Blue River Church of Christ 2019 and Beyond

1. Blue River Church of Christ 2019 and Beyond • Our Mission—Matthew 28:19-20 “The Great Commission” • Our Focus—“Deepening relationships, developing our gifts, and declaring the gospel”

2. 2019 and Beyond Deepening our relationships Developing our gifts Declaring the gospel

3. “Deepening relationships”What the Survey Revealed • “There appear to be many relationships amongst members, but I think there are also many that do not have such relationships.” • “There are a lot of people who do not have deep relationships at BR (me included). . .I have a personal responsibility in this. But it's easy to stay on the surface with most people at church.” • “Members are very encouraging and listen well, but I don't know that I feel as though I am held accountable.” • “Our small group is getting there. I wish I had more people I felt comfortable revealing myself to. I don't think many in the church have experienced deep relational intimacy like that.”

4. “Deepening relationships”What the Bible Teaches • “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body…Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:12, 27). • “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality” (Romans 12:13).

5. “Deepening relationships”What the Bible Teaches • We are called to “love one another” (John 13:34), • “honor one another” (Romans 12:10), • “instruct one another” (Romans 15:14), • “greet one another” (Romans 16:16), • “serve one another” (Galatians 5:13), • “carry one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2),

6. “Deepening relationships”What the Bible Teaches • “forgive each other” (Ephesians 4:32), • “speak to one another in psalms” (Ephesians 5:19), • “submit to one another” (Ephesians 5:21), • “admonish one another” (Colossians 3:16), • “encourage one another” (1 Thessalonians 4:18), • “confess your sins to one another” (James 5:16).

7. “Deepening relationships”What Success Will Look Like • Our relationships will become more open, honest, and engaged as we “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) and as we live into the “one another” admonitions. • We will hold one another accountable in our faith as we confess our sins, share our needs, and offer our love, acceptance, forgiveness to one another. • Our relationships will grow as we recognize our gifts and the gifts of our brothers and sisters as we minister together.

8. “Deepening relationships”What Success Will Look Like • We will be connected to a significant number of other members through small groups, Bible classes, or social or ministry activities. • Our relationships will grow in ever widening circles as we open ourselves to ministering together to “declare the gospel.” • We will practice “hospitality” in the deepest and broadest sense of the virtue.

9. “Deepening relationships”What We Can Do to Start • Spend more time together in intergenerational and whole congregational activities. • Strengthen our small groups by increasing the opportunities for participation in groups with a variety of purposes. • Invite visitors into our congregational life and involve new members into our ministries. • Develop mentoring relationships for ministry, for marriage, for prayer and spiritual support.

10. 2019 and Beyond Deepening our relationships Developing our gifts Declaring the gospel

11. “Developing Our Gifts”What the Survey Revealed • “My gifts are recognized and being used at times. I don't know if others are being made aware of theirs.” • “It is difficult to find your place in ministry, and I'm not sure that people are truly aware of opportunities to serve. Nor do they always understand their strengths. I think there are a lot of ways people could be ministering, but they/we are not.” • “It would be helpful if the members/congregation did a study on spiritual gifts.” • “I think people need to be encouraged to develop and share their gifts. I am not sure of the best way to do this.”

12. “Developing Our Gifts”What the Bible Teaches • Ephesians 4:11-1311 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. • 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

13. “Developing Our Gifts”What the Bible Teaches • 2 Timothy 1:6-76 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. • 1 Peter 4:9-1110 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

14. Sample of Opportunities • Teaching, leading, ushering, counting, attendance, Lord’s table, greeting visitors, ministering to the sick, encouraging the weak, spreading the gospel, maintenance • BR Work (gifts) Back Snack, Bubba Brigade, youth, nursery, Power Kids, Downtown pantry, funeral meals, small groups, prayer warriors, cards/letters, ladies class day and evening, prayer meetings, mowing, mentoring, individuals who stand ready to help you, meals for sick • Deacons: Grounds, Building, Benevolence, Missions, Involvement, Outreach, Finance, Youth • Ministers: Family Life, Pulpit, Youth intern • What about YOU? Where do you see yourself?

15. “Developing Our Gifts”What Success Will Look Like • Every member of Blue River would recognize their gifts and use them to serve both God and his Church. • The number of people participating in worship service, in teaching, and in service to one another would grow. • Deepening gifts would support Deepening Relationships, Declaring the Gospel, and maturing in all areas of our individual, family, and corporate spiritual lives.

16. “Developing Our Gifts”What We Can Do to Start • Assist members in identifying their gifts through classes, sermons, and other resources. • Refresh the all-members volunteer sheet, adding a column for what people would be interested in and willing to learn. • Promote the growing of gifts through training in worship and ministry activities: teaching, scripture reading, communion presentation, prayer, song leading. • Improve communication related to ministry opportunities among the membership and in the community.

17. 2019 and Beyond Deepening our relationships Developing our gifts Declaring the gospel

18. “Declaring the Gospel”What the Survey Revealed • “We need a mission where more people can participate and be directly involved.” • “BR needs more evangelical outreach to friends and family . . . and local community.” • “We could improve in training and empowering members to reach out.”

19. “Declaring the Gospel”What the Bible Teaches • Luke 19:10 “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”  • Matthew 28:19 “Go…and make disciples.” • 2 Timothy 2:2 “What you have heard from me…entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”  • Acts 8:4 “Those who were scattered went about preaching the word.”

20. “Declaring the Gospel”What Success Will Look Like • Continually make new contacts • Have an intentional plan for reaching the lost and incorporating them into the congregation. • By the end of 2020, 50% of adults will have personally participated in some type of evangelistic activity.

21. “Declaring the Gospel”What We Can Do to Start • Training classes • Contact new residents to the community • “Events” to attract interest • Challenge – Be personally involved in an evangelistic mission or outreach

22. 2019 and Beyond Deepen our relationships Develop our gifts Declare the gospel