A Five-Year Plan (Acts 13:36)

Wayne Galloway
01/24/13 - N/A

Series: Additional Studies

Introduction:

1.  In recent months we have studied about the purpose of the church.  In addition to that study, in recent years we have given consideration to the scheme or plan of redemption.  More recently we have given consideration to the place of the temple in that plan and now in our studies of Isaiah we are considering the place of the kingdom of God in that plan. 2.  All of these themes are really only different aspects of the one plan of God to save mankind from sin. 3.  Our mission is to give ourselves to the accomplishment of that purpose—to serve the purpose of God, as David did and as Jesus did in His coming to seek and save the lost (Lk. 19:10). 4.  It is obvious from our studies that God is very purposeful in this work.  Acts 2:23 refers to Jesus being delivered over “by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God.”  Eph 1:11 says, “we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.” 5.  How we fit into the accomplishment of that purpose is critical, not just for our own salvation, but for the on-going work of the Lord in reaching others. 6.  It is appropriate that we plan and work a plan as we go about “serving the purpose of God in our generation.” 7.  What I am about to present to you is a plan about the next five years that the overseers have been working on for the past few months.

a.  It is a tentative plan.  We need your input, but perhaps this is a place to begin.

b.  It is an aggressive plan.  This means that we cannot just continue to do what we have been doing and achieve it.  It calls on you to do more.

Discussion:

I.  A look at where we are now.

A.  Given our purpose of preaching and teaching the gospel of Christ this is the place to begin our considerations.

B.  We are supporting and partially supporting four preachers.

1.  Myself—fully.

2.  Jaime Restrepo. (Please read the reports of these men as posted on Website.)

3.  Royce Chandler.

4.  Oscar Arias. (As a result of special contributions from an individual outside the congregation a significant amount of support is going to additional preachers in Colombia.  In addition I know some of you are helping to supporting individuals privately.)

5.  I am very thankful for what we are able to do.

6.  Henry and Sonia Jerez, from Bogota, will be here Feb. 17.

C.  We are constantly sensitive to the need of working on our teaching program here.

1.  Our Spiritual Heritage Curriculum in the children’s classes.

2.  High school class.

3.  Adult classes.

D.  Been doing two gospel meetings each year.

E.  Recently purchased property on each side of the building.

F.  Building and recently purchased property is paid for.

G.  Current budget $2700 weekly.

II.   In 2013.

A.  Continue support of those we are supporting.

B.  Work on Spanish language skills to help reach Spanish speaking in our area and abroad.

1.  Derek and Suzanne Todd are leading in this.

2.  You are soon to hear more about that.

C.  Enhance “Our Spiritual Heritage” Curriculum.

1.  Our plan is to get one of those ladies who helped design the curriculum to come here for a series of presentations.

2.  Highlight its purpose, advantage and use.

3.  With emphasis on the supporting the primary teaching responsibility of parents.

D.  Continue the use of Vacation Bible School.  Adult—different speakers.

E.  Considering the development of an additional adult class.

F.  Two Gospel Meetings Planned.

1.  April 14-19  Bob Owen.

2.  Nov. 10-15  Curtis Pope.

G.  Enhance website.

1.  Create members area.

2.  Pod casts.

3.  Work on development of section for young people.

H.  Continue development of library.

I.  Work to appoint additional elders.

1.  Sermons designed to teach about the qualifications.

2.  Followed by selection and appointment procedure.

III.  In 2014.

A.  Continue the work from 2013.

B.  Appoint additional deacons.

C.  Gospel meetings.

1.  Spring – Albert Dickson

2.  Fall – Ferrell Jenkins

D.   Begin a construction project expanding our facilities.

1.  Will need to have evaluated what we need.

2.  Will need to have come up with a plan for design and financing.

IV.  In 2015. 

A.  Continue and complete construction project.

B.  Continue the other aspects of our plan in teaching—strengthening saved and reaching the lost.

C.  Gospel Meetings.

1.  Dan Petty  Spring.

2.  Wilson Adams  Fall.

V.  In 2016.

Consider the hiring of an additional preacher here.

VI.  In 2017.

Consideration to Wayne and Phyllis spending 3 months of the year in Colombia teaching.

VII.  What is needed for such plans to be realized.

A.  Your continued faithfulness to the Lord.

1.  Avoid personal sin that weakens the effectiveness of our work.

2.  Come to instructional programs.  Participate.  Encourage others.

3.  Seriously use your time to accomplish the objectives.  Cannot see this as a recreational activity done when you have nothing else to do.    Accomplishing the purpose necessitates being purposeful and that requires sacrifice.  Not asking for everything at once, but consistency over time will have a cumulative effect.

4.  We must maintain our unity--first with the Lord and secondly with one another (Eph. 4:1ff).

B.   Cannot just keep doing what we have been doing.

1.  What we have been doing has gotten us to this point.  That’s good.

2.  Now we can go further.

3.  Give more.  Do more.   Pick something that you have never done and learn to do it.

a.  Prepare communion.

b.  Teach a class.

c.  Write a letter of encouragement to a Colombian preacher.

d.  Visit the website and read the reports of those we support.

Conclusion:

1.  There are many many things not addressed in this plan that will have to be as time unfolds. 2.  But perhaps this can be a rough draft and a point at which we can aim as we proceed. 3.  To the work!