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The Parable of the SOILS
The thief comes to steal kill and destroy, but I have come to bring
life – and life in all its fullness
No Depth
Shallow
Deep
NONEGROWTH
Quick then
SCORCHED
Competing then
CHOKED
FRUITFUL
x30x60
x100
DEPTH
GROWTHTHE WHY
The WHY
I want to start by saying just two simple sentences about the church. First, the church
exists to worship God in Jesus Christ. Second, the Church
exists to make new disciples of Jesus Christ. Everything else is decoration. Some of it may
be very necessary, useful, or wonderful decoration– but it’s decoration.
The WHY
Our motive driving this priority (making disciples
and evangelism) for the Church is not, not, not –
never, never, never – that numbers are looking fairly
low and the future is looking fairly bleak. Never.
This is not a survival strategy.
The WHY
This is not to say I am in any way nonchalant about
the seismic challenge facing the church. But
evangelism is not a growth strategy. Of course we
want to see full churches. But this is not anxiety for
an institution, or worst still self-survival.
The WHYJohn Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople
who died in 407AD, said this:
“Nothing is more deadly than a Christian who is in different to the salvation of others. Indeed I won der if such a person can be a true Christian. To become
a disciple of Christ is to obey his law of love; and obedience to the law brings joy beyond measure and description. Love means to want the best for others, sharing with them the joy of love. So the
Christian feels compelled to speak to others about the law of love, and the joy of obeying this law. Of
course, many people are shy about speaking to others; in their case actions motivated by love will
be a most eloquent testimony. But those who are not shy will surely want to express their joy at every opportunity. There is no need to use fine
words or elegant phrases.”
The WHY
Our desire for growth is simply because
growth is about LIFE and we long to see as
many people as possible find this
LIFE
John 12
The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. But I have come that they might have life and life in
all its fullness!
DEANERY VISION
TO SEE HUNDRED’S OF PEOPLE BECOME DISCIPLES AND OUR WHOLE CITY
TRANSFORMED BY GOD’S LOVING RULE
DEANERY PLAN
EVERYONE A DISCIPLEEVERYONE A DISCIPLEMAKER
EVERY CHURCH A DISCIPLESHIP COMMUNITYEVERYWHERE A DISCIPLESHIP INVITATION
Colossians 1:28-29
He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we
may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the
energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
CULTURESTRUCTURE
SO FARSO GOOD
BATH DEANERY
KINGDOMDISCIPLEGOSPEL
CULTURE
An honest look at ourselves
Membership
3300
HealthSmall Groups
Children and families20-30’s
Mission contactsMaturity
Community LifeWorship
Buildings and financeStaff structuresSpiritual health
our future
DiscipleMembership
3330
The WHY
I want to start by saying just two simple sentences about the church. First, the church
exists to worship God in Jesus Christ. Second, the Church
exists to make new disciples of Jesus Christ. Everything else is decoration. Some of it may
be very necessary, useful, or wonderful decoration– but it’s decoration.