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WHY MEMBERS MATTER // brad paradis
The first and most obvious reason that members matter is because “members are usually people” and people matter. Have you ever heard of churches or maybe even been to one in which the church seemed all about their programs and not so much about the people? It is our desire to never be one of those churches. Yes, we have programs. Yes, we offer things for all ages. But the bottom line is that Faith is about Jesus and Jesus is about people. We are about people meeting Jesus, people getting invested in a local church and people serving other people.
At Faith, we have elders and pastors that oversee the ministry done through the church. Notice we aren’t saying that we have elders and pastors that do all of the ministry! This would not only be impossible; it would be contrary to what the Bible teaches. Ephesians 4:11-12 says, “He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ.” Our members are those who have chosen to invest in what God is doing through Faith. We take membership seriously, as you will see by the requirements we have to become a member and the high expectations we place on our members. The reason we do so is because we need our members! According to 1 Corinthians 12:7, each follower of Jesus is given spiritual gifts to be used for “the common good.” God has given each member here at Faith different gifts and talents to be used in the building up of the church and the carrying out of the mission. Without our members, we cannot carry out the mission Jesus has given us.
There is an old saying that “people never wash rented cars.” The truth is that some people never move beyond simply renting a church. They use all the resources that the church makes available to them, but they never care much about its health or reputation because they have never really become invested. It is true that we expect much of our members and there is little chance of a member being here long before they are asked to get involved somewhere. Yet, investment comes with the knowledge that you belong to something greater than yourself and are truly making a difference in the lives of others here in our community and around the world.
Jesus cares deeply for His followers. He cared so much that, according to Acts 20:28, He gave up His very life. As members of Faith, we profess to be followers of Jesus. Ultimately, this is the most important reason a member matters. In the next couple of pages, we will share with you both how you can become a member and the expectations we have of our members. It is our desire that you consider becoming a member here at Faith. We invite you to invest in the work God has been doing and will
continue to do through Faith. See if it doesn’t change your life!
THE HEALTHY MEMBER // brad paradis
What does a healthy church member look like? Since it is the mission of all churches to make disciples, a healthy church member should look like a healthy disciple. So what does a healthy disciple look like? Ephesians 4:1-3 says, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” The basic message of these verses is that we should live our lives as followers of Jesus (members of His family) in a way that corresponds with the tremendous calling He has put on us.
What is this calling? The word “church” itself means “those who are called out.” What have we been called out of? Just a couple of chapters earlier, in Ephesians 2, we see that those who have trusted in Christ for eternal life have been called out of spiritual death. We have been called out of bondage to ourselves and the devil. We have been called out from underneath the wrath of God, and we have been called out of sin. The passage goes on to say that we have been called to God’s amazing grace and mercy. We have been called to immeasurable riches. We have been called to eternal life. We have been called to good works.
So, once we understand what God has in mind by telling us to walk worthy of this most spectacular calling, how can we go about our lives, as members of God’s church, doing so? Ephesians 4:1-3 gives us four basic ways to walk in community with other believers in a way worthy of the call He has given to us.
ASHTRAYS FOR GOD // michael liter
Worship.
What is it?
It’s not only ‘singing,’ but it can be that. It’s not only on Sunday, but it can be then. It’s not defined by style or preference, but it can encompass many. When you were young (maybe not so long ago) were you ever given a lump of clay and encouraged to make something? Most of our parents were soon the proud recipients of an ashtray ‘just for them!’ Or maybe a one-of-a-kind paperweight for their desk to accompany the rock we painted the summer before. Worship is kind of like that... an ashtray for God. My parents didn’t need an ashtray - they didn’t smoke. Even if they did, they probably wouldn’t have used it (it was more of a ‘show piece’). God doesn’t need an ashtray. Even though He is a Consuming Fire Who led Israel in the form of a Pillar of Cloud and a Pillar of Fire... still, He doesn’t smoke. My parents displayed the ashtray I gave them because I gave it to them. I didn’t give it to them in hopes they would start smoking - it wasn’t about them ‘needing it.’ I gave it to them because it was the prize, it was the fruit. After all the work and ability and time I’d put into making it, they were the ones I want to give it to. It was the best I had to offer. I must report that the ashtray is no longer on display... it has been replaced over the years with newer ‘offerings’ — some even usable.
God is worthy of the best we have to give Him. Our best may appear to us like an ashtray for God, but for Him it is about who it’s from and about being a Father worthy of receiving the best we have to offer Him. All of the work and ability and time we put into making it can never be about Him ‘needing’ it. He deserves it! “God is spirit and His worshipers must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). We worship the Living God in relationship. So whether you sing, dance, build, sew, cook, administrate, write, crunch numbers, drive, teach, or whatever it is you do - do it unto the Lord. “For I am a Great King, says the Lord of hosts, and My Name will be honored before the nations” (Malachi 1:14). He will be worshipped regardless. If we don’t worship Him, the rocks will cry out (Luke 19:40)... but He’d rather receive worship from those He’s made in His image - from those He created to have a relationship with Him - from us. Therefore, be encouraged to worship Him through every facet of your life. Seek to fear Him rightly. Stand in awe of who He is. Acknowledge His worthiness. Worship Him in the splendor of His holiness, and, when we have opportunity to gather corporately as the Body of Christ - be it Sunday mornings or whenever - let us worship Him together in song through our testimonies and in His Word - ascribing to Him the glory due His Name; living for the praise of His glory!
A PHILOSOPHY OF SMALL GROUPS // rich paradis
// TRANSFORMED LIVES
It is easy to prove that most transformational learning occurs in the small group setting. While we celebrate together in the Worship services, the place where your life can most likely be changed is in a small group of folks that are committed to the Bible and to one another.
// REACHING PEOPLE
The small group ministry of any church is that place where people are “reached” for Christ. While evangelism can occur in many different locations and by many methods, there is no question that the person that connects to a small group is a better candidate to make a life-long commitment for Christ.
// TEACHING PEOPLE
Without question, the “textbook” for all of our small groups is the Bible. We believe the Bible is the best material available for us to study. Whatever the age group that is meeting, God’s Word should be at the center of all its activities.
// BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
A person or family that can make no friends in the first days and week of attending a new church will most likely fade away never to be seen again. A small group can make “connecting” a reality by providing friendships, accountability and opportunities for service.
// PRAYER
The small group that prays together stays together. A great health measurement of any small group’s effectiveness is its ability to effectively pray together. A small group that can share their lives with one another in times of meaningful prayer will enjoy effectiveness and a closeness that can’t be matched.
// FELLOWSHIP
One of the great myths of the church today is that “times of fellowship are essentially wasted time.” Times of fun and fellowship are the “glue” that can hold a group together, even after they may stop meeting regularly. Shared memories and stories build churches and fellowship in small groups is a great opportunity to do both.
// LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
A small group offers the opportunity for many of the attendees to have a stake in the group’s outcome. Many of our future leaders emerge as they find the opportunity to use the gifts that God has given them to help build up the Church.
// MISSION ORIENTATION
Whether the mission field is across the ocean or across the street, the small group can be the “conduit” to the world from the local church. “Engaging the world for Christ” begins as the small groups takes up this charge. Small groups are a BIG part of the overall ministry of Faith Baptist Church! I think it can safely be said that if you are not a part of a small group you will not enjoy the fullest experience possible as an attendee or member of this church. What are we trying to accomplish with our small groups? The Small Group is a place to “Connect,” “Grow,” and “Engage” for folks of all ages.
ENGAGE // tim sexton
Our ENGAGE goal is for every member to be living on-purpose and on-mission to interact with those who need Jesus, serve them, and share the Gospel in a way they can understand and to which they will respond. Our desire is to foster an environment of creativity in which each person will engage the world in a way that is unique to their vocation, talents, interests, and stage of life. Through this creativity many diverse kinds of people will hear about Jesus, see His life lived out in His people, and accept Him as Savior. Our desire is that you will begin to make the changes necessary in your life so you can begin ENGAGING the world for Christ. Here are opportunities we offer that can help:
// THE ENGAGE CLASS
Learn how to make strategic steps toward becoming an ENGAGING Christian. Learn how to share the Gospel and how to intersect your life with those who need Jesus. This 6-week course is offered five times a year.
// ENGAGE WEEKEND
Join with your Sunday School class to do a one-day service project to meet a need in our community. Then see what God would have you be a part of all year!
// SHORT-TERM MISSION TRIPS
Teams are mobilized every year for many different kinds of outreach throughout the world. From street preaching in Central America to Soccer Camps in Vermont, from English Camps in Asia to construction trips in the Gulf Coast (and more!), Faith goes global to meet needs and share Jesus all over the world.
// VISITATION & SERVANTHOOD EVANGELISM
Join with your Sunday School class to care for recent guests at Faith worship service or outreach event. Or go out and serve our community by cleaning public restrooms, paying for Laundromat services, and more. Every Wednesday we begin in the Worship Center Foyer @ 6:30 PM.
// FOOD PANTRY & CLOTHING EXCHANGE
Serve like Jesus served by meeting real needs in our community. The Food Pantry is open to the public two Thursdays a month, and the Clothing Exchange happens twice a year. Volunteers are needed for behind-the-scenes and face-to-face ministries.
// RECREATION
Upward Basketball and Cheerleading, Softball, and Volleyball - oh my! Recreation ministry is the front door into Faith for many unchurched families each year. You can coach, serve behind-the-scenes, or participate and invite a friend who needs Jesus.
// TRUTH IN ACTION
This disaster relief & construction ministry seeks to meet needs in our area and around the world. If you have skills in construction or just love working hard for Jesus while helping someone in need, the Truth in Action ministry is for you!
// PUBLIC SCHOOL MINISTRY
We are currently working on development ministries that will serve the public schools. Mentor an at-risk student, adopt a teacher, donate food or school supplies for an underprivileged child, help a family at Christmas, and other opportunities will be available.
Ready to Engage the world for Christ? Contact Tim Sexton, ENGAGE Pastor @ (919) 556-3420 // tim@faithnc.org.