… we all play a part, if we choose to. It’s God’s desire for you to be involved in His miracles.
I want you to know my intentions from the very beginning. I am going to share some information about the direction of our church and I want everybody to have 100% buy in of the vision. ... At the very least, walk away knowing exactly what it is you’re becoming apart of. Even if you’re not fully convinced about Jesus, and haven’t really figured out if you’re on board with God. You can at least share in the vision of this church. You can be a miracle maker, if you want to!
Nehemiah 2:11-18, this story is so cool. This group of people got it! They wanted it; they were hungry for it, and they unified to accomplish something that no one of them could have ever done on their own. In fact, nobody had, not for over 120 years.
Look in v11…v12 -why did he not tell anyone about his plans?
v13 -what was the purpose of the inspection?
v16 - it’s on a need to know basis obviously, and they didn’t need to know (don't you hate this).
v17 - O.K. this is a real duh, moment don’t you think. Do you think these people weren’t aware of there circumstances. Hello, 120 years. One guy and a donkey is gonna change all that? Surrrrrrrrrrre just waltz right in here and clean up the neighborhood. Who does this guy think he is? Well, that’s just it. He knows who he is. He is a miracle maker!
v18 - what did he share with them? He shared the victories, the wins, why he was there, who he was. It was the passion, initiative, and connection Nehemiah made that day which launched the project. After 120 years of complacency, don’t you think they had a choice? Absolutely, just like you and I have a choice. What do we do with the vision that God has placed in us?
The vision is simple; North Central Florida doesn’t need another church. What this area needs is a safe environment where the outsider can come and hear the life-changing truth that Jesus Christ cares for them and died for their sin.
So here’s our mission… to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Like any great organization with a vision and a mission there needs to be a strategy. We plan on launching a brand new church in September of this year with a proven strategy. As strategic partners with North Point Ministries, we will launch a church where the environments are irresistible and people are encouraged and equipped to pursue three main relationships: intimacy with God, community with insiders, and influence with outsiders.
But before we can accomplish the vision, mission, and strategy, we have some building to do...You now have an opportunity to be a miracle maker. Here’s what were building, not just a facility, but an organization. We’ve not only had to remodel this location, but we have also been busy tearing down some things we’ve brought in from past ministry. “The got a great idea philosophy” that says got an idea than great lets do it now, is a problem! So much so, that the tyranny of the moment becomes greater than the mission of the ministry. How do you change that? By being deliberate; taking time to do it right, not just do it. Let's operate on this philosophy, “You never have to recover from a good start.”
We get one shot at launching with our best foot forward, so we are going to slow down the pace of ministry and do it right. Starting today our church will begin alternating Sunday services. What I mean by that is our worship will take on two shapes. Next week we will arrive on Sunday at 9 am to worship God with our Work, and build. The following week we will arrive on Sunday at regular service time, 10:30 am, to worship God in His Word. Work and Word will be the two shapes of our worship until launch. Strategically serving to accomplish the vision here at Anthem is the goal.
The time period between now and launch will be broken into two distinct parts, with individual goals and strategies. The first will be a six week challenge starting today. We will focus our work efforts on completing the environments for family ministry. Investing in the building and the assset of property, until June 29th which will be the last day for the six week challenge, and we will celebrate together all that has been accomplished with a big cook out and family day.
Then we turn all of our attention and focus on building our greatest asset, you the Miracle Maker. You are the most valuable resource this church has, and we want you to be confident and fully prepared for launch. So, we are going to continue alternating services thru July and August, but instead of working on the building and location, we will be investing in you, the miracle maker for the lives of all the unchurched that are yet to come.
This vision is too large to just haphazardly keep the same pace we are currently on. If we were to maintain the same pace we have had over these last few months, then when we need you the most, you’ll be toast. Our greatest harvest is ahead of us, and the time to arise and build is now. You have a choice today. Will you be a Miracle Maker?
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