Ephesians 4:11-16Ephesians 4:11-16

11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11-16Ephesians 4:11-16

14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

Ephesians 4:11-16Ephesians 4:11-16

15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

Ephesians 4:11-16Ephesians 4:11-16

16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Ephesians 4:11-16Ephesians 4:11-16

Every MemberEvery Member

InvolvementInvolvement

Ephesians 4:11-16Ephesians 4:11-16

Growth is not:Growth is not:

Growth is not automatic – it is a choice.Growth is not automatic – it is a choice.

Growth is not instant – it is a Growth is not instant – it is a gradual process.gradual process.

Growth doesn’t happen by just Growth doesn’t happen by just attending church – you must attending church – you must develop habits.develop habits.

Growth is not:Growth is not:

Growth doesn’t happen just by yourself – Growth doesn’t happen just by yourself – you need others to grow.you need others to grow.

Growth is not measured just by beliefs – Growth is not measured just by beliefs – both beliefs and behavior must change.both beliefs and behavior must change.

God has a plan to God has a plan to grow the churchgrow the church

““God gave some to be Apostles, God gave some to be Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.”teachers.”

““to equip the saints for the work of to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,…” Christ,…”

Nature of these giftsNature of these gifts

ApostlesApostles

ProphetsProphets

EvangelistsEvangelists

Pastor/TeachersPastor/Teachers

The object of this sermon:The object of this sermon:

“… “…from whom the whole body, joined from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” ESVso that it builds itself up in love.” ESV

The object of this sermon:The object of this sermon:

“… “…from whom the whole body, joined from whom the whole body, joined and and held together by every jointheld together by every joint with with which it is equipped, which it is equipped, when each part is when each part is working properlyworking properly, makes the body grow , makes the body grow so that it so that it builds itself up in lovebuilds itself up in love.” ESV.” ESV

Several TranslationsSeveral Translations

““in whom the whole body is united and in whom the whole body is united and held together by every ligament with held together by every ligament with which it is supplied. As each individual which it is supplied. As each individual part does its job, the body builds itself part does its job, the body builds itself up in love.” ISVup in love.” ISV

““Under his control all the different parts Under his control all the different parts of the body fit together, and the whole of the body fit together, and the whole body is held together by every joint body is held together by every joint with which it is provided. So when each with which it is provided. So when each separate part works as it should, the separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up whole body grows and builds itself up through love.” TGNTthrough love.” TGNT

““The whole body depends on Christ, The whole body depends on Christ, and all the parts of the body are joined and all the parts of the body are joined and held together. Each part does its and held together. Each part does its own work to make the whole body grow own work to make the whole body grow and be strong with love.” NCVand be strong with love.” NCV

Hardin Valley Church of ChristHardin Valley Church of Christ2009 Goals2009 Goals

GeneralGeneral End every class in Grades 1 through 5 with End every class in Grades 1 through 5 with

an age-appropriate application of the Biblical an age-appropriate application of the Biblical principle studied during that class. principle studied during that class.

For each class (Middle school through adult), For each class (Middle school through adult), have one application project related to the have one application project related to the studied topic during each quarter. studied topic during each quarter.

Develop plans for Sunday morning worship, Develop plans for Sunday morning worship, small group and mid-week meetings that small group and mid-week meetings that effectively utilize Hickory Creek, and then effectively utilize Hickory Creek, and then Hardin Valley facilities. Hardin Valley facilities.

During 2009 develop a curriculum for During 2009 develop a curriculum for all Bible classes that all Bible classes that Eliminates duplication of studied topics Eliminates duplication of studied topics

and maximizes Biblical topics covered in a and maximizes Biblical topics covered in a 3 year span 3 year span

Emphasizes basic Bible knowledge Emphasizes basic Bible knowledge learning and retention through 5th grade learning and retention through 5th grade and age-appropriate conceptual and age-appropriate conceptual understanding and application of scripture understanding and application of scripture from middle school through adult from middle school through adult

Promote personal spiritual growth in all Promote personal spiritual growth in all ministries by an emphasis on scripture ministries by an emphasis on scripture application, service, prayer and fasting. application, service, prayer and fasting.

Involve every member in some ministry of Involve every member in some ministry of the church. the church. Collect involvement surveys from entire Collect involvement surveys from entire

congregation. congregation. Disseminate related information to the effected Disseminate related information to the effected

ministries. ministries. Determine degree of membership involvement Determine degree of membership involvement

Hold at least one congregational meeting Hold at least one congregational meeting during 2009 for members to discuss during 2009 for members to discuss anyany topic of interest or concern to themtopic of interest or concern to them

Hire a secretary for the congregation Hire a secretary for the congregation Identify ways and provide a plan to Identify ways and provide a plan to

enhance our existing college ministry enhance our existing college ministry Develop/Implement a comprehensive Develop/Implement a comprehensive

plan for transition into Hardin Valley plan for transition into Hardin Valley site after completion of Phase Isite after completion of Phase I

Develop descriptions for ministry Develop descriptions for ministry positionspositions

YouthYouth

Integrate youth minister more in Integrate youth minister more in congregational services.congregational services.

Involve youth more in our Wednesday Involve youth more in our Wednesday

evening services.evening services.

Outreach and InvolvementOutreach and Involvement

Conduct at least 6 Hardin Valley community-Conduct at least 6 Hardin Valley community-wide outreach and evangelizing activities wide outreach and evangelizing activities

Hold events that provide specific groups with Hold events that provide specific groups with opportunities to build deeper relationships opportunities to build deeper relationships

Retreats (men’s, women’s, youth, families, etc.) Retreats (men’s, women’s, youth, families, etc.) Have at least 50% of members active in some Have at least 50% of members active in some

phase of our local outreach or foreign mission phase of our local outreach or foreign mission effortsefforts

FacilitiesFacilities

Complete Hardin Valley facility to Complete Hardin Valley facility to support a 500-member congregation by support a 500-member congregation by December 31, 2009 December 31, 2009

EldersElders

Identify and meet members’ physical and Identify and meet members’ physical and spiritual needs, especially of those that may spiritual needs, especially of those that may be falling away. be falling away.

Evaluate effectiveness of leadership Evaluate effectiveness of leadership organization and modify as needed. organization and modify as needed. Identify ministry areas that need additional Identify ministry areas that need additional

assistance in order to be effective. assistance in order to be effective. Pray personally with every member facing Pray personally with every member facing

family, personal and health concerns. family, personal and health concerns.

EldersElders

Establish, conduct and encourage activities Establish, conduct and encourage activities that enhance spiritual growth that enhance spiritual growth

Age appropriate daily Bible reading Age appropriate daily Bible reading Richer prayer life (Wednesday prayer Richer prayer life (Wednesday prayer

meetings, mentoring / instruction in how to meetings, mentoring / instruction in how to pray, encouragement for special times of pray, encouragement for special times of prayer and fasting) prayer and fasting)

General spiritual mentorship of members General spiritual mentorship of members struggling with specific issues struggling with specific issues

Complete elder reaffirmation and selection Complete elder reaffirmation and selection process by December, 2009 process by December, 2009

Levels of CommitmentLevels of Commitment

CrowdCrowd

CommittedCommitted

CoreCore

CommissionedCommissioned

Flesh on the BodyFlesh on the Body

Flying GeeseFlying Geese

It will take all of us working togetherIt will take all of us working together