Mark Blair - BICF ZGC JTC - July 2019

Dear Partners in the Gospel,

On behalf of the Elders I want to thank you for your help in our Membership process during both English morning services on the next 2 Sundays, November 27 and December 4. Indeed we are first and foremost partners in the Gospel. By His great mercy our Lord Jesus has given us life and salvation! And this is the fundamental point I urge you to focus on as you help us grow His body at ZGC. At the end of each of the four meetings we will break into small groups. The number of groups will be determined by how many of us are available. And, the depth of knowing the people will be greater the more groups we have! So please try to come.

There are five case studies presented below. You are required to write about three of them, according to your choice. For each case study you must do the following:

Select several relevant passages from Paul's writings that address each issue. Your discussion of these relevant Scriptural passages should include both interpretation and application comments.

Interpretive comments should consider the context, theme, word meanings, structure of the grammar, etc. of the chosen passages.

Application comments should be specific and relevant insights that would be convincing and clear to your friend.

Reflections for the BICF Leaders

2009

As a new pastor in the BICF I am trying to understand Membership here. As in any church, there are obvious advantages to having a membership.

1. It allows a person to express their adherence to the local church.

2. It allows the leaders to know who are their most loyal followers.

3. It provides a pool of more committed people to enlist in ministry leadership.

Having served as a pastor in an international church for some time, I have found there are also some negatives to membership in an International Church (IC).

2018

I have listened to the teachings of most of the recent speakers advertised to the whole BICF community. I did not personally attend. (I realize that the recordings do not get everything completely). I have concerns about their ministry paradigm and specific objections to the content of their message. But I want here to focus my comments on the wider impact to us as a BICF family of churches. 

Beijing International Christian Fellowship

WHEN CONSIDERING ORDINATION TO CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

It is great and awesome privilege to be ordained or to help someone prepare for ordination. This paper is to guide candidates for ordination and ordaining churches to better understand what is involved in the ordination process. To candidates, God's Word says, "If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task" (1 Tim 3:1). Our prayer is that God would raise up and call many into His service who are scripturally qualified, Spirit-filled, and zealous for His name. To churches, God's Word says, "Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way" (1 Cor 14:40). When we follow this Biblical admonition, we are a model to the candidate, and we reflect the importance we place on ordination.

What We Believe

Marriage is one of the most important commitments a person can make. Second only to your decision to follow Christ, marriage will have a great impact on your life, your family, your friends, and your future. We all know the sad fact that many marriages are failing in our time. One reason is because far too many churches have failed to recognize their responsibility to properly equip people to enter marriage. We want, with God's help, to help you as much as we can to be ready to marry. Performing wedding ceremonies is our choice: it is not something we are obligated to do. This means if we feel you and your fiance are not ready, or should not be married for any reason, we will decline to perform your wedding. In Christian marriage, you are making a vow to God to fulfill all that He requires for marriage as outlined in the Bible. Because of the great significance and importance of the marriage vows, all parties should approach marriage prayerfully, patiently, and honesty. Because we love the Lord and you, we want His best and your best.

I appreciate the faithful ministry of our prayer team very much. Unless the Lord breathes out the fire, all our efforts remain a wet pile of wood!

Pastor Mark Blair

Levels of Leadership Training

Gathering, Growing, Going

The motto of BICF ZGC is `Gathering, Growing, Going`.

People from many nations gather together to worship and serve the Lord Jesus Christ in ZGC. Each Sunday is a preview of the day we from `every tongue, tribe, people, and nation` will gather before Him. The Lord Himself is the Chief Gatherer. And He enlist us to bring people to enter the joy of His family. Small Groups are one of the best places to bring new friends.