Discovering New Song. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.

Transcription

1 Discovering New Song New Song Community Church 3985 Mission Ave Oceanside, CA (760) He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3 52

2 4. Briefly explain why you are interested in becoming a member of New Song Church: 5. Do you have any questions as a result of this class? ****Office Use Only**** Date Received Commitment form attached Date of Board approval Board Secretary Notified Comments: 2 51

3 NSCC Application for Membership Grow Up Seminars Name: Date: Address : City: Zip: Home Phone Cell Phone Address Birthdate: Please complete the following: 1. Have you received Christ and do you know him personally as your Lord and Savior? Y / N Briefly describe how and when you made this decision: DIRT ROOTS If you are a new to the church, just made a recommitment or just want your faith to come more alive then this is for you. Dirt is a four week 1-on-1 mentorship program. So what s the whole church thing about? Roots is a three week class where you learn God s purpose and heart for the church and how he wants you to play your part in it. We ll also walk through New Song s specific vision and mission and how you can play an important part. 2. Have you been baptized by immersion since becoming a Christian? Yes When? Where? No, but I am planning on being baptized at the next New Song baptism. I would like to talk further with someone about baptism TRUNK BRANCH So how do I grow in my faith? Trunk is a four week small group curriculum designed as a resource to help you to grow in your relationship with God. We focus on helping you develop spiritual habits, to move towards greater spiritual maturity. So what could God want to use me for? Branch is a four week small group curriculum designed to help you discover your spiritual gifts and how God has shaped you to do ministry and have an impact. 3. Do you understand and are you in agreement with New Song s Mission, vision, strategy, and beliefs? Y / N FRUIT So how do I share this with others? Fruit is a four week class set up to train you to share your faith with those around you. 50 3

4 The Spiritual Growth Process Spiritual growth and personal development are highly-valued at New Song. We believe the process of spiritual growth takes place in a series of small steps that lead a person closer and closer to Christ and help us become more and more like Him. We believe that the more steps you take, the more spiritual progress you move. Phil. 2:12b-13 says continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Our part in the spiritual growth process is to continue to work out. God s part is to work in you. If you do your part, God will do His! We refer to our spiritual growth process as the Next Step process and encourage every New Songer to obtain a Next Step brochure, place it in their Bible, and begin checking off the activities and experiences in the brochure. How do you know what your next growth step is? It s whatever hasn t been checked-off on your list. Within the Next Step process are five Grow-Up classes, built around the analogy of a tree: New Song Membership Commitment (turn in this copy) I have received Christ as my Lord and Savior; I have been baptized as a believer; and I am in agreement with New Song s mission, vision, strategy, and beliefs. I feel led by God to become a part of the New Song Church family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following: I will connect with others in my church By participating in opportunities to develop friendships By seeking genuine friendships with a few others I will grow as a Christ-follower with my church By attending faithfully By continuing to take Next Steps I will contribute to the work of my church By discovering my unique ministry contribution By giving purposefully and consistently I will help others be attracted to my church By inviting the unchurched to attend By being a friend to newcomers (using LINE-UP ) I will protect the unity of my church By refusing to gossip By being responsive to the leaders Name (Please Print) Date 4 Signature 49

5 Table of Content Session 1: What is the Church? Session 2: Why am I still here? Session 3: New Song s DNA Session 4: New Song s Future 48 5

6 Small Group Prayer Requests & Praises Name Prayer Request Answers to Prayer New Song Membership Commitment (keep this copy) I have received Christ as my Lord and Savior; I have been baptized as a believer; and I am in agreement with New Song s mission, vision, strategy, and beliefs. I feel led by God to become a part of the New Song Church family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following: I will connect with others in my church By participating in opportunities to develop friendships By seeking genuine friendships with a few others I will grow as a Christ-follower with my church By attending faithfully By continuing to take Next Steps I will contribute to the work of my church By discovering my unique ministry contribution By giving purposefully and consistently I will help others be attracted to my church By inviting the unchurched to attend By being a friend to newcomers (using LINE-UP ) I will protect the unity of my church By refusing to gossip By being responsive to the leaders Name (Please Print) Date 6 Signature 47

7 How Do I Become a Member? Embers Becoming a member at New is a simple process, If you have: 1. Received Christ as your Savior and Leader 2. Been baptized as a believer 3. Completed Roots 4. Agreed with New Song s mission, vision, strategy, and beliefs. Then: 1. Sign two copies of the Membership Commitment. 2. Fill out the Membership Application. 3. Turn in the Membership Application and one copy of the Membership Commitment to the Church Office, or a member of the Next Step Team. 4. Keep the remaining copy of the Membership Commitment for yourself. A church member stopped attending. The pastor decided to stop by and see him. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home, sitting beside a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. After some minutes the pastor took the fire tongs, picked up a brightly burning ember and separated it from the rest of the fire. Pastor and host watched as the lone ember's flame dimmed, then glowed, then went out altogether. The pastor picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. It quickly reheated with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the pastor stood to leave, his host said, "Thank you for your visit, and especially for the fiery sermon. I ll be back in church next Sunday." 5. Look forward to being notified (soon) that you are an official member of the New Song family! 46 7

8 Week 1: Small Group Questions If this is a new group: Go around and have everyone share names and how long they have been coming to New Song. 1) How did you start coming to New Song? 2) What is it about New Song that made you stay? DVD Teaching : Session 1: Pastor Hal Seed Discussion: Each week we will be watching a 15 minute teaching. 1) Did anything stand out to you from the video training? 2) Which of the images do you most relate with? Why do you think that is? 3) How does knowing all 6 images impact you now as a part of New Song? 4) Go around the circle taking turns reading through our Mission, Vision, Values, DNA and Strategies on pages A. Take a moment as a group to memorize our Mission Statement. Our mission is to help unchurched people become fully devoted followers of Christ. B. Which stand out to you of the mission, vision, values, DNA, & strategies? C. How have you seen the mission lived out at New Song? 5) Memorize as a group our 5 values. Reach, Connect, Grow, Serve, and Honor 5) Where do you see us as a church living out our values? 6) Look over our DNA (no need to memorize) which ones do you like the most? Why? 7) If the church is not a building you go to but a family you belong to then how does the mission and values apply to you personally? Homework: Read The New Song Story on pages How do you prepare yourself for the Lord s supper? Step 1 = myself Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 11:27 Step 2 = to the Lord If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 Step 3 = myself Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1 Step 4 = relationships. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you; leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:

9 The Importance of Communion Jesus commanded His followers to participate in two public ceremonies: We call these ordinances, because He ordered us to practice them. Baptism is a - ceremony that demonstrates we now belong to Christ... one Lord, one faith, one baptism; Eph. 4:5 Communion is a ceremony we are to celebrate until He returns. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord s death until he comes 1 Cor. 11:26 What is the Lord s Supper? 1. It is a, not an elaborate ceremony....and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me. 1 Cor. 11:24a Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, Acts 2:46 2. It is a, a memory tool. In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. 1 Cor. 11:25 3. It is a. I am the gate... John 10:9; I am the true vine... John 15:1 Session 1: What is the Church? Lead Pastor: Hal Seed Throughout the New Testament there are six major images of the church. 1. A...built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. Ephesians 2:20-21 For we are God s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 Solid building pieces: a. Are. b. Are connected to the. c. Are by the builder. 2. A Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4: while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12: It is an act of. Do this in remembrance of me. 1 Corinthians 11:24b 44 9

10 Properly-functioning body parts: a. Stay. b. Work. 3. A Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God s people and members of God s household, Ephesians 2:19 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10 Great family members: a. each other. b. each other. c. each other. d. Are to each other. 4. An Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus... No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs he wants to please his commanding officer. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 Analogy: Malls are failing because of the internet. Big boxes are failing because of WalMart and the internet. Franchises are flourishing almost everywhere. Example: Starbucks. Within 3 miles of New Song s Mission campus are 4 Starbucks locations. - Why don t they consolidate and make one large Starbucks? - Because people like small and close. They like community. Starbucks operates on a hub-and-spoke model: one large company, with one large location resourcing multiple small locations. Our Future: 1) We believe the Lord is asking us to do our best to put a congregation in each of these 16 quadrants over the next 15 years, one per year, or more as the Lord moves. 2) At the same time, we have to continue to build out our Mission Avenue Campus with office spaces so that it can house all the staff that will be needed for these locations, and with rooms for meeting and training and a kitchen, for large group functions and video capability to supply high-quality video and graphics for each of our campuses

11 Session 4: New Song s Future Church statistics: America = between 350,000 and 550,000 churches. America = 314,000,000 population. America = one church for every 900 people or 570 people. Oceanside = 70 churches. Oceanside = 180,000 population. Oceanside should have between 200 and 315 churches. Bonsall = 3 churches Bonsall = 4,000 population. Bonsall should have between 4 and 7 churches. Who will plant the needed churches? A. Other churches and denominations. B. New Song. C. Both. What if we decided that we wanted to make it hard for people in our cities to go to hell, because we put a congregation of New Song within walking distance, or at least driving distance of every citizen? Here s what it might look like for Oceanside: Good soldiers: a. Know their. b. Know their in the mission. c. Are to their life for the mission. d. Recognize they are part of something than themselves. 5. A Be shepherds of God s flock that is under your care... 1 Peter 5:2 Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these? Yes, Lord, he said, you know that I love you. Jesus said, Feed my lambs. John 21:15 Sheep know: a. They belong in a. b. They must to the shepherd. 6. A Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready Revelation 19:7 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. John 3:29 All brides: a. Prepare for their. b. Anticipate

12 Our Mission: Our Mission, Vision, and DNA A church s direction is determined by its mission. Our mission is to help unchurched people become fully devoted followers of Christ. It s our way of saying, We believe the Great Commission (Matt.28:19-20) is our commission. Our Vision: The Church Next Door Jesus said, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-39). We ask the question, What would it look like for an entire church to love its neighbors in practical ways? For us, The Church Next Door involves: Individuals and families serving as great neighbors in their neighborhoods. Small Groups adopting projects that help their communities in small ways. The entire church working together on a large project every year or two. The goal of The Church Next Door is to reach every home and person in our surrounding community by touching them in meaningful ways that let them know that God cares for them. In order to accomplish this we intend to develop teaching and touching ministry, roles and relationships to people in every age, stage and ethnicity in our area, some of which will be delivered to these groups, rather than asking them to come to our church location. Messages on The Church Next Door were preached in Sept./Oct. of Follow-up series called Life on the Solution-Side (Aug./Sept. 2004) and What Love Is All About (May, 2005) also cover this vision. Copies of these messages can be reproduced for you on request from the Fuel Bookstore. Week 4: Small Group Questions 1) What are 1 or 2 goals you have for your future? 2) Share about a time you were a member of something (sports team, business, Costco, etc ) Watch the DVD: Session 4 Discussion: 1) What do you think about New Songs future? What is your response to Hal s break down of churches (or groups of churches)? 2) Would you ever consider being a part of one of those 16 new campuses? What would be your fears? How would it be exciting? 3) What stood out to you about Hal s teaching on communion? Will it have any impact on how you take communion in the future? How? 4) Think about where you live. If we were starting a campus there, what would be the potential venues? Would you be willing to pray about this future campus? 5) Read 1 Corinthians 11: Find some bread and juice and apply what we just learned and serve each other communion (walk through the steps). 6) Close by looking over the membership application. Ask if there are any questions

13 10. Did Jesus rescind the tithe because the New Covenant is based on grace, not law? Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matthew 5:17 - Each of His directives in the Sermon on the Mount exceed those of the Old Testament. And each giver in the NT seems to be giving more than the tithe. So if anything, it is likely that He would ask us to graciously do more than tithe, rather than less. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees... You give a tenth of your spices mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Matthew 23:23 Jesus doesn t seem to be saying that tithing is wrong, abolished, or unimportant but rather, that how people behave towards others is even more important. 11. Can I tithe my time instead of my money? A tithe is a financial offering. Under the principles of good management, all my time, as well as my money, belongs to the Lord and is entrusted to me, to be used wisely. I am responsible to make sure I am managing both my time and my money for God s kingdom and glory. Our DNA: A church s personality is determined by its DNA. New Song has seven significant strands in its DNA: 1. We are a Jesus-first church. We give up things we love for the One we love even more. 2. We are a Great Commission Church. His last command is our first concern. We will do anything short of sin to reach people for Christ. 3. We are a community church. The church is not a building we come to, it s a family we belong to. We value knowing and be known, loving and be loved, serving and be served, celebrating and being celebrated. 4. We are a Next Steps Church. We are continually taking steps forward in our personal spiritual growth. 5. We are The Church Next Door. We want to be a great neighbor to the peoples, institutions and agencies of our community. 6. We are a multi-background church. The church in heaven is multi-ethnic, multi-generational and from multiple Christian faith traditions. We major in biblical essentials and put aside non-essentials for the sake of Christ s cause. 7. We are a Kingdom-minded church. We are spiritual contributors and not spiritual consumers. The church does not exist for us. We are the church and we exist for the world. A series called It s In Our DNA was preached June-Aug These messages can be accessed at Click on the Messages button and go to 2012 Messages

14 Our Values: What a church values determines its priorities. Everything New Song does derives from one of five strategic values: Reach people with Christ s love. Connect - in relationships. Grow to full devotion to Christ. Serve - Christ and our community. Honor God in everything we do. Strategies: We reach people by praying, serving, and inviting them. We connect people by enfolding them into a Small Group. We grow people through our Next Steps discipleship process. (This is covered in our Dirt class.) We serve people by loving our neighbors as ourselves. We honor God through worship, and by reaching, connecting, growing, and serving people. Homework: Read The New Song Story on pages God asks that this 10% reinvestment in His work be the first thing we do once we receive. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops, then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3: Why 10%? It s large enough to stretch a person s faith It s enough to finance God s work. It shares the blessing and responsibility for God s work equally between all of His followers. Not equal amounts, but equal sacrifice. 8. Why first? It demonstrates the priority He has in our lives. It expresses faith that He will supply the rest of what we need. The first of anything is usually the best. The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives. Deut. 14:23 TLB 9. What s the difference between a tithe and an offering? Tithe (asar) is the first 10% and belongs to the storehouse. It is mandated by God. Offering (minchah) is a present, or something offered, because we want to, over and above what we are required to do. So, tithes go to the church, but offerings can go to special needs in the church, to the needy, or to other causes that build God s kingdom

15 What God Says About Giving: 1. He asks us to remember that he owns it all. The earth is the Lord s, and everything in it; the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it... and established it... Psalm 24: He asks us to manage it for Him. The most important requirement of a manager is that s/he is faithful with what is entrusted to them. So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Cor. 4: The first step of faithfulness He asks for is that we return 10% of all we earn to His storehouse. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Malachi 3:10 A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. Leviticus 27:30 Melchizedek... was a priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram... Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. Genesis 14: What is a tithe? The Hebrew (OT) word asar means, to give a tenth. The Greek (NT) word dekatow means to give a tenth. 5. What is the storehouse? The beth-otsar (Malachi 3:10) was the Temple treasury, the room attached to the Temple, which was the central place of worship in Israel. Money from this treasury was used to pay for the expenses of worship and to feed the priests. Today that central place of worship is the local church. The New Song Story New Song is a church on a mission: the Great Commission. We say it this way: The mission of New Song Church is to help unchurched people become fully devoted followers of Christ. Since all of us fall somewhere along the ontinuum of unchurched and fully devoted, we re all a part of the target and all involved in the process. Our goal is to reach unchurched people and introduce them to the love of Christ, and build believers who increasingly love our community in tangible, transforming ways. We are focused and intense about our mission, vision, and strategic significance to God s plans for the 300,000 people who reside within a 20 minute drive of our present location. We are a Southern California outwardly-focused, community church, situated at the north end of North County, San Diego, 3 miles south of Marine Base Camp Pendleton, 5 miles from the Pacific Ocean, in the historic Mission District of Oceanside. Our Roots: New Song Community Church was born on September 27, The dream started in the heart of our Founding Pastor, Hal Seed, who moved his young family here, on faith, in July of Hal said, Eighteen months earlier, God grabbed me by the collar and whispered, If not you, who? If not now, when? The Lord had been so good to me, how could I do any less than say yes to his call? Even though it meant leaving behind a nice church in a nice city, with nice buildings, nice friends, and a nice salary to come to a place where we knew no one, to start a church that had no name, no people, no buildings, and no finances. We had to respond. From day one, New Song has wanted to be a church that helped people outside of traditional church find Christ and grow in relationship with Him. It has never been our intention simply to serve ourselves. We have always wanted to be a community of faith that invites people far from God to find out how life-changing a relationship with Him can be. We ve wanted to be a prevailing church

16 One that reflected Jesus declared intention in Matthew 16:18 when He said, I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. The first small group was held in the Seed s home on January 9, 1992 in a house near Rancho Del Oro Road. From the very beginning, the group was captivated by God s description of the first church in Acts 2: They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had a need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. The Seeds gathered a small core of people together to pray and plan for the new church. Hal led the adults in their living room while Lori led the children in their bedroom. By May 14 people had made a commitment to found a new church, called New Song. Their hope was to fulfill the words of Psalm 40:3, He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. On September 27, 1992 we opened the doors of the Mini-Theater at Mira Costa College and invited our friends to attend. 194 came to the first service. Without even giving a salvation invitation, a man named Hans came forward and asked if he could receive Christ. God has been prevailing in New Song ever since. After meeting at the college for twelve months, New Song was politely invited to find a new home. We moved to Ivey Ranch Elementary School for nine weeks (Sept. and Oct., 1993), while the auditorium at Breeze Hill Elementary was finishing construction. Session 3: New Song s DNA 1. We are a Church. We give up things we love for the One we love even more. 2. We are a Church. His last command is our first concern. We will do anything short of sin to reach people for Christ. 3. We are a Church. The church is not a building we come to, it s a family we belong to. We value knowing and be known, loving and be loved, serving and be served, celebrating and being celebrated. 4. We are a Church. We are continually taking steps forward in our personal spiritual growth. 5. We are The Church. We want to be a great neighbor to the peoples, institutions and agencies of our community. 6. We are a Church. The church in heaven is multi-ethnic, multi-generational and from multiple Christian faith traditions. We major in biblical essentials and put aside nonessentials for the sake of Christ s cause. 7. We are a Church. We are spiritual contributors and not spiritual consumers. The church does not exist for us. We are the church and we exist for the world

17 Week 3: Small Group Questions 1) What would you do if you had a million dollars given to you? 2) What is one of your favorite possessions you have ever owned? Watch the DVD: Session 3 Discussion: 1) What stood out to you from the video teaching? 2) Read 2 Corinthians 9:6,7. What does this mean in terms of giving? 3) What would you say to someone who believes All the church wants is your money? 4) Why do you think New Song makes tithing one of the commitments of our members? 5) What are the corporate personal consequences when Christians don t tithe to their local church? 6) What would you say to someone who honestly can t afford to tithe? Homework: Look over a Next Step Brochure. What do you think your Next Step is? Read: New Song s DNA on page 37 and what God says about giving on pages In November, 1993 New Song held their first services at Breeze Hill. The church had sent an invitation to the neighbors to attend the first service, so, when auditorium failed to pass its occupancy permit, the decision was made to hold the first service outdoors. Everyone in attendance discovered why the area was named, Breeze Hill that day! During 1994, New Song gave birth to its first daughter church: New Hope Community Church, in San Marcos, under the leadership of Dr. Mark Williams. In December, 1994, New Song was once again invited to find a new location. At the same time, the landlord of our rented offices asked that we consider renovating a section of his building and holding church there. The church was in a quandary: leashing a seven day a week space would be far more expensive than rented a school on Sundays only, but the school district no longer wanted a children s ministry that used six classrooms every weekend, so the choices were limited to, leash and build, or stop meeting as a church. New Song drew up plans, pulled permits, and negotiated with the Vista school district to use one of the nearest schools, which was Alamosa Park Elementary School for six months. Services were held at Alamosa from January, 1995 to September, 1995 (a delay of three months). On September 10, New Song moved into 4065 Oceanside Blvd. We were 230 strong. It quickly became obvious that we would not be able to pay staff salaries and our increased lease payment until the church grew larger, so all staff members were given pink slips with the request that they stay on, by faith, as we watched God provide. By mid-1996, growth made it necessary to add a second Sunday service and we were able to pay both salaries and lease payments. Meanwhile, our Associate Pastor, Scott Evans began receiving requests from other churches to help create invitations and other printed materials for their churches. This outside revenue helped pay Scott s salary and led to the incorporation of Outreach, Inc. a few months later

18 Outreach has become one of the largest church resource companies in the world, helping over 90,000 churches to reach their communities for Christ. Outreach operates the most-visited pastors website in the world (sermoncentral.com), along with Outreach Magazine, Outreach Pictures, Outreach Books, Comedy Central, and more. In 1996, Paul Becker, one of New Song s founding Board Members and a personal mentor to Hal, had a vision to impact the planting of 1,000 churches. Paul founded Dynamic Church Planting International. Over the years, DCPI s vision has expanded to the planting of 5,000,000 churches worldwide. (As of 2013, there are 4.8 million churches in the world, so Paul s vision amounts to doubling the number of churches on earth.) As a result of DCPI s international efforts, New Song has helped plant over 175,000 churches in our first twenty years. To our knowledge, this is the largest movement of church planters in history. In September 1998, New Song added a Saturday night service to alleviate crowding and parking problems in our two Sunday morning services. In October 1998 we gave birth to our second daughter church, Rock Springs Community Church under the direction of Jim Boyd. In February 1999, our third daughter church, Iglesia Christiana Emanuel went public, meeting Sunday afternoons in our own building. The thing that excites us most is what we see God doing to reach people who have previously been outside of a relationship with Him. In 1995, 53 people came to Christ, (one every seven days). In 1996, 61 people came to Christ, (one every six days). In 1997, 78 people came to Christ, (one every five days). In 1998, 96 people came to Christ, (one every four days). In 1999, 163 came to Christ, (every three days). In 2000, 186 came to Christ (one every other day). And in 2001 we saw 513 come to Christ (more than one a day.) Evangelistically, 2002 was a consolidation period of us, seeing 215 first time decisions for Christ. Every subsequent year has seen between accelerated fruitfulness, with over 750 decisions in 2007, over 650 in 2008, and over 975 in A book is kept in the Pastor s office that records the names and dates of each of these salvations. The number of salvations continues to accelerate. In 2012, we led 1,974 to Christ, surpassing 13,000 salvations since our inception. 18 Board and congregational business meetings, and for the oversight of maintaining accurate and current membership rolls. Treasurer. The treasurer shall be appointed by the Board and responsible for ensuring that proper procedures are followed in the administration of all church funds. Bylaw 5 - Organizational Matters 1. Nominating Team. The members of the Nominating Team shall be appointed as needed by the Board. The Team shall be composed of no more than 7 members, including the senior pastor, one Board member, and other mature members of the congregation who are not themselves under consideration as Board members. The Team shall present the names of Board candidates to the congregation for approval. 2. Eldership. The New Testament recognizes several functions fulfilled by Elders, especially teaching, governing, leading, shepherding, and praying for the sick. Within New Song, these functions are carried out by a number of appropriately-gifted members. Elders will be appointed by the Senior Pastor. 3. Annual meeting. Each year, a congregational meeting shall be held to elect Board members, ratify the budget, and conduct other business as determined by the Board. 4. Special business meetings. The Board shall call special business meetings of the congregation as needed. At least 10 days posted notice and a written notice at the prior weekend s services shall be required for any special business meeting. Only announced business shall be transacted at such meetings. For all congregational meetings, a quorum shall consist of 20 percent of the total membership of the church. 5. Property. All matters pertaining to the purchase, sale, or mortgaging of real estate, the construction or disposition of any building, shall be recommended by the Board for congregational action during a properly announced business meeting. 6. Constitutional revisions. This constitution can be revised by the congregation provided it is presented in written form one month before being acted upon. A two-thirds majority of members present and voting shall be required to revise the constitution. The constitution will be completely reviewed by the Board at least every five years. 35

19 2. Officers. Composition. The Board consists of four to twelve members. The Senior Pastor is an ex-officio Board member, with voting privileges. The specific number of positions to be filled each year will be determined by the existing Board. At no time will the Board have more paid than unpaid members. Term. Each elected member of the Board shall commit to a mini mum of 2 years of service. Annually, individuals will pray and seek counsel together about continuing their service for the coming fiscal year. The Board will then pass these names on to the Nominating Team with a request for a specific number of new members to be added, if any. Selection. One month prior to a Business Meeting, if applicable, the Nominating Team shall make public their proposed list of qualified candidates willing to serve in this capacity. Any person knowing of reasons for disqualification of any candidate is asked to contact a member of the Nominating Team to discuss their concerns at least 15 days prior to the Annual Meeting. A final list will be presented to the congregation at the next special meeting or annual meeting. A two-thirds majority of members present and voting shall confirm Board members. Removal. A Board member may resign by giving at least thirty days written notice. Failure to perform required duties shall be treated as a resignation. The Board may request a formal resignation or remove a Board member by a simple majority vote. Quorum. A quorum for all Board meetings shall consist of twothirds of the total membership of the Board. Unless specified otherwise, a simple majority of Board members present and voting shall decide any matter. Selection. Officers shall be selected by the Board for one-year terms. Chair and Vice-Chair The chair shall lead all congregational and Board meetings. The vice-chair shall serve in the absence of the chair and succeed automatically to the chairmanship should that office be vacated. Secretary. The secretary shall be appointed by the Board and responsible for proper procedure in recording minutes of all On August 18, 2000 we closed escrow on the 60,000 square foot former Dixieline Lumber building at 3985 Mission Avenue, giving New Song a permanent location. The first phase of our build-out was completed in March, The first New Song service was held in our new auditorium on April 1, In early 2002, three New Song families began a new web-based ministry called, Community Church Builder. CCB resources thousands of churches in dozens of countries. In October, 2002, Hal volunteered mentorship and support to Pastor Fabian Molino, who began planting Nueva Cancion ( New Song ) Church in Hermosillo, Mexico. As we approached our tenth anniversary, a task force was formed to evaluate our mission and vision going forward. Since our mission is to help unchurched people become fully devoted followers of Christ (i.e., the Great Commission), that will never change. But we studied Jesus admonition to Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39) and decided that we should become a church that loves her neighbors as herself as well. Since that day, we have worked to become, The Church Next Door a great neighbor to the peoples, institutions, and agencies of our city. In our desire to be a great neighbor, we partner with practically every Christian group in Oceanside, from Brother Bennos to Solutions for Change, Bread of Life, Stand Up For Kids, SOS, and several more. A team of New Song men minister to recruits at Edson Range Chapel every other weekend. These same men teach marriage, seeker, and discipleship classes to the recruits as well. Douglas and Monette Campbell s Children by Choice ministry serves children and parents in incredible ways. The Red Cross tells us that our semi-annual Blood Drives make us the fourth largest blood donor group in San Diego County. Pound for pound, New Song may do as much charitable work in Oceanside as any group around. In July, 2005, New Song helped Mike Fabarez launch Compass Bible Church in Aliso Viejo. Three of our pastors and Board members constituted the founding Accountability Board for Compass Bible. The church is thriving, with a radio ministry, over 3,000 in attendance, and has begun daughtering churches of its own

20 In December, 2005 New Song began helping Pastor Johnny Williams plant a new church in Beaumont, TX. Johnny s church in New Orleans was destroyed by the Katrina Hurricane. 15 of the church s families relocated to Beaumont with their pastor and are currently building a church in his living room weekend attendance was approximately 900, meeting in a multitude of youth, children, and adult venues on Saturday night and Sunday morning. During 2008, Wilmer Peña launched a new evangelism ministry called, First The Kingdom. FTK s mission is to raise evangelists and the value of evangelism in local churches by training members and taking them on short-term missions trips to Mexico. In the fall of 2008, we commissioned Dave and Lilly Christman to serve with Campus Crusade for Christ on the San Jose State campus. In November, 2008, Seven24 became our official Sunday evening congregation. Targeting mostly 20-somethings, but open to all, this congregation meets on Sunday evenings. As of January, 2009, New Song s attendance was averaging 1,100 per weekend. This jumped to 1300 by March, In March, 2009, Chip Ball launched a new web-based evangelistic witness called FindTruthOnline.com. In May of 2009, Edwin and Amy Samson were commissioned to plant a church for us in the Philippines. In July, 2009, we commissioned Sandy Flores to reach prostitutes in Bangkok, Thailand with a ministry called, NightLight. Also in 2009, Pastor Jim Britts led us in the filming of a feature length movie called To Save A Life. To Save A Life hit movie theaters in January, The movie s message is: You are never more like Jesus than when you are reaching out to the hurting and lonely. The movie continues to have worldwide impact, preventing suicides and leading people to Christ, we believe, on a daily basis. In September, 2010 we added a third Sunday morning service. Four months later, in January, 2011, we launched our Spanish speaking service. 20 Associate Pastor and Ministry Directors. The Associate Pastors and Ministry Directors are responsible to work closely with the Senior Pastor in leading and teaching so that the church s purpose is accomplished. Qualifications. Same as Senior Pastor. Duties. Associate Pastors and Ministry Directors are responsible to the Senior Pastor or a staff member designated as their direct supervisor. Performance goals for each shall be reviewed and approved by their direct supervisor semiannually. Selection. The Senior Pastor will work closely with the Board to determine the best available candidate. The Senior Pastor is empowered to hire Associate Pastors and Ministry Directors with the approval of the Board. Term. Associate Pastors and Ministry Directors shall serve indefinitely; the relationship may be terminated on thirty days written notice, initiated by the Associate Pastor or Ministry Director or initiated and approved by a simple majority of the Board. 3. Support Staff. Other staff members shall be hired as necessary, with the approval of the Senior Pastor, to carry out the church s ministry. Each staff member shall set and review performance goals with their designated supervisor semi-annually. The relationship may be terminated upon two weeks written notice. The Board may dismiss a staff member for any reason. Bylaw 4 - The Leadership Board and Officers 1. The Leadership Board (Herein designated as The Board.) The Board is responsible for providing counsel to the Senior Pastor in steering the most effective path for the church to accomplish its purpose. The Board shall approve goals and budget, manage the membership roll, pray for the sick when called upon to do so, oversee cases of church discipline, and have authority to act on behalf of the church on all matters not specifically reserved for the members or pastors as stipulated in this constitution. The Board shall meet at least quarterly to perform its duties. Qualifications. Board members shall meet the character qualities outlined in 1 Tim. 3:1-13. Any potential Board member shall fulfill the responsibilities of church membership. 33

21 If the church leader fails to appear before the Board or heed its counsel, the leader must be rebuked before the church membership (1 Tim. 5:20). The church will then determine the action to be taken, which may include removal of membership. (Matt. 18:17; 1 Cor. 5:4-5; 2 Thess. 3:6-14) As in the case of regular members, steps e and f will be followed. Bylaw 3 - Pastors and Staff 1. Senior Pastor. The Senior Pastor is responsible to provide leadership and teach biblical truth so that the church s purpose is being accomplished. Qualifications. The Senior Pastor shall meet the character requirements of 1 Tim. 3:1-7, demonstrate one or more of the gifts of Eph. 4:11-12, and be licensed or ordained for the gospel ministry. Duties. The Board shall approve the Senior Pastor s performance goals annually. Selection. A Search Team shall be appointed by the Board to interview and select candidates. The best available candidate as determined by the Team will be presented to the Pastors, Staff, and Board. Upon approval of the Board, the candidate will be given a variety of interaction opportunities with members of the congregation, in addition to preaching at one or more of the worship services. The congregation will then vote at a special business meeting on whether or not to extend a call to the candidate. A two-thirds majority of members present and voting shall be required to extend a call to the pastor. Term. The Senior Pastor shall serve indefinitely; the relationship may be terminated on sixty days written notice By action of the Senior Pastor: Through a letter of resignation submitted to the chairman of the Board. By action of the church: If a written petition, signed by 20 percent of the membership, requesting the Senior Pastor s resignation is submitted to the chairman of the Board, the Board will review the request, schedule a special business meeting, and make a recommendation to the members at a special business meeting. A simple majority of the members present and voting can dismiss the Senior Pastor. In September of 2011, Hal had a vision for making it hard for our neighbors to go to hell by locating a New Song campus in every quadrant of Oceanside. In America, there is one church for approximately every 800 people. With a population of 180,000, Oceanside only has a church for every 2,550 people. Dr. Seed s goal is to plant a New Song congregation in each of the sixteen quadrants of the city. Our plan is to plant a congregation per year. In February, 2011, Inland Hills Community Church requested we adopt them as our first satellite campus. New Song agreed, sending people and resources to beef up the congregation, which meets in Bonsall. The congregation changed its name to New Song Inland Hills. In April 2013 we commissioned Ollis Mozon to train church planters to reach pre-literate culturals through DCPI. At the same time, we commissioned Alyssa Seed to begin First the Kids, an evangelism training arm of First the Kingdom. Emil Reyes was added to manage FTK s international trips and Danielle Hollar to administrate the organization. Our 2001 move into 3985 Mission Avenue provided us space to expand and reach the northern sections of Oceanside. We intend to continue to enhance this location and expand into new locations, utilizing our Mission facility as the hub to house our campus staffs and provide a central meeting place for when subgroups from each campus come together. Future Missions facility enhancements will include developing an inviting lobby to serve as a third place for people to gather, offices to house our campus staffs, auditorium improvements, video capabilities, cooking facilities and small group meeting rooms

22 Week 2: Small Group Questions 1) Describe yourself in 5 words: 2) What stood out or surprised you from reading The New Song Story? Watch the DVD: Session 2 Discussion: 1) What stood out to you from the video teaching? 2) Read Matthew 28:18-20 A. What are all the commands Jesus gives to His disciples? B. What are the implications for us today? 3) What is God s plan? What is His back up plan? 4) How does it make you feel that you are a strategic player in God s plans? How will this practically impact you this week? 5) Of the 4 kinds of people Hal taught about, where do you fit? How does this help you understand New Song s purpose and strategy? 6) Walk through LINE-UP together as a group. How are you going to apply it next weekend? 7) Practice LINE-UP as a group together this weekend. Homework: Read: The Constitution of New Song Community Church on pages Discipline of Members. Ongoing sin in the life of a believer obstructs his or her walk in the Lord (Ps. 66:18; 2 Cor. 11:29), threatens the unity and fellowship within the Body, and ultimately weakens the witness of the church to pre-believers. (1 John 1:7; 2 Cor. 6:3) Scripture therefore encourages believers to be concerned with each other s spiritual well-being, and teaches them to confront in love where there is evidence of sin. (Gal. 6:1; Luke 17:3; 1 Cor. 5:12) The procedure outlined by Christ in Matthew 18:15-20 will be encouraged in all cases for such confrontations: When sin is observed, a private meeting should be arranged as soon as possible to lovingly confront the member. (Matt. 18:15) If the member refuses to listen, then one or two witnesses will be taken along to attempt to restore the sinning member. At least one of these witnesses should be an acknowledged leader of the church (Gal. 6:1-2). Our desire is to keep the process of restoration in as limited a circle as possible and to provide good counsel to the troubled. (Matt. 18:16) If the member refuses to listen to the two or three witnesses, a Board member or pastor should be informed concerning the sin. The Board must then call a meeting and request in writing that the troubled member be present along with all parties involved. (Matt. 18:17) If the troubled member fails to appear before the Board or to heed counsel, the Board shall determine the actions to be taken against the offending member, which may include public removal from church membership. (Matt. 18:17; 1 Cor. 5:4-5) The Board will determine whether or not counsel has been properly heeded and whether the member is to be restored to fellowship or dismissed from membership. A dismissed member may request reinstatement of membership upon repentance and reconciliation. 7. Discipline of Pastors and Board Members. Any accusation against a Pastor or Board member must be supported in writing by two or three witnesses after step b above and be given to the Board (1 Tim. 5:19). 31