Our Mission Statement

There will be great days ahead!

Great Days Ahead

Joshua 3:5 KJV 1900

5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you.

In order for churches to be relevant in the task of destroying the works of the devil () we must move beyond our own limits.

1 John 3:8 KJV 1900

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 1:8 KJV 1900

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Move forward and avoid confusion about the church!

First generation fights for the discovery and establishment of the church - Erie Baptist Temple

I believe the following priorities should be at the top of every pastor’s prayer and vision list. Churches which live out these priorities will play a significant role in ministry for Jesus Christ.

And I believe that one can understand what the Bible says about the church.  I don’t think that’s intended to be ambiguous.  I don’t think the Lord said, “Now go out and build the church and it’s all going to be a riddle and see if you can figure the riddle out.”  I think it’s patently obvious what the church is to be. 

And so once you discern that in the Scripture, you can move to implementing that in the lives of people. 

First generation fights for the discovery and establishment of the church - Erie Baptist Temple

First generation fights for the discovery and establishment of the church - Erie Baptist Temple

And now we’re in the second generation and what we’re seeing now is this desire to maintain the truth, to guard the truth, to secondly, extend the truth. 

The second generation this desire to maintain the church,

But, there’s a third phase, and historically this is kind of the way it flows.  The third generation is apathetic.  The third generation is apathetic. 

They weren’t a part of the process of discovery. 

They weren’t a part of the process of refinement. 

So they don’t understand the pain, and the endurance, and the relentlessness that you went through to get there. 

And they really weren’t, because they weren’t there fighting to understand that truth, they weren’t there fighting to defend that truth, they just kind of show up at some time.

They come and go over preferences, programs and people.

If I like it I will stay if not then

Sometimes they get confused over doctrine vs preferences -

Sometimes they get aggravated and drama break out

That’s when people are worried about whether the air conditioner is blowing on the back of their neck or not, the nursery worker did not change my child, the choir music is boring or too loud, my child did not get picked, I don't like the words on the screen, I like preaching on sin and hell, you preach too much on judgement .

People dress up too much and are stiff

The church is too casual and immodest in clothing

The church is legalistic

the church has no standards

I’ve read enough about church history and even contemporary and more modern church history to know there’s a time in the life of the church when that becomes the dominant characteristic of the church because that third generation weren’t a part of the struggle, and that is a frightening thing. 

We are not here to entertain the converted

We are not here for food fellowships and be an island unto ourselves

We are not here to meet the converted felt needs

We exist to fulfill the great commission as defined in scripture.

Today we are launching out in a new generation that will have a pioneering spirit.

Over the next 10 years our we will experience the best days this church has ever had ....

I could go over the demographics of our area

I could talk about those that have walked away from the church

I could tell you that 90% of our county does not go to church anywhere

but rather than doing that lets look at our Mission statement as a church

The Best days are ahead!

Prepare for Greater Things

Prepare for Greater Things

Joshua 3:5 KJV 1900

5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you.

The person who expects to have a completed house to live in tomorrow must lay a foundation for that house today.

Likewise, if we expect to see spiritual revival and renewal in the community and nation where we live, we must first lay the appropriate foundation.

We need to live our lives in a constant state of preparation for that which God wants to do through us. Wherever we are in our personal life or in the ministry of our church we need to prepare for greater things to take place.

I believe that is the message of : “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”

Sanctifying ourselves means making ourselves holy--repenting from sin and cleansing our lives to become vessels of honor fit for His service ().

2 Timothy 2:20 KJV 1900

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

The uncleanness of sin can disqualify us and delay us from God’s mission.

It will not do for us to take the Lord’s service casually.

Matthew 5:6 KJV 1900

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

We must hunger and thirst for righteousness (; ). We must intensify our prayer life with times of intercession accompanied by fasting.

Our Mission Statement

We as a church exist to make a difference in our community through proclaiming the Gospel by:

I Worshiping God – Faithfully Attending the Worship Services

Acts 2:42 KJV 1900

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

John 4:23–24 KJV 1900

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Worship is transforming. Do you want to look like Jesus? When we become Christians we are a new creation () but the spiritual transformation doesn’t stop there.

Paul would say that we must continue our transformation “through the renewing of your mind” ().

One of the main avenues of spiritual renewal and spiritual transformation is the collective worship of the saints.

It is in worship that we are kept from an evil heart of unbelief () and through which we stir up love and good works within us ().

Yes, our personal worship is transforming, but so is the corporate worship of the children of God (; ).

Because God’s love is compelling. I want you to think for a moment about what you are saying to God when you get up on Sunday morning and think, “Ugh, well we HAVE to go to worship.” Did Jesus act like this when it came to our salvation?

Did he begrudgingly take upon himself the crucifixion? His love for the Father and His love for us compelled Him to do it (). Paul would say that the love of Christ compels us as well ().

When I think about the great love that God has shown to me, why wouldn’t I want to worship and learn about Him every chance I get?

Because God’s family is encouraging. My mother used to say,

“You go into the world to get torn down, you come back home to be built up”—so too is it with our spiritual family. We go out into the world and we deal with rejection, hatred, loneliness, hopelessness, etc. and we come to worship to be encouraged by people who genuinely love and care about our souls (). Don’t be deceived—every Christian needs constant encouragement. The 1st century family loved getting together (), why shouldn’t we?

Acts 2:46 KJV 1900

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Because God’s children are hungering. You know what one of the greatest marks of a true Christian is? Their desire and hunger for God. Jesus said His kingdom would be made up of people who hunger and thirst for righteousness (). Peter would say that we are to yearn for the word of God like newborn infants (). You know how often my kids get hungry? Every day. If we don’t have an insatiable desire to worship God and learn about Him every chance we get, then we need to do some self-examination ().

Because God’s enemy is prowling. Satan never stops trying to open a door for you to walk right into hell. He is the lion, constantly prowling and looking for the right opportunity to strike ().

One of the ways he gets his foot in the door is when Christians stop attending worship services. Before they know it, they are back to their old ways, living the life they so desperately wanted to leave behind.

Over the last 19 years those that causally attend every now and then usually drop off ...

We make the attendance to the Worship service a big deal.

It takes priority over everything

We as a church exist to make a difference in our community through proclaiming the Gospel by:

II Praying Corporately

II Pray Corporately as a Church

2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV 1900

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Cronicles

In a praying church there is a recognition of the supreme importance of prayer

After Peter and John had been imprisoned and released they joined the Christians in Jerusalem and reported on all that had happened (verse 23).

When the Christians heard Peter’s and John’s report did they hold a conference?

No, they prayed (verse 24), recognising that prayer was fundamental, not supplemental, and they all felt the same way about it.

acts 4.24

3. In a praying church there is an overwhelming desire to obey the Lord’s commission to evangelise the world.

Where prayer is exercised God breaks in with His supernatural acts, His ‘signs and wonders’ (verse 30). These Christians prayed that God would stretch out His hand to heal and that He would perform miracles. But some Christians today think the days of miracles are past! Are they? Some say that the Apostolic signs are no longer required and since the canon of Scripture is closed we must not expect to see miracles performed. You may think there is truth in all this, but often when we say these things we are justifying and excusing our prayerlessness. The fact is that when the Church prays miracles really do take place. Miracles are wrought in the spiritual realm; souls are saved, and even desperate people are converted. In the physical realm also God is pleased to heal the bodies and minds of His children.

5. In a praying church the Holy Spirit manifests His presence and power (verse 31).

Prayer is the secret of every Pentecostal outpouring; but notice, we are not considering what happened on the Day of Pentecost: this happened after Pentecost – and it can happen again, and again, and again! There will never be another Pentecost dispensationally – but there can be experimentally! Prayer is the secret.

6. In a praying church there is mighty power in the preaching of the gospel.

See what happened after they had prayed (verses 31,33). It happened when Spurgeon preached: people were struck down by the power of the Word and multitudes were saved – but behind Spurgeon’s preaching was the vital intercession of his praying church, and in every case where great things have been accomplished through the preaching of the gospel it has always and only been in answer to the prayers of God’s people. Conviction and conversions follow the preaching that is backed by a praying church.

7. In a praying church there is great grace in the lives of God’s people.

Verse 33 says, “Much grace was upon them all”; the word ‘grace’ is the operative word here. It means ‘Christ-likeness’, and was seen in four ways:-

1. There was the grace of unity (verse 32).2. There was the grace of renunciation (verse 32).3. There was the grace of fellowship (verse 32).4. There was the grace of liberality (verses 34-35).

Will you do your part, God helping you, to make your church a praying church?

Acts 4:24 KJV 1900

24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

Do we recognise the supreme importance of prayer, and have we a spontaneous desire to unite in prayer? Little wonder that the unbeliever does not believe in a living God who answers prayer, when many of us have so little real appreciation of its importance and so little desire for it!

When Revival Broke Out in New York City

Do we recognise the supreme importance of prayer, and have we a spontaneous desire to unite in prayer? Little wonder that the unbeliever does not believe in a living God who answers prayer, when many of us have so little real appreciation of its importance and so little desire for it!

In a praying church the eyes of faith and expectancy are towards the Lord

1. The sovereign Lord (verses 24,28). God is the all-powerful creator and sustainer, the One who knows the end from the beginning and who has His great plan of campaign which no-one can hinder.

ILLUSTRATION

In a praying church there is an overwhelming desire to obey the Lord’s commission to evangelize the world.

See how they prayed (verse 29)! They didn’t pray, ‘Grant that we may be kept safe’ – ‘Grant that Peter and John may be protected’ – ‘Lord, don’t let it happen again!’ – but they prayed, ‘Lord, help us to get on with the job of proclaiming the gospel!’ In a praying church this will be the overwhelming desire of the members. Does this mark characterise your church? Is there a constant effort being made, not to organise, but to evangelise? – to get souls born again into the family of God?

When Revival Broke Out in New York City

Acts 4:29 KJV 1900

29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

When Revival Broke Out in New York City

Ronnie Floyd, Our Last Great Hope (Thomas Nelson, 2011), pp. 167-169

There was a man named Jeremiah Lanphier who lived in New York City during the 1850s. Those were years of tension, when the shadow of war loomed over America. There were strikes, depressions, tailing banks, long jobless lines, and an air of simmering violence. In this setting, Lanphier accepted a calling as a full-time city evangelist. He walked the streets, knocked on doors, put up posters, and prayed constantly—all to no visible result.

There was a man named Jeremiah Lanphier who lived in New York City during the 1850s. Those were years of tension, when the shadow of war loomed over America. There were strikes, depressions, tailing banks, long jobless lines, and an air of simmering violence. In this setting, Lanphier accepted a calling as a full-time city evangelist. He walked the streets, knocked on doors, put up posters, and prayed constantly—all to no visible result.

As his discouragement increased, Lanphier looked for some kind of new idea, some possibility for breakthrough. New York was a business town; maybe the men would come to a luncheon. So he nailed up his signs, calling for a noon lunch in the Old Dutch Church on Fulton Street. When the hour came, he sat and waited until finally a single visitor arrived. Several minutes later, a couple of stragglers peeked through the door. The handful of them had a nice meal.

Lanphier gave his idea another go on the following week. Twenty men attended; at least it was a start. But then forty came on the third week. The men were getting to know each other by this time, and one of them suggested he'd be willing to come for food and prayer every day. Lanphier thought that was a good sign, and he ramped up his efforts for a daily meal and prayer time.

Before long, the building was overflowing. The luncheon had to move again and again, so high was the demand. The most intriguing element of the "Fulton Street Revival," as they called the phenomenon, was the ripple effect. Offices began closing for prayer at noon …. Fulton Street was the talk of the town, with men telegraphing prayer news back and forth between New York City and other cities—yes, other cities had started their own franchises; other godly meetings were launching in New York.

The center of the meeting was prayer, and it was okay to come late or leave early, as needed …. Men stood and shared testimonies. [This was not] a place for the well-known preachers of the day—this was about the working class, businessmen who wanted to share the things of God.

Some historians went so far as to refer to the Fulton Street Revival as the Third Great Awakening, because it lasted for two years and saw as many as one million decisions for Christ. Given the influence of New York City, no one could estimate the national and international impact that spread out from Jeremiah Lanphier's simple lunch breaks. It is well known, however, that great funds were raised for fulfilling the Great Commission.

Our Mission is to be a praying church!

We as a church exist to make a difference in our community through proclaiming the Gospel by:

III Growing in Grace – Teach and Train

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV 1900

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Grow in Grace – disciple and growing in the Knowledge of Christ

The church is the pillar and ground of the truth

We are to learn and train others

Discipleship is teaching biblical precepts, while modeling and guiding others toward living righteously as followers of Jesus Christ.

This is what we do?

This should be a cyclical process—meaning once we are discipled, we are to disciple others, and so on.

Sunday school, small groups

Small Groups, Small groups, Small groups

In addition, discipleship training is also about relationship with others. Relationships are developed through devotions, care, and by encouraging each other toward living with Christ-like characteristics in our everyday lives. Very often the best teachers share from experience and testimonies of their own journeys. Telling others what following Christ has done for one personally, can have great impact on those who are yearning for the same kind of transformation in their lives. This is a vital part of discipleship.

Men’s 4:10, Corinthians Connections others to come

AIG, conferences , new believers class etc.... In addition, discipleship training is also about relationship with others.

Relationships are developed through devotions, care, and by encouraging each other toward living with Christ-like characteristics in our everyday lives.

Very often the best teachers share from experience and testimonies of their own journeys. Telling others what following Christ has done for one personally, can have great impact on those who are yearning for the same kind of transformation in their lives. This is a vital part of discipleship.

New Building here ! Classes training

Future apprentice program for full time Christian Workers

What is Discipleship? What are Some Aspects of Discipleship? First, we must realize that discipleship is an ongoing process. We should never quit learning and growing in our walk with Christ. Just as the New Testament disciples who chose to follow Jesus, we too should continually learn and grow stronger in our personal relationship with Him. Do you desire to lead and disciple others along the way with all that you have already learned and experienced?

We as a church exist to make a difference in our community through proclaiming the Gospel by:

IV Reaching Our Community

1 Peter 3:15 KJV 1900

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

We are to have Gospel conversations pointing people to Christ.

It a life style

It a conviction

It a mandate

Get out into the community ?

Race, VBS, Blood Drive

No bubble here!

Involvement in the life of the town we live.

We will not call our community prospects but people that have family and needs.

We must earn the right to be heard!

We are not

A church’s mission field goes beyond its membership to include all the people God calls it to serve.

You are connected to individuals who never set foot in your building.Know that what’s happening within the church — preaching, worship, music, Bible study — is no longer enough to attract people in an age when church attendance is no longer a cultural expectation.Don’t sit in your church building waiting for people to come. Be prepared to meet people where they are.

Remember that Jesus primarily engaged people through everyday encounters, rather than in the Temple or synagogues. He fed people, met their everyday needs, and enjoyed the fellowship of others.Express love and compassion for your community in big and small ways. Avoid judgmentalism. Pray regularly for your neighbors and lift up community concerns.

We will share our faith in our community

Remember that Jesus primarily engaged people through everyday encounters, rather than in the Temple or synagogues. He fed people, met their everyday needs, and enjoyed the fellowship of others.Express love and compassion for your community in big and small ways. Avoid judgmentalism.Pray regularly for your neighbors and lift up community concerns.

We will increase efforts to reach their communities by focusing outwardly rather than inwardly.

The days of easy growth and cultural Christianity are over.

The mainline old guard and the evangelical church have both directed their ministries inwardly, and too often, getting the gospel to the community is just an afterthought.

Secondly, an effort must be made to abandon the entitlement mentality. Too many congregations have become religious country clubs, where the members pay their dues and get their expected perks.

Our focus is be outward and evangelical

We as a church exist to make a difference in our community through proclaiming the Gospel by:

V Giving Our Resources

Matthew 6:21 KJV 1900

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Malachi 3:10 KJV 1900

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be meat in mine house, And prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Giving you tithe and offering connects you to the mission and the church!

You generally don't give to something you don't believe.

Church members give to be a blessing to others and obey God comments

We will never apologize for telling others about How God says we are to handle money ...

Serve with Love – serving in the church and the community

How will handle our money is a direct reflection on our Walk with God!

Our Mission

We as a church exist to make a difference in our community through proclaiming the Gospel by:

Worshiping God

Give our Resources – tithing and special offerings to accomplish the above

Praying Corporately

Growing in Grace

Reaching Our Community

Giving Our Resources

I was struck that day that if God wanted to do greater things through me than what He had done, I had to prepare myself spiritually in a greater way than I had up to that point. The person I was that day had been sufficient for what God had done but would not be sufficient for what He was going to do.