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Restoring Unity: Answered Prayer, Intentional Actions

This article explores the theme of unity within the Body of Christ and the steps needed to achieve it. It highlights the importance of prayer, intentionality, and commonalities as Christians. It also offers a practical program called Adopt-a-Code to foster unity at the local and regional levels.

jbernardi
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Restoring Unity: Answered Prayer, Intentional Actions

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  1. Restoring Unity The season is here, now is the time

  2. Answered Prayer • Jesus prayed that we, the Body of Christ, would be “one” (John 17:20-23) • Leaders have prayed separately that we would be “one” • Evidence of the beginnings of unity have surfaced • Leaders and lay people have joined together to pray that we would be “one” • Reconciliation and restoration of severed relationships • Working together on issues impacting the church • Right to freedom of religion • Bathroom ordinance • Supporting our police force

  3. The unity we seek must be based on intentionality • We asked for unity through prayer. And now, the ability to unify is here. • We must respond to the answered prayer through actions. • By faith we hoped and prayed • By works we will achieve our desire.

  4. Intentionality • Unity is intentional • A deliberate, willful act • A choice to agree on essentials and disregard non-essentials • Willingness to work together for the common good; to become one to accomplish the will of God in the earth • Purposefully laying aside those things which could be used to divide: racial, territorial, economical, cultural, denominational differences. • Deciding to see beyond our differences and holding onto that which is common • Intentionally loving each other in word and in deed

  5. Commonalities as Christians We believe in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit We believe that God is the creator of Heaven and Earth We believe that God is Supreme and He is self-existent We belief that life continues beyond our physical death. We believe that salvation is available to all humanity and the right to eternal life can only be found in and through the Son of God, Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Bible was written by man but inspired by God We believe that we are called to love all people, to love God and demonstrate our love through good works.

  6. The Common Commission There are certain “works” that we are all called to do through love. These “works” are areas in which we can come together in unity to accomplish God’s will on earth.

  7. What Does Unity Look Like? Relationships are developed or restored Agreement on meeting goals or accomplishing tasks Wisdom, knowledge and expertise is shared Unconditional Love for everyone on the team Mutual Respect for everyone on the team (everyone is considered to be a co-laborer) Burdens are shared; Support is given Ideas are exchanged; All things pure Working together for transformation Slow to being offended, quick to forgive

  8. Set the Example Both the people inside the church and the people outside in the world need to see a unified church; that they may know that we are one; that they may see our good works and glorify the Father. We cannot expect a divided church to unify a divided nation. Unity must come from the church and spread abroad. We must be the light for everyone to see; We must be the example.

  9. Achieving Unity How do you get > 4000 churches in one city to unite as one? Communication is Key. We must all work together both at the local and regional level

  10. Working Together Locally If Charity begins at home then we’ll start there with the Adopt-a-Code Program! In the Adopt-a-Code Program, a leader voluntarily assumes ownership for his/her community, as defined by the borders of their zip code, where the church is located, in order to transform the community through unification with all/most churches within that same zip code/boundary. This Adopt-a-Code Local Leader would serve as the point-of-contact for communication exchanges to/from your Adopt-a-Code Regional leader and would be responsible for sending important communications to the Adopt-a-Code participating churches within their zip code.

  11. Zip Code based on church address assigned Church Leader Volunteers for the Adopt-a-Code Program and is accepted as a Local AAC Leader Local AAC will be responsible for uniting church leaders within that zip code Goal: Do at least 1 event together; leader or rep to go to each other’s outreach and/or community events Local AAC Leader to send City-wide events to Regional AAC Leader Regional AAC Ldr to notify all local AAC Ldrs of city event(s) Local AAC Leader will reconcile any broken relationships with church leaders in zip code, if applicable Each church leader determines if s/he and/or members/congregants will attend other events both within and without their zip code. Local AAC Leader will arrange/invite leaders in zip code to a church community meeting Church Leaders to determine type of community activity/outreach and when. Community Unity Event Coordinated and Completed Church leaders will inform Adopt-a-Code leader of their individual church outreach/community/prayer events per their discretion AAC Leader will disseminate to all church leaders within zip code

  12. Community Outreach Ideas • If a church in your zip code already has an upcoming event planned then churches in that zip code could get involved • Community Outdoor Picnic • Cooking Demonstrations or Kids cooking lesson • Mother’s Night Out • Free Car Wash; Community Talent Show • Curbside or door-to-door prayer • Health and Wellness Fair or Seminar (Finances, etc) • Mini-festival/Splash Day (Water slides, food, etc) • Back-to-school or School Year-end Party • Cleaning up Your Community • Arts & Sports Day (creative arts, dance, physical sports) • See a need…fill that need

  13. For More Information If you: • Would like to be an Adopt-a-Code Leader • Know someone who would like to be an Adopt-a-Code Leader • Have further questions Then please contact: Church on Fire Christian Center 16500 Boss Gaston Rd. Sugar Land, TX 77498 Donnell and Stephanie Vigers 713-294-9894/713-294-9638 www.churchonfirecc.org

  14. As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. ~Ephesians 4:1-6, NIV

  15. THANK YOU!

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