Questions for Growth

Here are some random questions meant to stimulate thought, prayer and conversation:

LOVE GOD: Sundays and Wednesdays

:: How will we know that we have loved God in our services?
:: What needs to take place on a Sunday morning in order for us to drive home feeling like we were effective?
:: What defines a satisfying time of worship?
:: What are we trying to accomplish in service?

CHILDREN’S CHURCH

:: What needs to take place in Children’s Church on a Sunday morning and Wednesday night in order for workers to go home feeling like they were effective? How do we measure “success”?

CONNECTING WITH GUESTS
:: How are we doing in making guest feel welcome?
:: Are we being good stewards of the visitors God sends us?
:: What could we do better?
:: If people and resources were not an issue, what would an excellent “Greeter” ministry look like at The Edge?


LOVE PEOPLE: People Groups

:: How will we know when we have a successful small group ministry at The Edge?
:: What things will we be looking for to tell us that we have “hit the target”?
:: When we are driving home, having attended a small group, what three things would we like to be excited about having happened?


SERVE THE KING

:: How will we know if we are doing a good job in causing people to “Serve the King”?
:: Is there any way that effectiveness can be measured? Should we attempt to measure it?

TELL THE WORLD

:: Should we be doing anything formal in training people for personal evangelism?
:: Should we seek to partner with a missions organization that desires regular visits from short-term missions teams?
:: What could we do better in “telling the world” about the King?
:: How will we know when we are being effective? How can our effectiveness be measured?

Our Mission. Our Process.

I have been working on a new “Mission Statement” for the Edge that will not only provide a simple way to remember and understand WHAT we do, but will also provide a clear explanation of HOW we intend to do it.

Here it is:
Love God, Love People, Serve the King, Tell the World.

OUR MISSION:

LOVE GOD:
This is the greatest commandment. We exist to love God with everything we are. As a church, and as individuals, we must strive to live holy, righteous, faithful, devoted lives of sacrifice.
LOVE PEOPLE:
This is the second greatest commandment. The mission of the Edge is to love people. As a church, and as individuals, we must endeavor to treat people with kindness, gentleness, forgiveness, patience and truth.
SERVE THE KING:
Our King was and is a servant. He came to serve. The mission of the Edge is to serve people. As a church, and as individuals, we will work to advance the kingdom through the use of our hands, feet, eyes and ears.
TELL THE WORLD:
In Matthew 28 Jesus gave his disciples The Great Commission, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” As a church, and as individuals, we will strive to spread the message of Christ and make disciples for Him.


OUR PROCESS FOR MAKING DISCIPLES:

LOVE GOD:
Our Sunday morning service is the “Love God” step of our discipleship process. Most people will start their relationship with Jesus in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings, worshiping God and learning His word. Sunday morning is a great place to start, but not at all where we want people to end.

LOVE PEOPLE:
The “Love People” aspect of our discipleship process takes place when a “Sunday only” person takes the next step and begins attending a small group. Wednesday night meals, the women’s group, weeknight home groups (etc.) all exist to connect believers and deepen their walk with Jesus.

SERVE THE KING:
Once a person is involved in some sort of small group, they will then be encouraged to join a ministry team and “Serve the King.” Service within the Body of Christ is a key element in discipleship and is essential in creating mature “others-centered” Christians.

TELL THE WORLD:
The final step in our discipleship process is “Tell the World.” It is our desire for people to see “The Great Commission” as their commission. Our desire is for the members of The Edge to take part in duplicating themselves by inviting others to love God, love people, serve the King and tell the world.

This is a VERY brief synopsis of the vision for simplicity and clarity that the Lord has been pouring into my heart. I have written these things down for two purposes:
1) To give you a “heads up” of what going on in my heart and head.
2) To get some discussion going. What do you think? Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

Creating a Tribe

The Edge has grown considerably over the last 7 months. Sometimes on Sunday mornings I look out at the congregation and think, "Wow, we are becoming a big group of people."
But rather than big, I'd rather be tight.
Rather than a group, I'd rather be a tribe.

The purpose of this blog is twofold:
1) To create a way to share my thoughts/vision for the Edge with those who have a heart to serve.
2) To enable discussion and create conversation among those who see the health of the Edge as their personal responsibility.

I want to create tribe within our church. A tribe of servants. A tribe of brave and prayerful men, filled with the Holy Spirit, and eager to be used.

What do you say? What is the Lord directing you to do?