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2015 California Cooperative Association of Missionary Baptist Workshop Mountain Claimers For Christ! Joshua 14: 12

Mountain Claimers for Christ! Joshua 14: 12

Session One Reaching Our Cities A look at our Multi-cultural fields.

Purpose To Discuss Timely Topics and Share Ideas For Ministering To Our Communities.

Now therefore, give me this mountain … Joshua 14: 12 Are You A Mountain Claimer for Christ?

Now therefore, give me this mountain … Joshua 14: 12 What Mountain Will You Climb for Christ?

Why This and Why Now? Ø The Need is Real. Ø The Challenge Confronts All of Us. Ø The Question Is Simple: What Are We Going To Do In Response To The Need That Confronts Our Churches?

Now therefore, give me this mountain … Joshua 14: 12 The Mountain I Had To Face!

A Quote To Consider: “Today, may we, the people of God, be as Caleb and have a vision in good and bad times, up and down times, of what God has in store for us and what we can accomplish for Him…

A Quote To Consider: Ø Have we forgotten how to dream? Ø Have we lost our ability to think big?

A Quote To Consider: Ø Have we wallowed in mediocrity so long that we are satisfied with it? Ø Do we have any idea what we can accomplish if we have a vision and claim God's strength? " Robbie Horn Young Adult Sunday School Fall Quarterly Page 92.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4: 13 With Christ, All Mountains Are Climbable!

Next Speaker Brother Kevin Rachel Pixley Missionary Baptist Church Pixley, California

Overcoming Stereotypes The Christian and Prejudice

Key Verses – Acts 17: 26, And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,

Key Verses – Matthew 22: 39, And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ’

Key Verses – Luke 10: 29, 36 -37, But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor? ”… 36”So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves? ” 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him. ” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise. ”

Prejudice is Ugly Because prejudice is ugly, we generally do not want to admit to perpetrating it. As followers of Christ we should be the most prejudice-free people of all.

What the research shows. So much for the ideal. What is the reality? Here we find a paradox. More than 25 years ago Gordon Allport pointed out that social and psychological scientists have observed that, "on the average, churchgoers are more intolerant than non-churchgoers. “ v Gordon W. Allport, Personality and Social Encounter (Boston: Beacon Press, I 960), p. 257.

What the research shows. More recently, Daniel Batson and Larry Ventis have concluded: "At least for White, middle-class Christians in the United States, religion is not associated with increased love and acceptance but with increased intolerance, prejudice, and bigotry. “ v C. Daniel Batson and W. Larry Ventis, The Religious Experience: A Social. Psychological Perspective (New York: Oxford University Press, 1982), p. 257.

Causes The Belief in Special Revelation (God’s Word). If God has given us truth, we must be right. If we are right, others must be wrong. This can cause one to feel that cultural differences are the issue and not differences in belief.

Causes Chosen people. Closely related to the belief in revelation is the belief in election: God has chosen my group (church) in some special way. Our group is the “in-group” which means everyone else is the “out-group” which can generate distrust, fear and hostility towards that group. This can lead to a conclusion that because they are not “in” they must be labeled as such (not part of us).

Causes Focus on salvation. A concern for after-this-life personal salvation may lead to lack of concern for the temporal plight of people. At times there is a feeling that they “deserve” what they get because they are not “like us. ”

Causes Need satisfaction. It is a psychological truth that behavior results from the attempt to satisfy needs. Prejudice most often serves a need to feel superior.

Causes Religious conservatism. By its very nature the Lord’s church is an agent of conservatism. The Lord’s people worship a God who changes not. Church-goers may perceive members of outgroups as threatening the stability and permanence of their way of life.

Undermining Prejudice Where prejudice provides feelings of selfimportance and self-worth by deeming others unworthy, the Lord’s people can provide these feelings more thoroughly and more firmly by offering the same embrace the prodigal’s father offered both his sons.

Undermining Prejudice Where prejudice promotes the feeling of belonging to an "in" group in the face of isolation and loneliness, and builds a sense of group uniformity by creating artificial separations between this group and the “outs, " the Lord’s people can find ways, both large and small, to create a sense of true belonging.

Undermining Prejudice Where prejudice helps people cope with a terrifying world by enclosing them in small fortresses, the Lord’s people can show them that they need not try to save themselves. That has already been done.

What is Prejudice? Prejudice is an attempt to guarantee our selfworth by certain protective structures. "Your personal worth does not need such fragile guarantees. It is already guaranteed by One whose guarantee is unchallengeable and unchanging. " James E. Dittes, Bias and the Pious (Minneapolis: Augsburg Pub. House, 1973), p. 92.

Next Speaker Brother Mike Olson First Landmark MBC South Gate, California

Barriers or Opportunities?

Barriers

Opportunities

It’s All About: Perspective Persistence Relentless Resilience

One Size Doesn’t Fit All! A Variety Of Approaches: Ø Redlands Ø Bellflower Ø Long Beach

Next Speaker: Brother Tim Chambers First Missionary Baptist Church Redlands, California

Follow Through

Desire Romans 10: 1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Willingness Romans 7: 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh, ) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Spirit Lead Acts 13: 2 -4 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Spirit Lead So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. Acts 13: 2 -4

Do It 2 Cor. 8: 1 -5 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

Do It Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 2 Corinthians 8: 1 -5

Do It 2 Corinthians 8: 11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

Next Speaker: Brother Eric Brown First Missionary Baptist Church Bellflower, California

FMBC OF BELLFLOWER MINISTRY MODEL

The Motivation Behind the Change v In 1999, the church leadership re-committed themselves to reaching the Bellflower community. v With the commitment to stay, the church was forced to consider the reality of a changing city. v Bro. Coffman began a committee called the transformation committee to look at the demographics of the city of Bellflower and create a plan to reach the city with the gospel.

Bellflower Demographics v Population: 77, 593 (2013) v Population Make-up Ø Hispanic - 40, 187 (52. 0%) Ø White alone - 14, 326 (18. 5%) Ø Black alone - 10, 531 (13. 6%) Ø Asian alone - 10, 178 (13. 2%) v Estimated median household income in 2012: $47, 785 v Percentage of population affiliated with a religious congregations: 58. 08%. Read more: http: //www. city-data. com

How We Function As A Church v We have two separate worship services Ø We preach the same text or topic in both services. Ø We typically sing the same songs Ø We have combined services every 5 th Sunday Ø Sunday Schedule § 9: 15 English Worship § 9: 45 Spanish Sunday classes (Children classes) § 10: 30 Fellowship Time § 11: 00 Spanish Worship English Sunday School

How We Function As A Church Ø We have lecture/ lab model for our small groups. Ø We take the Lord’s Supper together. Ø We have business meetings together. Ø We have fellowships together. Ø We do outreach together. Ø We seek to have a combined leadership group(s).

Challenges v The pull to function as two different churches is a constant battle to address.

Advantages v More resources to reach Bellflower v Wider audience we can reach with the gospel message v As a result of the unity of the church despite the cultural diversity, God is glorified.

Next Speaker: Brother Jose Aguilar Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church Long Beach, California

Bilingual Church Ministry The Ebenezer Approach

What Am I Doing? v I am taking the word “Integrated” literally in the way we “DO” church. Ø Our church is “US” and not “THEM” and “US”

Why Am I Doing It? A. To foster a spirit of unity in our church (Ephesians 4: 1 -3) 1. This would include the children and youth 2. To develop a spirit of true cooperation

B. So that our church body functions as one body 1. The diversity and unity of the body: 1 Corinthians 12: 12, 25, 27 2. Each member is given his own unique place in the body: 1 Corinthians 12: 18 3. The members of the body are fitted together and built together: Ephesians 2: 20 -22

4. Each member has been given his own unique gifts – talents, abilities, capacities: Romans 12: 3 -8; 1 Peter 4: 10 -11 5. Every member has good works that God has prepared for him to do: Ephesians 2: 10 6. To keep the young people in our church

How Am I Doing It? A. Our services are conducted bilingually 1. The worship is bilingual 2. The preaching and teaching is bilingual 3. Our Business Meetings are bilingual 4. Our communal prayers are bilingual B. Developing and polishing the ability of those that want to preach I challenge those that want to preach to develop the skill

Some Final Thoughts A. This is not for every church 1. I believe it requires a latent talent within a church 2. I believe it is something that should be investigated principally in the Hispanic churches

May the Lord of all grace bless you and prosper your ministry! Que nuestro Señor de toda gracia los bendiga y prosperé su ministerio!

Session Two Tool Time: Ideas For You To Consider!

Next Speaker: Brother Kevin Parsons First Landmark MBC Visalia, California

Tools For Follow-Up Contact

Contact Follow-up is a vital link to a visitor’s decision to return to your church services.

Contact Studies indicate that the chance of a 2 nd visit dramatically improves when the follow-up is conducted immediately

Contact evangelismcoach. org reports: Ø 85% of guests return if visited in 36 hours Ø 60% of guests return if visited in 72 hours Ø 15% of guests return if visited in 7 days.

Follow-Up Program How It Might Work

How It Might Work One proven method: Ø Team of church members Ø Contact made within 36 -48 of their visit Ø Contact made by 2 -3 church members

How It Might Work Basic premise: Ø Someone gathers the info Ø The info is quickly distributed to participants Ø Participants make contact with visitor

How It Might Work Some examples might be: Ø Hand delivered gift - ie. cookies, bread, etc. Ø Brief at-the-door visit (1 -2 minutes) Ø Mail a card Ø Phone call (text message for younger visitors)

How It Might Work If the church has enough willing participants and regular firsttime visitors, a rotation could be established.

How It Might Work Must have participants who are willing and excited to be involved. A visitor will quickly recognize a member who is simply fulfilling a responsibility

How It Might Work After the follow-up period has expired, a brief report of each member’s contact should be reported.

Requirements Two key ingredients to function properly and effectively: Ø Visitor Cards Ø Coordinator

Visitor Cards If a follow-up program is to be successful, you must acquire accurate, timely and relevant information

Visitor Cards This seemingly insignificant piece of paper is a vital link between a visitor and successful follow-up.

Visitor Cards free samples of visitor cards: Time 2 reach. org. (link will be printed in your booklet)

Coordinator It is IMPERATIVE to have a COORDINATOR!

Coordinator Responsible to: Ø Ø Collect Visitor Cards Manage participation/rotation Forward info to participants Receive/forward visit reports to pastor

Suggestions Ø Follow-up should not be invasive or upsetting Ø Follow-up should be light and friendly Ø If possible, assign members that have things in common with visitor Ø Avoid doctrinal discussion (unless requested) Ø Remember the goal is to be ambassadors of Jesus Christ

Remember Acts 2: 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (KJV)

Remember John 13: 35 By this shall men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (KJV)

Next Speaker: Brother David Keeling Unity Missionary Baptist Church Sunnyvale, California

UNITY HOUSE: THE LIBRARY Where people are constantly learning about Jesus

THE PLAN: Record every Sunday Sermon for immediate distribution

THE PLAN: Specialty Recordings By Topic: Ø Marriage Ø Children Ø Finances Ø Leadership Ø Stress Ø Respect

ALL THIS FOR ABOUT $700. 00

Park Ministry Ø Designed to generate excitement about our church Ø Develop relationships with our neighbors.

Invitations Ø Designed to generate traffic to our booth Ø Offer a reason to come out to our event (free water, popcorn, snow cone etc. )

Ideas We Have Used: Ø Child I. D. Kit Ø Pet Photo Ø Treasure Map Ø Starbucks Giveaway Ø Black Friday Beverages

Next Speaker: Brother Russell Bailey Clovis Missionary Baptist Church Clovis, California

God’s Work in Clovis

How Wait Draw Near - Psalms 73: 28 “do something” Small Stuff Results & Problems Why Desire Direction What Nuts & Bolts

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Psalms 147: 3

זבו לו ן Genesis 30: 20 And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.

Next Speaker: Brother Brian Langley First Missionary Baptist Church Bakersfield, California

Tools For Building Bridges

Building Bridges v Bridge – “a span providing passage over some chasm or gap”

v Think of community outreach like fishing; you must try various types of “bait” to see what makes the fish “bite”

Why We Do What We Do? v We want to be known in the community v We want people to know that we care about them v More importantly, we want to be the bridge for people to hear about Christ

What Works for Us v Holiday craft parties v Neighborhood lunches v Big events / festivals

Nuts & Bolts v We have 1 neighborhood outreach per month v We budget $200 for these outreach events (it averages about $1 person) v Each event usually takes about 2 -3 hours

Results v In just under 6 years, we have led over 100 people to Christ v Some have joined; some remain

Results v The Lord has blessed our efforts, by sending visitors and new members v In addition, these events help people develop their own personal evangelism

Battling Doubt v Doubt is one of the biggest obstacles to building bridges v “That will never work for us!” v One thing is for certain, the guaranteed way to fail is not to try!

Food For Thought! v What works for us may not work for you v But find what does v People all around our churches are hurting and in need v Let them see us building the necessary bridges!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4: 13 With Christ, All Mountains Are Climbable!