november 8, 2015. we are a church in transition

November 8, 2015

We are a church

in transition . . .

“I will build My church.” – Matthew 16:18

Began almost 4 years ago with a lesson . . .

Purpose = where we should be going; what God wants us to be and do; what we read about in Scripture about the work of the church


Purpose = where we should be going; what God wants us to be and do; what we read about in Scripture about the work of the church Vision = how we plan to get there; our ideas, goals, dreams for accomplishing work God has for us to do



God’s Purpose

Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”


God’s Purpose

Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” According to the Bible, God’s purpose for His church includes several things we are to do . . .


God’s Purpose


God’s Purpose


God’s Purpose

1. To love, worship, obey, and glorify God


God’s Purpose

1. To love, worship, obey, and glorify God2. To share the gospel with those who are lost


God’s Purpose

1. To love, worship, obey, and glorify God2. To share the gospel with those who are lost3. To love, edify, and care for one another


God’s Purpose

1. To love, worship, obey, and glorify God2. To share the gospel with those who are lost3. To love, edify, and care for one another4. To help each other mature spiritually


God’s Purpose

1. To love, worship, obey, and glorify God2. To share the gospel with those who are lost3. To love, edify, and care for one another4. To help each other mature spiritually5. To be a blessing to all who are in need


God’s Purpose

We decided to express it this way . . .


God’s Purpose

We exist to REFLECT God’s love to our Lord in worship, to SHARE God’s love with our church family, and to TAKE God’s love to the world around us.


God’s Purpose


God’s Vision

Not only does God have a purpose for His universal church, He also has a vision for each church.


God’s Vision


God has a purpose that is common and necessary for all of His church worldwide.


God’s Vision


God has a purpose that is common and necessary for all of His church worldwide. But vision is something that is perhaps unique to each individual congregation.


God’s Vision

God’s vision for various individual churches may vary:~ Depends on the makeup of the congregation~ The people, their location, their strengths~ Their passion, their determination, their zeal~ Their willingness to work, to give, and to sacrifice~ Some churches will dream bigger than others


God’s Vision

God’s vision for various individual churches may vary:~ Depends on the makeup of the congregation~ The people, their location, their strengths~ Their passion, their determination, their zeal~ Their willingness to work, to give, and to sacrifice~ Some churches will dream bigger than others

SO WE DEVOTED 3 SUNDAY NIGHTS . . .


God’s Vision

4 POINTS . . .


God’s Vision

To Magnify our Lord through dynamic and heartfelt worship and daily devotion and obedience.


God’s Vision

To Magnify our Lord through dynamic and heartfelt worship and daily devotion and obedience.


God’s Vision

Purposefully plan worship services that both glorify God and encourage worshippers to walk closer to Him

Enable our ministers to attend educational seminars Elders help ministers to improve in how to best minister Make improvements to better serve families with children

To Mature in Christ through the help of God’s Holy Spirit and diligent prayer and Bible study.


God’s Vision

To Mature in Christ through the help of God’s Holy Spirit and diligent prayer and Bible study.


God’s Vision

Prepare and maintain relevant Bible classes for all ages Annual Family Vacation Bible School Develop Fundamentals of Faith class and Ladies class Youth participating in L2L and leading worship services Great youth and children’s ministries with many activities

To Motivate one another to love and good works thru uplifting fellowship and involvement of every member.


God’s Vision

To Motivate one another to love and good works thru uplifting fellowship and involvement of every member.


God’s Vision

Encourage others through Monday Night Care Group Provide opportunities for fellowship: Phoebe group, sewing,

potlucks, monthly singings, family fun day, retreats, dinners Strengthen members through Family Forward Workshop and

provide counseling through Pastoral Institute

To Minister to our world and community through helping to meet both physical and spiritual needs.


God’s Vision

To Minister to our world and community through helping to meet both physical and spiritual needs.


God’s Vision

Help community through Brown Bag, VIP, Impact Workcamp Work with Partners 4 Africa to feed, clothe, spread the gospel Reaching out through VBS, Community Garden, Trunk or Treat,

Friends & Family Day, Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Teaching people about Jesus in homes, by mail, by email


God’s Vision

Through all these ways, we seek to fulfill the vision that God has for us.


God’s Vision

Through all these ways, we seek to fulfill the vision that God has for us.

We really do want to be the kind of church that lives up to God’s vision of what our church should be.


God’s Vision

God has a vision of a church with Jesus Christ as its leader, its center, and its Lord. A church that praises the Father for the gift of His Son, and for the power given through the indwelling of His Spirit.


God’s Vision

A church that is truly a house of worship. Where prayer is priority, praise is paramount, and worship is more than just conducting a service or singing a song.


God’s Vision

A church with a burning desire to know God’s word and to live it out in everyday life.


God’s Vision

A church unashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ; one that shouts God’s word from the rooftops, and whispers grace in the ear of a world in need. Where love is real, and everyone is invited to experience it.


God’s Vision

A church for all people, where racial differences fade in the light of brotherhood; where the rich worship beside the poor, where the old join hands with the young; where the skeptic finds reason to believe, and the believer finds reason to rejoice.


God’s Vision

A church where families grow strong; where couples find each other and fullness of life in Christ; where children are treated as blessings, not bothers.


God’s Vision

A church where youth are discipled in a manner befitti ng future kingdom leaders; where marriages are mended, and victims of broken homes find a forever family, and older people find new purpose.


God’s Vision

A church that stands up for the cast down; whose mission takes it outside the four walls of comfort, taking Jesus to its community, its region, the dark corners, and the ends of the earth.


God’s Vision

A church that communicates the old, old story, in bold, creative ways; where spiritual gifts are engaged, and buried talents are employed in the King’s service, and where the body of Christ is made visible.


God’s Vision

God has a vision of a church in this world that reaches the lost, grows in faith, and serves the Lord and others together.


God’s Vision

A church that is a beautiful foreshadowing of the eternal, redeemed community who will one day live forever with Him.


God’s Vision


God’s Vision

Four years ago we committed ourselves to being that church that God wants us to be.


God’s Vision

Four years ago we committ ed ourselves to being that church that God wants us to be.

And great things have happened . . .


God’s Vision


And great things have happened . . . Blessed countless hungry, poor, homeless, in need


God’s Vision


And great things have happened . . . Blessed countless hungry, poor, homeless, in need 42 bapti zed


God’s Vision


And great things have happened . . . Blessed countless hungry, poor, homeless, in need 42 bapti zed and 119 more placed membership !!!


God’s Vision


And great things have happened . . . Blessed countless hungry, poor, homeless, in need 42 bapti zed and 119 more placed membership !!!

B u t n o t j u s t b e c a u s e o f u s . . .


God’s Vision

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”

1 Corinthians 3:6 “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.”

Colossians 2:19 The body of Christ “grows with a growth that is caused by God.”


God’s Vision




God’s Vision



But BEWARE!


God’s Vision



But BEWARE! When a church is doing well and doing good . . .


God’s Vision


Be Ready for Satan’s Attacks!


Be Ready for Satan’s Attacks! Treat some like Job with financial problems Will use even those closest to you to discourage you Destroy marriages and families and homes Take away your good health; afflict you with aches and pains Create trouble in your work, at school, at home Complicate life with ball games, school events, vacations Anything to keep you from devoting too much time to Lord


and destroy good churches.

Satan’s goal is to divide


A Story Of One Church


ALLELUIA


ALLELUIA

HALLELUJAH


According to Church Conflict Forum, out of 100 churches that split:


According to Church Conflict Forum, out of 100 churches that split: 2 do so because of major doctrinal issues


According to Church Conflict Forum, out of 100 churches that split: 2 do so because of major doctrinal issues 98 do so because of interpersonal issues


According to Church Conflict Forum, out of 100 churches that split: 2 do so because of major doctrinal issues 98 do so because of interpersonal issues Most dividing over minor matters of opinion


According to Church Conflict Forum, out of 100 churches that split: 2 do so because of major doctrinal issues 98 do so because of interpersonal issues Most dividing over minor matters of opinion Issues like time and format of worship service


According to Church Conflict Forum, out of 100 churches that split: 2 do so because of major doctrinal issues 98 do so because of interpersonal issues Most dividing over minor matters of opinion Issues like time and format of worship service External issues related to the building, etc.

We cannot let Satandefeat the vision that

God has for this church!



It was in August 2011 . . .


“I believe the church is a family of real people with real shortcomings and struggles. I believe a strong church family is one that is committed to each other just as a physical family is bonded together through good times and through bad.”


“Running away should not be an option. You don’t get mad and leave just because you didn’t get your own way on something. You work through these things because you are a forever family of believers.”

W e N e e d T o A l w a y s B e AF o r e v e r F a m i l y O f B e l i e v e r s



“Be diligent to preserve the unity of theSpirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3).


november 8, 2015. we are a church in transition

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