In an ongoing effort to communicate the vision of First Church of God, I would like to give you two perspectives of the same vision. One is seen through the eyes of a member of our church. The other is how we want seekers to view our vision.

 

The reason you should understand both perspectives is so that you are able to:

 

Perspective 1: For members (Believers).

Our vision is three-fold: To Reach lost people; To Teach believers; To Release ministers to serve.

As members of First Church of God, we recognize that our vision is more than words to be memorized. Out of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ we are drawn to live like Him and His followers. It’s more than a corporate tag. It is a fresh passion to live a new personal lifestyle.

In essence, as members we are saying: “I’m personally committed to…

being a witness for Jesus Christ.” (Reach)
being a disciple of His Word.” (Teach)
being a servant to others.” (Release)

We have to visualize ourselves as mobile lighthouses in all of our relationships: family, church and community. A lighthouse provides a continual beam of direction and hope. As living lighthouses, we are witnesses of Jesus Christ, students of His Word, and ministers ready to serve.

 

Perspective 2: For seekers and new believers.

The Bible reveals a natural progression that most people follow when they come into a relationship with God.

1. You must confess your sin to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and believe upon Him for your salvation. Would you like to know more about His gift of eternal life?

2. Once you have come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, personal growth happens when you begin to study His Word and develop new Christian friends. The best way to do this at First Church of God, is to attend the Welcome Class and sign up for the next discipleship class for new believers.

3. When you have discovered more about your relationship with God, it is very natural to want to give back to Him by serving others. God has designed each of us with spiritual gifts and natural abilities so that we can serve others. There are several exciting ways that you can begin to use your gifts for God through First Church.

 

• You can join a Life Group, this is a small group where deep friendships are formed, personal growth is fostered, and a place where we can love and serve one another.
• You can also attend a spiritual gifts class to discover and learn more about your particular gifts and how and where you can use them in the body of Christ and in our community.

 

As a visitor or seeker, we want you to understand the natural, Biblical process that one follows after they come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

Reach: Believe by faith in Jesus Christ.
Teach: Begin the process of discipleship. Come to know God and who you are in Him.
Release: After you built a firm foundation on Christ from His Word, discover ways to return His love by serving others.

It’s possible that you have been for some time and have yet to begin the process of growing in your faith as I have just described. If you’re a member and this speaks to you, why don’t you begin fresh, like a new believer and start with step two. Attend the Welcome Class and then sign up for the next new believer class. If you’re further along but still struggling with the lifestyle of a believer, maybe it’s time to join a small group, take a growth class, or find a place to serve in the church or in our community.

Where ever you are, the vision of First Church is designed to help clarify where we are going and hopefully, this article helps you know where to begin.

Blessings to you in Christ!
 
Pastor Greg Sempsrott