Local Ministry Development

UCCOF Senior Minister I Provisioned on: September 15, 2019

---

The Apostle Paul's heart seen in 1 Timothy 1:3 is the basis for local ministry. He told Timothy, "As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine." Godly edification of the body of Christ in the most holy faith is the result of careful doctrine and lifestyle. The goal for every local ministry is "love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith" (1 Timothy 1:5).

Starting a new local ministry is not a difficult undertaking by any means. The Lord could not have made it any easier for us. As much as modern ministries are often found in some marvelous facilities, what matters most is the presence of God in our gatherings, and the Lord Himself has said that collaboration is the key to ministry, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). The promise for ministry which accompanies the honoring of His glorious presence is "that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven" (Matthew 18:19).

The agreement in asking is not difficult when there is a sense of order in the direction for the ministry. Granted, a new minister will never have a full picture of what God will do through a new ministry, nor exactly how He will do it. The head of a local ministry must be a person of faith; someone who will work with whatever the Lord has already provided, and who is able to continue to move forward trusting God will bring the provisions necessary for a viable ministry to the local community. The majority of what God needs for a local community to enjoy Christian fellowship is already within the community. The minister must believe this to be true, and must lead the community of faith to develop and bring forth the goodness of God right there in their midst.

As the Universal Citadel Consortium develops local ministries, we look to appoint and to support individuals as local ministers who have the proven godly character necessary for this noble responsibility within the kingdom of God. Whether it is a new UCC church plant, or a ministry coming into the UCC fellowship, our standard of godly excellence within the character of the minister is unwavering. The Lord has given us His kingdom, and it is a solemn responsibility to build it in the way which honors Him through the leading of the Holy Spirit.

God's leading is made possible only through humble submission to Him by the one called to minister. Universal Citadel Consortium is committed to ensuring local ministers in the fellowship are truly in service to the Lord. We endeavor to do this by providing the spiritual covering of prayer, by doing our part in developing the character and skill sets of local ministers, and by providing accountability to the local minister, congregation, and ministry.

UCC is very careful to respect the sovereignty of every local church within our fellowship. We are also committed to being careful to honor the Lord by helping ensure the local sovereignty is in accordance with the supreme sovereignty of our Lord. This is a safety for everyone; for the UCC, for local ministers, and for local congregations. As we all walk in agreement, first with the Holy Spirit, then by nature with one another, as both brethren and as ministry partners, the Lord will work mightily in our local ministries even as Paul assured Timothy to be the case.

As the UCC endeavors to be organized in approach to ministry, let every local ministry also do all things in like-mindedness with good decency and order. Some requirements for good accountability will be the submission of a local Ministry Plan, an annual budget, and a Community Support Plan. These items will be sent by each local ministry to their regional overseer each year in the month of October to ensure the local ministry is prepared to head in a sensible direction for the next twelve months. The regional overseer will work with the local minister to ensure these documents are sensible, realistic, and effective for viable ministry. The regional overseer will do so without dictating the focus of the local ministry. Rather, the regional overseer will provide oversight trusting the local minister to have the local ministry's and local community's best interest at heart.

REV. OSCAR RIVERA

THE UNIVERSAL CITADEL CONSORTIUM ORDAINED FELLOWSHIP,

September 15, 2019.

---

#Rev_Oscar_Rivera

#UCCOF_Senior_Minister