Next Steps
From First-Time Visitor to Fully-Engaged Member to Disciple-Multiplier
What if Jesus whispered in your ear the next thing He wanted you to do? Wouldn't it be wonderful to hear from Him directly what your next step is? The good news is that Jesus has left lots of instructions for His followers.
For the last couple years, our lead pastor has been working on a plan for how a person can go from a skeptic to a believer to a mature disciple of Jesus, using the things Jesus taught as a guide. Included below are “next steps” for all of us to be working through.
For more information on any of the below steps, please send an email to our lead pastor, Dusty Elmore.
Step 1: Starting Point Class
“I’m new; where do I begin?” Starting Point Class! This one-time class is offered the first Sunday evening of most months at 5 pm. Just as Jesus called all of His disciples to the beginning step of "following Him," this first step will get your started on your path of growth. If you are new to Journey, we would love for you to attend a Starting Point Class, introducing you to the church.
Step 2: Faith/Baptism
Baptism Class (This one-time class is offered the last Sunday of most months immediately after 2ndservice) / Relational Evangelism Study (This four-week study is offered in a one-on-one setting). Jesus said, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved..." (Mark 16:16). If you are unsure of your relationship with Jesus, or if the gospel has never been fully explained to you, or if you have never been baptized, this is the step for you. You may either take the next baptism class, or ask that someone take you through the 4-week "It's All About Relationship study" which will explain in detail about the wonderful relationship Jesus wants to have with you.
Step 3: Discover Your Spiritual Gifts/Find a Place to Serve
Jesus told several parables, including the Parable of the Talents, indicating that God has given each of us resources that He intended to be used for His Kingdom. Jesus's disciples taught that all of us have gifts or abilities that God has blessed us with so that we would bless others. If you aren't sure what your gifts are or how they might be used, Bruce Still, a Life Coach and one of our elders, will meet one-on-one with you to help you discover your Spiritual Gifts and find a place to serve.
Step 4: Church Membership
Pathways Membership Class (This five-week study will be held during the Sunday School hour in the conference room three times a year [February, April/May, August/ September].) All prospective members and all new members should take this class. Jesus commanded that we teach all disciples the basic truths of the faith. The five lessons covered in the Pathways Class are five foundational areas including the authority of God's Word, salvation, church history, communion and the Holy Spirit.
Step 5: Cultivating Spiritual Disciplines.
Jesus said, "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." We need spiritual food for our souls to remain healthy, strong and prepared for life's challenges. Prayer and personal Bible study are included in the spiritual disciplines that sustain us. We would love to help you grow in these disciplines.
Step 6: Christian Stewardship
God wants us to be good managers of the resources He has blessed us with. Jesus told us to "store up treasures in heaven" and to be "rich towards God." If you need help growing in the area of stewardship, we have tools that can help.
Step 7: Leadership Training
The Leadership Training Class (This seven-week class will be held in the fall.) Jesus called His disciples to follow Him for a period of time so that they might learn how to lead. He wants all Christians to follow the same path. There are many different ways to lead (leaders don't need an official title or role). For instance, we can lead by example. A leader is someone who no longer only feels responsible for himself/herself. A leader is concerned with the growth of others. If you feel that God has called you to lead in the church in some way, plan to go through our Leadership Training program. In this class, we will be working through the "Seven Leadership Principles" as defined and described by Craig Groeschel. The fall session will begin October 12th and conclude November 23rd.
Step 8: Relational Evangelism Training
Relational Evangelism Training Class (This seven-week class will be held in the conference room on Wednesday evenings). Jesus taught His followers to multiply themselves. A course has been developed to train believers how to lead others to Christ naturally and relationally. The next session will begin September 10th and conclude October 22nd.