We Are BCA

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We Are BCA: Vision Weekend

Last time we started talking about 4 characteristics of great teams as described by a study in the Harvard Business Review.  Interestingly, the Bible has featured these keys to great teamwork for a long time.  The Bible may use different words, but the ideas are very much the same.  The first two characteristics of great teams are: A Compelling Direction (which we would call Mission) and a Strong Structure (or Organization & Preparation). This week we turn our attention to the remaining two characteristics: Supportive Context (Encouragement) and Shared Mindset (Conviction).

Characteristic 3: SUPPORTIVE CONTEXT – Encouragement

  • Key verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
  • Encouragement is God’s idea! And it’s something we take seriously at BCA. There are many ways you can be encouraged and can encourage others.  Consider these three:
    • JOIN A MINISTRY TEAM: Every ministry has a leader, every leader a team, and every leader a co-leader. Encouragement is built in!
    • JOIN A LIFEGROUP: There is something about doing life together with others. As we build community through face-to-face relationships, we put ourselves in an environment where we can be an encourager and also receive encouragement.
    • INVEST AND INVITE OTHERS: We encourage each other to reach out and invest in relationships with those who are unchurched and to invite them to church and faith. Doing this together as a team is a powerful way to succeed.
  • We build teams to encourage each other and help each other complete significant ministry tasks. This adds value and strength to God’s work – here at BCA, in Everett and Marysville, Snohomish County, and the world.

Characteristic 4: SHARED MINDSET – Conviction

  • Our common conviction is to reach more people for Christ (1 Cor. 9:22).
  • Some people live their life to make a point. As a church, we live to make a difference.
  • Remember: the message never changes! The methods we use to deliver the message does, but the message itself does not. The message is always Jesus Christ crucified, risen, and coming again. THIS our conviction.
  • We need to give of our time, talents, and treasure. If we are not giving sacrificially in all three areas, lives are lost.

What is God’s Dream for YOU?

  • What is your dream? What is God’s dream for you?  What is our dream as a church?  It’s all about people. Reaching out to more and more children, youth, and adults. Helping more and more people KNOW Jesus, GROW in Jesus, SERVE Jesus, and SHARE Jesus.  It’s important to us because it was first important to God.
    • Aren’t you glad someone shared God’s love with you?
    • Aren’t you glad that God’s love is available to everyone?
  • God wants to grow you to become more like His Son, Jesus.
  • To me, vision is the picture of a preferred future. More specifically, a picture of God’s future for us.
  • For us to accomplish our dream, God’s dream, we need to focus on 3 things:
    • Follow our GPS (God’s Positioning System).
      • Where are we and where does God want us to grow?
      • Each year it is important for us to take a week or two and reset/refocus on where God wants us to go individually and as a church community.
      • I want you to take the opportunity and really dial in where you are and where God wants you to be… even as we do this as a church.
    • Remain true to our mission, vision, and values: WE ARE BCA!
      • What matters most to us here is Jesus.
      • Mission: We want to KNOW Christ, GROW in Christ, SERVE Christ, and SHARE Christ.
      • Vision: We want to help more and more people KNOW Christ, GROW in Christ, SERVE Christ, and SHARE Christ.
      • We can spend time talking about the 100-year history of BCA and all of the great things that we’ve experienced, but I want us to think about how we need to get better and more committed and reach more and more people who desperately need Jesus.
    • Pray for more.
      • Would you pray with me? Pray for more precious children, youth, adults, seniors to come to know Jesus and follow Him with their whole heart.
      • It will always be about Jesus and people. How can we grow a ministry that makes a difference for Christ? And how can you be a participant and a fellow difference maker?

As we move into the Fall and are about to begin the 60-day challenge, here is a daily prayer that I would ask you to pray with me: “God, help us get stronger at all that you have called us to do, and help us reach out wider with more care and compassion than we have ever thought possible.”

Thank you for being a part of BCA. I’m looking forward to what God is going to do in and through all of us this Fall!