For that reason, the pastoral leadership team has established ten Spiritual Growth Goals taken from Acts 2:42-47. These are not only goals, they are commitments needed if we are to come even close to the dynamic of that first church. Here they are:
1. “Teaching”
– They devoted themselves to the
apostles’ teaching – systematic instruction in the message of God’s word.
2. “Fellowship”
– and to the fellowship – a devotion
to the shared life, to real relationships in authentic community.
3. “Worship”
– to the breaking of bread – a
devotion to a life of worship as a community.
4. “Prayer”
– and to prayer – a devotion to the
regular practice of prayer as a community.
5. “Miracles”
– Everyone was filled with awe, and many
wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles – an expectation of
the supernatural activity of God.
6. “Serving”
– All the believers were together and had
everything in common – a lifestyle of selfless service.
7. “Giving”
– Selling their possessions and goods,
they gave to anyone as he had need – a lifestyle of generosity.
8. “Assembling
together” – Every day they continued to
meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate
together with glad and sincere hearts – spending meaningful time together,
in small and large gatherings, as a covenant community.,
9. “Community
impact” – praising God and enjoying the
favor of all the people – having a positive, redemption impact on the
larger community.
10. “Evangelism”
– And the Lord added to their number
daily those who were being saved – healthy believers reproducing themselves
resulting in continual growth and impact.
While we continue to "do church" and "be the church," we want to keep these commitments in front of us. And, if God will see fit to pour out a "new Pentecost," we might actually see some of this in our day. "Transformed people transform the world."
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