Things have been busy around here! Not only did I complete my doctoral program this spring, Grace Hills is gearing up for a big celebration and challenge. In 2004, a group of like-minded Christians came together to found Grace Hills Baptist Church, which we celebrate each August - and this August begins our 10th year as a congregation!
As we begin our 10th year together in service to Christ, we decided to do a bit more than a 10th anniversary celebration next August. Instead, we chose to celebrate all year long - by committing to a year-long collection of celebration events and mission endeavors. In the conversation, we finally landed on the idea of building a foundation for the future. Everyone in our church wants to see God continue to work through Grace Hills for many years to come. That led us to consider: what is required as a foundation for the next 100 years of ministry and mission? We arrived at the following 10 building blocks that are vital to lay in our 10th year as a foundation for the future.
7 of these building blocks are congregational challenges:
PS: be sure to come to Grace Hills on Saturday, August 10 for our 10x10 kickoff event! We'll be doing 10 mission projects in the morning, celebrating with a community carnival from 1-4pm, and capping the day with a worship service at 4:30. We'd love for you to be part of it!
As we begin our 10th year together in service to Christ, we decided to do a bit more than a 10th anniversary celebration next August. Instead, we chose to celebrate all year long - by committing to a year-long collection of celebration events and mission endeavors. In the conversation, we finally landed on the idea of building a foundation for the future. Everyone in our church wants to see God continue to work through Grace Hills for many years to come. That led us to consider: what is required as a foundation for the next 100 years of ministry and mission? We arrived at the following 10 building blocks that are vital to lay in our 10th year as a foundation for the future.
7 of these building blocks are congregational challenges:
- 10 baptisms: The Great Commission gives the church its marching orders, to make disciples by baptizing and teaching. It is through the waters of baptism that we join the community of faith that is the church, both local and universal. This is a foundational ministry practice of all churches, and is the first building block of our 10x10 foundation.
- 10% of budget for mission: Grace Hills is a generous church, contributing to the work of God locally and worldwide. This building block is an ongoing commitment to give sacrificially to that work.
- 10 new or renewed small groups: The second half of how Christ said to implement the Great Commission is "to teach what I commanded." Grace Hills already has a strong discipleship component in its Sunday School. During 10x10, we are looking to begin 10 new or renewed (strengthened or reworked) small groups or Sunday School classes, particularly among children and young adults.
- 10 new or renewed mission projects: Grace Hills has a heart for mission, and has participated in many ongoing mission projects. 10x10 seeks to bolster that mission commitment through the addition or renewal of 10 mission projects, both in Appomattox and worldwide.
- 10 celebration events: We have been blessed at Grace Hills, and as we enter our 10th year we want to celebrate God's blessings! To this end, 10x10 includes 10 celebration events, opportunities to recognize God's goodness to us as a church and as individuals within that church.
- 10 times of sharing "God stories": In Acts, Christ tells the disciples that they will be his witnesses, a task that we have received, as well. 10x10 incorporates 10 opportunities for the congregation to fulfill that task, sharing stories of how God has made a difference in the lives of the church, its members, and its community.
- 10 new or renewed prayer opportunities: Prayer is the primary way many of us interact with and communicate with God, and is a vital task of the church. During 10x10, Grace Hills will renew or begin 10 prayer experiences, encouraging all those connected with Grace Hills to experience a deeper prayer life.
The other 3 building blocks are challenges for individual church members:
- 10 acts of blessing: Each church member is encouraged and challenged to undertake 10 acts of blessing during Grace Hills' 10th year. These might be large or small, costly or free, but they are 10 concrete actions taken to bless someone else's life.
- 10 new or renewed relational contacts: Relationships are the catalyst God often uses for ministry. This 10x10 building block encourages each church member to have 10 meaningful relational contacts, either with new people in their lives or with people they know as acquaintances, intentionally building a relationship that goes past surface encounters to a true friendship.
- 10 books of the Bible read: Scripture is vital to understanding God's will and growing in faith. Over the course of our 10th year, each member of Grace Hills will be challenged to read ten books of the Bible, chosen from both the Old and New Testaments.
These 10 practices are basic, fundamental elements of any church. However, by focusing on the basics and strengthening them as a church, we hope to build a solid foundation to build Grace Hills for many years to come. In 100 years, Grace Hills wants to be a vibrant and effective outpost of the kingdom of God. This is the 10x10 foundation that such a forward-looking ministry can build upon.
Do you want to join us on this journey? We'd love to have you be a part of what God's doing through 10x10. Join us for worship on Sunday mornings, mission work throughout the week, and Bible study on Sundays or Wednesdays. Also join us by committing to the individual building blocks of relationships, acts of blessing, and Scripture reading. And stay tuned to this blog; throughout the coming year, I will feature each building block and share stories of how God is moving in our midst. Be part of God's work crew, as we build something at Grace Hills that will make a difference for God's kingdom!
In Christ,
Adam
PS: be sure to come to Grace Hills on Saturday, August 10 for our 10x10 kickoff event! We'll be doing 10 mission projects in the morning, celebrating with a community carnival from 1-4pm, and capping the day with a worship service at 4:30. We'd love for you to be part of it!
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