Vision Sunday (Part 2) Recap

​This past Sunday we shared the vision for how we hope to be fruitful as a church in the next year. Of course we stand behind our mission: “To Know Christ and Make Him Known,” but what is the vision for how we will carry that out?  Our vision comes from 1 Peter 2. We are the priesthood of the believers which mean that if you are a believer, you are a minister.  

Two Key points of emphasis from Sunday:
First, When Peter points out that we are a Holy Priesthood and a Royal priesthood, he is saying that all believers are ministers.  What is a priest/minister?

1. Someone who is chosen by elect privilege
2. Someone who is cleansed of sin
3. Someone who is clothed for service
4. Someone who is anointed for service
5. Someone who is ordained to obedience
6. Someone who honors the Word of God
7. Someone who walks with God
8. Someone who impacts sinners
9. Someone who is a messenger of God

Second, we spoke about being people who offer spiritual sacrifices. What is a spiritual sacrifice and how do we offer them? They are God honoring works done because of Jesus, under the direction of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of the Word of God.

List of spiritual sacrifices:

1. We offer the strength of our bodies
2. We offer our praises to God
3. We do good
4. We share our resources
5. We bring people to Christ
6. We sacrifice our own selfish desires for the good of others
7. We are people of prayer.

If God has chosen you for salvation, then He has chosen to you be a minister of His Gospel. I cannot tell you how excited I am to partner with you in the next year to build you up to be an effective minister. If you need help or have questions our job as a pastoral staff is to equip you Believer/Ministers for the work of ministry. 

Ways we hope to equip:

1. Offer Bible studies, home groups, small groups
2. Offer programs for Children and Youth 
3. Sunday morning programs for praise, worship, encouragement and the study of God’s Word
4. Discipleship and counseling
5. Missions opportunities
6. Meetings to discuss theology and practice 
7. Elders to be overseers and a source of guidance when needed.
8. Resources to assist you as you minister to the needs of others.
9. Celebrate Recovery for those working to overcome hurts, habits and hang-ups.
10. Programs, retreats, camps, celebrations, Awana, breakfast, Man Day and more.