100829
Click here to listen to the sermon. 21mins
Hebrews 13v1-8.
Matthew 28v16-20.
Mission Strategy
Growth pattern.
Increasing likelihood of decline in next 10 years as people move on to be with the Lord.
New growth from people moving into Levin from other churches, but not likely enough to counteract the decline coming.
We need to move our church from a Club culture to a Mission culture.
In obedience to our Lord’s command. Matthew 28v16-20.
“The Church is the only organisation that exists for the benefit of it’s non members.”
This means being more proactive in sharing our faith both through good works and personal sharing of faith stories in order to encourage other people’s sharing of their faith stories.
We have a parish mission visioning day on Saturday 4th Sept 10-1pm.
It seems that our best strategy options are:-
· To make the best use of the activities and events we already run. Good works!
· To train our people to be sharing their faith as naturally as possible. Personal testimony.
· To be active members of the community living lives of integrity and humility in Christ and serving all those the Lord sends across our path.
We need to be very intentional about our local mission!
I suggest some of the following options as a way ahead, that may stir up some discussion:-
1. For the church to officially agree (all congregations) to put local mission, personal faith sharing and discipleship at the top of our agenda as a church.
2. Include personal testimony and faith sharing in all our services where possible.
3. Use focused sermon series on mission to teach and encourage a passion for faith sharing.
4. Embark on a suitable course to equip people for personal faith sharing and discipleship.
5. Commission all our future group leaders to be equipped in the theology and practice of local mission, personal faith sharing and discipleship.
6. Find a consultant missioner to come along side us for a year to help train our people in personal faith sharing, discipleship and help us make the change.
7. Agree as a church to commission a small representative church focus group with the specific intention and mandate of changing our church culture from club to mission, so that all our congregations become mission based congregations.
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