Ephesians 5:2 (NLT)
Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and
gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was
like sweet perfume to him.
The Line in the Sand
- Evangelistically effective
- Spirit led
- Culturally relevant
- Clearly defined mission and purpose
- Deeper discipleship
- Empowerment and equipping of laity
- A reproducing/sending body
A Four Pronged Approach
- Reaching
- Growing
- Equipping
- Sending
Crossing the Line
- Spirit Led – Acts 19:21
Afterward Paul felt impelled by the Holy Spirit to go over to Macedonia and Achaia before
returning to Jerusalem. "And after that," he said, "I must go on to Rome!"
Spirit Led
- Identifying the movement of God
- Identifying the opportunities given
- Responding in obedience
- Exalting the name of Jesus
- Evidenced by changed lives, Kingdom growth and God sized events
- Evangelistically Effective – Romans 10:14-15
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe
in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?
[15] And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is what the Scriptures mean when
they say, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
Evangelistically Effective
- Intentional Prayer
- Bridge events
- Evangelistic small groups
- Evangelism training
- Highly relational
- Culturally Relevant – 1 Corinthians 9:20-22
When I am with the Jews, I become one of them so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with
those who follow the Jewish laws, I do the same, even though I am not subject to the law, so that I
can bring them to Christ. [21] When I am with the Gentiles who do not have the Jewish law, I fit in
with them as much as I can. In this way, I gain their confidence and bring them to Christ. But I do
not discard the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
[22] When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them
to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ.
Culturally Relevant
- Knowing our community
- Utilizing the senses
- Understanding cultural trends
- Influencing our community
- Speaking in the language of the day
- Multiple avenues of engagement
Clearly defined mission and purpose
- Reaching up – Mark 12:30
- Reaching out
- Reaching in
Mark 12:30 (NLT)
And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all
your strength.’
Clearly defined mission and purpose
- Reaching up – Mark 12:30
- Reaching out – Matthew 28:19-20
- Reaching in
Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
the Son and the Holy Spirit. [20] Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Clearly defined mission and purpose
- Reaching up – Mark 12:30
- Reaching out – Matthew 28:19-20
- Reaching in – 1 John 4:7
1 John 4:7 (NLT)
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is
born of God and knows God.
- Deeper Discipleship – Hebrews 6:1 (NLT)
So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and
become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start all over again with the importance
of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.
Deeper Discipleship
- Becoming a high expectation church
- Every member
- Participates in worship
- Participates in a small group
- Has a daily time with the Lord
- Gives faithfully
- Uses their spiritual gifts in service
- Is involved in mission/outreach
- Accountability is modeled and practiced
- Empowerment and Equipping of Laity – 2 Timothy 1:13 (NLT)
Hold on to the pattern of right teaching you learned from me. And remember to live in the faith
and love that you have in Christ Jesus.
Empowerment and Equipping of Laity
- Helping each member identify their giftedness
- Providing opportunities for service and innovation
- Provide personal mentoring and discipleship
- Develop ministries around the person
- A Reproducing/Sending Body – 2 Corinthians 8:22 (NLT)
And we are also sending with them another brother who has been thoroughly tested and has shown how
earnest he is on many occasions. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his increased confidence
in you.
A Reproducing/Sending Body
- Helping others determine their unique call
- Giving the tools to fulfill that call
- Creating an incubator environment
- Intentionally starting new works and ministries
- God Sized Goals
Goals for 2008 and beyond
- Baptism ration of 10:1 annually or better
- 2008 baptism goal of no less than 50 people
- Annually begin or partner with one new church work
- A minimum of 50% congregational participation in mission projects locally, regionally, globally (going)
- An active prayer team of no less than 100 people who pray for the evangelistic efforts of the church and the lost of Corpus Christi 24x7x365
- A minimum of 75% congregational involvement in Sunday School or Life Groups
- A minimum of 75% involvement in congregational service
- Every member reading through the entire Bible
- Every leader actively mentoring one other person
- Future staff members and lay leaders developed from within
