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Framing the Future of Your Church and Ministry I


n September, ONA held the second Framing the Future of Your Church and Ministry (FFCM) pastors and wives retreat at Holden Beach, NC. FFCM is a 4-step church vitality process designed to help pastors and church leaders discover  Rev. James Bills from Lifeline Community Church ARP and Rev. Brad Anderson from Edwards Memorial ARP Church share their experiences.


Did the overview of FFCM help you understand the process and give ideas about your church’s future or po- tential vision team members? James: The overview of FFCM helped me understand what causes a church or ministry to fade. In looking at the life cycle of a church, it becomes evident that the fade begins when those leading a ministry fail to keep a clear vision before the congregation. As I consider this, it helps me determine the potential vision team by giving thought to those who will actually uphold the vision with clarity so others will want to own it and share it with others. Brad:- munity is exciting, and we really want help in being guided through the process. I appreciate that this isn’t an equation  big personalities can accomplish. I pray this will be an organic process where our church will engage in needed discussion that will lead to Gospel impact, faithfully plodding along with the Lord’s guidance.


What did you learn about standing on your gospel identity in Christ and how that makes a daily difference? James: I learned that we need to have a stable sense of self and recognize that the Gospel gives us freedom which we


already have in Christ. We are not to work for identity because we have one in Christ Jesus. We are not to seek commen- dation now because it is coming (see Rev. 2:17). We are to place ourselves in the hands of our Savior and refuse to use  This helped me understand my propensity to seek from others what Christ has already supplied. Brad: It’s easy to get wrapped up into what our own concept of identity is, even as pastors-- feedback on sermons, how busy our visitation schedule is, what is the content of our library, etc. This piece of the weekend beckoned us to hone in on  seemed to sum it up: “We don’t work for our identity, we receive it.”


 Brad: It’s always great to meet other folks who are walking a parallel path with you to the glory of God. Having men and couples that are working through the same goals gives you the opportunity to compare notes and share ideas even if our contexts may vary greatly.


Would you recommend this to other pastors? James: Without a doubt, FFCM is a priceless gem, regardless of the fact that a pastor might be leading a thriving


church. It helps those who really want to be good under-shepherds of Christ to assess their calling and give thought to how the Kingdom of God can be established in this world. Being used by Christ to build His Kingdom is an honor and should produce in each of us a desire to provide that vision clearly. FFCM helps those with the vision to see the bigger picture and renews the desire to proceed despite  Brad: Yes, especially for those who need a little insight and pick-me-up to their own ministry. Sometimes you just need to get a foot in the door, or a helpful nudge in the right direction so your congregation can begin to think more intentionally about ministry in their own context.





Rev. Wayne Frazier  wayne@arpsynod.org 704-641-1317


Helping You Reach Your Community 14 The Associate Reformed Presbyterian


Outreach North America


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