Refocus

Intro - Dan

And I have been given the task of giving you all an update on what is called Refocus. A team of us is going through a program supplied by the IBSA that helps us as a body take a very deep look at what needs to be addressed here at our church. We are not a decision making group but rather a team of members evaluating and bringing these evaluations back to you.

So why am I up here? What some of you may not know is that Lynn and I attended here some 15 years ago and we both were part of actively serving and teaching here. So as a former member I am familiar with how the church functions organizationally and I also know the reasons that forced us to leave then and why God called us back. As a new member we may have some unique perspectives and a set of fresh eyes that possibly can help. So I was glad to be a part of this when asked.

The first day Lynn and I walked back into the church we were confronted with many of you speaking to us about your concern for the health of the church. And not long ago somebody asked me what made us come back. My answer, is simple, because God called us back. Lynn and I both feel that call. And I have to say, it has been good to be back. So we came, and like you we share the same heart and desire for the good health of our church. We all know that a church is not made up of a Pastor and congregation but rather in a Body of Christ in a shared surrender to fulfill the commission of the church.

So there are things we all know need to be worked on. Things we all see, We can see it in our numbers, fewer people in service than a year ago and far fewer than years ago, our finances are down and to be quite honest we are not winning souls. So there are things that need to be repaired. We as a church find ourselves in a season of trial. The question is, how are we going to respond?

So, Just as Nehemiah did we need to take a long hard look at the walls and gates of our church and just like the churches of revelation we need to find where we have fallen from and repent. In doing that God will begin rescuing us through his word and through prayer, he will get us moving once again if we do these things. And as we start to move forward, let us put the love of God the Father and our Savior first, and he will begin the work of healing things that we may see as unfixable.

We have a great God that does great things and because of that we will expect great things of God while doing great things for God.

So 10 things the refocus process has us evaluate regarding aspects of our church.

First Impressions - Under this we consider what a first time visitor would see. This would be our facility, our people and how we function, signage, guest information, how we are geared to serve every generation within our church but also the next generation. This is truly a 360 degree view of our church.

Worship - In this we consider everything one would experience during our worship service, from hospitality, Music, order of Service, and sermons.

Evangelism - Are we evangelizing the lost? Not only within our midst but, also to our community?

Discipleship - Are we self discipling, are we reading, praying, doing the things to grow our knowledge, wisdom and understanding. Are we discipling each other, our community?

Service - Are we effectively serving one another and those outside of our church, our community?

Fellowship - Are we joining together in joy and suffering and caring for one anothers needs?

Prayer - Are we a praying church? both in Public and in Private?

Stewardship - Do we do well with the resources God has blessed us with?

Leadership - Do we have people amongst us that have stepped into the roles and are fulfilling leadership positions?

Our organizational Structure - Are we structured in such a way to make the church function in the best way we can.

The fact of the matter is we didn’t give ourselves very good grades. And although our group can't make decisions, we all agree that changes need and must be made, suggestions and actions need to be made and acted upon, they are an absolute must. We cannot survive in a mode of maintenance, in getting by. we have to once again begin to thrive.

But, also want to acknowledge, that compared to 6 months ago you can see the spirit moving, it is palpable!

Things are getting better but in times like this Satan goes to work. I used to lead the youth here and one of the things I would say often was ‘you are uniquely created and perfectly placed for this moment. And you are perfectly placed for this moment, don’t let Satan tell you otherwise.

So Refocus helps us get a clearer perspective on where we are, what we are doing and what our future needs to be.

So 5 Things we all agree need to be worked on and things already being done.

1.Stewardship - Continue in faithful giving. You are truly great givers here. God has been faithful to us so let us keep this up as we begin to work hard at bringing others into our fold. We need to build on our giving by growing our body again.

2. First impressions and stewardship -Improving our facilities - God has blessed us with a great facility - but it needs some TLC a group of us will start painting and remodeling classrooms, doing general cleanup and repairs, and reorganization of our building. The funds for this will come outside of normal tithes. But we also have to start looking at the larger items that need to be addressed in the near future. Like new carpeting, remodeling of the old sanctuary and the downstairs adult Sunday school area, and painting of the larger areas and hopefully someday a new sanctuary.

3. Evangelism - We need to do better job at reaching our community, planning and scheduling outreach, building on events like trunk or treat, restarting our monthly church and community dinner nights and more.

4.We need to begin reaching our community through social media, better signage, mailings of post cards, outreach cards, handouts and invitation.

5. Discipleship - And We need to strive together, in God’s word, study and providing training in witnessing and discipleship. Part of this will be done by providing resources that help us to grow like the free resource table with books and the like.

It is our hope and prayer that this up coming year, we will find us all being better followers, better servants, better witnesses better disciples, better slaves to the Gospel. Proclaiming the Good News, of a Good God through a Good Savior to the world in front of us.