The Parable of the SOILS The thief comes to steal kill and destroy, but I have come to bring life – and life in all its fullness
No Depth Shallow Deep NONE GROWTH Quick then SCORCHED Competing then CHOKED FRUITFUL x30 x60 x100 DEPTH
GROWTH THE WHY
The WHY I want to start by saying just two simple sentences about the church. First, the church exists to worship God in Jesus Christ. Second, the Church exists to make new disciples of Jesus Christ. Everything else is decoration. Some of it may be very necessary, useful, or wonderful decoration – but it’s decoration.
The WHY Our motive driving this priority (making disciples and evangelism) for the Church is not, not, not – never, never, never – that numbers are looking fairly low and the future is looking fairly bleak. Never. This is not a survival strategy.
The WHY This is not to say I am in any way nonchalant about the seismic challenge facing the church. But evangelism is not a growth strategy. Of course we want to see full churches. But this is not anxiety for an institution, or worst still self-survival.
The WHY John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople who died in 407AD, said this: “Nothing is more deadly than a Christian who is in different to the salvation of others. Indeed I wonder if such a person can be a true Christian. To become a disciple of Christ is to obey his law of love; and obedience to the law brings joy beyond measure and description. Love means to want the best for others, sharing with them the joy of love. So the Christian feels compelled to speak to others about the law of love, and the joy of obeying this law. Of course, many people are shy about speaking to others; in their case actions motivated by love will be a most eloquent testimony. But those who are not shy will surely want to express their joy at every opportunity. There is no need to use fine words or elegant phrases.”
The WHY Our desire for growth is simply because growth is about LIFE and we long to see as many people as possible find this LIFE
John 12 The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. But I have come that they might have life and life in all its fullness!
DEANERY VISION TO SEE HUNDRED’S OF PEOPLE BECOME DISCIPLES AND OUR WHOLE CITY TRANSFORMED BY GOD’S LOVING RULE
DEANERY PLAN EVERYONE A DISCIPLE EVERYONE A DISCIPLEMAKER EVERY CHURCH A DISCIPLESHIP COMMUNITY EVERYWHERE A DISCIPLESHIP INVITATION
Colossians 1:28-29 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
CULTURE STRUCTURE
SO FAR SO GOOD BATH DEANERY
KINGDOM DISCIPLE GOSPEL CULTURE
An honest look at ourselves
Membership 3300
Health Small Groups Children and families 20-30’s Mission contacts Maturity Community Life Worship Buildings and finance Staff structures Spiritual health
our future
Disciple Member ship 3330
The WHY I want to start by saying just two simple sentences about the church. First, the church exists to worship God in Jesus Christ. Second, the Church exists to make new disciples of Jesus Christ. Everything else is decoration. Some of it may be very necessary, useful, or wonderful decoration – but it’s decoration.