EVERYONE

GATHERING. GROWING. GOING

Imagine a people rising to the challenge of Christ to “Follow Me.” Imagine a people who are defined as having hearts for Christ and Christ alone. Imagine a people whose minds and actions are transformed by the word of God. Imagine a place that is characterized as the most loving place in town, a place where people open their mouths and nothing but good news comes out. Imagine a church known throughout town for a spirit of servanthood – taking up the towel and basin of Christ.

Easley First Baptist is poised to become that church. Our hope, our prayer, is that as we gather, grow, and go, the Spirit of Christ will transform who we are and what we do into the very nature and character of Christ.

 EVERYONE GATHERING

Our futuring surveys and discussions reveal that we perceive worship to be one of our greatest strengths. We honor the traditions and customs we have followed for generations while recognizing the need to incorporate new ways of worshipping God into our practice. We long to be a people who worship God in spirit and in truth.

1. Every Member a Worshiper. We envision every member of Easley First Baptist gathering together to worship the God who loves us and is acting among us – the God in whose story we find ourselves.

Every member is responsible for worshipping God with the local body of believers.

2. Prepare Our Hearts and Minds for Worship. We envision a future in which we prepare our ourselves to encounter God in a corporate time of worship by: confessing our sins, seeking forgiveness and restoration of relationships; centering our minds on God; meditating on God’s word, and asking the Holy Spirit to be present among us.

Each person is responsible for personal preparation. The Ministerial Staff will educate and         prompt the congregation to prepare for worship.  

3. Know How and Why We Worship. Understanding our traditions and practices is vital for deepening worship experiences, guiding new members and guests, and passing our traditions to future generations. This knowledge is also a key for encountering God through our worship. Knowing how and why we worship can be taught within the context of worship, in supplemental Sunday School lessons, special classes, or in print (ex. Church-published material for our children).

The Ministerial Staff will be responsible for providing ways in which our practices of worship are taught and explored.

4. Embrace Creative Worship Experiences. Our traditions frame our identities. New worship experiences challenge us to grow. Therefore, we seek a balance between our current traditions and exploring new experiences. Our worship should lead members of every age into an encounter with God, the one we worship.

The Ministerial Staff will be responsible for continually seeking and implementing            creative types of worship experiences that are inclusive of all ages.      

5. Carry Worship Outside the Walls. Imagine taking our worship outside the walls of the church and into downtown avenues and the surrounding neighborhoods. We envision taking worship to the people instead of expecting the people to come to us. This could be particularly meaningful preceding and/or following specific missions endeavors in those neighborhoods.

The Ministerial Staff will be responsible for planning meaningful opportunities for worship outside the walls of the church.  

 EVERYONE GROWING

Our futuring surveys and discussions reveal that we perceive discipleship to be an area in which we need to make improvements. We envision developing a series of benchmarks to encourage the cultivation of spiritual relationships, the development of Christ-like attitudes, and the marks of a disciple – rather than a legalistic series of activities to monitor or regulations to hold over someone’s head. Our ideal goal is to see our 100% of our members engaged in intentional discipleship over the course of the next 10 years. We set the bar high because we can find no place in scripture where God sets the bar any lower.  

1. Every Member a Disciple. Imagine every member of Easley First Baptist intentionally involving themselves in personal and corporate disciplines that will bring about transformation into the character of Christ. Far more than simply a class to attend, discipleship is the way we live. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to following the ways of Christ. The programs and activities of the church should be balanced with the intent of making disciples.

Every individual is ultimately responsible for answering the call to follow Christ. The Ministerial Staff, Sunday School, and other small group leaders will encourage everyone to answer the call.

2. Cultivate Disciple-Making Relationships. EFBC’s Sunday School has been traditionally thought of as our primary means of discipleship; however discipleship is not limited to one hour on Sunday morning. Therefore, we need to determine the best means of involving people in relationships that encourage spiritual relationships, the development of Christ-like attitudes, and the marks of a disciple. These relationships include: having a mentor, being a mentor, being connected to a small group community dedicated to discipleship, being connected to the worshipping body, being connected to active ministries and missions.

An AdHoc Team should be formed to develop a way to encourage disciple-making relationships. The Ministerial Staff, Deacons, Sunday School Council, and other disciple-making organizations will promote discipleship relationships over the next ten years.

3. Make New Disciples. Christ’s commission to His disciples involves making new disciples. If we are to take seriously Christ’s call (“Follow Me.”), we can expect some numerical growth as Sunday School classes and other disciple-making groups reach out and invite in. Each class should prioritize growing new classes. This will also necessitate each class developing new teachers. 

Sunday School Classes and disciple-making groups are responsible for growing new classes      and new leaders. The Minister of Education, Minister of Students, Minister of Childhood Education, Sunday School Council, and other appropriate leaders are responsible for equipping   and encouraging classes to make disciples.

4. Assess Facilities. Making disciples and growing new classes will affect our facilities use and/or schedules (especially Sunday mornings). Therefore, we need to assess our facilities in regard to usage and cost analysis to determine needs for the next 5-10 years, including: all available space, use of off-site space, facility coherence to our purpose, needs for effective communication, and technology needs.

An AdHoc Team, appointed by the church, will be responsible for conducting facilities   assessment for discipleship and ministry.

5. Develop an Information Center. We need to develop an Information Center equipped with electronic and print media to provide a central location for church members and guests to access information concerning ongoing discipleship groups. A Satellite Information Center is also needed in the Children’s Wing, equipped to check-in families with children.

The Information Center will be staffed by trained church members of all ages.

FELLOWSHIP

Imagine every disciple intentionally growing deeper relationships with fellow believers. Our futuring surveys and discussions reveal that we feel a need to deepen our fellowship. In fact, we had a difficult time defining fellowship beyond a pot-luck dinner. In actuality, fellowship is what happens when disciples are growing and serving together. God wants us to be united in vision and purpose. We will be known throughout the community as Christ’s disciples only when we love one another and reach out together to love everyone else.

1. Engage in Cross-Generational Relationships. We should expand our fellowship opportunities to find ways to engage and learn from all ages of our congregation. This can be done by combining Sunday School classes on occasion, hosting another class at your Sunday School fellowship, or entering mission or ministry projects with people of different ages. Creative planning will allow for fellowship opportunities in which we can all learn from those in different life stages.

The Ministerial Staff, Deacons, Sunday School Council, and Sunday School classes will develop plans encouraging cross-generational relationships.  

2. Engage in Small Group Relationships. Faith grows in community. Every member should be active in a small group community – and that small group should plan for the intentional development of meaningful relationships within the group. It is in small groups that members mature as disciples. Small groups are not confined to ongoing groups. Some meet for brief periods of time for special studies, ministry, or mission projects. 

Ultimately, each member is responsible for their small group involvement. Each discipleship        group is responsible for fostering relationships through fellowship. Ministerial Staff, Deacons,    Sunday School Council, and Sunday School classes will be responsible for encouraging every    member’s involvement in a small group.

3. Engage in Mentor Relationships. Disciples mature as a result of two primary relationships: having a mentor and being a mentor. Mentoring relationships are essential for discipleship and meaningful fellowship. EFBC should provide a way of engaging disciples in mentoring relationships.

The Ministry Coordination Team will assist with matching mentors.

4. Develop an Information Center. The manner in which we anticipate the arrival of our guests reveals the intentions of our hearts. A place for welcoming guests should be created to assist in finding information about Sunday School classes and learning about the activities, missions, and ministries of EFBC. The Information Center needs to be in an easy-to-find, central location and should include both print and electronic media designed to welcome and familiarize guests with our church.

The Information Center will be staffed by trained church members of all ages.

5. Become Guest Friendly. Welcoming our guests and one another should be second nature to church members of all ages. We also need to expand our greeter ministry to include the following: parking and inclement weather greeters, Information Center volunteers, greeters at the doors, greeters in the pews, and ushers.

The Pastor, Minister of Education, Chair of Deacons, and Greeter Coordinator will work together to coordinate greeter scheduling and training.

MINISTRY

Imagine every member being transformed in character and attitude – growing in compassion, charity, mercy, and forgiveness as we minister to each other’s needs. Our futuring surveys and discussions reveal ministry to be one of our strengths; however, it is also an area in which we can make some improvements. In light of our ideal goal to intentionally disciple 100% of our members, we envision 100% of our members involved in long- and short-term ministries to fellow believers.

1. Every Disciple a Minister. Every member should be actively involved in ministering to our church family. Ministering to the needs of the church is a primary way for learning compassion, charity, mercy, and forgiveness. Many members are involved in ministry, while others are not. Some are involved in too many ministries to be effective. We need balance.

Every person must respond to Christ’s call to ministry. The Ministry Coordination Team will work with the Ministerial Staff in promoting and equipping for ministry involvement.

2. Facilities Assessment. We need to assess our facilities in regard to usage and cost analysis to determine needs for next 5-10 years. The facilities study would include: amount of space needed for specific ministries, especially in regard to shared space; technology; equipment needs, and the effective use of off-site locations.

An AdHoc Team, appointed by the church, will be responsible for conducting facilities assessment for ministry and discipleship.

3. Develop an Information Center. We need to develop an Information Center equipped with electronic and print media to provide a central location for church members and guests to discover and access information concerning the ministries of the church.

The Information Center will be staffed by trained church members of all ages.   

4. Create a Ministry Coordination Team. In order to see every member involved in ministry, we will need a team to coordinate effective placement of volunteers. The Ministry Coordination Team will be responsible for: maintaining balance regarding the church’s ministries, gifts assessment, ministry assessment, ministry calendaring, facilitating the budgeting process for ministries, and serving as a resource for individuals who want to plug-in to an existing ministry or create a new ministry. One of the Ministerial Staff will be assigned the responsibility of Ministry Coordinator to work with the Ministry Coordination Team.

The Team on Administration will appoint the Ministry Coordination Team, who will then be voted on by the church. The Pastor and Team on Personnel will appoint one of the Ministerial Staff to serve as Ministry Coordinator.

EVERYONE GOING

Imagine becoming a people who make telling the stories of God second-nature to who we are. Our futuring surveys and discussions reveal that we perceive ourselves to be weaker in evangelism than in any other area. Every believer is commissioned to be an evangelist; however, Christ’s commission is not only to evangelize, but to make disciples.   

1. Every Disciple an Evangelist.  Every member should “commit” to intentionally enter into spiritual conversations, regularly engaging others in the stories of God. For this to become a priority in our church, we need to deeply consider the call of Christ to “Follow Me.” We must lay aside our fears, worries, and doubts and simply talk about God with others. We need not be shackled with hard to learn tactics, quotas, or guilt. We need only allow our voices to flow naturally into faith conversations.

Each of us is responsible to be an evangelist. The Ministerial Staff and all lay-leadership will       stress the importance of evangelism – through sermons, special studies, prayer, and creative   ways of opening our eyes to the people around us.

2. Equip members. Members need to be equipped to share their faith in natural ways. Familiarity with the story of God builds confidence; however, we must consider that Christ does not always call us to be comfortable. Learning to be more sensitive to the person and less concerned with “completing the sale” is also important. In addition, we must learn a language that communicates outside the walls of the church (“I walked down the aisle when I was ten” means very little to someone outside the church).

The Missions Strategy Team will coordinate training and practice-conversations to equip  members for effective witnessing; however, training is still reliant on our willingness to put       what we’ve learned into action.

3. Engage in Spiritual Conversations. In every organization, activity, and mission we need to engage children, youth, and adults in spiritual conversations, intentionally talking with people about their relationship with Christ. “Offering a cup of cold water” cannot be accompanied by the assumption that people somehow know that we’re offering that water in Jesus’ name. We need not be heavy-handed or manipulative; we simply want to follow the promptings of the Spirit to share God’s good news.

We are each responsible for engaging other people in spiritual conversations.

4. Plan Annual Evangelism Events. The church should plan annual events for the specific purpose of evangelism. Our demographic studies show a large number of latchkey children and single parents in our community. Future projections for population growth in Easley indicate increasing numbers in the Asian and Latin American populations. Evangelistic events should address needs in our community.

Ministerial staff, Deacon Team on Outreach, and Missions Strategy Team will be responsible       for planning and implementing evangelistic events. Church members will be responsible for    telling the stories of God at these events.

5. Prepare the Church. The church must be prepared to welcome and disciple the people we reach. We must consider the best ways to love our neighbors (knowing that some are easier to love than others) by opening our doors, considering alternate programs and schedules, sharing facilities, and developing new partnerships with other churches and organizations.

The Ministerial Staff and Deacon Team on InReach will facilitate educational aspects of             preparation; however, each member is responsible for taking on the attitudes and actions of   Christ.

6. Become Naturally Invitational. The life of a disciple involves becoming sensitive to the people around us. Being invitational – inviting people to church or into spiritual conversations – should be second-nature to each member. Becoming naturally invitational should develop with the proper amount of education, modeling, and intentionality.

Every member is responsible for being naturally invitational. The Ministerial Staff and other         church leaders will be responsible for encouraging and educating members.            

MISSIONS

Imagine every disciple participating in personal and corporate mission endeavors that will bring about transformation into the character of Christ as we reach out to those missing from the body of Christ. The life of a disciple involves going on mission outside our church family. Our futuring surveys reveal that missions is perceived to be an area in which we need to make improvements. Evangelism and Missions (grouped together on the survey) received our lowest score. We discovered that though EFBC places a high priority on meeting the physical needs of others, we do not always connect our efforts to the Christ story. We also discovered a strength in giving to missions but a deficit in “going.” 

1. Every Disciple a Missionary. Our ideal goal is to have 100% of our members going outside the walls of the church to meet the needs in our community and world in Jesus’ name. We need to implement a clearly defined strategy for conducting local, state, national, and global missions as part of our overall plan to mature believers, including: establishing and maintaining partnerships, assessing needs in those communities in which we serve; training and sending out missions volunteers; and budgeting. Our ideal goal is for 100% of our members to be involved in hands-on local, national, and global missions over the next ten years.

Each person must respond to Christ’s call to missions. The Mission Strategy Team will promote and equip members for missions involvement.

2. Engage in Local Missions. Instead of expecting people to come to us, imagine going into the neighborhood behind the church and offering parenting classes or conducing Financial Management classes free of charge to young families and senior adults. Imagine engaging children in Backyard Bible Studies or Sports Camps. Imagine doing all this in Jesus’ name. Meeting the physical and spiritual needs of people within our immediate community makes going outside the walls of the church an imperative. It may include: an after-school technology lab for children and/or senior adults; English as a Second Language (ESL) classes; and Home Maintenance in an adopted neighborhood.

The Missions Strategy Team will set challenging goals for local missions every year.

3. Engage in State, National, and Global missions. Challenging goals will be set every year by the Missions Strategy Team to meet the physical and spiritual needs of people outside our immediate community.

The Missions Coordinator and Missions Strategy Team will be responsible for planning and       implementation.

4. Develop an Information Center. We need to develop an Information Center equipped with electronic and print media to provide a central location for church members and guests to discover and access information concerning missions involvement.

The Information Center will be staffed by trained church members of all ages.

5. Create a Missions Strategy Team. If we indeed want to see every member involved in missions, we will need a team to coordinate effective placement of volunteers, mission education, and developing challenging goals in giving. The Missions Strategy Team will be responsible for maintaining balance regarding the church’s missions endeavors, including: the distribution of volunteers, mission work, and goals in giving. A staff member will be assigned the responsibility of Missions Coordinator to work with the Missions Strategy Team.

The Team on Administration will appoint the Missions Strategy Team, who will then be voted    on by the church. The Pastor and Team on Personnel will appoint one of the Ministerial Staff to serve as Missions Coordinator.  

Note: Implementing this vision and these action steps will necessitate reviewing the following:

1. The church constitution and bylaws needs to be reviewed to consider the compatibility of our bylaws and our vision.

2. The church budget needs to be reviewed to provide balance

3. The church calendar needs to be reviewed to provide a balance between worship, discipleship, ministry, fellowship, evangelism, and missions.

4. The church schedule, facilities use, technology, and equipment need to be reviewed in light of developing new means of discipleship along with new ministries and missions.