Synergy Resources

In the previous video of the Synergy Initiative training series, Dr. Jeremy Kimble explained what the Church is. In this video, he explains the essentials of the local church and how it functions.  

Essential 1: Leadership 

There are several leadership roles within the church, the first being pastors and elders. Acts 20:28 commands church leaders to “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” In 1 Peter 5:2a, the apostle Peter instructs the elders to “shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight...” Pastors and elders lead a church in a variety of ways, including casting the vision for the church, preaching and teaching the Word, shepherding and overseeing the flock, and rebuking false teachers and false teachings.  

Church leadership also includes deacons. The term “deacon” itself means servant, reinforcing their role in supporting the church through humble service. Deacons are tasked with serving the congregation in a variety of ways, ensuring that the practical needs of the flock are met. The characteristics and qualifications that deacons must possess to serve in the church are laid out in 1 Timothy 3:8–13.  

Lastly, the church is member-ministered and member-governed. What does this mean? Well, in some situations, the church body makes a decision, such as in matters of church discipline. Matthew 18 lays out the steps of church discipline, and the last step is bringing the issue before the congregation so they can help correct the member in the discipline process. The book of Acts also talks about other scenarios the church weighs in on, including doctrinal issues and missions.  

Additionally, church members are called to minister to one another. Ephesians 4:15–16a reminds us that each member is responsible for building up others in the body of Christ. Church ministry is not just for pastors; every believer is called to encourage, teach, exhort, and help others grow in Christlikeness. This collaborative ministry is vital for the church’s health and mission. 

Essential 2: Membership 

Another key essential of the church is membership. Church membership is not just joining a group or voting on decisions — it is also a covenant commitment to be overseen and to oversee through discipleship. As members, individuals commit to helping others in the church body faithfully follow the Lord while also being accountable to the church body for their own spiritual growth and maturity. 

Discipleship, at its core, involves encouragement, exhortation, rebuke, and correction. Hebrews 3 emphasizes the need for believers to exhort one another daily to avoid being hardened by sin. Similarly, Matthew 18 provides instructions for addressing sin within the congregation, underscoring the importance of mutual accountability and correction in church membership. The central aspect of membership is fostering Christlikeness through discipleship and accountability. 

Essential 3: Ordinances 

There are two ordinances vital to Christianity: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is the initiation of the new covenant. It signifies that the one being baptized has died to their old, sinful self and is raised to life as their new self in Jesus Christ. The Lord’s Supper is a reminder of what Jesus accomplished through His death on the cross. This ordinance helps the church remember what Christ has done for them and strengthens the community’s bond through the shared participation in Christ’s sacrifice. 

Essential 4: Being on Mission Together 

We are all on mission together. We are called to go out into the world and make disciples by sharing the Gospel through the Holy Spirit’s power, as Acts 1:8 says. We gather not only to be with other believers but also to be exhorted, equipped, helped, comforted, served, and then to go and make disciples. As Jesus tells His disciples in John 20:21b, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” We also are sent as they were. 

Essential 5: Word-Ministry 

Christians are called to minister Scripture to each other. As it says in Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Ways to minister Scripture include evangelism, preaching, teaching, discipling one another, counseling, fellowshipping with one another, and practicing hospitality.  

Action Steps 

So what does that mean for us moving forward? Dr. Kimble lays out several action steps for us to take. The first is to know how churches functions based on what it is: they are God’s people, Christ’s body, and the temple of the Holy Spirit. The second is to engage in the full life of your church. Find ways to get connected and serve. Lastly, minister God’s Word to each other. There are a variety of ways to do this, but the main point is that we are all called to teach and admonish each other with the Word of God.  

Watch the Foundations video below to hear more from Dr. Jeremy Kimble about the Gospel and church relationship:

Dr. Jeremy Kimble, Professor of Theology and Director of the Synergy Initiative at Cedarville University, is passionate about teaching college and graduate students the truth of God’s Word. He is committed to teaching in the classroom, mentoring students, and speaking in church, camp, and conference settings. He served in pastoral ministry for eight years and is currently an active member and minister at University Baptist Church. Dr. Kimble's academic interests include biblical and systematic theology, ecclesiology, preaching and teaching, and the mission of the Church.

Synergy is the combined power of a group working together that is greater than the power of individuals working separately. The Synergy Initiative aims to help students plan strategically to graduate from Cedarville, go together with others from this place, and invest their energies, talents, and efforts in planting, revitalizing, and multiplying churches. As Cedarville graduates join up with other church members who are equipped to do the work of ministry, the combined effect of their efforts will accomplish, by God’s grace, abundantly more than only a couple of pastors in a church doing all of the work on their own. Thus, the goal is to equip students to leave Cedarville University ready to help establish and strengthen local churches throughout the nation and around the world.