People often ask the elders how they can grow as a believer or be entrusted with new ministry responsibility. Although everyone's history and growth are unique, God has clearly spoken about ways that every believer can grow in usefulness. This webpage is meant to guide you through general Christian growth at Berean, as well as specific ministry opportunities. Remember, none of us grows alone, so please contact one of the elders so that we can partner with you as you grow and serve!
How everyone gets started:
God gives us guaranteed ways to grow. No matter your circumstances, these are the ways to add strength to your Christian faith. We call them the "means of grace" because they are the ways that God has taught us to receive His blessing and strength. Just like you would go to your refrigerator when you are hungry or your wallet when you need money, when you seek spiritual strength, go to the means of grace. They are:
- Regular Bible study focused on worshipping God and application to your life.
- Regular prayer to exalt God and ask for His help.
- Regular interaction with the body of Christ -- weekly in Lord's Day worship, monthly in the Lord's Table, and periodically in other events.
- Participate in regular one-on-one discipleship.
Just as you would not become a bodybuilder after one workout session, you don't become a strong Christian by occasionally doing these things. One of the keys is regular participation in them. And just like working out (or many other practices), staying consistent is easier when you are with friends. Once you are regularly involved, you will get more encouragement to keep going!
In addition, God has given every Christian a spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12:7). These gifts are reflections of God's grace, so the wise Christian will seek to serve in ways that match his/her gift (1 Peter 4:10-11). You can understand spiritual gifts better through this sermon and this teaching resource.
I want to be a pastor-teacher!
| Action | Helpful Reading | Helpful Teaching | |
| 1 | Be discipled by an elder | For the Sake of His Name | Thoughts For Those Considering Ministry |
| 2 | Study Biblical eldership with Pastor Nate | Biblical Eldership | Pastors Talk Podcast |
| 3 | Take a regular ministry assignment and grow in it | Life in the Body of Christ | |
| 4 | Disciple another believer | Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life | |
| 5 | Take a preaching class at Berean | Preaching: How to Preach Biblically | The Expositor Podcast |
| 6 | Co-teach for 6+ months with an experienced teacher | Christ-Centered Preaching | |
| 7 | Observe elders meetings | The Shepherd Leader | 1 Timothy by Pastor Nate |
| 8 | Take the ACBC counseling training course (Start here!) | A Theology of Biblical Counseling | What is Biblical Counseling? |
| 9 | Accompany an elder for visitation or counseling | The Minister As Shepherd | |
| 10 | Attend Shepherds' Conference | ShepCon Media Archives | |
| 11 | Pursue training through a recommended institution |
I want to be a deacon/deaconess!
| Action | Helpful Reading | Helpful Teaching | |
| 1 | Be discipled by another believer | Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life | What is Discipleship? |
| 2 | Identify your spiritual gift and the best ministries for it | What about the sign gifts? | |
| 3 | Take a regular ministry assignment and grow in it | Life in the Body of Christ | |
| 4 | Meet with an elder or deacon/deaconess to study Deacon by Matt Smethurst | Deacon | |
| 5 | Accompany a deacon/deaconess for some of their ministries | ||
| 6 | Demonstrate faithfulness in service |
I want to be an elder!
| Action | Helpful Reading | Helpful Teaching | |
| 1 | Be discipled by an elder | For the Sake of His Name | Thoughts For Those Considering Ministry |
| 2 | Study Biblical eldership with Pastor Nate | Biblical Eldership | Pastors Talk Podcast |
| 3 | Take a regular ministry assignment and grow in it | Life in the Body of Christ | |
| 4 | Disciple another believer | Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life | |
| 5 | Take a preaching class at Berean | Preaching: How to Preach Biblically | The Expositor Podcast |
| 6 | Co-teach for 6+ months with an experienced teacher | Christ-Centered Preaching | |
| 7 | Observe elders meetings | The Shepherd Leader | 1 Timothy by Pastor Nate |
| 8 | Complete the elder application packet | Berean Eldership Materials | |
| 9 | Take the ACBC counseling training course (Start here!) | A Theology of Biblical Counseling | What is Biblical Counseling? |
| 10 | Accompany an elder for visitation or counseling | The Minister As Shepherd | |
| 11 | Attend Shepherds' Conference | ShepCon Media Archives |
I want to be a foreign missionary!
| Action | Helpful Reading | Helpful Teaching | |
| 1 | Be discipled by an elder | For the Sake of His Name | |
| 2 | Evangelize with the Community Impact Team | Loving Your Community | |
| 3 | Take a preaching (or Women's Bible Teaching) class | Preaching: How to Preach Biblically | The Expositor Podcast |
| 4 | Co-teach for 6+ months with an experienced teacher | Christ-Centered Preaching | |
| 5 | Meet and interview some of our missionaries | Let the Nations Be Glad | |
| 6 | Join a short-term service trip | There's Nothing Short About Short-Term Missions | |
| 7 | Attend a program at Wayumi | ||
| 8 | Observe elders' meetings (for men) | Biblical Eldership | 1 Timothy by Pastor Nate |
| 9 | Pursue training through a recommended institution |
I want to be an adult teacher!
| Action | Helpful Reading | Helpful Teaching | |
| 1 | Faithfully participate in one additional teaching time (adult SS, community group, etc.) | ||
| 2 | Be discipled by a member who is currently teaching | From Text to Teaching | |
| 3 | Review our doctrinal statement and clarify your own beliefs on primary and secondary doctrines | Doctrinal Statement | Theological Triage |
| 4 | Take a preaching (or Women's Bible Teaching) class | Preaching: How to Preach Biblically | The Expositor Podcast |
| 5 | Co-teach for 6+ months with an experienced teacher | Teaching to Change Lives | |
| 6 | Start attending Teach! workshops at Berean | ||
| 7 | Coordinate with the elders to find a suitable public teaching or private discipleship opportunity | ||
| 8 | Make a plan for continued growth and improvement |
I want to be a children's teacher!
| Action | Helpful Reading | Helpful Teaching | |
| 1 | Faithfully participate in one additional teaching time (adult SS, community group, etc.) | ||
| 2 | Be discipled by a member who is currently teaching | From Text to Teaching | |
| 3 | Review our doctrinal statement and clarify your own beliefs on primary and secondary doctrines | Theological Triage | |
| 4 | Take a preaching (or Women's Bible Teaching) class | ||
| 5 | Complete a background check | ||
| 6 | Co-teach for 6+ months with an experienced teacher | Teaching to Change Lives | |
| 7 | Start attending Teach! workshops at Berean | ||
| 8 | Coordinate with the elders to find a suitable public teaching or private discipleship opportunity | ||
| 9 | Make a plan for continued growth and improvement |
I want to be a stronger disciple of Christ or find my place in the church!
| Action | Helpful Reading | Helpful Teaching | |
| 1 | Complete a Fundamentals of the Faith group study | ||
| 2 | Be discipled by a member to study Spiritual gifts | ||
| 3 | Begin serving in ministries for 3-6 months at a time | ||
| 4 | Faithfully participate in one additional teaching time (adult SS, community group, etc.) | ||
| 5 | Refine your area of service to match with your Spiritual gift | ||
| 6 | Take the ACBC counseling course to learn how to help others |
I want to be a certified Biblical counselor!
| Action | Helpful Reading | Helpful Teaching | |
| 1 | Observe live Biblical counseling at the church | ||
| 2 | Start reading/listening to Counseling resources | ACBC Recommended Books | Truth in Love Podcast |
| 3 | Take the ACBC Biblical counseling course at Berean | Express interest in Counseling Class | Video Invitation |
| 4 | Attend the ACBC Annual Conference | ||
| 5 | Start formal counseling | ||
| 6 | Complete ACBC certification | ||
| 7 | Maintain a public counseling schedule through the church |
I want to be a better evangelist!
| Action | Helpful Reading | Helpful Teaching | |
| 1 | Be discipled by an evangelist at Berean | Tell The Truth | Sample Evangelism Videos |
| 2 | Strategize about your best evangelism opportunities | Let The Nations Be Glad | Way of the Master |
| 3 | Begin your own regular evangelism/outreach ministry | The Gospel According to Jesus | True Repentance |
| 4 | Join the Community Impact Team | Loving Your Community | |
| 5 | Act as an ambassador to help new believers integrate into the church |
I want to be a Goldier husband/wife or parent!
| Action | Helpful Reading | Helpful Teaching | |
| 1 | Be discipled by a church member who is experienced as a husband, wife, or parent | The Exemplary Husband | Marriage Seminar |
| 2 | Participate in the next marriage or parenting Sunday School class | The Excellent Wife | Celebration of Marriage |
| 3 | Seek an ongoing prayer and accountability partner in this area | Shepherding a Child's Heart | Parenting Seminar |
| 4 | Attend an ACBC Marriage and Family seminar | Intro to Marriage & Family Training |
I want to be a member of a church plant!
| Action | Helpful Reading | Helpful Teaching | |
| 1 | Faithfully participate in one additional teaching time (adult SS, community group, etc.) | ||
| 2 | Read at least one book on the church and faithful membership | Option #1, #2, #3 | |
| 3 | Join a church plant communinity group | ||
| 4 | Take a preaching (or Women's Bible Teaching) class | ||
| 5 | Co-teach for 6+ months with an experienced teacher | Teaching to Change Lives | |
| 6 | Coordinate with the elders to find a suitable public teaching or private discipleship opportunity | ||
| 7 | Make a plan for continued growth and improvement |