Vision for Cross Lanes Church of Christ
Mission Statement
We exist to Worship God, Encourage the church, and Share Jesus
with others.
Our Vision for the Church:
To make disciples of Jesus Christ who submit themselves to God
through:

Worship

The Spirit

Prayer

Grace

Kingdom Living
Our task:
"Live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God will
come to know God because they know you."
2015 will be “The Year of Giving.” Giving requires more than money. Our
giving strategy will encourage us to give of our time, talent, resources,
experience, prayer, etc. Individually and collectively we will be encouraging
prayer and fasting for specific events, activities, and situations.
To assist us in our work this year, the following things are set as points of
focus for building a foundation for growth as a body of believers. One major
goal is to move from being a “once a week church.” The other major goal is
to increase our numbers by 50% in this year.
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I.
Prayer
a. Ephesians 3:14-21 -- For this reason I kneel before the Father, from
whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray
that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with
power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell
in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and
established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy
people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of
Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may
be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is
able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to
his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and
in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
b. Daily prayer for those who are lost and in need of Jesus. Prayer that
God will touch their hearts so we can plant the seed of the kingdom,
nurture it and wait for Him to give the increase.
c. Daily prayer for those who are in physical need. Pray that God gives
us opportunity to be involved in their lives to show compassion and
love.
d. Daily prayer for those who have left God. Prayer for soft and receptive
hearts to reclaim their relationship with Jesus.
II.
Structure
a. We can pray and God may bring people into our church but if we don’t
structure for growth we will never keep them. We must constantly
structure and restructure to allow for continued growth and to
maintain growth that has taken place. We should constantly be in
prayer about how we may need to structure and restructure the
classes (Sunday school, youth worship, teen activities), worship,
outreach, fellowship, etc. in our church. This includes our leadership
(elders and deacons) and who is put in charge of different areas and
responsibilities of ministry (teachers available, song leaders, greeters).
All things (outside of the Gospel message) in the church must be
subject to change as the need arises. And we need to be prepared to
address things that changing.
b. Since we do not currently have elders, there will be a
process/structure for moving forward with plans. This will be a
process that evolves over time with the anticipation of appointing
elders in the future.
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c. However, we do not want to be so structured that we suck the life out
of the body. There is a saying that rings true, “The more organization
you apply, the less actual life you may have.” Activities and structure
cannot be a replacement for life together as the church.
III.
Facilities
a. We need to ensure that our building and grounds are kept up to par.
It really doesn’t matter the type of facility, we need to take pride and
make the most attractive, clean, and usable facility that we can.
b. We need to do a facelift on the classrooms in the basement. The
floors, walls, doors, cleanliness and usability need to be addressed. If
we plan on having classes for all ages – we need to be prepared to
house those classes. If we plan on having babies – we need to have a
place for babies.
c. We need to make the front room a welcoming place. The foyer, the
bathroom, the copy room, etc. needs to be a place that screams “we
are glad that you are here.”
d. Lighting needs to be upgraded in all areas, especially in the
auditorium.
e. Landscaping and yard appearance should be kept as neat and clean as
possible.
f. Address the water leakage issue in the basement.
IV.
Advertising and Signage
a. People need to know that we are here. Upgrade the sign in the front
with correct information and up to date messaging.
b. Need to put the words back on the front of the building.
c. Take advantage of free advertising in the local newspapers,
community papers, regional shopper’s guides, etc.
d. Pay for an occasional newspaper add to run advertising our service
times, special events, partnerships, etc.
e. Sponsor local events by other groups. Even if it just gets our name
out there, it could be a positive return.
f. Our web address is www.crosslaneschurchofchrist.net.
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V.
Visitors/Seekers – Visitors/seekers are very important to the growth of our
church. For each visitor, make sure we…
a. Welcome them -- It’s important for all visitors/seekers to feel
welcomed, cared for, and accepted (Romans 15:7), but not
embarrassed. Visitors/seekers should never be put on the spot or feel
like they are on display.
b. Get visitors/seekers personal information -- Make sure to fill out
a card or sheet with each visitor’s/seeker’s basic contact information.
What is normally used is a visitor’s card requesting information such
as name, mailing address, phone number (home and cell), and email
address.
c. Contact them -- It’s imperative that visitors/seekers be contacted. A
letter should be sent to them first thing Monday morning thanking
them for visiting our church. In addition to the minister, someone
should be designated to send a letter out. By the end of the week, the
visitor/seeker should be contacted by phone as well. If they are open,
a home visit can be good.
VI.
Visitation of Members
a. The congregation needs to be visited and followed up on as well. If a
member of the congregation misses two or three weeks in a row, they
should be called or visited. We never know what they may be going
through.
b. I would rather have people complain because we loved them too much
than because no one ever called them when they left. If someone
leaves to attend another church, we should let them go. If they have
strayed from the body, we must go after them.
c. Regular visitation is needed as well. A phone call doesn’t take that
much time. Set apart a regular time to call people to see how they are
doing, pray with them, and show them you care. You’ll be amazed by
the results.
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VII.
Special Events
a. We need to have as many special events as we can. People will notice
the activity and want to be involved. Special events need to take
place on days other than Sunday. We can be creative in the things
that we offer. The activity will spark interest and create bonds within
the church that build community.
b. Friend’s Day used to be an annual occurrence at our church. I
encourage us to begin this special day again this year.
c. Continue the Unity Services with area churches of Christ on 5th
Sundays. Next one is schedule for March 29, 2015.
d. Community Day -- We can provide free clothes, food, groceries,
medical/dental care, haircuts, family portraits, kids’ games and a
prayer tent. We can do follow-up on all the people who signed cards
and asked for prayer. This can be an event that is coordinated with
other churches and volunteers.
e. Special Concerts and/or movies – Have local singing groups, college
choruses, national singing groups, etc. and invite the community as
well as other churches in the valley. Host a movie night for a popular
Christian based movie.
f. Special workshops – marriage workshops, Christian financial
workshops, church growth events, family and parenting workshops,
etc.
I realize that this is quite a list of things to consider and accomplish.
However, our anchor verse for the year is Luke 6:37-42. If we put our trust
in God and allow him to lead us we can “Give, a good measure, pressed
down, shaken together and overflowing.”
God bless us this year!
All things for Christ,
Michael
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