation is part of our society’s mosaic). A Kingdom Partnership means openness to the “wherever God is at work” posture. If God is at work in transforming lives through the Gospel does it really matter whose “ministry” it is?! TM is pursuing a future in which our efforts are in concert with any number of churches, organizations, or individuals who are being used by God.
- Partnership involves mutual support. This is a logical and necessary complement to seeing a larger Kingdom picture. Being “in this together” is both biblically true and practically helpful. The strong self-sufficient lone ranger approach is simply not God’s way. I believe we must take a humble and honest look at our effectiveness – and do it together. If (or since) our ministries are not as effective as God would desire, why not band together and commit to grow and serve and be used of God – TOGETHER?
- Partnership involves shared funding. TM churches are TM churches by choice and commitment. Each one considered the opportunity and joined as a covenant partner. “Covenant” is a strong word and concept. It’s more than a simple agreement or understanding—it holds depth, strength and commitment to partnership. TM churches have covenanted to support the entire movement through the financial support of the “Faith Share”. No one church or even a group of churches can – or should – carry the funding burden. The participation of every church is needed and expected. The suggested guideline for the “Faith Share” financial partnership is 2-3% of a churches total budget. A few are there – most are not. It is my prayer and encouragement to see EVERY TM church:
1. Commit to financial partnership;
2. Commit to move toward the Faith Share guideline, if it is not currently at that level.
Accountability and Partnership – the foundational commitments of TM’s Healthy New Day.
Making the Commitment with You,
Dr. William C. Nolte
Mission Lead
Upcoming Speaking Engagements
January 2012
Saturday, January 21 - Bethany Baptist Church, Montclair, California, Men's Fellowship Breakfast
Sunday, January 22 - Bellevue Heights Church, Sun City West, Arizona, Installation Service for Timothy Anderson
Saturday, January 28 - Primera Iglesia Bautista, Harbor City, California, Sixty-Second Anniversary of the Church
Sunday, January 29 - First Baptist Church, Riverside, California, Sunday morning worship services
February 2012
Monday and Tuesday - February 20 and 21, 2012, TM Breakthru Conference, Thousand Pines Christian Camp and Conference Center, Crestline, California (Contact TM for further information.)
March 2012
Sunday, March 18 - First Baptist Church, Taft, California, Sunday morning worship service