MINISTRY VISION
Pastor Kyle Gray wants to share his present perspective on current ministry. Pastor Gray has expressed that his philosophy is constantly susceptible to revision, as he aims to ensure that it evolves in conjunction with his own development and growth as a Christian. The most current revision is displayed below:
I. Beginning with Prayer
Without prayer, the church would not exist. I offer both general and specific prayers for the assembly. Any ministry that wants to effectively carry on God's work must practice prayer. Two important areas need to be the focus of prayer: ministry and personal life. Every area of service, every project, and every activity should be covered with prayer. Every single person requires daily prayer as part of their mission.
The goal of the private component of prayer is to develop my relationship with God over time. I want to get closer to Christ everyday and the only way to get closer to Christ is to pray. I talk to God in my prayers as well as listen to him. I want to keep giving him everything I have, everything I am. The Psalms are one of the best resources for doing this.
II. The Concept of Living from the Inside-Out
Our most private selves, the parts of ourselves that are most intimate with God, are the most outwardly visible parts of ourselves. My relationship with God must be one of transparency and intimacy. I want to set an example by living this way as much as possible and encourage other people to do the same. This will be evident in the way I interact with others and prioritize the needs of others above my own. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is one of the best texts in the Bible for describing how to live a life from the inside out. Mark 1:35 and Matthew 23 (how not to live!) are more relevant verses.
III. Focused on Empowering Others
When it comes to helping the flock; I believe that mentoring, instructing, and correcting are where I shine. I believe God has also endowed me with administrative and planning skills, as well as the gift of discernment. In order to be as effective as possible in the Body of Christ, a major portion of my time must be devoted to these strengths. Ephesians 4:11–12, Romans 12:3–8, 1 Corinthians 12–14, and 1 Peter 4:10–11.
IV. Focus on Evangelism
Christ has charged the Church with spreading the Gospel to all people. This is the Church's principal mission, and it is also my personal mission. I have a passion for witnessing others come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Through my words, actions, and very existence, I endeavor to spread the gospel. And it is our responsibility to act as guides and teachers to those around us. Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28:18–20 are two well-known passages that discuss Christ's commission to the Church.
V. Creating Followers
Helping another person develop a deeper faith in Christ through one-on-one mentoring is an effective and efficient use of your time. God has called me to fulfill this role and equip others to do the same. The relationships God has given us are our primary resource for influencing the lives of others. Honesty and commitment are prerequisites however, this guidance produces morally upright leaders that adhere to 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1:6-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-3. Colossians 1:28–29 and 2 Timothy 2:2 have additional verses that bolster this idea.
VI. Pastoral Informed
There are times when the pastoral side of ministry and the teaching and equipping component of ministry are very different from one another. To serve as a pastor demands a significant amount of love. Because I love, it is necessary for me to be able to forgive. I need to love deeply enough to be able to confront and instruct others. In order to comfort, I need to love profoundly enough. God intends for us to experience happiness and sorrow in response to the emotions of those around us. I don't believe that delivering comprehensive counseling is where my abilities lie, so please don't expect that from me. However, some of that is essential for the work of the ministry. I will do all in my power to figure out whether or not it is acceptable to refer a person in need to a specialist, and I will also try to figure out what I can do to assist. I actually care about people on a true level, and I want to pray for them and with them. The biblical passages Acts 20:13–35, John 21:15–17, Matthew 18:15–20, and Galatians 6:1–5 all support this field of work.
VII. Emphasis on the Youth
The Bible is effective in carrying out the purposes that God has for it. His Word will never fail to accomplish what it sets out to do. As of right now, and for as long as God provides me time, it is and will continue to be my obligation to communicate the whole meaning of it to kids and their families with conviction, clarity, and relevancy while maintaining love. This is something that really excites me. God has given me the freedom to be exactly who I am, to approach ministry in a way that is distinctive to me, and to be completely under his control. The verses in 1 Corinthians 1:18–2:5, Romans 10:14–17, 2 Timothy 3:10–4:5, and Galatians 6:1–5 show and explain this desire to teach God's Word.
VIII. Church Respect
Jesus' love for his Church set a high standard, and I shall strive to follow in his footsteps. I believe the Church's main goals are evangelism, equipping, and edifying. Because of my allegiance to Christ, I shall always try to serve the Church faithfully. I think the Church needs ongoing renewal and restoration to keep people serving God. I'll support this in Church and family. Matthew 16:13–20 and Ephesians 5:22–23 are two verses that show Christ's devotion to and love for his church, as well as his relationship to it.
In my perspective, this is a model of a viable ministry strategy. Of course, it is not perfect because I am a flawed man saved by grace. The potential for growth and improvement is necessary however, after maturing for over two decades, I've been able to refine my guiding philosophy into something that helps inform the "why" of my ministry. To your benefit, I pray.