Simple Church Vision

Introduction

Thank you all so much for coming out. I’m thankful for your willingness to be here and what shows to me a desire to be apart of this church family and what God has called us to.

Tonight I want to take some time to talk with you about the future of LBC. I want to take tonight and the next couple of weeks to discuss with you some things to expect going forward. Because it will look slightly different and you deserve to know why.

Let me first say there are no doctrinal changes taking place. What we are going to be looking at tonight and next week is more ministry philosophy and application of it.

There are a number of ministry philosophies out there. Some are bad. Most are choosing between better and best for the ministry context a person is in.

For instance, the churches I was familiar with in Mexico started their services in the afternoon at 12 or 1. Why? Because that culture is not known for it’s early mornings.

Even better, though it was set to start at 12 or 1, it did not begin until 15-30 minutes later. Why? Because in that culture, being prompt and punctual is not important. Now is that true of every person in or from Mexico? Obviously not. However, due to the context of the culture those churches served their ministry philosophy was practically carried out differently than we would here.

If you grew up in church or have been in church a long time, you have been under the ministry philosophy of that pastor.

Traditionally speaking, especially for Baptist churches, that means a lot of things going on.

Many see a full church calendar as a productive church calendar. But just like in life, busyness does not equate to productivity.

If you grew up in a church that had three services a week and activities on other nights for small groups, you grew up in a church like this.

This philosophy, in my opinion, leads to a few problems.

Burnout. Staff burnout, Congregation burnout, and can lead to a revolving door.

Too Busy to do ministry. The staff and congregation are so busy making the programming of the church happen, that they have stopped connecting with those in the church and those outside the church. If we are so busy with the church that we neglect our personal time with God and our own evangelizing of the lost, we are too busy.

Improper Stewardship of Church Finances. When you give to the Lord through this ministry it is my desire to use those funds appropriately to carry out the mission God has given the church. I do not want to squander it on something that doesn’t help us move someone through the discipleship process. There are many things that are required or help facilitate the running of the ministry here.

And while there could be more, those are the ones I want to seek to prevent happening. If you are in agreement with me on that one would you let me know by saying Amen?

Ok, now to answer the question: How do we keep from those things happening?

First, Let’s start by going to God’s Word and seeing the biblical principles driving this vision.

Luke 14:28-30

Luke 14:28–30 KJV 1900

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Contextually Jesus is speaking about the costs of discipleship. A person planning and preparing for what it will take to be a disciple.

Now, I’m not taking this passage out of context. We are going to take this passage, look at the principle, and apply it that way.

The principle is to look forward to what you want to accomplish “build a tower” and plan accordingly.

In doing this I’ve adopted a ministry philosophy that I’ve been slowly, well slow to me, working to make the culture here at LBC.

It’s commonly referred to as a “Simple Church” model. Maybe you have heard of it.

What does that mean?

A Simple Church is one that is focused on it’s mission without distraction. It’s a church that desires to keep the main thing the main thing and does so by not doing more things but by doing more within the scope of the vision and mission.

What is our vision and mission?

Let’s again go to scripture for this.

Matthew 28:19-20

Matthew 28:19–20 KJV 1900

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Some one tell me what this is called?

And if you are carrying this out, what are you doing?

It’s ultimately about making disciples of Christ, that make disciples of Christ. Right?

How do we do this? Now the answer to this question is where we get into a variety of different ideas. This is where as the Pastor I have to choose not between good and bad or even right or wrong but between better and best. Will you always agree with me? Doubtful. However I believe when you know my heart and you understand why a decision is made, it’s easier to catch the vision and get on board with what’s happening.

So what’s my heart? My heart is to glorify God as your Pastor. My heart is to proclaim the Gospel to our community. My heart is to shepherd our flock not so that we can have many gatherings together but so that you may be equipped for the ministry that God has called you to.

It’s my desire to see our church be one that Equips the saints for the work of the ministry and also do as Paul instructed Timothy to do in

2 Timothy 2:2

2 Timothy 2:2 KJV 1900

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

What is the Work of the ministry? While there are a number of definitions that can be attached the this I believe we can say that the work of the ministry is the work of serving others in a Christ honoring way that encourages their relationship with the Lord.

That means the relationships you have with your spouse, with your children, with those at your job, and with anyone you interact with.

So, how do we do that?

First, I believe, as a church that means we don’t try and take your time away from those relationships. It doesn’t mean we would never have anything that may require you to give up some time but we don’t want you, our staff, or anyone affiliated with our church to be so given over to the church as an organization that your family suffers. It’s the same as if you spent all of your time reading your Bible but no time applying it, then your effectiveness for the Lord is diminished if not completely negated.

Second, When we take your time, we ensure that there is purpose. We don’t want to do something for the sake of doing something. I’m sure each of us have a full schedule that the idea of adding one more thing to it, even though it sounds amazing, is more of a burden than it is anything else. Have you been invited to something you feel obligated to say yes to? Raise of hands? Ok. that’s not what we want to do. I want to ensure that as a church, we are only doing those things that helps us in the disciple making process.

Third, we all understand and accept our personal responsibility to the Lord and don’t seek to allow our relationship to the Lord to be lived out through the church.

What do I mean by that? As your pastor I can’t evangelize for you. As your Pastor I can’t care for the sick for you. As your pastor I can’t pray for you…well…yu know what I mean. As your pastor I can’t help you connect with others. That has to be a personal decision you make based upon your faith in Christ.

Jer 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV 1900

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Hebrews 11:6

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

I see it as the responsibility of the pastor to engage equip and empower. To engage with people to direct them to the Lord. Equip them with what they need to live for the Lord and empower them to carry it out.

This is the greatest thing about being a Bible believing Christian. Our relationship with God isn’t through an organization. It is individual. Our church will only be able to Make an Impact with the Gospel if we as individuals are choosing to make that impact in our own lives.

How Does a Simple Church Model help us to accomplish this?

In a Simple Church model we are seeking to achieve 4 things:

Clarity

Clarity is clearly defining our mission and making it be our process for making disciples.

Movement

Movement means to keep people moving and taking their next step of faith. We should all desire to take the next step of our faith. Whether that be to go from just attending services to also attending groups, or to jump into a ministry team, we should be seeking to ensure that we are growing as disciples of Christ.

Alignment

Alignment is the maximizing of everyones energy. This is where we align 99% of everything we do with the mission of making disciples. Services, Groups, Teams, Gospel sharing opportunities, all activities of the church should fall under our mission.

Focus

That is done by maintaining the last one, Focus.

This means saying No to alot of good things. If good things are detracting from the best things, then the good things should go away. This is the part where we each have to decide if our event, ministry, thing we want to do, aligns with the mission of moving people along in their walk with the Lord or if it’s just something we would like to do.

Now, Remember…I’m speaking from the aspect of the church as a whole. I’m not telling you what you should plan as an individual. I’m not telling you what your small group can schedule and do.

I’m telling you that as a church, as your pastor, what I believe is best for helping you and our community grow as disciples of Christ.

So what is our mission?

First let me say that our vision, our three phrase statement to filter things through is “Love God, Serve Others, Make disciples.”

From there we have our mission, which is how we accomplish doing those things.

Connect, Grow, Serve, and Share.

We Connect to God, Grow closer to Him as we Grow Closer together, Serve the church and the community, and Share the Gospel locally and Worldwide.

What does that look like practically?

Inside of the model we are seeking to adopt we are going to be aligning our programming underneath the the umbrella of our mission. Remember, I said 99% of the things we do. Why? because no model is perfect. I know that. However there will be a rule with few exceptions rather than many exceptions and a neglected rule.

Our Sunday morning Bible Study hour and Worship service is how we accomplish connecting to God. That service is not the front door of our church anymore, that is now our online presence, but it is the first opportunity many people have to check us our for the first time and may be the first time they’ve been in a church that preaches the gospel. That’s our opportunity to connect them to God through the gospel. It’s our opportunity as believers to corporately worship God and hear from His Word.

Our Wednesday night groups and Services will be our time to Grow closer to Him as we Grow Closer together. This is an opportunity for the smaller group Bible Study and fellowship.

Paul wrote in

Phil 1:5

Philippians 1:5 KJV 1900

5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

The word Fellowship that is used throughout the New Testament is the greek word Koinonia literaly means a joint participation in.

Paul was grateful for his fellowship in the gospel, the good news of Jesus’ death burial and resurrection, that he had with the Phillipian believers.

I said this on Sunday night. Our connection is greater than hobbies, sports, life stage, or anything of that nature. It is founded in the gospel of Jesus. that trascends age, likes and dislikes, and any other commonalities that we can possess. Is it wrong to connect to people based upon sports, hobbies, or life stage? Absolutely not. But you can find that anywhere.

The church however, is the pillar and ground of truth

1 tim 3:15

1 Timothy 3:15 KJV 1900

15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

The church isn’t just this building, we should all know that. Nor do I believe it is a universal body of believers. The church is literally a called out group of people. Liberty Baptist Church exists as a church when we gather together underneath that name. But at 9am on Monday…it exists on paper to the state.

As a group of people that are known as the pillar and ground of truth, I believe it’s important we keep that truth at the center of all that we do.

So our fellowship as a church should be around the Word of God and the Work of the ministry. That is what our Wednesday night groups are for. To spend time with one another and develop relationship studying the Word of God.

Next is Serving. Now, this one has a consistent component but can change from time to time as well.

First, the best opportunities to serve are during the services. Usher, Greeter, Cafe, Book store/shelves, Door holder for people exiting, parking lot greeters, nursery worker, jr church, a/v team, and any other thing we think we can think of that will help our Sunday morning, Wednesday night, and Sunday night experience more welcoming and encouraging to all that attend.

Second, is by taking part in any of the serving opportunities that we get involved in the community with. Be a participant in the things going on. I know many of you are. The two times we got out in the community this year and the donation drives we have done for a few organizations have been very successful because of people having a desire to get out and serve the community. We use the #’s 4Bristol and Hands and feet of Jesus because that’s exactly what we want to be.

Then lastly, there is Sharing. What are we sharing? The gospel. we are sharing the gospel locally and worldwide.

Why did we decide to have that distinction there? Because if we forget to share the gospel with those we interact with here and don’t see the church bring in new believers that are on board with what is happening, then we can’t support missionaries world wide.

Take the Outreach Cards with you and give them out to people. Tell everyone how great your church is and invite them to be apart of what is happening here. More importantly, tell them how great Jesus is and invite them to Him. I understand many may be uncomfortable with sharing the gospel. I’d say it would be good to get comfortable since we are called to be able to give answer for the faith that we have. Then I’d say, remember, I present the gospel every week. We provide an opportunity for a person to make a decision every Sunday.

Then, support worldwide missions by giving and praying for them. I believe in tithing your income. Net or Gross is between you and the Lord but I do believe in Tithing to a local church for the work of the ministry. I also believe in giving to missions. I believe each of us should be prayerfully and financially supporting missionaries across the globe.

If you are taking part in those 4 things: Connecting to God, Growing Closer to Him as we grow closer together, Serving the church and the community, sharing the gospel locally and worldwide, then I believe as a church, we are being disciples of Christ and will grow as disciples.

Moving ourselves and others through that process will facilitate their personal Spiritual growth.

To close out…I want to answer the big question that comes with this…what about fellowship time?

I believe in fellowship. Many of you have been to my house for some form of fellowship with a group you serve in, maybe personally, if you haven’t, I promise it’s not because we don’t want you…we just haven’t got there yet. Covid hurt our plans on that one but we working to get back…along with raising three kids so please bare with me.

I believe that fellowship through the church should be with purpose. We fellowship around the truths of God’s Word. We fellowship around serving others. We fellowship around what helps us grow as disciples.

Look at our family nights. They are part of that 1% that doesn’t fit in the “simple model” but is an opportunity for us as a church family to come together around the worship of our God and His Word, and enjoy fellowship with one another.

I’ve said this from the pulpit before and I don’t mean it to sound callice or cruel but I believe it to be true: fellowship for the sake of fellowship is not the churches responsibility. That is upon us an individuals to go hang out and just enjoy time together over a meal talking about hobbies, sports, and other things. but when we gather as a church family, let’s have some purpose.

Groups will have the flexibility to provide that for those who choose to take that step in their discipleship process.

I know tonight was a little different than what we are used to when I preach but tonight was needed. I want you to know what Im’ thinking and why I’m thinking it. I want you to know you can ask questions. I want you to know that you can think I’m wrong. That’s ok.

If we agree on the Bible, the purpose of the church, and the gospel, then the means by which we thing we should accomplish the great commission can be different. I’m not telling you that in 5 years we won’t change philosophies. I’m not one that does something that doesn’t work. If it doesn’t work we will change but we must commit to it for a time to gauge it’s effectiveness. Based upon churches I’ve seen adopt the model, it’s effective.

Thank you again for coming out tonight. Thank you for being apart of Liberty and allowing me to be your Pastor. If you have any questions after, let me know and we can talk.

Let’s pray and we will be dismissed.

PRAY