Our Pastoral Commitment
As pastors of Tyrrell Baptist Church, our approach to ministry is best captured in these three words: Integrity, Intimacy, Intentionality.
We also believe that Jesus wants his followers to be engaged in intentional discipleship. Who was involved in discipling you?
Integrity
We believe that integrity was best modeled by Jesus Christ even to the point of predicting and experiencing His own death and subsequent resurrection. The apostle Paul, once a persecutor of Jesus’ disciples, would say “be imitators of me even as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthinas 11v1). That is a tall order for living a life of integrity! Yet the standard is there for being followers of Jesus and for doing what He wants us to do. As we learn from Jesus and keeping in view our principle of integrity, the goal is to grow more into His likeness.
Intimacy
Imagine Jesus and the twelve disciples in the Upper Room for that last Passover meal. There was the footwashing,
the breaking of bread and the sharing of the cup of wine which Jesus said was the new covenant in His blood. Three years of close contact with this circle of disciples was culminating in a most intimate gathering. This was truly spiritual community. The pattern of Jesus—available
to the many but focusing attention on quality relationships with a discrete number—is the pattern for discipleship.
Intentionality
Intentionality speaks of a sense of purpose rising above good intentions. Read the gospel accounts and it is unmistakable that Jesus displayed intentionality. He had a
mission that derived from His relationship with the Father. We are to have a mission that is derived from our relationship with God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Jesus spoke many things that would shape our attitudes and behaviour. Yet, two expressions stand at the forefront—the Great Commandment and
the Great Commission.
The Great Commandment
And He said to him, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ "The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’” (Matthew 22v37 & 39)
The Great Commission
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28v18-20)
Both of these instructions require intentionality.
One thing that will distinguish our endeavours is intentionality in discipleship.
Discipleship
Following from the Great Commission, we understand our responsibility to engage with people so that they
will have the opportunity
to become followers of
Jesus Christ and learners
(= disciple) of His way.
The apostle Paul said, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11v1)
We believe that process requires a more intentional relationship between Christians. Our approach, as pastors, is to work with people in a way that they will develop into disciples who can, in turn, make other disciples.
Jesus quoted in Matthew 18 – "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."