Milwaukee Associates-In-Ministry (AIM) is a six-congregation fellowship formed to equip leaders and empower laypeople for the work of Christian ministry. Born out of a mutual commitment to support the ministries of each congregation, Milwaukee AIM is organized for collaborative sharing and the advancement of common interest in ministry. The associates seeks to cultivate effective leadership in congregations; sustain vibrant ministries for impactful service; and encourage the participation of lay members in the common work of the church. Milwaukee AIM strives to be progressive network of churches that thinks critically about the faith we profess, and our representation of that faith, in the communities we serve.
Missions:
We embrace the Great Commission of our Lord, by being witnesses of Him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world. Through our missional efforts, we witness for the Lord Jesus Christ through our words and deeds. Whether locally, regionally, nationally or internationally, we feel obligated to respond compassionately to the cries for help from our brothers and sisters around the globe. We have and will continue to aid those who are victims of war, disease, natural disasters, as well as environmental and social crisis.
Church Administration:
In this area of support, we share our individual best practices in an effort to insure that each congregation’s administrative staff functions effectively and efficiently. The back office is critical to the daily operation of administering the business of the church. Therefore, excellence is the goal of the staff who assists the pastor in his work of leading the people of God. The areas for which assistance is provided includes, but not limited to: Managing communications (both internally and externally) through latest technology software and social media platforms; up to date office equipment; processes and procedures that insure efficient use of time, energy and resources.
Church Finances:
This area of church administration warrants a high level of accountability as we are stewards of congregational resources. Internal controls related to check writing, managing deposits, credit card access, reconciliations of accounts, budget preparations, compliance with IRS reporting, giving records, etc. are but some of the areas of finance that we train and share best practices. We strongly believe that we have a fiduciary responsibility to God and his people to be good stewards of the church’s resources.
MKE AIM Youth Ministry:
Our youth ministry introduces, cultivates, and gives opportunities for all youth to know, live, and share Christ with others. Our youth ministry engages as well as trains them to become emerging leaders within our churches, neighborhoods and communities by giving them the occasion to lead and function as leaders.
MKE AIM Music Ministry:
The goal of our music ministry is to establish an atmosphere where musical expertise and knowledge of hymns, contemporary gospel, anthems, and traditional gospel music is shared. The basic tenets of our beliefs are that our music is Christ centered, a professional expression of our doctrine, and a fundamental part of our Baptist tradition.
MKE AIM Christian Educators Institutes:
Having been given the command to “Go, make disciples…” (Matthew 28:18-20), and realizing that a disciple is a not only a “follower” but also a “learner”/“student” – the goals of our Christian Educators Institutes are to provide our teachers and religious educators with the best methods for learning and instruction in contemporary pedagogical practices for children, youth and adults, and also a collective forum to discuss best practices. Our ultimate pedagogical impetus is to see “Christ formed in [the believer]…” (Galatians 4:19)
MKE AIM Associate Clergy Consultations:
Recognizing that Associate Clergy can play a significant and vital role in assisting the pastor in the work of ministry (as Paul notes: “But Timothy’s worth you know, how like a son with a father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.” Philippians 2:22), the MKE AIM Associate Clergy Consultations seek to: 1) educate the associate clergyperson of his/her duties and function in the church, 2) provide the best methods and techniques of sermonic preparation and development, and the latest in homiletical theory, 3) foster a sense of camaraderie and positive working relations with other associate clergy, and 3) make space for either personal or group consultations with the pastor for discussing goals and vision. Our ultimate aim is to develop Christ-centered associate clergy whose passions are to become servant-leaders and cooperative partners with the pastor.