Strengthening Community and Faith Through Connection

 

Summary

Reflecting on our journey as a church, it's essential to evaluate where we've been and where we're headed. This year, we introduced a survey to gather your feedback, and we're grateful for the 50% response rate. Your insights are invaluable, and they help us understand how our ministry impacts your faith. Remarkably, 85% of respondents shared that their faith has been strengthened through our church's ministry, which is a testament to God's blessings upon us. This is a primary measure of our church's health, and it's encouraging to see that many of you are connecting beyond Sunday services, embodying the true essence of community.

Our strengths lie in preaching the Word of God faithfully, without shying away from difficult topics. This commitment to Scripture is a cornerstone of our ministry and has been instrumental in strengthening our faith. Additionally, our life groups and community gatherings are thriving, offering various opportunities for connection throughout the week. About half of our congregation participates in these groups, and we hope to see more of you join.

Support and relationships are vital aspects of our church. Many of you have experienced the love and care of our community during times of personal struggle, illness, or loss. This support is a reflection of our commitment to being there for one another, whether through financial assistance, companionship, or prayer. Prayer has transformed our church over the past four years, and we are now a praying church in ways we never were before.

While we celebrate these strengths, we acknowledge areas for growth. Concerns about our size and the engagement of young people and families are shared nationwide. Our growth model focuses on experiencing God's love, reaching out to others, and fostering connections both within and outside the church. This relational approach is working, albeit gradually, and we encourage you to continue inviting others and praying for our community.

Lastly, we recognize that not everyone feels connected. We apologize to those who feel disconnected and are committed to improving communication and inclusivity. We urge you to reach out to us, as we strive to ensure everyone feels connected to both our community and God.

Key Takeaways

- Strengthening Faith: The survey revealed that 85% of respondents felt their faith was strengthened through our church's ministry. This highlights the importance of a faith community that nurtures spiritual growth and the role of God's blessings in our journey. [02:07]

- Community Beyond Sundays: Church is not confined to Sunday services; it's about building a community. Many of you are meeting regularly outside of church, which is vital for fostering deeper connections and living out our faith in everyday life. [03:42]

- The Power of Prayer: Over the past four years, prayer has become a transformative force in our church. This shift underscores the significance of prayer in our spiritual lives and its impact on our community's health and growth. [03:42]

- Growth Through Relationships: Our growth model emphasizes experiencing God's love and building relationships. By connecting with others both inside and outside the church, we create a supportive network that fosters spiritual and communal growth. [05:45]

- Addressing Disconnection: We acknowledge that not everyone feels connected, and we are committed to improving this. It's crucial for each person to feel a sense of belonging and connection to both the community and God. [07:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction to the Survey
[01:15] - Survey Response and Impact
[02:07] - Strengthening Faith
[02:45] - Community Beyond Sundays
[03:42] - Support and Relationships
[04:30] - The Power of Prayer
[05:00] - Serving and Volunteering
[05:45] - Growth and Size Concerns
[06:30] - Growth Model Explained
[07:19] - Addressing Disconnection
[08:00] - Encouragement to Connect
[08:30] - Closing Remarks

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
3. James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

#### Observation Questions
1. What percentage of survey respondents felt their faith was strengthened through the church's ministry, and why is this significant? [02:07]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of community beyond Sunday services? [03:42]
3. What transformation has occurred in the church regarding prayer over the past four years? [03:42]
4. What concerns were raised about the church's size and engagement with young people and families? [05:45]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the commitment to preaching the Word of God, even on difficult topics, contribute to the strengthening of faith within the church community? [02:07]
2. In what ways do life groups and community gatherings contribute to the church's mission of fostering deeper connections? [03:42]
3. How has the church's focus on prayer impacted its spiritual health and growth? [03:42]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of feeling connected to both the community and God, and how can this be improved? [07:19]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own experience with the church community. How has it strengthened your faith, and what specific aspects have been most impactful for you? [02:07]
2. Are you currently involved in any life groups or community gatherings? If not, what steps can you take to become more engaged with the church community beyond Sunday services? [03:42]
3. How can you incorporate more prayer into your daily routine, and what impact do you hope it will have on your spiritual life and the church community? [03:42]
4. Consider the church's growth model focused on relationships. How can you actively participate in building connections both inside and outside the church? [05:45]
5. If you feel disconnected from the church community, what specific actions can you take to reach out and foster a sense of belonging? [07:19]
6. How can you contribute to making the church a more inclusive and welcoming environment for others, especially those who may feel disconnected? [07:19]
7. Identify one person in your life who might benefit from being part of the church community. How can you invite them to join and experience God's love? [05:45]

Devotional

Day 1: Strengthening Faith Through Community
The church community plays a vital role in nurturing and strengthening individual faith. According to a recent survey, 85% of respondents reported that their faith has been strengthened through the church's ministry. This statistic underscores the importance of a supportive faith community that encourages spiritual growth and provides a space for individuals to experience God's blessings. The church's commitment to preaching the Word of God faithfully and addressing difficult topics has been instrumental in this process. By engaging with Scripture and participating in church activities, members are able to deepen their understanding of their faith and grow spiritually. [02:07]

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." (Matthew 18:20, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your church community has been instrumental in strengthening your faith, and how can you express gratitude to them this week?


Day 2: Building Community Beyond Sundays
Church is not just about attending Sunday services; it's about building a community that extends into everyday life. Many members of the congregation are meeting regularly outside of church, which is crucial for fostering deeper connections and living out their faith in practical ways. These gatherings provide opportunities for individuals to support one another, share experiences, and grow together in their spiritual journeys. By participating in life groups and community gatherings, members can form meaningful relationships that enrich their lives and strengthen their faith. [03:42]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally connect with someone from your church community outside of Sunday services this week?


Day 3: The Transformative Power of Prayer
Over the past four years, prayer has become a transformative force within the church community. This shift highlights the significance of prayer in the spiritual lives of individuals and its impact on the overall health and growth of the community. As members have embraced prayer, they have experienced its power to bring about change, provide comfort, and strengthen their faith. The church's commitment to becoming a praying community has fostered a deeper connection with God and one another, creating a supportive environment where individuals can grow spiritually. [03:42]

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine, and what specific area of your life do you need to bring before God in prayer today?


Day 4: Growth Through Relationships
The church's growth model emphasizes experiencing God's love and building relationships both inside and outside the church. By connecting with others, members create a supportive network that fosters spiritual and communal growth. This relational approach is working gradually, as individuals reach out to others and invite them to experience the love and support of the church community. By focusing on relationships, the church is able to address concerns about size and engagement, particularly among young people and families, and create an environment where everyone feels valued and connected. [05:45]

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling." (1 Peter 4:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone outside of your immediate church circle that you can reach out to this week to build a new relationship or strengthen an existing one?


Day 5: Addressing Disconnection and Fostering Inclusivity
While the church celebrates its strengths, it acknowledges that not everyone feels connected. The leadership is committed to improving communication and inclusivity to ensure that each person feels a sense of belonging and connection to both the community and God. Members are encouraged to reach out and express their needs, as the church strives to create an environment where everyone feels valued and included. By addressing disconnection, the church can continue to grow and thrive as a supportive and inclusive community. [07:19]

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." (Ephesians 2:19, ESV)

Reflection: What is one step you can take to help someone in your church community feel more connected and included this week?

Quotes

"We just had some summary information we wanted to give you. We'll probably talk more about this in our annual meeting coming up in a few weeks. But we wanted to give you an early look. So the first one, we had 48 respondents and we have about 100 people in church every Sunday. And you might be thinking that that's not great, but a 50 % response rate on a survey like that is huge. So thank you for doing that. We're still taking those responses. It's probably buried in your email now, but if you want to go back and fill it out, we'll still evaluate them and put them all back in. And we got some comments even on Friday, I think, that we talked about on Saturday." [00:01:31]

"so, actually 43 or 44 of the people that filled that out said their faith had been strengthened as part of the ministry of Crosspoint Church in the last year. I mean, that's amazing. That's what we're trying to do, right? And the fact that so many of those respondents felt like their faith had been strengthened by the ministries of Crosspoint Church, we feel like God has really been blessing our church, and that's probably the primary measure of health. So the fact that that's been happening is tremendous. Amen? That was great. And then the other thing that I really loved is that many, many, many of you are connecting outside church on Sunday morning. We say all the time that church is not the building, it's not the event we have on Sunday, it is the community, and you are doing that." [00:02:11]

"Many of you responded to the way we do sermons based on the Word of God and not popular topics of the day, that we preach right from the Bible every verse. Of course, Pastor Mike's not afraid of doing difficult or hard sermons because that's what the Bible says. And we really appreciate that, and that's part of what's strengthening our faith." [00:03:25]

"We also talked about the life groups and communities, which, by the way, is not just on Thursday. There are life groups that are happening all week long, some in the day, some at night, some on the weekend. And there are different ways to get connected depending on your community and what you need. And we want to do that. Not all of you do that today. We've got a really great connection. About half of us attend. At least one of those kinds of groups. We'd love to see that number grow higher." [00:03:42]

"many of you who have struggled with loss had personal illness or injury have felt the love of the of the community back to you uh and i i love that that's what we're trying to do sometimes it's financial support sometimes it's driving to the hospital sometimes it's just being there but we're taking care of each other which is a really great sign that's exactly what we want the prayer was mentioned specifically uh one of the things we did is we looked back at our goals in the past and in 2021 the elders i don't think any of us besides pastor mike were on the elder board at that time the elders got together and talked about the things that were important and prayer was on that list so in the last four years prayer has transformed our church thanks thanks to duane but really to god and the other people that are on that prayer committee" [00:04:11]

"We are a praying church now in a way we never have been, and we're all feeling the results of that. Amen?" [00:04:59]

"And then we are serving together and volunteering, and the way we're not only serving each other, but serving our broader community is also impactful. So these are the things we want to be known for and the things we want to be doing well. You also said the church is a welcoming, friendly, family -oriented place, and those are all great things. But we still have work to grow, and we really appreciate people who felt comfortable enough to share some negative answers or things that you're not or maybe need to grow in." [00:05:06]

"has shrunk every single year since 1995, this isn't a new thing, until 2023. The last two years we've grown and we continue to grow. So that's a blessing from God, amen?" [00:05:45]

"And our size is not really dissimilar from nationwide what's been happening in churches across the country." [00:06:01]

"Our model for growth goes like this. We want you to be blown away by God's love in your life. That's the most important thing. And to have that change how you see the world." [00:06:09]

"Then we want you to bring those two things together, the people you know in church and the people you know outside of church. Connect them together. Go fishing, go camping, do whatever you do. Do that together with other people from church. And we'll grow that way. And we are doing that. Many of you who are here today are here because someone invited you from the church, not through a flyer, not through some fancy thing, but because we're growing in relationship. That's the way, that's our growth model. And it is working. Maybe it's not working by, you know, hundreds of people every year, but we are growing in strength and we appreciate that. So please, please keep doing that and please keep praying." [00:06:43]

"the the last thing is not everybody many of you appreciate the growth and focus on community and family and connecting with each other not all of you feel connected and probably some of you that didn't fill out a survey are in that group so let me just say I'm sorry that you don't feel that way we want every single person who watches us online or is connected with this church to feel connected to people and to God and if you don't do that we want to fix that some of that is on us being better at communication and being better all of us can be better at being inclusive but also we want you to reach out to us so please go to the connections desk come talk to us and we want you to feel connected that's that's really really important to us and we hope that you will do so in the future" [00:07:28]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?