2017 Victory Address

By Jonathan | January 16, 2017

Grasping the celestial heavens was but a fictional tale until the collective mental and physical prowess of countless souls united in the dream that eventually they’d “make one small step for man but one giant leap for mankind.” This unthinkable feet became possible by taking a rocket taller than a football field is long, weighing more than 250 full size school buses, requiring 7.5 million lbs of thrust to reach it’s cruising speed of more than 10 times that of sound called the Saturn V. The night of July 24, 1969 the imaginations of every man, woman, and child was drawn to the moon only to wonder where and what could we possibly do next?

I always enjoyed the stories that came from the space program. In many ways, it was and continues to be the pinnacle of human achievement. Yet, I can only wonder what could be of more importance?

The past two years have been busy and filled with strategic adjustments and fine tuning in the area of discipleship and this church’s mission to Love God, Love Others, and Make Disciples. We started with the launch of Neighborhood Groups, then drew up plans and commenced construction of the FirstPoint Ministry in conjunction with the Deacons Ministry Team, introduced StudyGroups and StudyGroup electives, and all the while working behind the scenes to build the dream that we can change the world through one-on-one disciple-making. I can assure you that every decision that has been made, and every move taken was done through considerable consideration and immersed in prayer.

I only say all this because the Discipleship ministry is more than just different kinds of small groups. It’s more than different events, studies, or programs. The discipleship ministry is about making-disciples who can make disciples. I have written a series of five blogs describing each branch of our ministry and what purpose it serves. These are available at NewLisbon.church.

But let me sum it up here.

We have learned how to do a very important thing very poorly. The American church is terrible at making disciples, meaning those who intentionally mature in Christ and his mission for our lives. For too many for far too long, church is an event on the weekend rather than a lifestyle during the week. This may not be your story, but it is the story of many and according to Barna, it is the story of increasingly more with each generation. I know many of us are concerned about the world and where it is going. Yet the answer is the gospel, and hope is the kingdom. Christ gave us the plan on how to fix the world, to go and make disciples. But the American church, at least, has gotten off track. It is time we relearn what Jesus did when he invited seekers, challenged followers, equipped workers, and sent out Disciple-makers. When we can do this, we are more than just going to church. We are the church.

Over the last two years, you have heard a lot about NeighborhoodGroups, StudyGroups, and seen the ongoing changes made by FirstPoint. Even now, our bulletin and Information center is full of StudyGroup elective opportunities to take your faith to a deeper level. We are offering an introductory series on the Story of the Bible, an in-depth series on the second half of Romans, a women’s study on 1 Timothy by Beth Moore, and our StartingPoint and WayPoint to not only get better acquainted with who we are but to help you get started in your faith journey.

What you haven’t seen, however, are the hours the leaders have spent meeting one-on-one with many of you to relearn what it means to be a disciple and disciple others. All these things we’ve done are in the service of one goal, to transform lives. We want to create an environment where the right leader can give the right word to the person in the right posture to receive victory.

In the coming year I can promise we will continue to make you aware about the possibilities that are out there for you to mature in your walk with Christ. You may even be asked to become a disciple of someone else, or participate in private studies and discussions that are meant to help. You may then be asked, when you are ready, to approach others and see about discipling them. This is what the Church of the first century did. And as Restorationists of the movement that tries to reanimate the workings of the first church, we too should embrace this method of growth.

Much like the NASA Engineers who spent years designing, building, adjusting, and fixing the Saturn V rocket to do what no man had ever done before, we have been building programs, policies, lessons, series, and leaders to prepare us to do what Christ himself has commanded, to change the world by making disciples. It required an unthinkable amount of thrust to lift that rocket, just as it will take an unthinkable amount of power for us. But our thrust comes from the one who laid the foundations of the earth and put the stars in their place and this King has asked us to do the unthinkable. Does this sound like a voyage you wish to endeavor? I hope so.

Thank You.