Dave Burke

Philippians 1 to 4

You can get a pdf file here

When Jesus briefed his team in the moments before the ascension he gave them a simple mission statement (Matthew 28:19-20). The task is to make disciples and teach them how to live obediently to Christ. Whenever we look at this we tend to focus on the task but today I want us to reflect on the team and let’s start with a simple observation – God is a team.

Earlier this year we learned that when Jesus said these words he was introducing us to something quite staggering: we baptise people in the name (singular) of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He was giving us a new name for God. Each of these persons is a distinct person, but they are one God. Since the dawn of time the persons of the Trinity have worked to create, to sustain and to redeem the human race. In these verses Jesus commands us to work together in unity as the Trinity works together in his one-ness.

Here is Paul picking up that Idea in his letter to the Philippians:

Philippians 1:3-6

God is calling us to partnership with himself and with one-another as we live out what it means to be followers of Jesus in this twenty-first century. This is the most important idea in the life of the church - partnership.

We are delighted to welcome all those who attend Bethany City Church. It is a joy to have fellowship with you and we are committed to supporting you spiritually in whatever way we can. Yet we need active partners if we are to fulfil our vision of a vibrant Christian community for the City of Sunderland, and you need to be an active part of such a community of you are to reach your full potential as a Christian.

I am using the word partner rather than member very deliberately. You will see why in a moment, but for now I want to come clean and be honest with you. There is a purpose in this message: we would like you to consider becoming a partner of Bethany City Church. It is a win-win arrangement: you will be blessed by more active participation, and we will all get the benefit of having you on board!

What is partnership?

Most churches have a formal list of members. There are strengths in this but the actual result is frequently unsatisfactory: it can become a little like joining a golf club!

We prefer the term partner to member because we feel that it is truer to the New Testament vision for the local church, and it is an altogether more active word. We want partners, not mere members!

Now, you are going to accuse me of semantics here – feel free! But there is a world of difference between these two terms. Partnership is active, membership is passive: the New Testament never talks about church membership but it constantly encourages partnership with the local church.

What do we mean by partner?

A partner is someone who can wholeheartedly affirm their belief in the things that we teach and who is comfortable with our culture and ethos. He or she will want to do some service within the church (even if it is a small thing – every little helps!). In addition, we ask that you will pray and give regularly so that the work is resourced spiritually and financially.

In turn, you will be recognised as a partner and you will be kept informed and consulted on important issues facing the church. You will know the joy of being at the heart of all that we do, and of knowing that you are working together with like-minded people on something that will have eternal significance!

Partnership in the New Testament.

God’s call to be in active partnership with your local church is at the heart of the New Testament. Paul’s letter to the Philippians is all about partnership:

Frequently asked questions

What do you mean when you say that partners would do some service in the church – what if I am too busy? Your day-job and your family life are a vital part of your service to Christ – if you are a fireman, you are our man in the fire-station: if you are a nurse, you are our woman on the ward. Your job is your calling and it is a spiritual ministry that we need to support you in!

But the church needs workers. You and your friends and family all benefit from the different ministries at Bethany City Church and these cannot continue without teams to run them. We don’t ask more of you than you are willing or able to give, but we do have to ask you a question: how can you help?

What do you expect partners to give financially? Jesus told a story about a poor widow who dropped two copper coins into the temple treasury; he said that God appreciated her gift more than those of the fat cats around her. Nevertheless, she had made significant sacrifices to give what she did. Giving is an important spiritual ministry.

How much you give is a matter for you to decide according to your ability, there is no minimum and there is certainly no maximum but we cannot thrive as a church without financial resources.

Do I have to be baptised to be a partner? As a church we believe that being baptised is an important moment in the life of a Christian - we are obeying Christ’s command and going public with our faith. We strongly recommend that potential partners are baptised (either at Bethany City Church or a previous fellowship), we do not insist upon it.

What is the ethos of Bethany City Church and what do we teach? We are a community of Christians drawn from a wide range of backgrounds: we are united around the gospel and do not allow less important things to divide us. So you may be passionate about dispensational pre-millennialism, or predestination, or seven day young earth creationism, or speaking in tongues – I think that all this is fantastic! But there are godly and Bible-loving people here who take exactly the opposite views to you – I think that is fantastic too! The important thing is the gospel.

This is a brief summary of the gospel that unites us and is the core of what we teach:

• Our universe was created by an amazing God who loves us
• Human beings have rejected this God and messed up his creation and their own lives
• God came to live on earth in the person of Jesus. He lived a perfect life, but he told us that following him is not just for good people – he invites sinners to serve him
• Jesus died on a cross so that our sins can be forgiven and he came back to life again to show that he has conquered death
• Everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness and new life. The Holy Spirit comes to live within us enabling us to become more like Jesus
• We believe that the Bible God’s word and that when we listen to what it says God speaks to us
• Being a Christian is about living in friendship with God and being an apprentice of Jesus. This is how we find fulfillment and peace of mind in this life, and peace with God for ever when our life on earth has finished.

Now Christians get very enthusiastic about stuff that I have not mentioned, and there is nothing wrong in that, but these things are what we teach and everything else is secondary – we will not fall out over it. Someone once said “On essentials, unity: on secondary points, liberty: in everything, love” – that pretty much sums it up.

Let me mention one final thing about our ethos. In our teaching and worship we try to be both Biblical and bang-up-to-date: helpful for Christians and accessible to those who are just looking! We will never change this – we aim to be a church for those who don’t go to church and for those who have given up on church.

How do I become a partner?

If you have been received into membership – don’t worry, you are now a partner.

If you are enthusiastic about the vision of Bethany City Church, believe the things we teach and wish to get involved we want you on board! If you would like to become an active partner, ask Brian Jones or any other member of the Leadership Team and they can tell you more. We will want to talk about partnership with you, let you ask any questions you may have and officially tell the church that you have come on board.

Everyone we baptise will be regarded as a partner from that day onwards so when we meet with those who want to be baptised we will talk about partnership with you.