(Text and Audio)
Title: The Great Commission and Heritage Baptist Church
2 1/2 years ago, when we were still in Matthew chapter 18, some of you might recall that I preached a message entitled the great commission at heritage Baptist church. At that point in our churches history we were at a crossroads and I felt the Lord leading me to project my vision to you towards the future and I used the great commission as the source text to explain what I wanted to do strategically moving forward. I want to revisit the same passage today because we are at the conclusion of the Gospel of Matthew.
I want to use this as not only refresher, what a review of what goals we have set out how were doing in those areas and wear new things on the horizon in relation to evangelism and growth.
This message is largely about internal church accountability by nature it may take two weeks to get through and I’m okay with that, I want us to have a frank discussion about where were at and where we are headed. I also want to be very transparent with you about how I feel about the future of our church and my current health as your pastor.
read/pray
Let me start with this question: when the great commission is taught, what is usually the end game or the emphasis of that teaching? What are we being encouraged to do? (Take answers).
I want to refocus the purpose of this message in our mission as a church by offering some quotes from some people that I love and respect. Some of these people are not famous but you may know them, others we have all heard of.
“Focus on Church Health, not Church Growth. Unhealthy things can grow.” (Like fungus, or Joel Osteen ministries)
-Mike Wilson
“The culture of a church is very important. Consider the idea that the culture of Heritage may be to remain small.”
-Nate Bebout
“Beg, borrow, and steal. Don’t re-invent the wheel.”
-John Willis
“Without question, there is no doubt in my mind that Training Disciples is the most Biblical and smartest way to grow a church.”
-Brad Hockensmith
“85% of people who visit a church do so because someone within the church intentionally invited them. Only 15% of people who visit a church come for any other reason than a person from within that fellowship inviting them! When was the last time you invited someone to Church?”
-Ben Roby
Story of two types of nets. (Use Pictures)
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
1. Go: Outreach and Fellowship
Immediate: Top 5 Program from LHBC (Beg, Borrow, Steal, don’t reinvent the wheel), Better use of our Facebook presence, new church brochure for visitors, more availability for me to do visitation
Mid-term: 2 Planned Outreach Events Each Year (possible Spring and Fall…already have an iron in the fire for a Fall outreach event, have been contacted by another Church that wants to join with us for an evangelistic program, more on this in the coming weeks, reinstate men’s lunches this summer, more regularly scheduled potlucks
Long Term: Basketball Court Outreach
(Show Picture)
2. Make Disciples: Formal Discipleship Training
This is where the church will actually grow!
Immediate: Start praying about whether DT is something you are feeling called to.
Mid-term: Robbie Gallady with Replicate Ministries
Target Start date: August 1st, 2015
(Explain why.)
Long Term: This will be a renewable and repeatable program, so maybe you won’t be involved at the start, but will be down the road.
3. All Nations: Renewed focus on Missions
Immediate: More involvement with BCEBA/SCBO/SBC
(Ben to attend national convention in Columbus this summer)
Mid-term: Connection with other SBC churches and their missions program/trips/activities
Long-term: Potential missions trip for HBC to the Philippines
4. I am with you always: Regular Operations at HBC
Immediate: New Directory in progress
Mid-term: more consistent committee meetings, deacons meetings, communion, etc.
Long-term: Openness to change and creativity, I’m not afraid to try radical new things, you shouldn’t be either!
Closing Thoughts
I was telling Mary the other day in a moment of privacy between two of us, the kids were away, it was just us one-on-one and I said to her: without question, I believe heritage is as healthy as it has ever been. Yes, we still have some things that we’re working through, because of our size we are always keeping an ion the budget, but I have never enjoyed being the pastor of any ministry as much as I have enjoyed the last six months at heritage.
And what is most surprising to me about that is that it was just over year ago when I was absolutely at my lowest personal point in the history of this church. I am Beyond words and beyond shocked at how quickly the Lord has turned this around in terms of my own satisfaction and attitude.
One are the verses I lean on with my hospice patients comes from Ecclesiastes chapter 3 we’re Solomon writes: God has made everything beautiful in its time except man cannot understand the work that God will do from beginning to end.
I usually quote that verse in the midst of a prayer with the dying patient and say to them quote Lord give us peace and patience to wait upon your timing. That helps resent her me. It is where I am right now with this church. Incredibly optimistic, incredibly excited about the future, and with the greatest debt of gratitude to the people who have created the foundation and backbone of this church so before leaving here shortly while many your phone been here as long as I have. It is a great joy and honor and privilege to be called as a shepherd of gods people but nowhere is it guaranteed it will be enjoyable. This group in front of me right now, you have made this the most enjoyable endeavor of my life and I love you and thank you.