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In order for truth-seekers to enter new life in Christ we will encourage them to honestly explore the claims of the gospel. This focus begins within the worship services – our music and preaching will focus primarily on the transformational life rather than seasonal holidays, major events, campaigns, and socially-driven agendas. Expanded intentional opportunities for assimilation will help truth-seekers to develop meaningful new relationships within the body of believers. Since truth-seekers are searching for relevance through faith in God’s revelation, new forums will need to be implemented within various small groups, Life Enhancement classes, and gender-specific ministries to provide open dialogue about spiritual renewal so that they can ultimately become transformed followers of Jesus Christ. |
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A healing community where God transforms people into His likeness toward unity in the faith |
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In order to represent the glory of God’s kingdom to our surrounding community we will develop an intentional strategy to expose God’s kingdom in ways that will actually penetrate the lives of people who choose to live outside of his redemptive community. We will emphasize that Christ’s disciples need to preserve previous connections with those outside of the Christian faith. While doing this, we will successfully train them on how to lovingly nurture their current and budding friendships with their non-churched friends, colleagues, and neighbors to help them sense God’s kingdom blessings. By providing various, regular, non-threatening opportunities for people to gather, as well as providing (and advertising) resources for parenting and marriage enrichment, Christ’s disciples will be able to invite others to sense the relevance of the church community within their lives in order for them to become truth-seekers. |
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LIFE VOYAGERS |
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TRUTH SEEKERS |
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COME: |
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TRANSFORMED FOLLOWERS |
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TRUTH SEEKERS |
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FIND: |
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In order to assist transformed followers to understand and develop their faith in Christ we will prepare them to experience the benefits of the transformational life. The key component for discipling these new followers will be to enhance their own personal relationship with Jesus Christ by helping them to develop consistent devotional times within their lives. Through an intentional disciple-making process we will arrange transformed followers into triad relationships in order for them to intimately share in connective relationships with one another and Christ. We are confident that the Holy Spirit will engage each transformed follower through the disciple-making process, as well as within small groups, gender-specific ministries, spiritual retreats, and other interactive events so that they can grow in their developing relationship to Christ and his church as committed disciples. |
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TRANSFORMED FOLLOWERS |
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COMMITTED DISCIPLES |
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GROW: |
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In order to equip committed disciples to reach their God-given potential we will allow the Holy Spirit to empower them to express their usefulness in God’s kingdom. All of God’s people are not only wired with different temperaments, but they are also given unique spiritual gifts and abilities that are useful for bearing fruit in God’s kingdom. We will intentionally assist all committed disciples to understand their PLACE within the context of God’s kingdom work and as they apply themselves to the mission of Bethesda Church by being trained and serving the needs of others within the church, in parachurch ministries, or on short-term mission trips, they will become faithful ambassadors for Jesus Christ.
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COMMISSIONED LEADERS |
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FAITHFUL AMBASSADORS |
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SERVE: |
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In order to challenge ambassadors for Christ to fly beyond their current place within ministry we will direct the overflow of ministry to expand into the surrounding regions beyond the scope of the church. Since God’s kingdom will be best served by promoting many healthy missional churches, we will be instrumental in applying ourselves to planting new churches within our surrounding communities, and commissioning apostolic, evangelistic, and pastoral leaders to follow their Godward calling in ministry. As we network with parachurch ministries and other missional churches beyond and within Southern Schuylkill County we will witness the expansive glory of God’s kingdom. |
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COMMITTED DISCIPLES |
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FAITHFUL AMBASSADORS |
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GO: |
