“An Effective church is Driven by Supra-Cultural Biblical Principles”

Definition: Drive - "To guide, control, and direct" Every church is driven by some force.... –...By tradition –...By personalities –...By finances –...By programmes –...By buildings –...By events –...By "seekers"

Every local church should be a church driven by Biblical Principles! Jesus said, "......I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it!" Matthew 16:18 "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21 Vision Statement What we want to be! Mission statement How we get there!

Foundational Biblical Principles The fundamental empowering, enduring, supra-cultural, essential, Biblical truths that serve as the essential foundation for the building of a healthy church Community. God’s Kingdom will grow automatically as these principles are lived out in the life of our church. Methods are many; God’s Principles are few. Methods may change, but God’s Principles never do! Empowering Servant Leadership Every member ministry Prayerful Passionate Spirituality Flexible functional structures Inspiring worship services Wholistic Community GROUPS Relational Christ-centred evangelism Loving Embracing relationships

Defining Your Church's Vision and Mission based on the Key Principles Why is it important? 1. It Builds Morale "Let there be real harmony so there won't be any splits in the church...Be of one mind, united in thought and purpose." 1 Corinthians 1:10 (LB) Where there is no vision, the people perish." Proverbs 29:18 2. It Reduces Frustration "God gives perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and trust in you." Isaiah 26:3 (GN) "...standing firm with one common purpose..." Philippians 1:27 (GN) "....the life of a man of divided loyalty will reveal instability at every turn." James 1:8 (Ph)

Defining Your Church's Vision and Mission based on the Key Principles Continued 3. It Allows Concentration (Paul) "I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing, forgetting what is behind and looking forward to what lies ahead." Philippians 3:13 (LB) Efficiency:"doing things right" Effectiveness:"doing the right things!

Defining Your Church's Vision and Mission based on the Key Principles Continued 4. It Attracts Co-operation "You have helped me in the work of the gospel...." Philippians 1:15 (GN) "If your goals are good, you will be respected." Proverbs 11:27 (GN) 5. It Assists Evaluation "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves." 2 Corinthians 13:5

How To Define The Vision and Mission Of Your Church 1.Involve Leadership in a study of the biblical passages about the church: Christ's ministry on earth The images of the church The New Testaments churches The commands of Christ

Verses That Relate To The Biblical Principles Of The NT Church Matthew 5:13-16John 13:34-35Eph. 2:19-22 Matthew 9:35John 20:21Eph. 3:6, Matthew 11:28-30Acts 1:8Eph. 4:11-16 Matthew 16:15-19Acts 2:41-47Eph. 5:23-24 Matthew 18:19-20Acts 4:32-35Col. 1:24-28 Matthew 22:36-40Acts 5:42Col. 3:15-16 Matthew 14:14Acts 6:1-71 Thess. 1:3 Matthew 25:34-40Rom. 12:1-81 Thess. 5:11 Matthew 28:18-20Rom. 15:1-7Heb. 10:24-25 Mark 10: Cor. 12:12-31Heb. 13:7,17 Luke 4: Cor. 5:17 - 6:11 Peter 2:9-10 Luke 4:43-44Gal. 5: John 1:5-7 John 4:23Gal. 6:1-21 John 4:7-21 John 10:14-18Eph. 1:22-23

2. Ask 4 Questions –Who are we? –What are we? –Why do we exist? –What does God expect us to do? 3. Write out some paragraphs that say all you think needs to be said. Then edit out the unnecessary words.

4. Summarise your answers in a sentence. 4 characteristics of a good principle driven mission statement: 1.BIBLICAL2.SPECIFIC 3.TRANSFERABLE4.MEASURABLE Communicating Your Vision, Mission and Biblical principles… It's not enough to simply define them! The #1 task of leadership is to continually clarify and communicate the Vision, Mission and the Biblical principles they are founded on.

5 ways to Communicate Vision and Purpose –1. Slogans –2. Symbols –3. Scriptures –4. Stories –5. Specifics Opportunities

Ways we use at SPCC –New Friends –Seekers Groups –Annual Message/s –Monthly emphasis –Print it in your weekly news bulletin –Articles and brochures –Sermons! Don't be afraid to repeat yourself. Nobody gets it the first time. Say it over and over - in fresh ways "Creative Redundancy"

Applying Your Principles It's not enough to just define and communicate your Principles. The key to application is BALANCE! Without an intentional plan to balance the Biblical principles, your church will tend to overemphasise the one that the Pastor identifies with the most.

How to Balance the 8 Biblical Principles The Church driven by Biblical Principles targets 5 groups for ministry. GroupNumber The Core:Committed To Ministry The Committed:Committed to Maturity The Congregation:Committed to Membership The Crowd:Regular Attender’s The Community:Occasional Attender’s