Building a Culture of Soul Care Through the Personal Ministry of God's Word at Calvary Baptist Church in Brewerton, New York

Abstract

This project was designed to equip and mobilize the members of Calvary Baptist Church, so that they would participate with the pastors in the personal ministry of God’s Word to help every man, woman, and child in the church to grow in their relationship with God. Chapter 2 is the biblical rationale that demonstrates God’s call to be involved in the discipleship process and explains God’s dynamics for change. Matthew 28:16-20, Psalm 19:7-14, and Ephesians 4:20-24 are examined. Chapter 3 identifies five key principles in the biblical counseling movement: a culture of care (1) involves every member in the church community, (2) responds to the contextual status of the person, (3) uses God’s authoritative and sufficient Word, (4) battles idols in the heart, and (5) teaches one how to live according to the truth. Chapter 4 explains the developed curriculum for the course, describes the implementation process in caring for one another, and then summarizes the results of the participants’ care for one another. Chapter 5 is an evaluation of the impact on those participating in the training. Strengths and weaknesses regarding purpose, goals, training, and practicing “one-another” care are discussed.