WELCOME TO GRACE FELLOWSHIP S

Transcription

1 WELCOME TO GRACE FELLOWSHIP S JOINING STEP SESSION The final lunch session in the Starting Step Series designed to help you take your next step in joining the local church. HERE S THE AGENDA FOR TODAY: Table Discussion Discipleship Pathway The Mission and Vision of Grace Fellowship Jim Leggett Question and Answer Jim Leggett About mission and vision About beliefs About anything you want to ask Church Government Jim Leggett Joining Step Is God calling you to join this local church? White sheet questionnaire (everyone) Membership covenant (those who are joining)

2 THE GRACE FELLOWSHIP STORY THE CHURCH PLANT (Summer 1996) Two Day Prayer Retreat and recruit outside intercessors (April 1996) Moving to Katy (May 23, 1996) Jim/Lisa s commitment Casting the vision at our mother church (June 9, 1996) Come and See informational meeting (June 30, 1996) Seven-week Fasting Vigil begins (June 30, 1996) First Start-up Team meeting (July 7); First two small groups begin (July 23) First Exploring Grace 101 class (August 11, 1996) Post Office prayers and prayerwalking neighborhoods Grand Opening Worship Service (September 8, 1996) WORSHIPPING IN THE MANSION ( ) Jump start nine home groups (Nov. 1996) Officially chartered (March 2, 1997) Purchase 12.5 acres from Equestrian Center (March 4, 1997) Pray for Reign raises $1.1 million for Children s Building (Spring 1998) Children move into $1.6 million Children s Building (May 1999) My Father s House raises $2.3 million for Worship Center (Spring 2001) Dedication Service for $3.5 million Worship Center (March 23, 2002) WORSHIPPING IN THE FIRST WORSHIP CENTER ( ) Executive Pastor Mitch Peairson; Missions Pastor Kelley Kerr (2003) Care Pastor Cindi Lomax; Prayer Pastor Brenda Martin (2004) GF gives away its $1,000,000th dollar to missions (2004) Into The Deep Water raises $4.5 million for Equestrian Center Mansion/Arena/land purchase; new interim worship, youth, children (Fall 2005) Grace Fellowship s 10th Anniversary Celebration (Sept. 9-10, 2006) WORSHIPPING IN THE EQUESTRIAN WORSHIP CENTER (2007 present) Dedication of the Great Southwest Prayer Center, live phone Prayer Room, and first Audience of One in the GSWPC (January 17, 2007) Launch Church Plant #1: The River (Jan. 2008) Launch The Bible Institute with Teaching Pastor Paul Helbig (2008) The Church Has Left the Building (CHLB) (July 27, 2008) Launch Church Plant #2: WordServe (Feb. 2009) Student Ministry Pastor Jeff Tillson; Adult Discipleship Pastor Brian Owen (2009) GF gives away its $5,000,000th dollar to missions (2010) Worship Pastor Wayne Kerr (2011) Let s Build Together raises $5 million toward Children s Building (2012) Launch of The Bible Seminary (Fall 2012) North Campus Pastor Jeff Dietz (2013) Launch of Grace Fellowship North/Norte (Jan. 2014) Children s Pastor Christina Davis; Leadership Development Pastor Garland Vance (2016) 2

3 THE VISION AND MISSION OF GRACE FELLOWSHIP It is the VISION of Grace Fellowship to be a. From Isaiah 56:7 Jesus quotes this verse in Matthew 21:13 when He explains the purpose of the Temple 3 major components: HOUSE PRAYER DISCIPLESHIP SEEKING GOD S PRESENCE Seeking to make disciples Seeking and experiencing the who love God and neighbor Presence of God through worthrough all groups and disciple- ship, Word, and prayer. ship relationships. NATIONS OUTREACH Seeking to make disciples of all nations through local and international outreach. It is the MISSION of Grace Fellowship to of Jesus Christ whose hearts burn to be like Jesus, to love God, and to love others. At Grace Fellowship, we feel called to make a particular kind of disciple a house of prayer for all nations kind of disciple. A disciple whose heart burns for The Great Exchange (to be like Jesus) The Great Commandment (to love God) The Great Commission (to love others) WHAT THIS DISCIPLE LOOKS LIKE: HOUSE PRAYER NATIONS Heart burns for THE GREAT EXCHANGE 2 Corinthians 5:21 Heart burns for THE GREAT COMMANDMENT Matthew 22:37-39 Heart burns for THE GREAT COMMISSION Matthew 28:18-20 The exchanged life (Gal 2:20) Loves God Loves others New life in Christ (born again) Worships in spirit and in truth Shares faith Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) Talks and listens to God Acts of kindness (poor) Healthy relationships (EHS) God-chaser Reaches unreached people groups (as goer or sender) Christ on the throne Heart burns to be like Jesus Heart burns with love for God Heart burns with love for others It is the vision of Grace Fellowship to be a house of prayer for all nations by making disciples whose lives are characterized by 3 things: 1. Hearts that burn to become more like Jesus (The Great Exchange)(House) 2. Hearts that burn to love God (The Great Commandment)(Prayer) 3. Hearts that burn to love others (The Great Commission)(Nations) 3

4 10 THINGS WE SAY ALL THE TIME THAT SHOW WHAT WE VALUE AT GRACE FELLOWSHIP Christ on the throne We value Jesus (period). We value Jesus being in the driver s seat of our lives and church. We value following His lead. Turn with me in your Bible to. We value God s Word. We want to study all 66 books of the Bible in our lifetime. We value obeying God s Word. We want to bleed Bible. Can I pray with you right now? We value talking to and listening to God. We value praying with and for others. We don t want to talk about prayer we want to actually pray. Circles are better than rows. We value the community and spiritual growth that comes from small groups. We believe that true life change happens in the context of relationships. Double dog dare. We value taking faith risks for God. We don t want to play it safe we want to take a walk on the wild side for God s Kingdom. Unreached people groups. We value being strategic in our obedience to the Great Commission. We value adopting and reaching people groups who do not currently have access to the Gospel. We are asking God to give us unreached nations as our inheritance. What is your next step? We value forward progress in our walk with Jesus. We constantly ask the question: What is my next step in my discipleship journey? And we spur one another on to take that step. Not a family killing church We value emotionally healthy spirituality. We value Sabbath rest. We value running a spiritual marathon at a sustainable pace for 80 years rather than burning out in a mad rush. We value time with family. Come as you are but don t stay as you are. Grace Fellowship is a safe place to not be OK. We value grace and truth. We are a safe place for sinners but not for sin. ICNU We value encouraging one another. We frequently say, I see in you the gifts and passions to. We develop leaders by calling forth what we see in you.

5 FAITH GOAL FOR 2017: Be the Church (Acts 2) Acts 2 is a powerful expression of God s vision for Grace Fellowship to be a house of prayer for all nations, and we believe that Acts 2 is God s emphasis for us in the Year In Acts 2, the early church modeled all the elements that God wants for His church: dedication to the Word and prayer and community, awe of God, the meeting of needs, miracles, assembling as a large group to worship and in homes for spiritual formation, and growth through reaching unchurched people for Christ. And all of this was empowered by the Holy Spirit whom was poured out on His Church. Acts 2 is a radical call for the church to be the church. Let s Be the Church!! ONE FAITH GOAL FOR 2017: BY THE POWER OF GOD S SPIRIT AND IN COMMUNITY WITH ONE ANOTHER, WE WILL BE THE CHURCH IN SUCH A WAY THAT 3,000 OF US TAKE OUR NEXT STEP OF DISCIPLESHIP AS GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH ACTS 2. MY NEXT STEP OF DISCIPLESHIP is a personalized hearing from God from Acts 2 and obedience to what we are hearing. The major categories of next steps from Acts 2 include (1) devoted to the apostles teaching; (2) devoted to fellowship; (3) devote to the breaking of bread; (4) devoted to prayer; (5) cultivating an awe of God; (6) trusting God for a miracle; (7) meeting the needs of others; (8) attending corporate worship regularly; (9) meeting in a small group in a home; (10) sharing our faith with an unbeliever. LIFE TIME FAITH GOALS FOR GRACE FELLOWSHIP HOUSE DISCIPLESHIP PRAYER SEEKING GOD S PRESENCE NATIONS OUTREACH Lifetime House Goals: Lifetime Prayer Goals: Lifetime Nations Goals: 2500 Small Groups: Trust God to disciple 50,000 people in 2500 small groups led by 2500 godly, well-trained small group leaders. Know Him: Trust God for a whole congregation to actually know Him personally by intimately connecting with Him in worship, Word, and prayer. 50,000 People: Trust God to reach 50,000 people for Christ locally through our church and its church plants. Whole Bible: Trust God to teach these people all 66 books of the Bible. 24/7: Tap into the power source by trusting God for 24/7 corporate prayer and worship. 10 UPGs: Trust God to reach 10 unreached people groups globally and take them to 5% believers. 5

6 WHAT DOES GRACE FELLOWSHIP BELIEVE? DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN THREE LEVELS OF BELIEF 1. CONVICTIONS: Core beliefs of the Christian faith that I would die for and break fellowship over EXAMPLE: Deity of Christ Belief that Jesus Christ is 100% God and yet 100% Man, born of a virgin birth. 2. PERSUASIONS: Beliefs that I am persuaded about and would argue for; however, I would not die for these issues or break fellowship over them EXAMPLE: Different end times views. If we are in agreement that Jesus Christ is coming back, it is OK for us to disagree on the exact details of the end times scenario: pre-tribulation rapture, mid-tribulation rapture, post-tribulation rapture, post toasties, etc. I will make a strong case ( argue ) for my view, but I will not die for my view or break fellowship over it. 3. OPINIONS: Issues that I have an opinion on but would not even argue for EXAMPLE: Joseph died when Jesus was a teenager. WHAT DOES GRACE FELLOWSHIP UMC BELIEVE? 1. CONVICTIONS Core beliefs of the Christian faith that I would die for and break fellowship over AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE The Bible is the Word of God, fully true, and is our authority for all that we believe and do (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18). GOD There is one true God who exists eternally in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:26; Matthew 28:19; John 14:9; Acts 5:4,9; 2 Corinthians 13:14). DEITY OF CHRIST Jesus Christ is 100% God and yet 100% human, born of a virgin birth (John 1:1,14; Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:26-38). SUBSTITUTIONARY ATONEMENT Jesus Christ died on the cross as our substitute taking upon Himself the penalty for our sins (Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 3:18; Galatians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21). RESURRECTION OF CHRIST Jesus rose from the dead in a bodily resurrection defeating sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-6; Romans 6:4-9). SECOND COMING Jesus Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead (Matthew 24-25; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 19-21). SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH A person is saved from eternal separation from God as a free gift when that person places their faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12; 3:16; 5:24; Revelation 21:27). 6

7 A HISTORIC SUMMARY OF CORE CONVICTION BELIEFS: THE APOSTLES CREED I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His Only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; on the third day, He rose from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. 2. PERSUASIONS Beliefs that I am persuaded about and would argue for; however I would not die for these issues or break fellowship over them END TIMES VIEW Jesus will rapture His church (believers) before the tribulation period described in Revelation 6-19 (John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:13-18; 5:1-11; Titus 2:11-14; Revelation 3:10). Jesus will return in a glorious appearing to set up a 1000-year Kingdom before throwing Satan into the lake of fire and ushering in a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 19-22). PREDESTINATION All have sinned and cannot save themselves (Romans 3:11-12; 5:12). Jesus died for all (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2; Hebrews 2:9; 2 Peter 2:1). God is wooing all people to Himself (Matthew 23:37; John 1:9; 12:32; 16:8; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 3:20). Before the foundation of the world, God knew ahead of time who would place their faith in His Son Jesus Christ (Romans 4:4-5; 8:29; 1 Peter 1:1-2). God has predetermined that the Church will be saved (corporate election; all election passages use plural pronoun; Ephesians 1:4-5,11; Colossians 3:12). One becomes a part of the Church by placing their faith in Jesus Christ (John 1:12; Romans 10:9). ETERNAL SECURITY God empowers a believer to believe to the end of his or her life (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:28-39; Philippians 1:6; Jude 24). SUPERNATURAL SPIRITUAL GIFTS Supernatural spiritual gifts still exist today. Speaking in tongues is a valid gift for the church today (1 Corinthians 14:39) and should operate under the boundaries of 1 Corinthians 14. One such boundary: Speaking in tongues tends to confuse unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:23) and therefore should be expressed in believers settings such as prayer groups and personal prayer. Speaking in tongues may accompany being filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:6) but is not THE sign that a person has been filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31; 8:17; 9:17-18; Ephesians 5:18). BAPTISM Grace Fellowship UMC offers to those who have placed their faith in Christ any of the 3 modes of water baptism that have been practiced in church history: immersion (Romans 6:3-4), pouring (Acts 2:17-18), and sprinkling (Ezekiel 36:25-27). Grace Fellowship offers either infant dedication (1 Samuel 1:24-28) or infant baptism (Acts 16:15,33; 1 Corinthians 1:16; Luke 18:15-17; Genesis 17:10-14) to parents. We believe that water baptism does not save anyone but rather is an act of obedience (Luke 3:13-17; Acts 2:38-39; Luke 23:39-43). Faith in Jesus Christ is what saves a person (Ephesians 2:8-9). 7

8 COMMUNION Communion is an outward sign or symbol of the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). We believe that God is active in the Communion ritual imparting His grace to us. To participate in Communion is more than just a picture it is to actually participate (commune) with Christ (1 Corinthians 10:14-22). We do not believe that the bread and juice turn literally into the actual flesh and blood of Christ. SPIRITUAL WARFARE Satan and demons exist. They were defeated through the cross but will not be thrown into the lake of fire until the Second Coming (Revelation 20:10). Believers have authority in Jesus name over demonic powers. Believers may be oppressed by demons but not possessed (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:15). Prayer is an essential weapon for the church in this on-going battle (Mark 11:17; Acts 12:5, 12). WOMEN IN MINISTRY God has established authority in the home based on gender (Ephesians 5:22-33) but has established authority in the church based on office. God does call and equip women for pastoral ministry offices. (Judges 4:4-9; 1 Samuel 25; 2 Kings 22:14; Esther 4:16; Micah 6:4; Luke 13:13; 24:10; John 4:28-30; Acts 18:18,26; 21:9; Romans 16:1,3,7; 1 Corinthians 1:11; 11:5; Hebrews 11:2,11,13,23, 31,35; 2 John 1). CHURCH GOVERNMENT Several different church government configurations can fulfill the Bible s description of church government. Grace Fellowship has chosen to adopt the Methodist configuration involving the Senior Pastor as presiding elder and a bishop as the overseer of that elder. The Leadership Team consists of all the small group leaders and has delegated month-to-month leadership to the Church Council of Grace Fellowship. 3. OPINIONS Issues I have an opinion on but would not even argue for Joseph died when Jesus was a teenager. The ESV translations is best for preaching. The NLT is best for devotional reading. WHERE GRACE FELLOWSHIP STANDS ON SOME CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES 1. HOMOSEXUALITY God loves homosexuals (John 3:16) and we welcome and want ho- mosexuals to attend Grace Fellowship (Mark 2:17). At the same time, we believe the practice of homosexuality is a sin (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Genesis 19; Jude 7; Romans 1:26-32; 1 Timothy 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). After repenting of sin and turning to Christ, any person (including a homosexual) is encouraged to join Grace Fellowship and become a member. Any former homosexual considering leadership at Grace Fellowship UMC is welcomed and encouraged to do so. In keeping with 1 Timothy 3, we would ask such a person to wait for a period of time in order to demonstrate a track record of freedom over their former life of sin. We would ask this of any new believer. We do not believe in the ordaining of self-avowed, practicing homosexuals. We do not believe in ceremonies that celebrate same-sex unions. 2. ABORTION We believe that the life inside a mother s womb is a real human being (Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:4-5) and, therefore, that abortion is murder and is wrong/sin (Exodus 20:13). We believe that God offers full forgiveness to an abortive mother/father who have turned to Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:13-15; Ephesians 1:7). 8

9 3. MONEY We believe that everything belongs to God (Job 41:11; Haggai 2:8; Psalm 50:10). We believe that all that we have has been given to us by God and that we are merely stewards entrusted with His resources (Matthew 25:14-30). Therefore, we believe that how we use our money (both individually and as a church) matters. As a sign of surrender and worship, we believe that God calls believers to give the first portion of their income back to God (Proverbs 3:9; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; 1 Corinthians 16:2). Although it is not required for our salvation, we believe giving a tithe (10%) of our income to Christ s church is the starting place for believers (Malachi 3:10; Leviticus 27:30; Matthew 23:23). We believe that the Bible discourages debt and holds up the goal of being debt-free (Proverbs 25:28; Ecclesiastes 6:9; Proverbs 6:1-5; Psalm 37:21; Romans 13:8). THE FOLLOWING ARE 7 REASONS WHY OUR SENIOR PASTOR AND HIS WIFE HAVE PRACTICED TITHING FOR THEIR ENTIRE MARRIED LIFE: 1. Because we see tithing in the Bible. 2. Because it acknowledges God s ownership of all that we have. 3. Because it is a tangible way of trusting God with our life by trusting Him with our finances. 4. Because it is a tangible way of placing Christ as Lord over our finances. 5. Because it causes money to lose its grip on us. 6. Because we wildly believe in the investment we are making into the Kingdom of God by giving to His church. 7. Because all of the years that we have been tithing God has blessed us beyond what we could ever have imagined. BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF THE 3 LEVELS OF BELIEF (AT THE TOP OF THIS DOCUMENT) 1. CIRCUMCISION A group of Christians were trying to make circumcision a conviction level issue and the Jerusalem Council clearly ruled in Acts 15 that circumcision is a persuasion level issue. Paul argues adamantly against circumcision throughout his letter to the Galatians and yet he has Timothy circumcised in Acts 16:3. Thus, circumcision was clearly not a conviction level issue for Paul. 2. THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL S LIST IN ACTS 15 Although the Jerusalem Council clearly defines circumcision as a persuasion level is- sue, they do issue a list of conviction level must do or must do not in Acts 15: MEAT SACRIFICED TO IDOLS Romans 14 says that it is OK for some Christians to eat meat while it is a sin for others (based on that person s belief about this issue). Same with observing special days of the week. Same thoughts in 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 and 10:14-11:1 4. SOME OF PAUL S EXHORTATIONS Paul distinguishes between his persuasions on issues of whether to marry and the Lord s clear commands on these issues in 1 Corinthians 7 (see especially vv. 8, 10, 12, 25, 40). 9

10 CHURCH GOVERNMENT AT GRACE FELLOWSHIP 1. Grace Fellowship has aligned itself with Methodism s historical interpretation of the Timothy, Titus, and Acts passages by adopting an form of church government (Acts 14:23) where An elder(s) gives leadership to the local church. An overseer (bishop) gives leadership to the elders of several churches. Bishop Scott Jones is our bishop and has the power to discipline our church s elder Jim Leggett. 2. Grace Fellowship believes and practices the of all believers: Every believer s baptism was really their ordination service. Every believer is a priest/ minister (1 Peter 2:9). The church staff s job is to equip the people of the church to minister to one another (Ephesians 4:11-16). Similar to Jethro s model (Exodus 18) and the early church s model (Acts 2:42-47), we have attempted to divide the whole church up into a bunch of little churches with a small group leader over each little church. 3. All of the small group leaders make up the Leadership Team (LT) of this church. The LT has delegated detailed leadership to the following groups: Church Council gives month to month broad leadership on behalf of the Leadership Team a. Pastor Parish Relations Team gives leadership to hiring/firing, sets salaries/benefits, and provides accountability to Senior Pastor Jim Leggett b. Finance Team gives oversight to church s finances c. Trustees gives oversight to church s facilities and legal issues Nominating Team nominates leaders to Charge Conference 4. Once a year, Grace Fellowship s Leadership Team is led by our District Superintendent (over- seer in place of bishop) in what is known as a. It is at Charge Conference that budget is set, leaders are elected, and building projects are approved. 10

11 JOINING STEP INTERESTING STUDY: IS LOCAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP BIBLICAL? 1. The concept of church discipline implies church membership that some people are inside the local church and that some are outside (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5, esp. 2, 12-13). 2. The widows list of 1 Timothy 5:9 seems to imply a larger membership list. 3. The use of join in Acts 5:13 implies church membership. kollao = to join firmly; to glue or cement together; to unite; used of joining sexually in 1 Corinthians 6:16, joining to the Lord in 1 Corinthians 6:17, and not joining (expelling from the church) the immoral brother in 1 Corinthians 5: The term whole church in 1 Corinthians 14:23 implies church membership. 5. The Bible s instructions for pastoral oversight and spiritual leadership can best be obeyed when there is a well-defined church membership. 1 Timothy 3:1 Overseer of whom? How do define whom you give oversight to? Acts 20:28 Shepherds of what flock? Which sheep in are which flock? 1 Timothy 3:5 Compared to giving leadership to a family where it is very clear which family member belongs to which family unit. Recorded at birth. Hebrews 13:17 Leaders must give an account for those they watch over. This is very defined. 6. The Lamb s Book of Life (which is the membership book of heaven; Revelation 21:27) surely justifies a church membership book on earth. FIVE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OFFICIAL MEMBER OF A LOCAL CHURCH 1. Along with baptism, this is a tangible way of identifying with Jesus Christ and His people a tangible way of declaring to the whole world, I belong to the body of Christ (Mark 8:38; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-15, 27; 5:12-13). 2. Church membership provides accountability for holiness and for discipleship (Matthew 18:1517; 1 Corinthians 5; Hebrews 13:17). The commitments of membership are the most tangible aspects of discipleship: prayer, Word, fellowship, giving, serving/ministering. 3. Church membership provides you with a covering spiritual authority that provides spiritual protection and leadership for spiritual growth Hebrews 13:17 - Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Acts 20:28 - Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood. 4. Church membership provides a context for you to use your spiritual gift to serve others and a context for you to benefit from the spiritual gifts of others. Ephesians 4:16 - 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. 5. Church membership provides the benefits of marriage over just living together. 11

12 NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES ONE CHURCH. TWO LOCATIONS. whatisgrace.org gfnorth.org