We are heading out for a much needed family vacation, so this will be the only post this week, but I'll get the posts going again next week.
We concluded the "Inside Out" series this past Sunday night, so I hope everyone has a better understanding of what we must do as a church if we want to see the vision fulfilled. Having vision is great, but if the vision does nothing for us, if it doesn't cause us to respond and take action, then the vision is pointless.
The final core value we discussed was Expansion. This value is all about understanding that the church was meant to grow. Even more so, as individuals, we are meant to grow in our walk with Christ. In order for this to happen, we must continually allow His presence and influence to expand in our lives. Here are some of the key thoughts...
Expansion creates the opportunity for us to experience and accomplish more. We'll miss out on a lot if we stay where we are!
If we don't stay ahead of our growth by planning ahead and making space, the growth will eventually stop.
The Overflow must make a commitment to expand...
1) Individually- Luke 2:52, John 3:30
2) Collectively- Matthew 28:19, Acts 1:8, Luke 13:18-19, Eph 3:10
3) In Community- Acts 2:47
We also discussed 10 statements/mindsets that would prevent us from growing in these three areas...
1. We've never done that before
The whole Bible is about new things being discovered
2. I don't like change
The whole Bible was about change
3. If we grow, I won't know everybody
You'll only "really" know a small number of people regardless of how big your church is. I'm talking about actually knowing someone, not just their name.
4. If we grow, the pastor can't give as much attention to everyone
I do get a little passionate about this one :) Any church that is this dependent on the pastor has forgotten that it's Jesus who changes lives. Also, any pastor who thinks he is this important, has forgotten Jesus is the one who changes lives. I'd love to know everyone who connects with The Overflow, but if we truly want to see people come to Christ, this can't be a goal for me or our church. People need to get to know Jesus, not me or the pastor!
5. This isn't deep enough for me.
The statement above is code for "I'm too lazy to grow in Christ through my personal walk with Him so I need someone else to do all the work for me." Don't get me wrong, as leaders and teachers we need to make sure we are challenging our people and trying to grow them. But they have themselves all day everyday. As church leaders, we have maybe 2 hours each week at best!
6. Methods are valued over ministry opportunities
There will come a day when the music style we use at our Overflow Worship Experiences is no longer relevant. This day will probably be sooner than later. When it comes, we can't value our method and style of ministry over the potential of life change we could experience by doing something different!
7. Positions are simply filled instead of empowering and equipping people
Many people who serve in a church on a volunteer basis are not serving in their area where they are gifted. Churches have a bad rep for sticking people in positions or on committees just to get the spot filled. According to Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 12, and many other passages, we need to be equipping people to serve God in line with their gifts and passions
8. Our view of God of is humanistic in perspective rather than supernatural.
We must forget that God works in dimensions far beyond our ability to comprehend. For example, when Jennifer and I were praying about people who would help us with this new church, God in His supernatural ways, begin to bring people who had literally been living in other states and countries! One of the quickest ways to stop all expansion is to put God in a box!
9. Maintaining our church is priority over building His Kingdom.
No one gets excited about keeping the status quo or simply paying the bills. However, people will get motivated when lives are being changed and Christ is truly being exalted.
10. Steps of faith are minimal, rare, and barely discussed.
Yes, there's a fine line between faith and foolishness, but there's also a divide between those who were willing to trust God and those who couldn't see past the current situation. We cannot please God without taking steps of faith!
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