Building the Body ... Leaving A Legacy

1. A Fresh Start Building the Body ... Leaving A Legacy First Baptist Church Calvert City May 16, 2010

2. Agenda • Why We Need a Fresh Start • The Bible Speaks to the Church • A New Mission for First Baptist Church • A New Vision for First Baptist Church • Passing it On

3. Why Do We Need a Fresh Start?Looking at Ourselves • Declining membership & participation • No clear “footprint” in the community • No specific focus and direction

4. What is the purpose of the New Testament Church?

5. The Foundation of the ChurchChurch was God’s Idea Jesus established the church as His tool to care for His followers …I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.Matthew 16:18 ... for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;Eph 4:12-13 But this is no guarantee that an individual, local church will stand if that church is not faithful to what it’s been called to do But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and willremove your lampstandout of its place — unless you repent.Rev 2:4-5 We will only be successful if we ”do church” as God designed it to be done

6. The Task of the ChurchThe Great Commission And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.“Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus was given the “authority”to lead the churchJesus commanded us to “go and make disciples” – a disciple is one who learns what Jesus knows, so they can do what Jesus does, so they can be like Jesus. We do that by “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” – teaching believers to know, understand, and faithfullypractice – the things Jesus taught us … which are given to us in the Word of God.

7. The Work of the ChurchGod Has Equipped Us for Success And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:11-16, NASU

8. The Work of the Church We’ve been fully equipped by God with the leadership and resources necessary to fulfill the Great Commission task. And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, … The purpose for that equipping is clear: … for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

9. The Work of the Church If we are diligent and faithful to the task of equipping the saints (disciples) then we can be certain that we will find a people grounded and skilled in engaging the world with a Godly perspective ... As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; ... and a people blessed with spiritually maturity and lovingly committed to one another. but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

10. The Work of the ChurchMaking Disciples -Who Does What? God’s Responsibility – To bring to bear the transforming power of the Holy Spirit … to open the eyes of our heart, to instruct us in His ways, and to strengthen us as we mature in our relationship with Him.Individual’s Responsibility – To make themselves available to God through personal and corporate worship, personal study and discipline, by building strong relationships though fellowship with other believers, ministry to the world, and by giving witness to the reason for their faith.Church’s Responsibility – To help bring members into the pathway of God’s transforming power through corporate worship, opportunities for individual spiritual growth, fellowship with other believers, and to provide opportunities for members to experience God at work through serving and sharing with others.

11. The Work of the Church Rather than “reaching the world” forJesus … We are to be reaching out toJesus to become like Him … In the process Jesus will reach the world throughus.

12. Right Question What do we want believers to be like? WrongQuestion What do we want the church to be like?

13. A New Mission for FBCA Blueprint for our Ministry • Our ministry needs a clear blueprint • It must be derived from the Great Commission: “Go and make disciples” • It must recognize that only God produces spiritual transformation • It must help people move into in the pathway of God's transforming power • It must define both a mission for the church … and a clear and useful path toward individual spiritual maturity

14. A New Mission For FBCOur Current Mission Statement • United by the love of Christ, our purpose is: • To tell others of the saving power of Jesus Christ • To teach Christian discipleship using the Holy Scriptures as the text. • To touch the needs of our fellowman by engaging in activities thatwill bring glory to His name.

15. A New Mission for FBCBiblical Example - Acts 2:41-47 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. (NASU)

16. A New Mission for FBCKey Discipleship Activities – Worship 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to thebreaking of bread and toprayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by daycontinuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47praising Godand having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

17. A New Mission for FBCKey Discipleship Activities – Teaching 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continuallydevoting themselves to the apostles' teachingand to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

18. A New Mission for FBCKey Discipleship Activities – Fellowship 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselvesto the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by daycontinuing with one mindin the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they weretaking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were beingsaved.

19. A New Mission for FBCKey Discipleship Activities – Ministry 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things incommon; 45and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God andhaving favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

20. A New Mission for FBCKey Discipleship Activities – Evangelism 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things incommon; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people.And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

21. How are we doing? How do we know?

22. A New Mission for FBCA Blueprint for our Ministry • Worship • Connecting with God through both corporate and private worship experiences • Teaching • Growing in biblical wisdom & knowledge • Fellowship • Growing strong friendships & relationships • Ministry • Demonstrating our faith through serving others • Evangelism • Sharing the gospel message with believers and unbelievers

23. A New Mission for FBCA Blueprint for our Ministry • Worship – Encountering God • Connecting with God through both corporate and private worship experiences • Teaching – Growing in Knowledge • Growing in biblical wisdom & knowledge • Fellowship – Growing in Relationships • Growing strong friendships & relationships • Ministry – Serving Others • Demonstrating our faith through serving others • Evangelism – Sharing our Faith • Sharing the gospel message with believers and unbelievers

24. A New Mission for FBCA Blueprint for our Ministry • Worship – Encountering God -Encounter • Connecting with God through both corporate and private worship experiences • Teaching – Growing in Knowledge -Grow • Growing in biblical wisdom & knowledge • Fellowship – Growing in Relationships -Grow • Growing strong friendships & relationships • Ministry – Serving Others -Serve • Demonstrating our faith through serving others • Evangelism – Sharing our Faith -Share • Sharing the gospel message with believers and unbelievers

25. A New Mission for FBCA Blueprint for our Ministry Encounter Serve Grow Share

26. Encounter – Grow – Serve – ShareA Mission for the Church • EGSSprovides us with an simple expression of our church’s mission • EGSSdrives the focus of our church’s corporate planning and ministry efforts • EGSSprovides a means of evaluating our mission effectiveness as our members progress along this path

27. Encounter – Grow – Serve – ShareA Direction for Our Members • EGSSdescribes a clear and useful path toward personal spiritual maturity • EGSShelps individual members assess their progress toward spiritual maturity

28. Executing the BlueprintFollow-On Steps for Members Encounter Your Personal Time with God Serve Finding Your Place in the Kingdom Grow Learning More About Your Faith Share Learning to Share Your Faith

29. Executing the BlueprintFollow-On Steps for Members Your Personal Time with God - EncounterHelp members understand the importance of private worship and to develop the experience and skills to make personal devotions a part of their every-day walk with God. Learning More About Your Faith - Grow Regular opportunities to develop personal spiritual disciplines and to grow in their understanding of key Christian doctrines and topics of importance to spiritual maturity.

30. Executing the BlueprintFollow-On Steps for Members My Place in the Kingdom - Serve Help members understand the purpose for Spiritual Gifts and begin the process of finding a place of service in the Kingdom work of the church. Learning to Share Your Faith – Share Help members build the experience and confidence to share their faith effectively and to provide a bridge from service projects to opportunities to share their faith with not-yet-Christians.

31. A New Vision for FBCA View of the Future • A vision is a word picture of where we are going ... of what we hope to be ... and what we hope to pass on to the next generation • It is the logical outcome of pursuing our mission • Guided by three principles: • A Commitment to become followers of Jesus Christ • A Commitment to equipping believers to become disciples • A Commitment to bring a Kingdom-focused influence to Calvert City

32. A New Vision for FBC • Look back to Jesus’ vision for His followers • for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; Ephesians 4:12 • Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; Matthew 28:19 • praising God and having favor with all the people.And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:47

33. A New Vision for FBC Becoming fully committed followers of Jesus Christ ... making a Kingdom impact on Calvert City

34. Encounter – Grow – Serve – ShareMeasuring Movement • Member Movement through EGSS isa measure of our overall success • Our focus is on the individualvs the church • Intentionally Pursuing Results • First Step – Church Membership • Second Step – Worship Attendance - E • Third Step – Sunday School Membership - G • Fourth Step – Ministry Involvement - S • Fifth Step – Sharing their Faith - S

35. Are we passing on a healthy church?

36. Passing On a LegacyGod’s Commands • "Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.Deut 4:9 • The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.2 Timothy 2:2

37. A Blueprint for a Healthy ChurchActs 2:42-47 • Worship – Encountering God -Encounter • Connecting with God through both corporate and private worship experiences • Teaching – Growing in Knowledge -Grow • Growing in biblical wisdom & knowledge • Fellowship – Growing in Relationships -Grow • Growing strong friendships & relationships • Ministry – Serving Others -Serve • Demonstrating our faith through serving others • Evangelism – Sharing our Faith -Share • Sharing the gospel message with believers and unbelievers

38. Passing On a LegacyEncounter – Grow – Serve – Share • EGSS provides a clear example to follow • EGSSensures that we remain focused both individually and corporately • EGSSis something that families and each generation of members can do • EGSStranscends worship styles and cultural boundaries

39. Passing On a Legacy • As we pursue EGSS … we are pursuing our vision Becoming fully committed followers of Jesus Christ ... making a Kingdom impact on Calvert City • We must prize the message above the methods • The methods must not corrupt the message • The final test of our church health is whether or not we are becoming fully committed followers of Jesus Christ • If we are faithful to this task, then we can trust in Jesus’ promise … I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.Matthew 16:18

40. Summing It Up A New Mission for FBC Calvert City: Encounter, Grow, Serve, Share A new Vision for FBC Calvert City: Becoming fully committed followers of Jesus Christ ... making a Kingdom impact on Calvert City

41. Questions and Comments