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February, 2005 Newsletter

Solid Rock Christian Church Newsletter

Winning to Jesus - Growing in Jesus

Craig Rippy
Preaching Minister Home Ph. 573-265-3793
E-mail address, rippy@fidnet.com

Office Telephone 573-265-5003

E-Mail Address, srcc@tigernet.missouri.org

Gene Scantlin and Alan Wynn, Elders.

Diane Daniel, Preschool Director.


P.O. Box 1
#1 Solid Rock Drive
St. James, MO 65559


 

"Frontline Ministries"

By: Craig Rippy

 


  Frontline Ministries designates one aspect of the whole. Solid Rock has grown to a point where organizational structure is a must. We desire to serve God, but to do it effectively we must organize more specifically.

As of now the Leadership has defined thirteen areas of ministry. Each area has various ministry responsibilities. We have also concluded that any area which doesn't satisfy the statement, "Winning to Jesus, Growing in Jesus, and Doing all things in Love," isn't conducive to our purpose and can be a distraction to our effectiveness.

God deserves the best of Solid Rock. The devil desires to sidetrack us. Yet, organization under the three greatest principles of the New Testament will keep us on task to God's glory. Of course, we of Solid Rock are committed to fulfilling the Great Commission while obeying the Greatest Commandments (Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 22:37-40 and John 13:34-35).

Winning to Jesus is a Frontline Ministries Goal. Those passing the sign at the road front and eventually greeting people in the auditorium will be making their first impressions of us within that time span. Frontline Ministries Servants will be the specialists of that area of ministry.

From property beautification to making sure the tardy visitor is greeted, Frontline Servants will be especially active. Those serving in this ministry will be organized to take care of the lawn, being parking attendants, greeting all those who attend, staffing a visitor center, performing maintenance and janitorial services, and acquainting visitors with our facility and guiding them to the various classes.

A visitor may be confused about where to park, where their preschooler goes to class, or whether they can take communion. We should want their introduction to Solid Rock to be a pleasant one. To assure it is, we can do some things to help them, while showing them the love of God.

Entering a parking area which is free of trash and seeing a well groomed property makes us feel more secure. It causes us to feel that those who attend here are conscientious. When one is greeted with a smile and a friendly word acceptance is expressed. To be given personal guidance to a class room or the nursery frees the visitor of apprehension. When a visitor is told immediately that Solid Rock is happy to have them and if they are a Christian they may partake of the Lord's Supper as it is passed, and let them know they aren't expected to give when the offering is taken, the visitor is free of wondering whether they should or not.

Thoughtfulness is necessary. We don't want folks to experience a thoughtful frontline of service and then find the remaining hour or two was mediocre. Frontline Ministries is the beginning of a chain of events the visitor will experience. Each segment of our Sunday morning worship, education, and fellowship time will be evaluated and be given better organization. From the time a visitor sees our sign to when they see it in the mirror behind them we want them to experience what God intends "Church" to be.

"Church" are the people saved by the Grace of God and Empowered by His Spirit to reveal the same Love which drove Jesus to the Cross. Whether it is emptying trash cans, playing the piano, or teaching a Sunday School class, we of Solid Rock will do it with excellence to the Glory of Christ. Excellence demands organization. Organization comes with planning with a goal in mind. The Goal is to win to Jesus, help those in Jesus to grow in Jesus, and to do all this in the Love of Jesus.