VISION FOR ICA

Part 1: The meaning and purpose of ICA

What is a church?

Some say it is a building, denomination, a monument, a group of people.

Church (ἐκκλησία, ekklēsia) - a group of followers of Jesus who gather together to worship, pray, fellowship, in a specific location.

Often times, we look at the church as the by-product of what Jesus did on the cross. A church is a respose to the command Jesus gave towards the end of his ministry on earth.

Some churches have:

Multiple services

Multiple campuses

Meetings in their homes

Each church has a vision, a purpose, and a goal.

What is the vision of ICA?

We are a community of internationals in Kyiv, Ukraine who join together to grow in our faith, support each other in our walk with God and celebrate all that God is doing in and through us.

This statement was put together before us, as a response to what the Bible commands us to do.

1. Great command Matthew 22:37-40

Matthew 22:37–40 NIV

37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Later, his last recorded words were to continue what was mentioned before.

2. Great commission Matthew 28:19-20

Matthew 28:19–20 NIV

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

3. New Testament Church Acts 2:42-45

Acts 2:42–45 NIV

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

In light of these passages, let’s ask the most important question that we can ask ourselves - why does ICA Kyiv exist?

Why does ICA exist?

There are millions of churches all around the world. There are hundreds of churches in Kyiv, and a dozen churches in a district that we are currently in. Why should we add ICA to the list?

We ask this question not out of weakness, but out of strength.

What is our goal as a church?

Why do we do what we do?

What is the purpose of a certain ministry?

Who should care if our ministry exists?

Based on our vision statement, we exist to:

Grow together in faith

Support one another in life

Celebrate what God has done (In us, with us, for us, through us)

How do we accomplish this vision?

Weekly Sunday gatherings - Worship, word, fellowship

Mid-week gatherings - small groups and bible studies

Seasonal events - special holidays, retreats, etc.

Annual events - water baptism, Christmas, Easter, etc

Services - soulcarrying, providing help, carrying for others need

Part 2: The function of ICA Kyiv

The Bible gives clear criteries of a church leader. Characteristics that a person ought to maintain as a leader of the church. We will go through them as we navigate through our ministries and our leadership board.

What is a Leader?

2.1 A leader who is humble

1 Peter 5:1–5 NIV

1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

2.2 A leader who is above reproach

1 Timothy 3:1–13 NIV

1 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. 8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. 11 In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

2.3 A leader who sets an example for others

Titus 1:5–9 NIV

5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Reflections:

The best leaders don’t control, they empower.

The best leaders don’t spend, they invest.

The best leaders don’t think problems, they think possibilities.

The best leaders don’t motivate, they inspire.

The best leaders don’t delegate tasks, they delegate authority

A good leader leads, a great leader grows.

Questions of Self-Reflection

List a few names that you can or will consider as leaders in your life.

What’s one area where you might need to challenge your thinking in order to grow and succeed?

What are three questions that you want to ask your ideal leader about the way they think about your leadership?

How do you invest your time? What brings in the most reward?

When a problem arises, what is your action (algorythm)?

What is your goal?

Questions for potential leaders

Who shows a great potential of leadership?

Who should you be investing in?

How do you invest in a potential leader?

Part 3: Leadership and Ministries at ICA

1 Peter 4:10 NIV

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Levels of Leadership at ICA

Pastor

Elders

Staff

Volunteers

Community

Each level is accountable, and there is a responsibility level.

Pastor - seetting the vision and the direction

Elders - help develop the spiritual side of the church, deal with disputes, help assist and make spiritual and financial decisions of the church

Staff - Operations and administrative work

Volunteers - Heartbeat of the church

Community - people who walk through the doors

How does the vision of the church is being accomplished?

Ministries

Worship Team Ministry

Livestream

Sound

ProPresenter

Translation Ministry

Children’s minsitry

Men’s Ministry

Women’s Ministry

Coffee Bar ministry

Welcoming Ministry

Student Ministry

Chaplancy Ministry

Ministries that we want to start:

Youth Ministry

Social Media