INTRODUCTION WELCOME TO GROWTH TRACK 201 MY CHURCH OUR STORY THE BASIS FOR THIS CLASS: KEY TRUTHS

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3 INTRODUCTION WELCOME TO GROWTH TRACK 201 MY CHURCH tion to our church family. Since we have partners from many different church backgrounds, this class was designed to clearly explain who we are and what we believe. OUR STORY The Dream Center began in 1993 in a little church in Downtown Los Angeles. Pastor Matthew Barnett had a dream of a church that would be open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. After acquiring the Queen of Angels Hospital, a 400,000 sqft facility in the heart of Echo Park, this dream became a reality. With over 200 outreach ministries, focused on community transformation, it witnessed a 74% crime drop in just 5 years. Now the concept of the dream center has been duplicated all over the world. In 2008 Pastor Matthew felt led to start a branch of the dream center in New York City. He began to come out and hold a series of meetings and meet with church leaders. He then sent Pastors Brad and Stella Reed out to pastor and develop the church in the city. Along with their two children Emma and Tyler, Brad & Stella moved to New York City in June of The vision for the city has grown over the past 3 years to include a dream to have multiple church communities, missional communities, and residential Dream Center facilities across the 5 boroughs. THE BASIS FOR THIS CLASS: Ephesians 2:19 (LB) KEY TRUTHS 1. The church is a. 2. God expects you to with a church family. 3. A Christian without a church family is like a without a. THE GOAL OF THIS CLASS: That I will commit myself to and to the Dream Center.

4 PART ONE: OUR PURPOSE 1 Corinthians 1:10 (LB)

5 OUR PURPOSE STATEMENT: WHY WE EXIST AS A CHURCH Living Life. Living Love. We are a community of Christ followers who are committed to living life and living love. Living Life according to the Great Commandment and Living Love by carrying out the Great Commission. I. The Great Commandment: - Luke 10:25-28 WHO IS YOUR NEIGHBOR? Luke 10:29-37 LOVING GOD THROUGH WEEKEND SERVICES A.. Psalm 122:1 (NKJV) John 4:23-24 B.. 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 C.. Ephesians 4:11-12

6 D.. Romans 10:13-14 (LB) LOVING PEOPLE through LIFE GROUPS Getting connected at the Dream Center means participating in a life group. Some people enjoy a large church because of its focus on others while others want a small, intimate church. We believe that our church must become larger and smaller at the same time. Acts 20:20 LIFE GROUPS PROVIDE THREE THINGS: 1. A place to. 1 Corinthians 9:22 LB 2. A place to. 1 John 3:16 NLT 3. A place to. Proverbs 27:17 HOW LIFE GROUPS WORK Our groups are varied as we are; group leaders use their gifts and passions to create a group that allows others to join with them in serving God. Whatever the age, interest, or location there is a group that is just right for you. 2. Three semesters New groups start and stop three times a year spring, summer and fall semesters. Each semester is kicked off with an online registration and a new small group directory.

7 in becoming a life group leader is to get involved with an existing group and become an apprentice leader. By working closing with one of our small group leaders you can be learn and get coaching as II. The Great Commission: Matthew 28:18-20 Colossians 1:28-29 POINTS OF PASSION Acts 1:8 1. Jerusalem My City. James 1:27 Message 2. Judea and Samaria My Nation. 1 Corinthians 9:22 LB 3. The ends of the earth My World. Mark 16:15 NCV

8 WHAT CAN I DO? 1.. Matthew 9: Isaiah 6: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6: Serve people where they are now Speak life over them Tell your personal story Invite them to a weekend service.

9 PART TWO: OUR BELIEFS Watch your life and your doctrine closely. 1 Timothy 4:16

10 OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH: WHAT WE BELIEVE - Ephesians 4:4-6 Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22 1 Corinthians 13:2 (Ph) I. FOUR ESSENTIAL TRUTHS 1. The is the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT 1 Thessalonians 2:13 - daily Bible reading and Bible study. The Bible is the basis for all we believe. 2. is the Son of God. John 14:6 Acts 4:11-12 NLT

11 Jesus Christ, second Person of the Trinity, lived a sinless life on earth and voluntarily paid for our sin by dying on the cross as our substitute. This accomplished salvation for all who receive grace by trusting in Him alone. He rose from the dead and is the only mediator between God and us. He baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit and will return to earth to consummate history. 3. You must be. 2 Corinthians 5:17 LB Matthew 16:25 NLT At the end, everyone will experience bodily resurrection and the judgment. Only believers will enjoy eternal fellowship with God. Acts 1:8 Ephesians 5:18 Luke 11:13 Spirit to enable us to do what is right.

12 PART THREE: OUR STRUCTURE 1 Corinthians 14:33 & 40

13 THE NEW YORK DREAM CENTER GOVERNMENT integrity and respect when making decisions that affect their lives. 1. Guided by. The Elders refer to the pastoral staff team led by the Senior Pastor. This team oversees the day to day ministry and operations of the church. These staff pastors serve the congregation and are responsible for the development of the spiritual life of the church. The Dream Center also has non-staff Elders known as Congregational Elders. These elders are nominated by the congregation and covenant together with the congregation and the senior pastor for the development of the spiritual life of the church. They serve in neither a governing nor a corporate capacity, but a spiritual capacity to create and maintain stability in potentially negative situations. All elders are responsible to model a Godly lifestyle, provide a prayer shield for the members, defend and protect the integrity of the church, pray for the sick, mediate disputes, counsel, and represent the church to the community. The Trustees are seven members of the congregation, appointed by the Senior Pastor to oversee the Courtney Butler Jaime Ledesma Joe Roque Sharon Ferguson

14 3. Strengthened by. The Overseers are pastors of respected congregations and ministries who love the New York Dream Center and its pastor and are willing to provide spiritual protection to the church. They may be called in to help in accountability matters relating to the Senior Pastor if requested to do so by the Elders or Trustees. Pastor Matthew Barnett, Dream Center, Los Angeles, California Pastor Tommy Barnett, Phoenix First Assembly, Phoenix, Arizona Leviticus 27:30 mands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical standard of giving. organizations to which they give. Therefore there are a great number of people willing to give if they leaders. The giving of tithes and offerings is worship to Jesus Christ and is an expression of the relationship make faith promises. Funds are not income only, they are worship, and must not be considered as a business transaction, but as an expression of gratitude toward God.

15 PART FOUR: OUR HOPE FOR YOU 2 Corinthians 10:15 (NLT)

16 OUR HOPE FOR YOU I. THE NEXT STEPS 1. Become a Partner of the New York Dream Center. 2. Join a Life Group. 3. Serve on the Dream Team. II. WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PARTNER The difference between attenders and partners can be summed up in one word:. An attender is a. A partner is a. Ephesians 5:25 (GN) We live in an age where very few want to be committed to anything: a job, a marriage, our country. This attitude has even produced a generation of church shoppers and hoppers. Partnership swims builds character. Every team must have a roster. Every school must have an enrollment. Every business has a payroll. Every army has an enlistment. Even our country takes a census and requires voter registration. Part- The New Testament places a major emphasis on the need for Christians to be accountable to each church family.

17 III. NEW YORK DREAM CENTER PARTNERSHIP COVENANT Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and being in agreement with the values and ideas presented in the MY CHURH 201 class, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the Dream Center family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other partners to do the following: By acting in love toward other partners. By refusing to gossip. By following the leaders. Romans 14:19 (Ph) Romans 15:5 (LB) 1 Peter 1:22 (GN) Ephesians 4:29 Hebrews 13:17 By praying for its growth. By inviting my community to attend. By warmly welcoming those who visit. 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2 Luke 14:23 (LB)

18 Romans 15:7 (LB) By discovering my gifts and talents. By being equipped to serve by my pastors. 1 Peter 4:10 (Ph) Ephesians 4: Philippians 2:4-5, 7 By attending church and life groups faithfully. By living a godly life. By giving regularly. Acts 2:42 Hebrews 10:25 Philippians 1:27 (Ph) - 1 Corinthians 16:2 Leviticus 27:30