CBC Congregational Vision Survey

God Dreams

Finding and Focusing Your Church’s Future

Hello,

There are many “good” things we do and can do as a church, but we want to make sure that we don’t allow the good things to keep us from the “great” and “God” things. For several months now your ministerial staff has been engaged in an exciting vision-casting process that has the potential to help us as a congregation focus on fulfilling God’s mission at Carrollwood Baptist Church. As we have prayed and worked through the process, we have jointly identified two areas of focus (briefly explained below). We would very much value your input in this process and the questions attached are designed to do just that. You can access the survey online (a previous link was sent) or print a copy to complete. Printed surveys may be submitted to a ministerial staff member or the church office. Please complete the survey by Sunday, July 14^th.

Area of Focus: Spiritual Formation

The dominant symbol or basic shape is the image of a circle to represent wholeness, completeness, transformation, and purity. This focus represents becoming whole, healthy, and maturing. This idea might be expressed as, “We will grow God’s people to reflect individually and corporately the spiritual maturity of Christ in defined (to be determined) ways.”

Biblical Ideas Reflected in this Area of Focus

Ephesians 4:11-16, emphasis on growing the body of Christ into maturity

Colossians 1:28, the goal to present everyone fully mature in Christ

Acts 11:19-26, the believers were first called “Christians” at Antioch

Revelation 2:4, resurrecting first love for Jesus

Pictures of Spiritual Formation

                Metamorphosis, a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly

                A majestic and fruitful tree with healthy root system (Psalm 1)

                A fitness center filled with exercise equipment

Area of Focus: Institutional Renovation

The basic shape is the image of a cross – like a medics cross. This idea might be expressed as, “We will renew the God-ordained institution of the church in areas that have suffered decline, neglect or are in need of updating.”

Biblical Ideas Reflected in this Area of Focus

                The transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament, an epic renovation in God’s redemptive plan. The new builds upon the old, the new completes the old.

                Nehemiah, the story of the rebuilding of the walls. Rebuild, restore, renew.

Pictures of Institutional Renovation

                A crumbling structure in need of repair

                The Sistine Chapel renovation or what will be the renovation of the Cathedral of Notre Dame

                Upgrading or updating software or systems. 

Congregational Vision Survey

Please complete as much as possible and/or that applies. Thank you for your participation. Your feedback is very valuable.

1. Identify past achievements that Carrollwood Baptist Church has made in its history. Achievements (or highpoints in our history) could be the beginning of a new program, constructing a new building, going in a particular direction, etc.

2. Identify what you see as the strengths of CBC. These are things that we do well and may include something that attracted you or brought you to CBC.

3. What would you identify as areas of improvement at CBC? For example, the lack of teachers and helpers in our children’s ministry or following up with guests, etc.

4. Identify one thing that we could do in the next 90 days to help us move forward with our mission of “making disciples.” For example, starting a specific program, instituting a system change, etc.

5. Do you have any God-sized dreams for our church? These represent long-range areas and goals that will require us to stretch our faith and depend on God.

Name: _______________________________________

How long have you been a member or attended CBC? _____________________________

How You Can Help Your Church

How You Can Help Your Church

Excerpts from a message preached by Dr. Joe Alain at Carrollwood Baptist Church, Tampa, Florida on June 2, 2019.

The message I preached on June 2^nd during the occasion of our 25^th Anniversary as Carrollwood Baptist Church really spoke to me. God’s timing is always “spot on” and I believe this was a timely message for us right now and every church as an example of how to carry out God’s work.  

Concern

Nehemiah inquired about the condition of his people and his beloved city (Nehemiah Ch. 1). When he heard that his people were “in great trouble and disgrace,” he became greatly burdened. When Nehemiah hears about the condition of his people or the city of Jerusalem, he doesn’t blame God or the people, he doesn’t conclude that God can’t turn the situation around, he doesn’t throw up his arms in despair, and he doesn’t have the attitude of, “Oh well, what can I do about it?” or “It’s not my job.” Instead, Nehemiah takes his concern, his burden and goes before God in much tears and in prayer (Neh. 1:5-11).

Prayer

And what a prayer it was! The first thing Nehemiah did was praise God as the sovereign, awe-inspiring, and faithful Lord that He is. Why praise God first? Praise to God lifts burdens and gives us a renewed sense of hope regardless of what is weighing us down. Praise does us good, it changes our attitudes and lifts our burdens. And praise will prepare us for what’s next – confession of sin (1:6-7). Nehemiah was born in Persia and lived long after the events that led to the exile, yet he identified with the people of God and saw that he too was complicit in Jerusalem’s current downtrodden condition. Confession is agreeing with God about who we really are. Confession is “owning up” to our participation in what’s wrong. When we confess our sins, God is faithful to cleanse us and renew us.

The word to describe Israel’s sin (“corruption”) has the idea of ruining something. A failure to follow God’s word always brings corruption (ruin). Let me encourage you to not allow anything to ruin the good work that God is doing in your life, your family, and the church. CBC is a great church but we’re not a perfect church for none exists. However, let’s continue to focus on the good and the godly, let’s build up the church by focusing on our Lord and our mission of loving God and loving others (Mk. 12:30-31; Jn. 13:35; 1 Cor. 13:12). 

After praise and confession, Nehemiah was ready to petition God. As a result of his concern which has led him to seek God, he will now become the answer to his own prayer – he will be enlisted in the rebuilding, restoring, and renewing effort in Israel. The model church member is concerned about the people and the work of God, they bring their concerns first to God in much prayer, they then are ready to step up and be counted in being a positive participant in the rebuilding effort.

Here Are Specific Ways that You Can Help Your Church

1. Pray for one another. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (Jas. 5:16). Prayer allows us to see things from God’s perspective and it changes our heart. It is impossible to remain angry or in conflict with people that you are praying for.

2. Before you share your concerns, as Nehemiah did, take them first to God in much prayer. Hurtful speech is always avoided when we pray and listen before we speak (Jas. 1:19). Come to think of it, I have never had to apologize for something I did not say.

3. Kindly don’t participate in listening to or sharing gossip and negative speech. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Eph. 4:29-32).  

4. Remember, second and third hand information is almost always incorrect. Always go the source and encourage others to do the same.

Praying and thanking God for each of you and the partnership that we have together in the Gospel! I am excited about the great days ahead for CBC!

For God’s Glory!

Pastor Joe

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3