SPIRITUAL GROWTH TRACK

Transcription

1 SPIRITUAL GROWTH TRACK Life s Destiny Church (LDC) and Yeshua HaMashiach (YMMC) are on a mission to reach people in the East Valley area with the life-giving message of Jesus (Yeshua). Our vision is to help one to grow Spiritually, increase physical health, and attain God s promises of financial freedom. We thoroughly believe that our Spiritual Growth Track offers the tools and principles necessary for ensuring growth. Thus, we begin (with your initial decision to attend one of our Twin Church Services) the journey of your Spiritual growth that will lead to your God given destination as a Leader in a one of our life-changing ministries. We will assist you step-by-step through each of the steps of healing, growth and training. We are interested in what God has put on your heart and in helping to develop your gift to fulfill that calling. Start Here: Once each quarter, on a Sunday night, Senior Pastors: Dr William Hepfner and wife, Regina, will host the Newcomer s Reception, an informal introduction to Life s DESTINY Church. All new couples and individuals, whom are new to the Church, gather (along with a few Church Ministry Leaders), for snacks and refreshments, to get acquainted, and to learn more about who we are, what we believe, and the structure of Life s DESTINY Church. Then What? Since we are convinced that Small Groups are the key to developing relationships, and helpful in getting connected into the church, we have created some activities that will help you learn about and become involved in the groups that would best serve your particular interest. Some groups may be held weekly, semi-weekly, monthly, or even quarterly. We encouraged you to Sign-Up at our Hospitality Table, and join a Group that interests you. Where to next? Several times throughout the year we celebrate Water Baptism. This is a time when new believers may publicly proclaim/profess their newfound faith in Christ and show they are following His example to become baptized in water. Please Note: We accept one s previous Baptism, and add that to their Spiritual Growth records. Membership: CHURCH 101 is a fun-filled couple of hours taught by Senior Pastors, Dr. Hepfner and wife Pastor Gina. The event includes plenty of finger foods and beverages. The class covers our Church structure and beliefs; our strategies of reaching the lost and growing members into leaders. Instructions are included for Becoming a Member. Time Apart: Encounter Retreats are designed to experience God s presence, provide a time apart from your everyday routine. They are designed to help you find freedom from your past, and a new vision for your future. Separate weekends for youth, men, women, and couples are available throughout the year. Discipleship: Discipleship 201, a 6 lesson study, guides you through the important, essential beliefs every Christian needs in order to fully walk with Christ. This class is offered on Wednesday evenings, and through a small group as an independent study. One of a kind: The Spiritual Gifts Seminar, an approximate three-hour seminar held throughout the year, is designed to help you realize what makes you so unique. You will discover your true God given personality, gifts, and purpose in life. You will also learn how God combines your Spiritual Gifts for your best fit into ministry. Spiritual Gifts classes are also available. Leadership: The goal of Leadership 301 is to move you from an inward focus of personal growth to an outward focus of ministry and purpose. The lessons lead a mature believer into developing their personal & practical leadership skills. This is offered through the Small Group ministry. The Prize: Once all training's have been completed, our final step in the Spiritual Growth Track is becoming recognized as part of out Dream Team. This is a presentation where you receive your Growth Track Certificate of Completion and participate in the impartation of the anointing of God, through the laying on of hands and prayer. This is done for each person receiving their Certificate. Then, after completing the Spiritual Growth Track, most Members will immediately begin their new ministries, plant new churches, join new groups, develop new small groups, or fill a needed ministry position within the Church.

2 CHURCH CHURCH MEMBERSHIP CHURCH 101 is a fun-filled couple of hours hosted by Pastors: Dr. William Hepfner and his wife, Gina. The evening starts with a lots of excellent finger foods, snacks, and beverages. And, lots of fun-filled and friendly fellowship. This dinner/fellowship/class is offered on a Sunday early evening once every quarter. The schedule for the evening will be as follows: Part 1 Dinner Scrump-dilly-icious!!!! We were told that if we were to put in an Olympic Swimming Pool in our back-yard, we would deserve a Four-Star Rating! You will surely say, This was a wonderful time of fellowship! Part 2 Getting To Know The Senior Pastors: Dr Hepfner and Pastor Gina Hear how they Met, Married, and learned to Minister. This is M-M-M good. to hear and know Remember, we said, This is going to be fun! The Pastor s History Leading To Their Vision For Life s DESTINY Church The ups and downs along the way. The Vision God has given them, and how it came about. What there is yet to accomplish in the Vision. The Introduction to the Spiritual Growth Track. a) Our Statements Why we exist as a Church b) Our Strategy How we fulfill our purpose c) Our Structure When and where we fill our purpose What is the importance of Church Membership The Food, Fun, and Fellowship, make this such an outstanding evening, we believe you will be glad you came. Looking forward to seeing you there!

3 DISCIPLESHIP 201 DISCIPLESHIP 201 is a 6 Session study, guiding you through the very important, essential beliefs every Christian needs in order to successfully walk with Christ. This class is most popularly offered on Wednesday Evenings. A Certificate of Completion will be awarded to each person successfully completing the study. The subjects for each Class meeting are as follows: Session 1A Session 1B Session 2A Session 2B Session 3A Session 3B Session 4A Session 4B Session 5A Session 5B Session 6A Session 6B FOUNDATION FOR A VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIFE PRAYING EFFECTIVELY GROWING THROUGH THE WORD WALKING IN FAITH OVERCOMING THE DEVIL RELEASING HURTS & FORGIVING OTHERS LIVING A JESUS LIFESTYLE BY SERVING OTHERS COMMITTING TO THE LOCAL CHURCH WALKING IN GOD S PROVISION BEING RIGHT BEFORE A HOLY GOD LIVING RIGHT BEFORE A HOLY GOD KNOWING WHAT WE BELIEVE (BASIC DOCTRINES OF OUR FAITH) Each Lesson is designed to be a self-contained and complete study. We did this so that one may jump in at any point and not feel as though he missed something important that would make it difficult to keep up with the class. For example: Lets say you started with the class at Session 4 A&B. The following week you would continue with the same class for Session 5 A&B, and also for Session 6 A&B. After those Sessions were completed, you would enter into another Class and only needs to complete the Sessions 1-4 that you missed. Then, once all 6 Sessions have been completed, regardless of the order in which they were taken, one may graduate Discipleship 201. Looking forward to seeing you receive a Certificate for the Course!

4 LEADERSHIP 301 LEADERSHIP 301 is a 6 Session study, that is designed to move you from an inward focus of personal growth, to an outward focus of ministry and purpose. The Lessons allow us to make sure you have the proper ministry tools to lead other believers into developing their personal Spiritual lives. The class is most popularly offered Wednesday Evenings. A Certificate of Completion will be awarded to each person successfully completing the study. The subjects for each class are as follows: Session 1 Introduction Lesson 1 Session 2 Lesson 2 Lesson 3 Session 3 Lesson 4 Lesson 5 Session 4 Lesson 6 Lesson 7 Session 5 Lesson 8 Lesson 9 Session 6 Lesson 10 Lesson 11 Lesson 12 Overview The Character of a Leader The Heart of a Leader The Vision of a Leader Priorities Decision Making & Time Management Words Prayer, Power, and Anointing The Meeting: Part 1 Setting the Stage The Meeting: Part 2 Ministry Conflict and Confrontation Counseling Entering God s Rest Each Lesson is designed to be a self-contained and complete study. We did this so that one may jump in at any point and not feel as though he missed something important in order to keep up with the class. If he starts at Lesson 10, for example, he may also take 11 and 12, and then go through the another class starting at the Introduction and going thru Lessons 9. Then, as soon as someone has completed all 12 Lessons, regardless of the order they were taken, he may graduate the Leadership 301 course. Looking forward to seeing you receive a Certificate for the Course.

5 SMALL GROUPS Getting Connected to one of our Twin Church Congregations, LDC or YMMC, it means gathering and participating in a Small Group. This is because it actually is the small group that provides a setting to build dynamic relationships while applying Biblical principles needed in one s daily life. Small groups allow our Twin Churches to grow as a family, while keeping the atmosphere of Friendship and Fellowship. Were there small groups in the Bible? The book of Acts records the tremendous growth of the first Church in Jerusalem. Small group meetings in homes were the foundation of the early Church. However, please note that Acts 5:42 reminds us that the people met in the temple courts (large group worship) and from house to house (small group fellowship). Small groups were vital to the church s growth, and they are just as vital in this age and time. You may never fully experience all that the Twin Churches have to offer, until you connect and participate in a small group! What are the groups about? Our groups are as varied as we are. Group Leaders use their gifts and passions to lead and oversee the activities that allows others to join with them in serving God. Whatever, your age or interest Bible study, cooking, prayer, missions, running, music, drama, -you name it- we ve got a vision to have a group that s just right for you. If we should happen to not have a group at the moment that you are interested in, write your thoughts and turn them in at the Hospitality Table. We may have one that starts at a later date, or our Twin Church staff will give these very careful consideration and get back to you (Maybe this is God calling you to help us get one started!). When can I join one? New groups start three times a year spring, summer, and fall semesters with an exciting event called Rally Day, when we showcase all our groups before and after our Celebration Service. But you don t have to wait for our Rally Day to join a group. Most groups are open to new members throughout the semester. Find a group, contact the leader, and get started! EXAMPLES OF SMALL GROUP CATEGORIES: Bible Study Children Teens Cleansing Stream Discipleship Family and Parenting Fellowship Health & Fitness Helps Marriage Men Outreach Praise and Worship Prayer Recreation Singles Student Ministries Bible College Topical Women CHARACTERISTICS OF SMALL GROUPS They meet regularly. (Weekly, Monthly, etc.) They have 3 or more people attending, in addition to the Leader. They develop and identify an Assistant Leader. The Group meeting must include Prayer and one or more of the following basic items: Worship, Bible Study, Fellowship or Testimonies. Unless otherwise specified, the group welcomes new people into their meetings. The Groups approved by the Pastors and Elders. The Groups develop the Spiritual and Moral fiber of its members while sharing their common interests. They encourage members to invite people who are outside the church. They complete their topics by the end of the semester They GROW!

6 SPIRITUAL GIFTS DISCOVERY SEMINAR The goal of the Spiritual Gifts Discovery Seminar is an important tool in which we use for assessing and learning one s Spiritual Gifts. It is not the final objective, but it has proven to be a very powerful means to an end. That end is ministry, i.e., the building up of the body of Christ. the following exercise provides opportunity for you to respond to 105 statements about your interest in, and experience of, spiritual gifts. Do not respond on the basis of what you think you ought to say. Rather, respond on the basis of your interest and your experience. Do not let modesty hinder you from answering honestly about your abilities. Rate each statement from 0 to 4 based upon your interest and experience. If a statement is not relevant to your experience, answer it by marking a zero (0) in the appropriate place. Mark a four (4) to indicate a strong tendency. 0 Not at all 1 Little 2 Moderately 3 Considerably 4 Strongly The Instrument can be completed in about 45 minutes. It should be taken when you are in a relatively good mood not discouraged, anxious, or overly excited. Above all, the statements should be answered honestly. After all 105 statements are completed, transfer to the answer sheet. Then add the five scores across each row, and enter the totals in the appropriate column. Using the results from the answer sheet, enter the gifts with the three highest scores onto the dominant section of the personal evaluation. Then enter the next three highest scoring gifts onto the subordinate section. This is the tentative evaluation of where your gifts may lie. For evaluation of the Instrument, there is no set score that determines whether or not you have a particular gift (20 being the highest possible). It is on an individual basis. For example, if one person s highest scores are 16, 18, 18, 19, and 14, then those would be his/his gift tendencies. However, if someone scored 16, 15, 12, 14, and 10, then those, if they are the person s highest, would be just as valid an indication to that person s gift tendencies as the individual who scored higher.