Zero tolerance. They HAVE to happen. There are other things which are important, but for Meadow to be successful, these few HAVE to happen - no exceptions.
We HAVE to...
Create a "Wow" Sunday Experience. This includes doing our absolute best and pouring our resources and prayer and heart into our First Impressions, using pop/rock music, creating a concert/club environment and aesthetics, teaching content that relates to real life and always comes back to and invites peole into a relationship with Jesus (there is absolutely no fudging on this one!), teaching that content in a style that engages and connects, going overboard in our kids ministry with spiritual content and energy and graphics that rivals the hottest kids' shows, printing material (programs, info, flyers, brochures) that is top notch quality ... AND (I am going out on a limb on this one) it involves creating a Sunday morning venue for our teens where they can worship and be taught about a refreshing relationship with Jesus.
Get People TO the Sunday Experience. This involves every one of us pursuing relationships with those who do not go to church, praying for them, inviting them to Meadow, inviting them BACK to Meadow, and walking with them to full involvement. THIS IS THE #1 WAY PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT AND COME TO MEADOW!!! It also involves great marketing through newspaper, community bulletins, direct mail, and other means. Yes, this costs money and to a lot of people the cost does not equal the return. But there are 96,000 people in our county who are not in church and we have to invite them. And a great message presented in a great Sunday experience deserves the best marketing. Lastly, it involves every one who considers Meadow their church to make it a priority to be here. You will not grow spiritually and benefit from the experience if you are not here!
Provide Critical Spiritual Growth Opportunities. This involves three primary implications. First ... small groups. We have to build small groups that reflect what the Bereans did in Acts 17:11. They examined the Bible. They dug into it and tore it apart to discover God's truth for their lives. Second ... this involves "Meadowites" (or would that be "Meadowonians"!) serving in ministry where God has equipped and gifted you to serve. And third (again I am going to stir the pot here) ... I believe we need to go back (yes, I said go BACK) to a monthly worship event where we spend focused time in worship, prayer, communion, and connecting fellowship. Now there are several ramifications of this but as good as our worship is on Sunday mornings - it leaves the follower of Christ lacking and thirsting for more. Corporate worship is critical to a refreshing relationship with Christ.
Now ... for those who come to Meadow, you need to know that we have already begun taking steps to pump more energy and resources into these critical success factors. Changes are knocking at the door to make these happen. There have been and will be some more changes in ministry leadership. There are some things we are pulling the plug on and there are some things we have already begun to add and plan the plan. These are very exciting times!
Nailing these critical success factors pumps me up! We are going to be more focused, more effective - and we are going to see more adults, teens, and kids turn to Christ and then grow up in a refreshing relationship with Him! Dude...I can hardly sleep!
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