Our Plan

Our Plan

For 2009 – 2012, we will be focusing on three areas for our family as well as three aims.  Below the plan is our Spiritual GPA’s which is how we discern, direct and deploy spiritual growth, abiding in the word and truly becoming worshippers.

  1. Reaching Up – Worship of our King is Priority.  Not just lip-service, but true spiritual and mental worship.  To love Him with our minds, hearts, souls and strength.  Our emphasis on worship begins with the Gospel and teaches us to grow deeper in His Word so that we might love Him more!
  2. Reaching Out – One of our core values is to “reflect the image of our community”.  In order to do this, we must be willing to be a part of all peoples and nations found within the Tri-Cities and the East Bay.  We will begin by focusing on our neighborhoods by being the hands and feet of Christ.
  3. Reaching In – We value family and consider the spiritual family of God the utmost testimony of God’s love for the world second only to that of a Marriage.  Learning how to minister to each other ‘in truth and in love’ is no easy task.  We are going to begin walking in a manner worthy of our calling and encourage each other in the process.
  4. Learn – We are here to LEARN Christ so that we might KNOW Him.  This is eternal life.
    John 17:3 (ESV)
    3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
  5. Love – We are here to LOVE Christ and in doing so we learn the Love of the FATHER and can Love others as Christ loves us.  We can only LOVE when we LEARN of the One who IS Love.
    1 John 5:3-4 (ESV)
    3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
    4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith.
  6. Live – We are to live in Christ alone.  There is no life outside of Christ for He is life.  If we Learn and Love Christ, we will Live according to His ways.
    1 John 4:7 (ESV)
    7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

SPIRITUAL GPA’s

(For all  Worship Services, Sunday School Classes, Discipleship Studies, and Small Group Gatherings)

(1) Gospel Position in Christian Living – Affirming God’s Holy Word:

  • Every instructor helps learners to establish gospel centrality in their studies and in their lives.
  • Every church member understands and can articulate what Christ’s gospel says.
  • Every church member can recite at least one Scripture on the gospel – See “Gospel Hub” below.
  • Every church member develops the habit of connecting every study/lesson to the gospel – the global redemptive purpose of God in reconciling the lost world to Himself through Jesus Christ.

(2) Gospel Provision in Christian Living – Absorbing God’s Holy Word:

  • Every lesson in all study groups is taught using Orthodox Reformed resources – Critical Discernment.
  • Every instructor must accept, believe, teach & uphold God’s total sovereignty over all matters & beings.
  • Every instructor must endorse and emphasize the 5x Solas in teaching and in living.
  • Every church member attends at least one weekly small group in addition to Sunday worship service.

(3) Gospel Power in Christian Living – Applying God’s Holy Word:

  • Every church member knows the distinction between:
    • Gospel Hub – E.g. Isa. 53:5; Rom. 3:24-25; 5:6, 8; 1 Cor.15:3; Gal. 1:3; 3:13; 1 Tim.1:15; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18; 1 Jn.1:7; Rev.1:5 …
    • Gospel Truths – E.g. Rom.5:1-2a; 6:10; 1 Cor.15:56-57; Eph.4:4; 5:2b; 23; 25b-27; Phil.2:5-11; 1 Pet.1:23; 1 Jn.4:7b-10 …
    • Gospel Conduct – E.g. Rom.5:2b-3a; 6:11-13; 1 Cor.15:58 ; Eph.4:1-3; 5:1-2a; 22, 24, 25a; Phil.2:4-5; 1 Pet.1:22; 1 Jn.4:7a …

GPA Model

  • Every church member sees the relationship between doctrine and exhortation, and thereby, learns to base “Gospel Conduct” on “Gospel Hub” and “Gospel Truths” in all aspects of life.

(4) Gospel Promises in Christian Living  - Appropriating God’s Holy Word:

  • Every instructor teaches learners to become Christian hedonists as the path to worship & holy living.
  • Every instructor teaches learners to see God’s glory in Christ in all circumstances and respond affirmatively in genuine worship – E.g. Job – True worship of God through Christ cures all problems.
  • Every instructor constantly and consistently alternates between talking “about” God and talking “with” God throughout each lesson, for worship is the God-honoring response to God’s revelation.
  • Every instructor strives to grow disciples with the ultimate intent of making true worshipers for God – God seeks worshipers, and corporate worship is the main event in heaven – Let’s practice it, Now.