Church is not for the faint of heart..

Church is not for the faint of heart.

Apostle’s Creed9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:

There is a visible and invisible church… all true believers are members of the invisible (universal) church. ... all believers need to be a part of a local expression of that universal church.

What Does A Great Church Do?

“An organization’s success is measured against the

satisfaction of its stated mission” Jim Collins

What is the mission?Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT)

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

So, what’s a disciple?1. Follower of person or idea

somebody who strongly believes in the teachings of a leader, a philosophy, or a religion, and tries to act according to them

Question: Can one be a believer and not a disciple?

Theo becomes a believerThe question of whether he is automatically a follower has raged for centuries.

What Ross believes: All true believers purpose in their hearts to be a follower of Jesus – accept His Lordship – but to what extent depends on the volition of the individual – our salvation is not of works

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Sanctification is a joint venture between the Holy Spirit and the individual

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Super Christian?

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Desired Path

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Many of us ?

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Too many of us!

Mark 8:34 (NLT)Then he called his disciples and the crowds to come over and listen. “If any of you wants to be my follower,” he told them, “you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me.

Matthew 10:38-39 (NLT)If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will find it

God wants active followersAn active follower of Jesus Christ….

Someone who is committed and passionate about their faith and walk with Jesus

Demonstrated by:SEEKING TO GROW IN KNOWLEDGE,

WISDOM, AND DISCIPLINES…By studying Scripture…By actively striving for spiritual

disciplines participating in small groups Bible studies

Demonstrated by:SERVING THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH...By discovering ones gifts and talents...By learning how these gifts work...By actively using them

Demonstrated by:SHARING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHURCH ...By praying for its growth...By inviting the un-churched...By warmly welcoming those who visit...By giving regularly

Demonstrated by:SUPPORTING THE TESTIMONY OF THE CHURCH...By attending faithfully...By striving to live a godly life...By sharing Christ with others

The Mission of The Summit ... to take irreligious people and make them into active followers of Jesus Christ

To become a community of active followers of Jesus

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