SGC Strategic Planning and Vision Rollout

On February 10th and 17th, Pastor Jeff Daley will be launching the new vision for Southern Gables Church that grew out of the recent strategic planning efforts of the elders and staff. Then, on March 17th, the elders will be visiting with the ACs to elaborate on the vision and to receive additional feedback. Please plan to attend these Sundays. The following is a summary of the preview that has been shared so far:

The Revised/Refreshed Mission Statement:
"The mission of Southern Gables Church is to build the community of Christ followers to reach our world, locally and globally, for Jesus Christ."

Five Strategic Planning Initiatives:
1. Prayer
2. Assimilation Strategy
3. Communication Strategy
4. Young Families and Singles Strategy
5. Technology Plan

Commendation of Matt Murphy and Brad Widstrom's Book

 

 

Matt Murphy and Brad Widstrom’s book 99 Thoughts on Caring for Your Youth Group: From Coffee Shop Counseling to Crisis Care is an excellent resource that every youth leader ought to read and reference repeatedly. That said, it is not merely a handbook for youth pastors who desire to grow in their role as caregivers. Indeed, it is an effective eye-opener for anyone interacting with today’s teenagers. 

 

The significant issues facing teens in contemporary culture (e.g., drugs, alcohol, domestic abuse, unexpected pregnancies, suicide, bullying, cutting, sexting, and school shootings) justify Murphy and Widstrom’s rather startling claim that “In today’s society, all kids are at-risk” (12). The bold manner in which the authors consistently confront these all-too-prevalent problems is in keeping with the seriousness of the threat to the well-being of individual teenagers and the youth groups they belong to. They rightly refuse to shy away from the most difficult ministry situations or soft-pedal the stark realities that youth workers will face as they seek to disciple students satiated by the relativistic postmodern milieu. The consequence is that the book appropriately communicates the actual depth of youth ministry.

In short, if concerned Christian adults implement the clear advise contained within this youth ministry preparedness manual, they will be strategically equipped to provide Christ-like care in any situation and in so doing they will positively impact the lives of teenagers for the kingdom of God.

Key Themes in Nehemiah

As you read the Old Testament book of Nehemiah, look for the following key themes. First, notice what it communicates about who God is and what type of relationship he desires to have with his people (pay careful attention to the prayers recorded throughout the account). Second, observe how God graciously work with and through individuals to accomplish the physical and spiritual rebuilding he intends for the survival of his covenant partners. Third, recognize the way in which Nehemiah emphasizes both the continuity of the Jewish remnant with the historic nation of Israel as well as their religious purity in the midst of a pluralistic context. In particular, discern the stress the text places on adhering to the law and avoiding syncretism. Keep in mind how vital or critical to the ongoing existence of the returned exiles it was that they fully understood and obeyed the ethical implications of the covenant (i.e., how essential it was for the people to know and keep the principles of the law).

In case you are interested, I think the four books in the Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers series provide sound theology for kids. Here is the link from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Thoughts-For-Little-Thinkers/dp/089221614X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1347828524&sr=8-3&keywords=big+thoughts+for+little+thinkers+series

Zephaniah

The prophet Zephaniah was active during the reign of the good, reforming King Josiah (640-609 B.C.). He spoke the word of the Lord to the Southern Kingdom of Judah, since the Northern Kingdom of Israel had already fallen to the Assyrians in 722 B.C. He was a contemporary of the prophets Nahum, Habakkuk, and Jeremiah.

Here is the outline of the book from the ESV Study Bible:

I. Heading (1:1)

II. Judgment Coming Against Judah (1:2-6)

III. The Day of the Lord (1:7-3:20)
     A. Day of sacrifice and punishment (1:7-9)
     B. The coming wrath (1:10-18)
          1. Against God's people (1:10-16)
          2. Against all humanity (1:17-18)
     C. Repentance is still possible (2:1-3)
     D. Nations warned (2:4-3:8)
          1. Philistines (2:4-7)
          2. Moab and Ammon (2:8-11)
          3. Cush (2:12)
          4. Assyria (2:13-15)
          5. Jerusalem (3:1-7)
          6. Summary (3:8)
     E. Anticipation of hope (3:9-20)
          1. Conversion of the nations (3:9-10)
          2. Judah's return (3:11-13)
          3. Joyful song (3:14-17)
          4. God's promised restoration (3:18-20)