The State Of The Church-- What's The Purpose Of Bethany Church?

So the challenge for us is to do a better job of listening to our community to learn how we as a church to listen to people and understand the daily pressures they are facing. I think we need to dream more about what kind of place Bethany can be in order to meet the needs of hurting, depressed, confused, and frustrated people. Can people find Bethany as a place of love, acceptance, help, hope, forgiveness, guidance, and encouragement?

It¡¦s up to you, the people of this congregation, to ride God¡¦s wave...

2) Introduce the unsaved to Jesus Christ,

Last year we had the Team Evangelism seminar to help us think about ways to introduce friends and aquantices to Jesus Christ. I¡¦m hoping to have an ¡§Acquaintance Making Event¡¨ in the community as a way of introducing people to our church so that hopefully they come a relationship with Jesus Christ through our church body. We began the early worship service on Sunday morning as a way to present the good news of Jesus to people through contemporary means. I think this follows Jesus¡¦ example of ministering to people where they are in their lives. Jesus never lowered his standards, but he always started with where people were. He was contemporary without compromising the truth. That is our goal in providing a contemporary means of worship.

I think it is important to produce quality worship experiences in both of our services. Warren suggests that quality produces quantity. People are attracted to a church that provides quality worship services, preaching, ministry, and fellowship. SO I present his challenge to you in the form of this question: If most of you as members of Bethany never invite anyone to come to our church, what are you saying (by your actions) about the quality of what our church offers? Warren suggests that a church that has no interest at all in increasing its numbers of converts is, in essence, saying to the rest of the world, ¡§you all can go to hell. We don¡¦t care about you.¡¨

Paul wrote to the Roman church:

Romans 1:13 (NASB)

13I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.

The fruit of another believer is another believer.

The Bible clearly identifies numerical growth of the church as fruit. So to the extent that we are growing numerically, to that extent you are introducing seeking people to Jesus Christ.

Are you riding the wave God is sending your way?

3) Nurture and support converts in their Christian growth,

Certainly Bethany¡¦s strength lies in nurturing and supporting Christian disciples in their spiritual walk. Our Sunday school classes have been powerful in the lives of keeping young and older Christians on the right track. Our summer vacation Bible School has been a strong influence on the children of our community. The Wonderful Wednesday programs are new ministries for nurture and support. We have had various Bible studies and prayer groups. And now the B.Cares ministry is reaching out..to those who are having difficult times or things going on in their lives that may keep them from attending church on a regular basis.