Scripture References: 2 Corinthians (Fall focus: e.g., 1:3-4, 3:17-18, 4:7-10, 5:18-21, 12:9-10); Ephesians 2:10
Intro: Good morning. Today outlines our church's focus for the upcoming ministry year. Using Mike & Sally Breen's framework, after seasons focused intensely on both internal life and external mission (often leading towards burnout), we feel God leading us into a season of "Family AS Mission." This means prioritizing the internal health, strength, and connection of our church family (the oikos, household of faith) as our primary mission for this season, preparing us for greater outward impact later.
Key Points:
- Vision: Strengthening the Family: Our focus this year is building health within our church community. This isn't navel-gazing, but necessary strengthening and pruning, like tending a vineyard (John 15), so we can bear more fruit together in the future.
- Pillars of Church Health: What does this pursuit of health look like practically?
- Connection: A healthy body is connected. We'll foster belonging and integration through groups (PACs), parties, newcomer lunches, and developing leadership pathways (connected -> committed -> called). Isolation hinders health.
- Rest: Healthy bodies need rest. We'll emphasize rhythms of rest and create margin, pruning non-essential activities. True rest is an act of trust and vital preparation for sustainable ministry. We must work from rest.
- Exercise (Participation): Health involves active participation. We aim for more people serving on more teams with clearer roles (elders, potential deacons, finance, kids, connect, teaching). Find your place to actively contribute.
- Diet (Spiritual Nutrition): Healthy bodies need good food. We will feast together on God's Word, focusing this fall on 2 Corinthians – a book rich with themes of comfort, strength in weakness, reconciliation, and grace. We'll also equip individuals to feed themselves through Bible study tools.
Conclusion: This upcoming year is an intentional season of focusing inward on "Family AS Mission" – strengthening our connections, practicing rest, increasing participation, and deepening our nourishment from God's Word. By pursuing health together, we prepare ourselves to be a more effective "Family ON Mission" for the glory of Jesus.
Call to Action:
- Embrace this vision for church health. Commit to participating.
- Get Connected: Prioritize joining a group, attending events, and building relationships.
- Practice Rest: Intentionally seek rest as a spiritual discipline.
- Participate: Find a team or area to serve and exercise your gifts.
- Engage the Word: Dive into 2 Corinthians with us this fall and learn to feed yourself spiritually.
*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI.
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