THE LIFE - Summer 2017 by Fountain of Life

SUMMER 2017

a publication of fountain of life church

COVER STORY

KIDSTOWN LEADERS TELL WHY TEAMS WORK AT FOL PAGE 10

MEET OUR NEW PASTORS PAGE 6

4TOKEYS SUCCESS IN MINISTRY

PAGE 8

CONTENTS 4

TEAMS ARE BIBLICAL BY: PASTOR HANS HESS

MEET OUR NEW STAFF BY: JACKIE DAVENPORT

4 CODES FOR HEALTHY TEAM BUILDING BY: MAX BARROSO

TEAMING UP FOR MINISTRY

GET IN THE TRENCH!

GET INVOLVED AT FOL

BY: TIFFANY HARRIS

BY: WAYNE HARRIS

A LIST OF OUR SERVING MINISTRIES

TEAMS The Life Magazine is published quarterly by Fountain of Life Church in Elizabeth City, NC. Editor in Chief/Hans Hess * Editor, Communications Director/Tiffany Harris * Editor, Layout Designer, Graphic Designer/Kristina Granstaff * Writers/Hans Hess, Jackie Davenport, Tiffany Harris, Max Barroso, Wayne Harris. Proofreaders/Brenda Harris, Tina Kirkland, Tiffany Harris, Christy Wells, Kristina Granstaff, Chrissy Carter

are biblical by: pastor hans hess

Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? (Amos 3:3) Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Eccl. 4:12)

he Bible is filled with the concept of teamwork. From the very beginning, God designed teams. God created Adam and said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him. (Gen. 2:18)” In the era of the Patriarchs, God introduced covenant. Covenant was based on teamwork, man did his part, and God did His part. In the era of the Judges, Kings, and the writing Prophets, teamwork was essential. In the New Testament, we see a beautiful display of teamwork with Jesus and His disciples. Jesus chose 12 men with whom to share life. These men assisted the Lord in many ways but the ultimate purpose behind Jesus choosing them was to send them out to replicate His ministry throughout the world. It took teamwork to make this happen. In the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul said when Jesus ascended to heaven He gave gifts unto men. These gifts were Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers. These gifts form a powerful network of ministries, diverse in function yet unified in purpose. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul presents us with a beautiful metaphor for the church- one body: “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. (verse 12)” The “body of Christ” is made up of many different parts, yet they work together to accomplish the purposes of God in teamwork. Some say “no man is an island,” and how true that is! We all need relationships, and we need others to help us accomplish things. The church functions best when its members work as a team. Teams work throughout our church at Fountain of Life. Our pastoral staff is a team. I like to think of the work of the pastoral staff as multiple expressions of one office. According to our structure, there is one pastor of the church, elected by the congregation, appointed by the Bishop, and approved by the Conference Executive Council. Yet, one pastor cannot do every pastoral task that needs to be done

in the local church especially as the church grows. Therefore, I have divided the tasks of the pastoral role among several of us on the staff. Though all of us administrate to some extent, I appointed an Executive Pastor who excels in that area. Though all of us care for people, I appointed a Pastoral Care Pastor who excels in that role. Though all of us love youth and want to see the youth thrive, I appointed someone who excels in that role. The same is true with worship, and the new role of Connect Pastor. In our Connect Class we say, “Our church is guided by the pastoral staff, protected by the Administrative Council, and accountable to the Conference Executive Council and Bishop.” I love this statement, because it expresses a balanced team approach to ministry on three levels. The team concept runs through all three of these levels of leadership. Many churches are frustrated, because they cannot find enough volunteers to serve in ministries. Many pastors are weary trying to fill too many roles in their churches. I know, because I have been there! The solution to these issues is teamwork. Once you experience how effective teamwork is, it gives you joy in your ministry work. To get to this point you must relinquish control. Some people do not want to work on a team, because it means they will have to surrender some of their control over the ministry. If you pursue praise from others, it will be difficult for you to work on a team. Being part of a team means you share the responsibilities and the credit for accomplishments. Paul said in First Corinthians 3:6-7, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.” John Maxwell adds to this revelation: “Teamwork makes the dream work, but a vision becomes a nightmare when the leader has a big dream and a bad team.” Join a ministry team, join a Life Group, allow your gifts to flourish and unite with others to accomplish more than you ever dreamed!

meet the new staff by: JACKIE DAVENPORT

pastor conrad Fountain of Life’s new Student Pastor, Conrad Francis, is passionate about young people. His vision is that the youth of Fountain of Life (and the surrounding areas) experience the joy of a personal relationship with God and learn about the love He has for them. He also wants to see a revival among the youth of FOL, so they will be empowered to minister to their families and friends within and beyond our community. Conrad grew up in a Christian home where his mother influenced him spiritually. But, because of life issues, he built a wall from having a personal relationship with God. It wasn’t until his now wife Krystle invited him to a church service at age 16 that his life changed forever. After this encounter with God, he felt drawn to youth ministry.

student pastor 6

Conrad Francis, Krystle, and their son, Josiah, come from Chesapeake, Virginia where Krystle works in the day-to-day operations of Joy Ministries with Danette Crawford. Conrad first heard about Fountain of Life through his connections with Parkway Christian Center and Redemption Ministries. He says one of the first things that struck him about Fountain of Life was the “spiritual atmosphere and how the joy of the Lord radiates through the worship.” He noticed that the gospel is not “watered down” but the truth of the Word was taught. Conrad and Krystle are excited to grow deeper with the students and minister to the young people of the community.

pastor roger Roger Stables is the new Connect Pastor at FOL. This new role entails directing all guest services ministries during services: the Welcome Center, greeters, security team, parking team, ushers, etc. as well as overseeing Life Groups and the Life Track process (Connect, Serve, Partner, Grow). Roger’s main objective is to help people find a place for connection, through their own spiritual growth and then into partnership and ministry. Ultimately, helping everyone assimilate into the church, form new relationships, and grow spiritually. Before transitioning to Fountain of Life, Roger pastored a church in South Mills called Our Father’s House. There, he began to fully experience his calling to “love the unlovable and reach the unreachable.” He knows, from experience, there are various types of people but each person has someone they can reach for Christ. He says the key factor is remembering to first exhibit the love of Christ. Roger Stables and his wife Crystal have three children, Gabrielle, Nathaniel and Evalyn. Married for fifteen years, Roger and his wife have been involved in numerous ministries before joining Fountain of Life. Coming from an abusive upbringing where drugs and alcohol ruled his life, Roger was introduced to church by a fellow classmate. Reluctantly, he attended, but experienced God’s love for the first time. That love created a fundamental change in his personal life. He says that each place of worship he has attended following that initial church service has significantly impacted his spiritual life at the right time. Roger and Crystal look forward to connecting more with the people of FOL and leading volunteer teams and groups.

connect pastor

codes for healthy team building By: Max Barroso

he Apostle Paul was one of the most influential leaders we can find in the history of the Church. So many different titles and accolades are associated with him: church planter, theologian, missionary, teacher, mentor, writer, friend, apostle, martyr, and the list continues. One thing that often goes unnoticed when we talk about his ministry is that Paul cherished working with a team! A common thread noticed throughout the narrative of his epistles: the team is always there and Paul ensures that they get the spotlight! Take a look at the following excerpts from the apostle’s letters to Philemon and to the Romans: “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (Philemon 1:2325)” “Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord. (Rom. 16:21-22)” I believe the simple fact that Paul was able to assemble a great team profoundly affected the success of his ministry! These individuals shared his passion and vision, provided support and accountability, and ultimately, ensured the message reached the audience for whom it was intended. Even though the call of God is personal, the Christian journey is a collective hope. In fact, Paul himself is the one that challenged us to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal. 6:2)”

"It's amazing how much can be accomplished if no one cares who gets the credit."

Over the last 15 years, I have had the opportunity to participate in multiple different teams in a variety of settings. Whether as a captain of my alma mater’s soccer team, leading mission trips, or as a part of the leadership team in IPHC World Missions, I have learned a few lessons along the way. There are four principles that can be extrapolated to nearly every single team setting:

1. Diversity is key God has gifted every single one of us with different talents, abilities, and personalities. However, many times we have a tendency to gravitate towards like-minded individuals with whom we have much in common. It makes us comfortable and feels natural. However, great leaders recognize the necessity of surrounding themselves with individuals who excel where they are weak; people who can speak authoritatively on subjects where they lack experience. Take a look at the roster of your favorite sports team. Every position requires a specific skill set, strategy, and technique. If you observe individuals inside an operating room performing a surgery, you will find surgeons, anesthesiologists, technicians, nurses, and students. They are all part of the medical field, but each plays a vital role that allows the team to be successful! We can’t be experts in every field! Good team leaders understand how to identify individual strengths and weaknesses and take advantage of the great richness of diverse people coming together to achieve a single goal.

2. Set clear expectations Assembling an extremely gifted and talented team will do you no good if there is no clear sense of direction. Effectively communicating your vision and plan to your team is of paramount importance. Remember the instruction the Lord gave Habakkuk: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. (Hab. 2:2)”

individual leads to clarity and trust.

3. Encourage and edify The culture we establish as a blueprint for the team’s methodology is crucial to its long-term sustainability. We must be extremely deliberate to establish protocols and procedures that outline how to interact with patients, customers, visitors, etc. Every once in a while it becomes necessary to ask, “How are my team members interacting with one another?” Before we realize it, a once successful and thriving team can become stagnate and bitter with one another. More times than not, the reason can be traced back to a lack of consistent encouragement and affirmation among the team members. As the hours grow longer and the task more difficult, the tendency to complain and become discouraged grows stronger. We must remember that we carry “the power of life and death on the tip of our tongue. (Prov. 18:21)” Choose life! Speak life over your team, affirm their destiny, celebrate their victories, and publicly acknowledge the individual value of each member. As you incorporate this habit into your leadership practices, watch the culture of your team begin to grow healthier and the bond of trust among members strengthen.

4. Work for one another rather than with one another One of my toddler’s greatest joys in life is to go and play with his friends! He talks about it nonstop. NONSTOP. He gets excited when it’s time to see them, and runs to the car to go on a play date! However, I find it extremely curious that once the kids are together, they tend to engage in parallel play. While physically sitting right next to one another, they each pick a separate toy and play with it independently.

We must also be able to identify the most accurate roles for our team members. The skill set and gifting must match the assignment. Early on in my ministry, I had an assignment with expectations well beyond my experience. People expected me to know what to do because of my title, but I was clueless! No one explained many aspects of my role leaving me discouraged; I felt like a mere placeholder.

One of the greatest signs of a healthy team is when members move beyond working with one another and start working for one another. When we embrace a culture of loving and serving one another on our team, it radically changes our perception and sense of ownership. We begin to realize that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We recognize the I is not nearly as important as the we! To quote the English novelist Charles Montague, “It's amazing how much can be accomplished if no one cares who gets the credit.”

Every member of your team needs to know what is expected of his or her involvement in the organization. A lack of clear expectations will lead to frustration. Knowing what the leader needs from each

When team members are looking out for one another, resourcing one another, and serving one another in love, Paul’s image of the body in 1 Corinthians 12 becomes our reality!

Max BarrOSO and his wife Jessica founded and serve in The Awakening. The Awakening is the global youth and college department of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. Max creates teams of young people to fulfill missions needs all over the world.

TEAMING UP F Fountain of Life applies the Kidstown Team system throughout the church. BY: TIFFANY HARRIS

FOR MINISTRY

bout 15 years ago, the children’s ministry at Fountain of Life looked different. It consisted of Sunday School classes taught by the same teacher each week. Though the ministry was smaller than present day, the commitment level for teaching every week created a challenge when pastors needed more volunteer help. Alan Meads, who volunteered as Children’s Director at the time, talked with then Associate Pastor, Rick Lowry about revitalizing the children’s program and turning it into a Vacation Bible School every Sunday with teams rotating

and working different parts of the VBS. Eventually, this concept turned into a structure similar to how Kidstown currently ministers to children. Through revamping the children's ministry, another brilliant concept emerged- the teams system. By charging team leaders with the responsibility of running children's ministry each week instead of one Sunday School teacher, it alleviated pressure from volunteers and created a tight network of ministry partners who functioned more productively. The current Children’s Director, Pam Lilly, leads four team leaders who each oversee their own teams of ten or more volunteers. The team leaders rotate, one working two Sundays with her team then another repeating the same pattern. This ensures each team receives a six-week break before their turn comes again to serve. For over 10 years, this system proved successful in volunteer retention and recruiting. Those who love children feel comfortable agreeing to serve in Kidstown, because they know the team system protects that passion and does not abuse it. Alan Meads says, “Volunteers always joke that they miss it when they’re not there and look forward to it when it’s their turn to serve, but after the second week of serving, they look forward to knowing they won’t have to be there again for six weeks." For the team leaders, Kathy Meads, Tracy Spruill, Chelsea Williamson, and Stacey Hickman, they also love the opportunity to serve in an area they enjoy while avoiding burn-out. Over the years,

they learned the team system facilitates close, organic friendships among the leaders in that they support each other in life as well as in ministry. Kathy Meads says she likes having other Kidstown team leaders behind her helping her through difficult situations. “Sometimes we’ll text each other and build each other up,” she says. “We’re a family; I could not do it by myself.” “It really feels like a small group. I like having the friendships,” Stacey Hickman adds. “I feel like we hold each other accountable. We’re on the same mission.” Now, Senior Pastor Hans Hess desires to implement this system throughout all the serving ministries at Fountain of Life. Before Easter 2017, which drew 1,506 people to FOL, Pastor Hans and Alan Meads (now Executive Pastor) met with several serving ministries (greeters, welcome center volunteers, ushers, and altar workers) to introduce them to this teams concept and prepare them for the influx of visitors at Easter. The response from the volunteers was positive. Brenda Harris, who serves as a team leader for the Altar Team, says, "I love the way we're doing it now. It's working so much better to me." She and her husband Tommy also serve as Sunday School Teachers twice a month, so the structure of rotating team leaders for the altar team ministry helps them know how to plan and organize their time better. She adds that all the volunteers seem to work better as teams.

september 22-23, 2017 Alan Meads hopes that just as the Kidstown team leaders grew to become close friends inside and outside of church, the other ministries implementing teams will work the same way. He believes that serving in ministry is another way to draw acquaintances into deeper, meaningful relationship. "Eventually, I'd like it to get to the point where people on the teams had each other's backs." he says. "Like if someone had a death in the family or was in the hospital, I'd want someone from my ministry team to support me, visit me, and pray for me. This is part of the vision for teams." Overall, as the Kidstown team leaders continue to work in a comfortable flow and the serving ministries start working in this newer style, the goal remains the same. "The best way to build a successful team is by being positive and passionate about the team your building," Chelsea Williamson says. "I do believe we Kidstown leaders all truly believe what we are doing is making a difference in the lives of these little ones." Passion for serving others and growing the Kingdom of God is the overlying factor in remaining grounded with any volunteer venture. Now, with a new but proven framework for ministry at FOL, volunteers have more opportunity for stability and deeper connection at a growing church.

IN BROKENNESS Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Conference 2017

W I T H S P E C I A L G U E ST S :

Jason Bare

Dr. Stacie Otey-Scott

Buck Leary

Kathy Peaks

details & REGISTration FOLCHURCH.COM/BEAUTY

Get in the

TRENCH! BY: WAYNE HARRIS

For the past thirty-nine years Wayne has served the Church in local churches ranging in size from 50 to 4,500, in two denominational roles as well with an international missions organization. Through these varied experiences God has developed in him a deep passion for His Church and the leaders that lead her. Through his understanding and love for strategic planning, organizational systems and the developmental cycles of leaders and organizations Wayne is able to lead churches down a pathway of discovery as they assess their current reality, clarify their focus and align their ministries and structures resulting in greater Kingdom impact.

e live in a world plagued by consumerism, and unfortunately, the local church reflects that trend. If you stop and take an honest look at most churches, you find that 20% percent of the people do 80% of the work. To further complicate things, the demands of every individual’s time is beginning to reduce the amount of time that the 20% are able to devote to volunteering. This is leading to a crisis where church members do less and less and the church staff pick up more responsibility resulting in an increase of staff burnout. But, you say, "Isn’t that what we pay them for?” The biblical answer to that assertion is a resounding NO! The gospel isn’t about what “I can get” but rather what “I can give.” The Bible clearly teaches (and biblical leaders model) that it is up to every person, part of the Body of Christ, to serve. Consider Ephesians 4:11-16: So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching

and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. This passage instructs us as to why it is important to serve in and through the local church; first, it grows and builds up the body, and second, it produces spiritual maturity. Look at these two principals. Having consulted and coached well over 100 churches, God constantly amazes me at how He not only has a specific calling for a local church, but He also gathers those leaders and people together who He needs to accomplish His mission. One of the things I commonly advise a pastor, as they lead their church to discern their purpose and vision, is to look at those whom God has brought to the church. An assessment of their gift mix (a combination of spiritual gifts, natural abilities, and acquired skills) can help inform the church’s leadership of its ministry direction. The question is will those people step up and serve? This morning my wife and I walked on our morning exercise around “the Loop,” a popular path for walkers and runners in our area. We noticed several people running, but one man, in particular, ran as if he were a well-oiled machine. Every part of his body worked in perfect harmony with every other body part propelling him forward at an incredible pace. It was a great reminder of how the above passage teaches a local church about serving. With Christ as the head, the leadership, pastors, and staff equip the people of God for works of service and each person steps up and fulfills their place of service. However, if I tried running like that skillful runner, my right knee would cry out in pain after only a short distance. If I kept pressing it, my knee would soon fail me, and I would end up falling on my face. In the same way, whenever a member of the church declines to do their part in working toward the accomplishment of the mission of the church, it weakens and decreases the effectiveness of the church. If the church, the body of Christ, is going to accomplish its task it will take “the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament. (Eph. 4:16)”

4:13 says will happen when a Christian is involved in works of service, “we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” I’ve observed that many Christians believe that “growing in Christian maturity” is all about studying and learning the Bible. While these things are very important, we must understand that it is impossible to know God outside of the mission of Jesus. We know the Father by knowing Jesus (Jn. 14:6-7). We get to know Jesus by engaging in the mission of Jesus. In other words, Jesus’ disciples are made in the trenches. When Jesus called His disciples, it was a call to join Him in His mission of being “fishers of men. (Mt. 4:19)" When Jesus appeared to the disciples following his resurrection he told them “as the Father has sent me, I am sending you. (Jn. 20:21)” His last charge to the disciples before his ascension was to continue the work He started of making disciples (Mt. 28:18-20). In Philemon 6, the Apostle Paul encourages Philemon in his faith, “I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.” In other words, as I engage in the mission of Jesus I become more aware of all of the blessings of Jesus! Think back to a time where you have played on a team or served on a team at work, in a civic club, or in church where everyone on the team had the same end goal, each understood their role, and pulled their weight. Do you remember the feeling of harmony and unity? What if that was true in the whole church body? It can be if each member of the church embraces the mission of the church, understands their unique role, and engages in their part. Is it time for you to get out of your comfortable seat and get in the trench?

I mentioned earlier that the gospel isn’t about what “we will get” but rather about what “we can give.” Yet, the paradox of the Gospel is that in giving, we receive. Look again at what Ephesians

SERVE AT FOL

We serve, because Jesus served. Matthew 20:28 says, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. (NLT)" Jesus lived His life for others and modeled that example, so we could walk in servanthood and participate in our part of His body. In this section, you’ll read about Fountain of Life’s serving ministries. These are areas where you can get connected, make a difference, and grow relationally with a team of people. Don’t sit on the sidelines! Start living what Jesus modeled.

MEDIA WORSHIP PRODUCTION•SOUND LIGHTING•LIVESTREAM

Do you enjoy working behind-the-scenes? Media is a great place for hands-on, visual people who like to “make things run.” You don’t need to be a computer expert to work with media or have production experience to work in livestream. "Volunteering as part of the media team is so rewarding. Each of the [volunteers] are like an extension of my blood related family. It's like I've won the lottery. I just plain and simply love being a part of that ministry." - Stacey Combs, Worship Production

GUEST SERVICES WELCOME CENTER•PARKING GREETERS•USHERS•LIFE CAFE BOOKSTORE

People who serve in Guest Services are the first people visitors see when they park in the parking lot and walk through the church doors. Their role in welcoming and accommodating visitors and regular attenders is key to ensuring others have an incredible experience at FOL. “Seeing the excitement on people's faces when they enter and leave church is priceless!” – Lori Bloodworth, Greeter

CHILDREN & YOUTH TINY TOWN NURSERY KIDSTOWN CHILDREN'S MINISTRY STUDENT MINISTRIES

Serving in nursery, Kidstown, or Refuge at FOL is one of the most rewarding ways to serve. As you pour into young people and watch them grow and seek God for themselves, you realize the direct impact your life has on another. “There is no junior Holy Ghost, and when you see that come out in [the children], it’s why we’re doing what we’re doing. We’re raising up leaders.” – Stacey Hickman, Kidstown

GROUP MINISTRY LIVING FREE•LIFE GROUP LEADER VISITATION TEAM•MISSIONS OUTREACH TEAM Maybe you can’t preach to a crowd of 500, but you thrive in a small group setting or flourish in one-onone ministry. These ministries can be life-changing for both you and the people to whom you minister. Whether it’s leading a Life Group regularly or facilitating in a Living Free meeting, there’s a place for you. "It's like a whole new family for us [my wife and I]. We love meeting new people. We love studying the Word. We feel like we get to use our gifts. I think it's just great." – Tommy Harris, Life Group Leader

REVIVAL MISSIONARY EVANGELIST

DOUG ECCLES

AGES 0-2YRS TINY TOWN

NURSERY

MON-WED

with

SUN-WED

J U LY 16 -19 S U N 6 P M | M O N -W E D 7 P M

AGES 2-11 KIDS TOWN

CRUSADE