The Messianic Movement... what's your role in it?

As more and more Jews are being led to the one true Messiah, there seems to be a growing need for sound biblical doctrine and discipleship that both teaches and encourages the Messianic believer. The AMC (Association of Messianic Congregations) was formed just for that purpose. What began nearly seven years ago is now a voluntary fellowship of like-minded congregations, all of which are actively involved in the Messianic movement.

“My own Messianic congregation illustrated the need to start AMC,” explains Mottel Baleston, a Messianic Jewish teacher in New Jersey who also serves as AMC's founding board member. “We were over 20 years old, but we were not members of either of the two largest Messianic umbrella organizations. They really didn't match our emphasis.”

In 2003, several Messianic congregational leaders across the country joined together with Baleston to establish the AMC. This new group closely reflects the preeminence of Messiah Yeshua, the authority of the Scriptures, and the understanding of Messiah's saving grace. “The Messianic movement has been used greatly by God when things were done scripturally,” says Baleston. “Many Jewish people have come to faith through it, and Gentile believers have become familiar with the Jewish roots of the faith.”

The key role of AMC is two-fold. The first is identification; a Messianic congregation can be Messiah-centered, while remaining joyfully Jewish and embracing grace. “It is a Messianic Judaism that is Scripture-centered and rejects doctrinal fads, legalism, sensationalism, and new winds of doctrine designed to tickle ears,” explains Baleston.

The second is resource. The AMC aims to be a resource to Messianic congregations and their leaders. “We've made beginning efforts in providing guidance and materials on Hebrew school curriculum, Messianic worship music and Bar/Bat Mitzvah instruction.” The AMC also sends out an ezine six times a year called THE SHOFAR. This periodical includes topics-of-interest directly related to the Messianic movement.

So what is your role in this? According to Baleston, there is a growing need for volunteers with administrative skills who can assist with coordinating various projects. The best part is ... this can be done from home! “A limiting factor in accomplishing all of our tasks is volunteer hours,” says Baleston. “As of now, all of our board members are congregational leaders that wear at least two hats; they have secular jobs, and they have completed graduate training as they lead Messianic congregations, or they have two full-time ministry responsibilities, all in addition to trying to move AMC forward.”

As it stands, the AMC currently has 10 participating congregations in the US and in Canada. They have held four weekend leadership conferences around the country designed to equip congregational leaders. “We are hoping to put together a Congregational Leadership Seminar in 2011,” says Baleston. “This seminar would include workshops designed to equip leaders at any level, training them to better carry out their God-given responsibilities in their congregations.”

If you would like more information about the AMC, please visit their website at www.MessianicAssociation.org. If you would like to sign up for THE SHOFAR, or if you would like to begin volunteering your time with AMC, please send an email to Office@MessianicAssociation.org.

Shalom!

September 23, 2010