VISION2017
Life is a Journey, and we care...
The Importance of Vision • If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble over themselves; But when they attend to what He reveals, they are most blessed. Proverbs 29:18 (Message) • Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts. Proverbs 24:3-4 (Living Bible) • Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need lots of good counsel. (TLB) Don’t go to war without wise guidance; there is safety in many counsellors. Proverbs 24:6 (Message)
Vision Has Strategy: 4 Phase •Cover our City •Bless our Neighbour •Send to the Nation •Touch the World
Vision has Process • To facilitate God’s vision for Carmel, we follow a DISCIPLESHIP process of Share, Care, Prepare and Dare. This enables us to help believers along their individual journey of discovery and faith. SHARE
CARE
PREPARE
DARE
Discipleship Pipeline
Vision Requires Structure • We have looked at the way we do life, using what has been, this is (Descriptive), what should be as God intended, this is (Prescriptive), and what could be, this is (Formative). None of this can be looked at from a static perception, as everything is continually changing. • Dr Ed Cole said: Change is only change when there is change. • There will always be changes in life, in community, in business and in church as long as there are people. Each individual life is unique and brings with it a purpose and potential as intended by God, that will impact the way we do life as individuals and community.
Structure to Accommodate Change • Our Model and Methods of Leadership. • For the past 20 years we embraced a structure that helped mature the vision. This structure was led by the founding apostolic oversight, and this worked well to bring us to this stage. The past two years has revealed that this model cannot continue in its present form with the Apostolic not being present. We loose precious resources that God brings through our doors for the vision to transition generationally. • The New Model helps us go from Local to Global. Where ever the Apostle Paul established Churches he put them in the care of elders.
The Old and New Testament Models. • In the Old Testament the model of leadership for the nation of Israel was that of the Prophet, Priest and King, individuals with different roles of responsibility but accountable to each other as a team. • The writers of the New Testament mention elders, overseers and shepherds in reference to church leadership more than twenty-five times in the Gospels and the Epistles. • "In fact, the New Testament offers more instruction regarding elders than on any other important church subjects such as the Lord's Supper, the Lord's Day, baptism or spiritual gifts.” (‘Biblical Eldership’ by Alexander Strauch)
The Overseer of Assets: • This office is to steward the financial and physical assets of the ministry. Their focus is to ensure that as a church we generate finances as well as remain compliant with all regulatory boards that we are answerable to, like the Charity Commission, HMRS, Ofsted etc. • In the Old Testament this role was the role of the King, who had the responsibility to look after the nation protecting the people and increasing its influence and wealth. • Trustee Wayne Skinner will be the acting overseer of assets until the new appointment has been made.
The Overseer of People: • This office is to steward the people, building effective teams to take care of the needs of our community. They are there to oversee and build our home group structure, ensuring people are being pastorally taken care of in a home group as well as being encouraged in their journey of faith. • In the Old Testament this was the role of the priests, who represented the people before God and before the king, ensuring the people were taken care of. • Pastor Michael Fletcher will be the Overseer of People.
The Overseer of Equipping: • This office is to steward the discipleship and equipping process for the ministry. Overseeing our public church meetings and the teams that help make them happen. They also help to identify and help prepare people to function in their five-fold gifting in the ministry, training trainers to equip and mature the saints through our discipleship/ equipping pipeline. • In the Old Testament this role was the role of the prophet, who had the responsibility to bring the word of the Lord to the people. • Pastor Ralph Di Somma will be the Overseer of Equipping.
The Benefits of this New Structure • It allows the Apostolic to concentrate on the new areas that God reveals to establish the blueprint that has been given to us. • It gives that local church greater autonomy to determine the way forward under the direction of the Overseers, guided by the Mission and Mandate given by God to impact our community. • Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need lots of good counsel. (TLB) The new structure will ensure that the next generation is engaged in the vision and find their place to develop as leaders in their home, church, business and society.
The Way Forward • The next few months will see the transition of the leadership structure take place and in some cases already taking place. • The end of April will be the official inauguration of the new Structure as the handover should then be complete. • I am concerned that some may not identify with the changes and may create an environment of division, I pray that this will not happen, but then again I know that ambition has its own poison when not tempered by and with the grace of God.
• As mature believers we have a responsibility not to cause our brother to stumble, keep the church united and the vision clear.
COMMUNITY is the Focus for 2017 • The Church is a COMMUNITY of people that share common beliefs and practices under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in accordance to the Word of God that reach out to the Community of the world with the love of God. • The Apostle Paul said he became all things to all men so that he may win some over to Christ. Our mission field is the United Kingdom and we cannot be dismissive of the people or their way of life if we desire to reach them. Jesus said for us to make disciples of all Nations. In the light of His instruction the importance of our discipleship process must be accentuated.
The Church in the book of Acts • Acts 2:42-47 (NASB) They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Community in the book of Acts • To establish a Christian community there are four foundational beliefs that need to be implemented and practiced on a daily basis. • The apostles’ teaching or doctrine, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer. • Each of these foundational beliefs can be broken up into four applications.
Community in the book of Acts • Apostles Teaching or doctrine is found in the great commission to go and make disciples. • Matthew 28:16-20; and Mark 16:14-20; • The process is, Salvation, Baptism, Healing and Evangelism. • Fellowship is the basis on which we implement the above and requires a strategy. • Habakkuk 2:13; Mark 16:14-20; • Every Mission requires a vision, every Vision requires a process, every Process must lead to Discipleship. Discipleship is about empowering people to lead in their life, work and community.
Community in the book of Acts • Breaking of Bread is about the testing and examining of these beliefs and practices in a believers life. • 1 Cor 11:23-32; 2 Cor 13:4-6; John 15:16-17; 1 Cor 3:11-15; • Namely, Discerning the Lord’s body, Test to see if you are in Faith, Our love for one another and Judgement seat of Christ. • Prayer is the basis of intimacy that helps build a Christian community. • 1 Tim 2:1-8; Heb 13:17-18; Eph 6:18-20; Jude 1:20-21; Matt 18:18-20; • Praying for those in authority, interceding for those in need, praying in the Holy Spirit for self-edification and praying the prayer of agreement to bind and loose.
Evidence of a Community Functioning • There are seven indicators to measure and know that the church is function as a community and in a community. • 1. There is a Great Expectation as to what God would do. The presence of the Holy Spirit is the grace of God for His children. • 2. There is a Working of Miracles. Where the Life of the Holy Spirit is there will always be the supernatural. • 3. There is Great Generosity towards each other. They shared what they had to help others not know lack in provision, and ability. • 4. There is Unity of Focus and Belief. Psalms 133
Evidence of a Community Functioning • There are seven indicators to measure and know that the church is function as a community and in a community. • 5. There is Authentic Relationships based upon time spent together breaking bread. • 6. There is liberty in Praise and Thanksgiving to the Lord. Worship is what ushers us into the presence of God. • 7. There must be Salvations and Numerical Growth. • The Seventh indicator is very important and helps reveal if the other six indicators are functioning and are working in our community.
Two Key Elements for 2017 • Restructuring our leadership model and implementing new systems and processes for better communication and greater levels of pastoral care for our community. For example our ‘Church App’ • Greater focus on our discipleship process to equip and empower the body to serve our community. For example relaunching the Basics, greater participation in Home Groups, starting Carmel Community Consultations with the professionals in our church. • Join us on this incredible journey of Faith, fill in the LifeFile that is found in the centre of the Vision Booklet and hand it in to one of the ushers.
Complete the: LIFEFILE
How to get Involved • 1. GATHER NUMERICALLY • Invite One = The church will double in no time. • 2. LIVE DANGEROUSLY • Join a Home Group, help pastor your neighbourhood. • 3. ATTEND REGULARLY • Get equipped with the Word and grow in your faith and leadership. • 4. SERVE DILIGENTLY • Find your fit: there is always a place for you to serve in the family of God. • 5. INVEST GENEROUSLY - With your time, talent and treasure
Thank you for Participating Carmel is a church that desires to make difference in its community to demonstrate the love of God for the salvation of many.
Life is a Journey, and we care... So enjoy the Journey