sunday's scuds (june 24, 2007)

Today was another stand-alone message from Dwight. He led us in what was basically a "family talk" about what we value here at NewPointe. The message was titled "More Than Words." In it, Dwight talked about 10 specific words or phrases that are sacred to NewPointe.

Dwight began with the three i's. He said that if you'll be diligent in growing in these three areas, you will grow in Christ. He said you cannot not do these three things and be mature.

He said that when there's a team or group of people all speaking the same language, they can accomplish anything. So he opened the NewPointe dictionary...and here's the language:

• "If we have one word that describes NewPointe, it would be 'relational'."
• "We believe that every person needs to be part of a small group."

Word #1: Biblical Worldview

• "We believe that every man or woman, apart from Christ, is eternally lost."
• "God himself has provided a way to redeem us through the person of Jesus Christ."

Word #2: Scriptural Authority

• "The Word of God is the final authority on everything we do and say."
• "Maximum freedom is found under God's authority."
• "Most churches are not scriptural. Most churches are run on tradition."
• "NewPointe is not (and will never be) a club or a museum...it's a movement."

Word #3: Environments

• "We can't force people to do anything...we can't make them grow spiritually...but we can create environments that are conducive to spiritual growth."
• "Most people believe in God...but they don't believe in the church. They think that because church is irrelevant, God must also be irrelevant."

Word #4: Serve

• "We expect everyone here to serve. Don't be a pew-potato. Don't become just a 'taker'."
• "People of like-minded faith + the Spirit of God moving = priorities beginning to change--that's what happens in a small group."
• "Our ultimate goal as a church is not to meet your needs. Our goal is to help you take your next step."
• "The only way you can serve God is by serving other people."
• "If you want to 'go deep,' you don't need another Bible study, you need to serve.
• "Through serving God will change your heart and your mind."

Word #5: Community

• "Faith is a personal thing...but it was never meant to be private."

Word #6: Stewardship

• God owns everything...and we are stewards...and one day each of us will give an account."

Word #7: Invest & Invite

Word #8: Spiritual Leadership

• "Are you doing anything big with your life? If you would die, would anyone other than your immediate family miss you?

Word #9: Change

• "We will always be changing at NewPointe."
• "The church is not an organization--it is an organism...that means that it's always changing."

Word #10: Journey

• "We are called to accept one another where they're at, and encourage them to take their next steps."