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Antioch Baptist Church . Core Values and Vision 2014. Core Values. Discipleship Community Multiplication. Discipleship. “Making disciples” versus “winning converts” Matthew 28:18-20 (BAPTIZE and TEACH) Conversion happens in two conduits: Head through knowledge Heart through love.
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Antioch Baptist Church Core Values and Vision 2014
Core Values Discipleship Community Multiplication
Discipleship • “Making disciples” versus “winning converts” • Matthew 28:18-20 (BAPTIZE and TEACH) • Conversion happens in two conduits: • Head through knowledge • Heart through love
Knowledge • Conversion knowledge manifests itself through belief in five things: • Knowledge of who God is • Knowledge of who you are in relation to God • Created in his image to honor and glorify him • Knowledge of what sin is and what it has done • Sin is any imperfection in the heart or mind (not just a “bad deed”) • Sin is in our very nature • Sin separated you from God • Sin turned your heart against him and to yourself • Sin requires punishment in order for God to be just • Knowledge of what God did for you • Sent his Son to take on human nature • Knowledge of what Jesus accomplished on the Cross and Resurrection • He became sin and was put to death in our place • His resurrection ensures our justification, regeneration, and our resurrection
Growth in Knowledge • Growth in knowledge of the Scriptures • Bible Study (know what you are reading!) • Read, Study, and Observe • Hermeneutics • Interpret and Apply the knowledge revealed in the Bible • Growth in the knowledge of Theology • Doctrines: God the Father, Christology, pneumatology, soteriology, man, eschatology, etc. • Growth in the knowledge of Church History • Apostolic, Patristic, Medieval, Reformation, Denominational Origins
Love • The love that is the fruit of conversion manifests itself in two ways • Repentance: there is a genuine recognition in the heart of what you have done and deserve and a deep sorrow for it. • In love for him, Embracing and Reflecting the Imago Dei (the Image of God) • Sacrifice: the surrender of all of your life to God in heartfelt response • Good works: manifestations of his Glory in you as his workmanship • Character: seeking to glorify Him in your values and virtues • Relationships: submitting all relationships to the supreme love of Him
Growth in Love • Growth in the practice of the Spiritual Disciplines • Praying: not just wish list praying, but self-reflective searching and supplication • Meditation: meditating on scriptures in prayerful reverence • Fasting: going without food and dedicating time to prayer • Worship: singing and praising God…even when no one is around
Growth in Love Continued • Growth in love for fellow image-bearers • Desire to assimilate into Christian community (take risks and be known!) • Love for people • Desire to bear the burden of fellow believers and allow other believers to bear yours • Love for those who are lost, in bondage, misguided, and even those who hate you • Seeking spiritual significance of spousal relationships, children/parenting because they are his relationships and not yours.
Growth in Love Continued • Learning to Surrender to Love by growing through the four stages: • Love of self for self’s sake (because you worship yourself) • Love of God for self’s sake (because you still worship yourself, but you want help) • Love of God for God’s sake (because you recognize, in head and heart, who he is) • Love of self for God’s sake (because you recognize he made you in his image, and therein lies your worth) • Honest, Spirit-filled Introspection • Why do I think this way? Why do I act this way? Why do I feel this way?
Community • “I am a city” versus “We are a City” (Matthew 5:13-16) • Philippians 2:3-16 (The Trinity as the example of Community) • Hebrews 10:24-25 (“stirring each other” for good works) • Galatians 6:2 (bear one another’s burdens) • Romans 12:3-13/Ephesians 4:15-16 (one body, many parts) • Community is • Pushing one another to greater knowledge • Loving one another to grow in love corporately (pushing people up the scale) • Helping one another reflect the imago dei
Growth in Community • A Corporate Identity versus and Individual Identity • Service to the body: childcare, clean-ups, finances, and participation • Worship as a corporate experience and not an individual one • Inviting people into the body of Christ and not just “my church” • Knowing the core values and practicing them together • COMMUNION
Growth in Community continued • Transparency • Actively seeking to deepen relationships within the body • Accountability, mentorship/disciple-making. • Recognizing your own brokenness and sin and SHARING IT! • Tell someone else your inner conflicts (why do I do this?!) • Actively making yourself available without strings attached • No gossip. No condemnation. • Reject, reject, and pray against fear of rejection • Pretense • False projections of the self • Stagnation due to “discomfort”
Growth in Community continued • Name Your Fears • Rejection • The Opinion of others • Loss of position or standing • Be Honest about where you are • In knowledge • In love of God, others, and self • In your desire to change
Multiplication • We Make Disciples of • Family • Coworkers • Classmates • Neighbors
Multiplication: Family • We Equip Parents through growth in knowledge and growth in love • Parents equip children • In knowledge • In love • Monitor conversion • The Community Helps • Lessons learned • Helping Equip and Reinforce
Multiplication: Coworkers and Classmates • Recognize that the people you work with bear his image • Show them love even when they show you hate • God will work • Be intentional about demonstrating good works for his glory (not your own) • Be intentional about sharing your testimony and looking for opportunities • Working for someone • Overheard conversations • Marriage and Parenting Stories • Your growth
Multiplication: Neighbors • Be intentional and get to know all your neighbors • Host a small group in your home • Block Party • Dinner invitations • Be intentional about demonstrating good works for his glory (not your own) • Be intentional about sharing your testimony and looking for opportunities • Working for someone • Overheard conversations • Marriage and Parenting Stories • Your growth
Multiplication: Neighbors • Be intentional and get to know all your neighbors • Host a small group in your home • Block Party • Dinner invitations • Be intentional about demonstrating good works for his glory (not your own) • Know them: Speak encouragement and love • Make yourself available to them
Multiplication: ABC Neighbors • Letter Writing • Make ourselves available • Promote VBS • Host Events • Visitations
Reformation of ABCPortland • Rewrite Constitution to reflect Core values • Reflect biblical emphasis on conversion and community in church membership • Reorganize Committees to reflect Core values • How does this align with our vision?