Ministries at Open Arms Church
The first step to serving in any ministry at Open Arms Church is to attend the "Discovering Open Arms" 101 class, offered quarterly. We want to get to know you, and learn how our church body might be able to best serve you, before you consider the ways in which God might be calling you to serve this church family!
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. - 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV)
As believers, we may be gifted differently, but we serve the same Lord. What He has given to us is to be used for the “common good” - our individual gifts are to be used to the benefit of all members of His family, for His glory.
God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. - 1 Corinthians 12:18-20 (ESV)
We celebrate the diversity of the gifts that God has given to us! It is His purposeful design for us to complement each other as we serve with the intent to please Him.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. - 1 Corinthians 12:27 (ESV)
As participants in this local body of believers that God has assembled at Open Arms Church, all ministry flows out of the unique vision and passion that God has given us as a church.
To request more information about serving in any of the following ministries, contact Pastor John.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. - 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV)
As believers, we may be gifted differently, but we serve the same Lord. What He has given to us is to be used for the “common good” - our individual gifts are to be used to the benefit of all members of His family, for His glory.
God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. - 1 Corinthians 12:18-20 (ESV)
We celebrate the diversity of the gifts that God has given to us! It is His purposeful design for us to complement each other as we serve with the intent to please Him.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. - 1 Corinthians 12:27 (ESV)
As participants in this local body of believers that God has assembled at Open Arms Church, all ministry flows out of the unique vision and passion that God has given us as a church.
To request more information about serving in any of the following ministries, contact Pastor John.
Bereavement Team: Addresses the practical needs of grieving families during a wake/funeral in a sensitive, helpful way. Responsibilities include compassionate hospitality, greeting, and may include food preparation and/or serving. 10-12 people serve as needed.
Building & Maintenance Team: Oversees the care of facilities that God has provided for us, seeking to maintain a standard of excellence. Opportunities include plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, small engine repair, general labor, etc. 10-12 people serve as needed.
Children's Ministry Team: Provides a responsible and engaging learning environment for children to learn at their age level while their parents/guardians take part in the worship service: one room for infants & toddlers, one room for 4 yr olds - K, and another for grades 1-4. Opportunities include leading out in crafts, games, music, and teaching. 24 people, including lead teachers, associate teachers, and junior helpers (youth), are divided into teams that serve once/month.
Cleaning Team: Creates a positive first impression that we care about what God has provided for us, being good stewards with a focus to present a clean and refreshed campus. Responsibilities include cleaning bathrooms, sweeping and mopping floors, emptying trash, vacuuming carpets, cleaning windows, and more. 8-10 people clean the facility weekly on Thursday mornings.
Coffee / Hospitality Team: Ensure that a warm cup of coffee or tea greets our church family & friends each Sunday morning. Team members arrive early to prepare coffee/condiments and set up for after-service coffee/tea. 8 individuals and/or couples are divided into teams that serve on a monthly basis, twice/year.
Computer Team: Keeps staff & the facility current on hardware & software needs. 1-2 people serve as needed.
Concert Team: Works with promoters to bring in inspiring Christian musicians. Team members help to set up, tear down, & serve as needed during concerts. 20-30 people serve 1-2 times/year.
Flowers & Plants Team: Vitalizes outdoor flowerbeds & shrubs by gardening, planting, and maintaining flowers & plants. 4-5 people serve seasonally.
Greeting Team: Creates an important first impression with a friendly smile and a warm "hello" on Sunday mornings. Greeting Team members arrive early to stand near the doors, and assist family and guests on Sunday mornings with seating needs. 40 people are divided into teams that serve 3-4 times/year.
Grounds / Landscaping Team: Works to demonstrate we care about the land that God has provided for us, being good stewards and presenting all things with excellence. Opportunities include spring clean-up, raking, mulching, lawn mowing, and light shoveling. 12 people serve seasonally, mowing once/week, and other tasks as needed.
H.O.P.E. Team (Helping Others, Providing Encouragement): Provides practical and prayerful support to those who share needs and requests for prayer. In addition to praying regularly, 35-40 people are available to respond with Scriptural encouragement, send cards, and/or follow up with others when appropriate.
Lawn Signs Team: Creates visibility in the community that points to our website and allow guests to anonymously check us out before visiting. This team strategically places lawn signs in the Rotterdam, Schenectady, Colonie, Guilderland, and surrounding areas. 1-2 people serve 5-6 times/year.
Meals Team: Shows care and concern in a practical way to those whose lives have been temporarily interrupted by other events (e.g., illness, birth, death of a loved one). 15-20 people provide meals and/or food baskets as needed.
Medical Team: Provides qualified help in the event of any medical emergencies. Team members, who often have a medical/nursing or EMT background, are prepared to immediately assess the situation, offer assistance, and determine if outside intervention is needed. 4-6 people serve as needed.
Office Help Team: Assists in the completion of special projects. Responsibilities may include the copying of files, folding, booklet assembly, and a variety of other administrative tasks. 5-6 people serve as needed.
Showers / Receptions Team: Offers a way to rejoice with those who rejoice. Opportunities include organizing and shopping for baby showers / receptions, as well as other special occasions, usually after a Sunday service. 4-6 people serve as needed.
Sports & Recreation Team: Our recreation ministry exists to help our church family reach out and connect with others as they compete and have fun. Basketball - fall/winter, on Monday nights. Indoor/Outdoor Volleyball - year-round, on Tuesday nights. Softball - spring, on Monday nights. Children's Play Date - year-round, on Tuesday mornings. 7-8 people serve seasonally on a weekly basis.
Video Recording Team: Gives members and new guests the opportunity to watch a sermon during the week by recording it on video, then editing it for online access. 2-3 people serve once/month.
Worship Center Set-up Team: Chairs in the worship center are removed after most Sunday services to prepare for weekday gym activities and Sunday night youth group, and chairs are set back up on Thursdays at 5:30pm. 40 people are divided into teams that serve once/month (with summers off).
Worship Team: Draws attention to God as the congregation sings songs to Him for His pleasure, by leading our time of music during Sunday worship services, summer pavilion sing-a-longs, and retreats. Opportunities include vocals, guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboards, and audio/visual/sound technicians. 12-18 people, including youth, serve 1-2 times/month.
Youth 712 Team: Provides a time of gathering for students in grades 7-12 that is focused on Bible teaching and social interaction. Youth 712 meets regularly on Sunday nights from 6:00-8:00. Opportunities include providing snacks, helping with activities, chaperoning & more. 15 people, including recent graduates, serve 1-2 times/month.
Building & Maintenance Team: Oversees the care of facilities that God has provided for us, seeking to maintain a standard of excellence. Opportunities include plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, small engine repair, general labor, etc. 10-12 people serve as needed.
Children's Ministry Team: Provides a responsible and engaging learning environment for children to learn at their age level while their parents/guardians take part in the worship service: one room for infants & toddlers, one room for 4 yr olds - K, and another for grades 1-4. Opportunities include leading out in crafts, games, music, and teaching. 24 people, including lead teachers, associate teachers, and junior helpers (youth), are divided into teams that serve once/month.
Cleaning Team: Creates a positive first impression that we care about what God has provided for us, being good stewards with a focus to present a clean and refreshed campus. Responsibilities include cleaning bathrooms, sweeping and mopping floors, emptying trash, vacuuming carpets, cleaning windows, and more. 8-10 people clean the facility weekly on Thursday mornings.
Coffee / Hospitality Team: Ensure that a warm cup of coffee or tea greets our church family & friends each Sunday morning. Team members arrive early to prepare coffee/condiments and set up for after-service coffee/tea. 8 individuals and/or couples are divided into teams that serve on a monthly basis, twice/year.
Computer Team: Keeps staff & the facility current on hardware & software needs. 1-2 people serve as needed.
Concert Team: Works with promoters to bring in inspiring Christian musicians. Team members help to set up, tear down, & serve as needed during concerts. 20-30 people serve 1-2 times/year.
Flowers & Plants Team: Vitalizes outdoor flowerbeds & shrubs by gardening, planting, and maintaining flowers & plants. 4-5 people serve seasonally.
Greeting Team: Creates an important first impression with a friendly smile and a warm "hello" on Sunday mornings. Greeting Team members arrive early to stand near the doors, and assist family and guests on Sunday mornings with seating needs. 40 people are divided into teams that serve 3-4 times/year.
Grounds / Landscaping Team: Works to demonstrate we care about the land that God has provided for us, being good stewards and presenting all things with excellence. Opportunities include spring clean-up, raking, mulching, lawn mowing, and light shoveling. 12 people serve seasonally, mowing once/week, and other tasks as needed.
H.O.P.E. Team (Helping Others, Providing Encouragement): Provides practical and prayerful support to those who share needs and requests for prayer. In addition to praying regularly, 35-40 people are available to respond with Scriptural encouragement, send cards, and/or follow up with others when appropriate.
Lawn Signs Team: Creates visibility in the community that points to our website and allow guests to anonymously check us out before visiting. This team strategically places lawn signs in the Rotterdam, Schenectady, Colonie, Guilderland, and surrounding areas. 1-2 people serve 5-6 times/year.
Meals Team: Shows care and concern in a practical way to those whose lives have been temporarily interrupted by other events (e.g., illness, birth, death of a loved one). 15-20 people provide meals and/or food baskets as needed.
Medical Team: Provides qualified help in the event of any medical emergencies. Team members, who often have a medical/nursing or EMT background, are prepared to immediately assess the situation, offer assistance, and determine if outside intervention is needed. 4-6 people serve as needed.
Office Help Team: Assists in the completion of special projects. Responsibilities may include the copying of files, folding, booklet assembly, and a variety of other administrative tasks. 5-6 people serve as needed.
Showers / Receptions Team: Offers a way to rejoice with those who rejoice. Opportunities include organizing and shopping for baby showers / receptions, as well as other special occasions, usually after a Sunday service. 4-6 people serve as needed.
Sports & Recreation Team: Our recreation ministry exists to help our church family reach out and connect with others as they compete and have fun. Basketball - fall/winter, on Monday nights. Indoor/Outdoor Volleyball - year-round, on Tuesday nights. Softball - spring, on Monday nights. Children's Play Date - year-round, on Tuesday mornings. 7-8 people serve seasonally on a weekly basis.
Video Recording Team: Gives members and new guests the opportunity to watch a sermon during the week by recording it on video, then editing it for online access. 2-3 people serve once/month.
Worship Center Set-up Team: Chairs in the worship center are removed after most Sunday services to prepare for weekday gym activities and Sunday night youth group, and chairs are set back up on Thursdays at 5:30pm. 40 people are divided into teams that serve once/month (with summers off).
Worship Team: Draws attention to God as the congregation sings songs to Him for His pleasure, by leading our time of music during Sunday worship services, summer pavilion sing-a-longs, and retreats. Opportunities include vocals, guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboards, and audio/visual/sound technicians. 12-18 people, including youth, serve 1-2 times/month.
Youth 712 Team: Provides a time of gathering for students in grades 7-12 that is focused on Bible teaching and social interaction. Youth 712 meets regularly on Sunday nights from 6:00-8:00. Opportunities include providing snacks, helping with activities, chaperoning & more. 15 people, including recent graduates, serve 1-2 times/month.
Participants in the following ministries are appointed at the discretion of ministry leaders.
Deacon Benevolence Team: With sensitivity and discernment, deacons come alongside widows & others in times of need and distress, while also overseeing and administering our church's benevolence fund. Our deacons receive and process potential needs, follow up with individuals, and recommend course(s) of action as needed.
Finance Team: Annually seeks input from all ministry leaders in order to develop an annual budget proposal and introduce it to the church body. This team includes our Financial Administrator, Personnel Team Chairman, Teller Coordinator, Church Clerk, and Pastors.
Men's Advance Team: Helps men connect with each other and with Jesus through special events. Opportunities include logistics planning and follow-through. 2-3 men serve up to twice annually.
Missions Team: Oversees the church's involvement in both local and international missions. This team helps to serve the body by equipping them for each trip, planning logistics, determining financial assistance, and discussing current/future opportunities. 5-7 people serve as needed.
Personnel Team: Oversees all pastoral, administrative, and ministerial staff's salaries and benefits. Salary and benefit recommendations are made to the church body at the annual business meeting. This team also oversees all grievances. 4 people serve annually.
Safety Team: Responds to any disturbances in the worship service, intervening as necessary to ensure the safety and comfort of those on the campus. Team members may have police, armed forces, and/or counseling backgrounds. 12-16 people are divided into teams that serve on a monthly basis.
Teller Team: Ensures the integrity and confidentiality of the giving process. Teams of no less than 2 people count and log each Sunday morning's offering, record amounts, and lock in secure area for recount and deposit. 10-14 people are divided into teams that serve on a monthly basis.
Women's Retreat Team
Designs events to help women connect with each other and with Jesus. Opportunities include planning for logistics, organizing, and follow-through. 6-8 women serve up to twice annually.
Finance Team: Annually seeks input from all ministry leaders in order to develop an annual budget proposal and introduce it to the church body. This team includes our Financial Administrator, Personnel Team Chairman, Teller Coordinator, Church Clerk, and Pastors.
Men's Advance Team: Helps men connect with each other and with Jesus through special events. Opportunities include logistics planning and follow-through. 2-3 men serve up to twice annually.
Missions Team: Oversees the church's involvement in both local and international missions. This team helps to serve the body by equipping them for each trip, planning logistics, determining financial assistance, and discussing current/future opportunities. 5-7 people serve as needed.
Personnel Team: Oversees all pastoral, administrative, and ministerial staff's salaries and benefits. Salary and benefit recommendations are made to the church body at the annual business meeting. This team also oversees all grievances. 4 people serve annually.
Safety Team: Responds to any disturbances in the worship service, intervening as necessary to ensure the safety and comfort of those on the campus. Team members may have police, armed forces, and/or counseling backgrounds. 12-16 people are divided into teams that serve on a monthly basis.
Teller Team: Ensures the integrity and confidentiality of the giving process. Teams of no less than 2 people count and log each Sunday morning's offering, record amounts, and lock in secure area for recount and deposit. 10-14 people are divided into teams that serve on a monthly basis.
Women's Retreat Team
Designs events to help women connect with each other and with Jesus. Opportunities include planning for logistics, organizing, and follow-through. 6-8 women serve up to twice annually.
The following ministries are temporarily suspended due to COVID.
Prayer Response Team: Stands ready to offer a listening ear and biblically-based intercessory prayer after every Sunday morning service to anyone who is seeking to share a heart burden, a Spirit-led conviction, and/or a response to the gospel. 20-25 people are divided into teams that serve once/month or as needed.