What is it?
"Imagine... the fully devoted life" is a church-wide spiritual growth campaign the Lord has placed on my heart. The material we will use was written by my friend Tim Passmore who is the pastor of Woodland: A Community Church in Bradenton, FL. Tim wrote the material for his own congregation to grow closer to the Lord. I had heard about the awesome ways God was blessing them during their spiritual growth campaign. The same day I was going to call and ask Tim if I could borrow his material, he called me! He said, "Ricky, God has placed you and your great church on my heart. I believe God wants you to take the study I led our church through and lead your church through it." Friend, God had my attention! The campaign includes coordinated worship experiences, video and discussion oriented LifeGroup studies, personal devotional-time, and impact events designed to help you grow in your walk with Christ. We will focus on growing in our relationship with Christ in four key areas:
1. Testimony: Imagine knowing where you stand in Christ, remembering where it started, and sharing your story openly.
2. Time: Imagine hungering for God and managing opportunities to live for Him.
3. Talents: Imagine the difference you will make in our community and world when you exercise concern for others.
4. Treasure: Imagine investing some of your resources in things that make a difference into eternity while also learning to conserve available resources.
When is it? August 2---October 4 (Sundays, 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.)
What will I need?
We will provide you with resources that contain biblical instruction, as well as practical exercises to assist you in growing as a committed follower of Jesus Christ. These resources will be available at the church before and after services. All you will need to supply is a hunger to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ!
Why are we changing the beginning time of the first Worship service and LifeGoup hour to 9 a.m.?
I truly believe that for us to get the most out of the worship experiences and the LifeGroup interaction that we need fifteen extra minutes. Otherwise we will be rushed and may not have the time we need to really focus on God and respond to His leading. Therefore, the deacons and I decided to begin the first service and LifeGroup hour at 9 a.m. instead of 9:15. The second service and LifeGroup hour will begin as usual at 10:30 a.m. I know that this change is a small inconvenience for many of you, but it will be worth it in the long run. Surely this is not too much to ask during this campaign in light of what our Lord did for us on the cross!
How can I get the most out of this spiritual growth campaign?
1. Join a LifeGroup. If you are not already attending a LifeGroup please join one. As your pastor, as the one God has charged with your spiritual growth, I am asking for 100% participation of our members. We will have sign-up cards available at church for you to get involved. Otherwise, you will be missing a MAJOR portion of this campaign and will not get the true impact of what the Lord wants us to do. You only have to join for the duration of the campaign, but you will not regret it.
2. Get a book. Everyone will need a book. You will use the book during the LifeGroup video teaching, and for your personal reading during the week. We will make the books available at church before and after services as soon as they arrive.Imagine…the fully devoted life.
3. Mark your calendar and plan on being in each worship experience and LifeGroup meeting.
4. Pray for God to work in a great way in our individual lives, our homes, our church, and our community.
