What is a Ministry Team

Ministry teams are small groups of believers who labor together to grow in Christ, fulfill God's purpose for their lives, and perform specific services.

Our ministry team structure is designed to maximize ministry. A characteristic of a healthy and well-balanced church is a sound and biblical structure.  There are several principles that govern our structure.

The first is that a good structure promotes unity and downplays divisions (1 Corinthians 11: 17-18).

The second principle is that a good structure promotes love and not judgment (1 Timothy 3: 4-5; 5: 1-2).

The third principle is that a good structure is based on biblical principles and not secular practices (Ephesians 4: 11-12). In other words, we are a body and not a business. We are an organism and not an organization.

The fourth principle is that a good structure maximizes ministry and minimizes maintenance (Romans 12: 4-6).

We believe in the priesthood of every believer; therefore, at Philadelphia Bible Fellowship, the saints are ministers (servants). The church (saints) is like a flock of sheep and is cared for by pastors. Jesus favorite description of the church was a flock of sheep. The pastors commend deacons to assist in the leadership of the church. In addition to deacons, we employ several levels of leadership– which includes ministry leaders and ministry administrators. 

We have developed a five-fold ministry model to structure the members of PBF to maximize ministry. They are worship, evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, and administration. A major feature of our ministry model is shared leadership. We have developed a comprehensive shared leadership curriculum that is used to develop and deploy ministry leaders at PBF.

We describe the components of our five-fold ministry model as pillars and lenses. As pillars, we build Christ’s church upon these firm foundations. We encourage the celebration (worship) of God. We compel (evangelism) all to Christ. We cultivate (discipleship) spiritual maturity in believers. We care (fellowship) for one another. We coordinate (administration) the work of God so that effective ministry might take place. Indeed, these five pillars are foundational!

We also believe that every ministry team should view ministry through five lenses. Each ministry team asks the following five questions when preparing and planning for ministry:

  1. How will we as a team encourage the celebration (worship) of God?

  2. How will we compel (evangelism) others to Christ?

  3. How will we cultivate (discipleship) spiritual maturity among team members?

  4. How will we care (fellowship) for one another?

  5. How will we coordinate (administration) our team to maximize ministry and minimize maintenance?

Take a look at the center panel to read about our current ministry teams at Philadelphia Bible Fellowship.

If you are interested in learning more about PBF, just send us an email at info@pbfministries.org or give us a call at (215) 224-6234.


Our Ministry Teams at PBF

The following is list with brief descriptions of the current ministry teams at PBF:

WORSHIP MINISTRY TEAMS

Audio/Visual Team
The A/V team is responsible for: maintaining the sound system to ensure a clear and comfortable sound level within the church facility. Recording of audiotape messages during regular and special services, facilitation of equipment for use of audio playback of accompaniment and recorded music during regular and special services. Keeping an organized library of sermons for reproduction and archiving and maintain audio equipment to ensure proper functionality and availability.

The A/V team also makes available video resources (LCD’s, VCR’s, TV monitors, video screens etc.) to be used by other ministries in the church during regular and special services and programs.

Multimedia Team
The Multi-Media team works in conjunction with the A/V team and is responsible for recording sermons in the digital domain, provide sermons on CD’s for members, visitors and the sick & shut-in. Media team is also be responsible for editing sermons for radio accessibility and streaming audio for internet use. Media team will also maintain and update sermons on the PBF web page.

Greeters Team
The greeters are responsible to ensure that every person entering the church is greeted and that visitors are offered assistance as appropriate so that everyone feels important and welcome. Greeters are also responsible for the circulation of bulletins, the distribution and collection of bibles during regular and special services, recording and maintaining attendance records, attending to the felt needs of the pulpit.

Praise & Worship
The praise team presents special praise and worship music to the congregation and encourage the congregation to join in praise and worship. Praise team members are expected to learn new music and attend regularly scheduled rehearsals. There is also an expectation that the praise team will be asked to participate in ministry programs outside the church.

Musicians Team
The psalmist reminds us that there are numerous ways to praise our God:

"Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD" (Psalm 150:3-6).

Our musicians work together under our pastor of worship to incorporate their gifts and talents to create an unforgettable atmosphere of spirit-filled praise and worship.

Dance Ministry Team
The Dance team provides creative dance routines that honors God and inspires the congregation. Dance team members are expected to learn dance routines and attend scheduled rehearsals. There is also an expectation that the dance team will be asked to participate in ministry programs outside the church.

Drama Ministry Team
The Drama team is responsible for producing meaningful presentations of skits, sermon illustrations, or other drama medium—in worship services or other special events—as scheduled by the drama team director. Drama team members are expected to attend scheduled rehearsals.

Prayer Team
Prayer team has the responsibility of making prayer an essential and vital part of the life of every member at PBF and show tangible evidence of prayer as a priority at every level of the church This is accomplished through such things as: maintaining our PBF prayer online web page, overseeing our daily prayer list, managing a PBF prayer chain, taking responsibility for our special prayer initiatives (A.S.K., CCB prayer partnership, PFB Capital Stewardship Campaign).

EVANGELISM MINISTRY TEAMS

Community Connection
Community Connection is about connecting our community and culture to Christ. We strive to build relationships through meeting the tangible needs of people so that many might learn of their most pressing need – a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is through our Community Connection that we host community meetings, provide regular elderly home cleanup and support, offer free fresh bread twice per month, provide quarterly family fun nights for the community, organize flag football competitions, and offer periodic movie nights.

Bread Ministry
This team works with several local bakeries to coordinate and deliver free, one day old, bread to the families of our church and community. Currently, bread is offered after our worship service on the first and third Sundays of the month through a pre-registration process. Our neighbors who have not pre-registered can receive bread on a first come first served basis. Free fresh bread is sometimes available on second and fourth Sundays as well on a first come first served basis.

Counseling/Intake
The Counseling/Intake Team is responsible for serving the needs of persons who respond to a pastoral invitation for salvation, rededication, or church membership.

Follow Up Team
This team works to follow-up on those who are first-time visitors to our church or those who have made contact via our web presence. The Follow-up team will receive information about first-time visitors to our church and will coordinate follow up via post card correspondence, e-mail or a phone call (only when prompted by the visitor). Visitor information will be stored by the follow up team and maintained in our CCB data base.

DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY TEAMS

Cultivation Team
Cultivation is the name of our discipleship curriculum. Every PBF member is encouraged to complete this program of study. The mission of our Cultivation Ministry is to cultivate Biblical disciples through the systematic teaching, reflection, and application of Word of God. Our Cultivation Discipleship System consists of four basic courses. These are Cultivation of the Disciple, Maturing the Disciple, Essential Doctrines of the Disciple, and Deploying the Disciple. Our cultivation classes are held on Sunday mornings from 10:15–11:15.

PBF Kids Team
The mission of PBF Kids is to cultivate young disciples of Jesus Christ who worship God in spirit truth, grow in the knowledge of God and His creation, and share His love and our lives with the world. PBF Kids are involved in numerous activities. First of all, PBF Kids meet every Sunday Morning for Children’s Church. Our Children’s Church takes place at the same time as our adult worship service. PBF Kids go on periodic outings, fellowships and trips. PBF Kids learn how to play musical instruments, sing, perform skits, dance, play games and create wonderful arts and crafts. PBF Kids learn the Word of God, memorize Bible verses, support missions, and learn how to pray for family, friends, neighbors and themselves.

PBF Youth Team
The Youth Ministry is committed to partnering with parents and guardians to IDENTIFY, INFLUENCE and INSPIRE youth of Olney and beyond to IMPACT their world for Christ.
We accomplish this through building authentic relationships and provide creative, Christ-centered programs with and for young people, which stimulate personal spiritual growth, present opportunities for youth to lead youth, and cultivate a culture that values Biblical living.

FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY TEAMS

Iron Men Fellowship
PBF Iron Men’s Ministry is the place where men’s discipleship takes place. It is designed to be a place where men can experience authentic “Iron sharpening Iron” through genuine Christian fellowship. Its purpose is to help build men into Christian disciples and spiritual leaders by biblically confronting the issues that pertain specifically to men and by providing outreach to men in the community.

PBF Women's Fellowship
PBF Women’s Ministry is set up to be the place where women’s discipleship takes place. Its purpose is to focus on ministering to the “whole women”—mind, body and soul—by biblically confronting the specific issues that pertain to women and by providing outreach to women in the community.

Couples Fellowship
Our vision statement states, "... we envision a multi-ethnic, intergenerational fellowship of godly individuals and families..." To this end, our Couples Fellowship is designed to help husbands and wives fulfill the three purposes of a godly marriage: a) to Mutually complete each other (Genesis 2:18), b) to Multiply a godly heritage (Genesis 1:28), and c) to Mirror God's image (Genesis 1:26-27). These goals are accomplished through engaging dialogue, study of God's Word, practical applications, and interactive games in a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere.

Love Feast Team
The first century church enjoyed gathering together each first day of the week to honor the Lord's death through the love feast celebration. In similar fashion, we gather each Sunday morning to proclaim the Lord's death through communion followed by a nutritious snack and drink. Our Love Feast team purchases and prepares delicious food and drink for our Love Feast (follows our Communion service) and Visitor's Reception (follows our worship service). The Love Feast team takes pride in providing all a pleasant smile and healthy snacks.

Food and Fellowship Team  
Whenever there is a need to provide food for a church wide event, our Food and Fellowship team is available to answer the call. This team coordinates the preparation of food for our major events, as well as set up, decoration, and even engaging activities that ensures an spirited time of fellowship.

Care and Benevolence Team
Jesus tells us in Matthew 25: 31-40, "...for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink... inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." We are commanded to care for one another. In fact, Jesus reminds us that how we care for each other will impact how attractive we are to unbelievers. When we care for each other, we are really caring for Jesus. Our Care and Benevolence Team responds to urgent and practical needs of our church body. It may be a card of encouragement or help with a debt. Whatever the issue, this team ensures that our church body is properly cared for.

ADMINISTRATION MINISTRY TEAMS

Operations Team
Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the church office, receive, screen, direct incoming calls, provide administrative and clerical support for pastoral staff and ministry leaders, coordinate and publish church bulletin, produce and manage churches master calendar, mail correspondences, postcards and newsletters, provide printing and duplication of church materials, purchase supplies, administrate and maintain the churches database and online community (CCB).

Financial Resources Team
Among other things, the financial Resources team is responsible for formalizing and maintaining the churches budget, implementing orderly plans for receiving monies, systematizing counting and banking, recording monies received, using standard procedures for requisitioning, distributing and purchasing, using adequate accounting and auditing procedures, reporting appropriately to the church.

Communications/Public Relations Team
The Communications/Public Relations team is responsible for developing advertisements, flyers, public relations pieces, news releases, and newsletters and writing ad copy for the church, contribute to good public relations of the church by using writing, editing and graphic design skills to help develop printed media.

Internet/Web Team
The Internet/Web team is responsible for: Analyzes the layout of Internet/Intranet pages for efficiency and effectiveness. Develops and maintains web applications. Assist in preparing graphics, text, and tables. May assist in information systems security administration. Analyzes new and existing software programs and assist users in the design, development, and maintenance of various computer applications. Tracks the usage of a system by using automated web system tracking tools.

Church Historian
The historian is responsible for keeping accurate records and photos and video of church events and milestones and organizing the information to preserve a historical library of the church’s heritage.

Records Administrator
The records administrator is responsible for keeping up-to-date records on church attendance and membership. These records will be available for examination by church leaders to help determine the state of the church and develop plans for spiritual and numerical growth as well as look at the need to expand the church’s ministry or building facilities.

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