Even as we were preparing to receive our new pastor, the Lord was preparing his heart to lead and direct the people of New Berean. Pastor “Tony” was given “The BereanWay” as the vision even before he was selected to serve here
The BereanWay – God’s Vision for New Berean
B – Believe God for the Impossible – The Lord simply asks, commands and demands his followers and disciples to trust and believe Him (Heb. 11:6). In the Acts of the Apostles (3:1-10), God used Peter to help a man, lame from birth experience the awesome power of believing in an awesome God.
E – Educate – Peter wrote in his first epistle to a group of Elders to “feed the flock of God“. One of the more critical elements of the work of the local church, through his appointed Pastors and Elders is to educate and equip the saints of God for the work of God. In his commission, documented in Matthew 28:20, Jesus told the disciples to teach others the things which he commanded. New Berean’s goal is to obey Christ’s command, to educate and equip others.
R – Reach Up and Reach Out – In his natural role as teacher of “rabbi” Jesus teaches his disciples to pray (Luke 11:1). The is no greater element of biblical ministry than prayer. Jesus disciples asked and he showed them not only how to access God’s divine resource for ministry. Before we move forward or reach out to serve, we must be in tune with his specific will, plan or direction.
E – Reach Up and Reach Out – In his natural role as teacher of “rabbi” Jesus teaches his disciples to pray. The is no greater element of biblical ministry than prayer. Jesus disciples asked and he showed them not only how to access God’s divine resource for ministry. Before we move forward or reach out to serve, we must be in tune with his specific will, plan or direction.
A – Adore God – in the Greek is simply to worship. Throughout the scriptures, God’s people are commanded to worship the Lord. Worship begins with accessing the object or subject to be worship. For the believer, God is the Creator (Genesis 1, Isaiah 40:28), He is the Word who was manifested in the flesh (John 1:1-5, 10-14) and has become our redeemer (Isaiah 78:35, Heb. 2:10) which is why Job was able to adore the lord by saying “For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth” Job 19:25. When we take in the divine attributes of our loving God, we too can adore him from the heart and live our live to his glory.
N – Nobly Search and Study the Scriptures – The Bible describes the people of God as a “royal priesthood, an holy nation” (1 Pet. 2:9). As the people we are, we search the scriptures, study the scriptures, read the scriptures and meditate on his word that we may know the mind of God. It is our daily intake and knowledge of God’s word that we are able to do his will to his pleasure and glory (II Tim. 2:15, Acts 17:11, Deut. 6:7, 11:19)
W – Welcome All Who Come – The concept of welcoming all who come is rooted in the God’s acceptance of us, just as we are. Jesus commanded his disciples to reap a harvest of people who needed to be saved regardless of their status in this world (Matt. 9, Acts 3:6,). God accepted us just as we are and gave us access to his holiness and expects us to receive any and all who will come to him. He wants us to receive people as they are by the same grace we received (Eph. 2:10), love them and care for them.
A – Adventure with God – Because God is the exciting God he is, he expects to follow him by faith and experience the same divine wonders as those who followed him before. Hebrews 11, is a classic example of people who followed the Lord God by faith. The disciples followed the Lord and turned the world upside down (Acts 1:8) and we are all gracious recipients of their faithful obedience.
Y – Youth Focused – Realizing our obligation to evangelize the world for the cause of Christ, we must be aware of the value and benefits of investing and imparting the truths of our God to our children. God commanded the people of Israel to be diligent in teaching their children all they is to know about him so they would be able to teach their children and their children (Deut. 11). As we seek to honor the Lord and his word, The BereanWay is our guide to impart the everything we know and have experienced about the Lord (Matt. 28:20)
The BereanWay is God’s Vision for the New Berean ministry under the leadership and oversight of Pastor Antonio Harris
