A Purpose Driven Church

By Pastor Larry Bennett

Every church is driven, directed by something. Something is at the core of what they do. Tradition, programs, activities, personalities, issues, or even buildings are often the controlling force in a church. Whatever drives a church produces the fruit or results of that church's ministry.

We at The Chapel in North Canton believe that in order for a church to be healthy it must not be built upon the items mentioned above but must instead become a "purpose-driven" church. That is, it must seek to build the church upon the foundations that Jesus Christ in His Word declared to be the foundations of a strong, healthy church.

Rick Warren, Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church, believes the Bible presents five foundations that enable a local church to be healthy. He has developed these foundations into a five-part strategy that he believes will enable a church to become a purpose-driven church. That five-part strategy involves a church becoming:

• Warmer through fellowship
• Deeper through discipleship
• Stronger through worship
• Broader through ministry
• Larger through evangelism

This five-part purpose-driven strategy has proven to be successful in churches around our country. I believe it can help us to become a church even stronger than we already are, while also developing the spiritual lives of Chapel attenders.

Some of the five-part strategies we already have in place here at The Chapel. Others we need to strengthen or develop. With that in mind, this fall we will begin to develop The Chapel into a purpose-driven church. The first step in this process will be for our small groups to study what it means to be purpose-driven as a church and as an individual believer. From there, we will develop a step-by-step process of discipleship that every attender can be a part of.

The end result, I believe, will be a healthy, growing church and stronger spiritual lives. I encourage you to be a part of this new and exciting adventure. Opportunities await for you to be involved in this purpose-driven church / life process. Sign up now at the Home Group display in the church lobby or call the church office for more information at (330) 494-3419.

“What on Earth Am I Here For?”
CHAPEL HOME GROUPS will answer that question

Begin a spiritual journey that will enable you to answer life’s most important question: What on earth am I here for? To start, you need to set aside only 6 weeks, and sign up to join a weekly Home Group meeting in your area. You start your journey with...

Book 1: Beginning Life Together - 
God’s Purposes for Your Life

Book 1 is introductory and touches on all five aspects of the purpose-driven life. We recommend everyone take Book 1 first, before moving on to sign up for any of the other five books, which may be taken in any order you choose. The other five studies are:

• Connecting with God’s Family - Fellowship

• Growing to be like Christ - Discipleship

• Surrendering Your Life for God’s Pleasure - Worship

• Developing Your SHAPE to Serve Others - Ministry

• Sharing Your Life Mission Every Day - Evangelism

Each individual believer was created by God for a purpose, so if you have ever wondered why God put you on this planet, this study is for you. The Home Groups are divided geographically so no one should have to travel very far from home to join one. Please view the choices at the main display in the lobby and sign up soon, before your area study is full. Home Groups will start meeting the week of September 21, 2003.

Discover Your Purpose - Deliver Your Potential
JOIN A CHAPEL HOME GROUP TODAY
and Allow God to Make His Home in Your Heart.

Visit our display in the lobby or feel free to contact any of the following Home Group leaders for more information about the Purpose-Driven Life Studies:

What are Home Groups?

Home Groups are small groups of six to seventeen adults who meet in homes on various nights throughout the week. Members study the Bible, pray for each other, support and love one another, and reach out to others in need of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Home Groups are “Caring Groups” and they are key elements in helping us experience the relationships and intimacy necessary within the Body of Christ. Members of Home Groups strive with one another to achieve goals of identification, love, caring and accountability to God.

Home Groups are “Covenant Groups” and pledge affirmation and acceptance, availability, prayer, honesty, feedback, sensitivity and confidentiality.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS for Sept/Nov 2003

What Is an ABF?

An ABF is a congregation within a congregation. As the church gets larger people need to be in smaller, more intimate groups for in-depth Bible study, prayer and fellowship that is not possible in a worship service. ABFs are one way of meeting this need.

An ABF should be viewed as a long term, friendship-fostering commitment. Consider the following when choosing an ABF: age, life stages, interests, level of spiritual development, parenting circumstances, presence of friends, and Bible study approach. Using this criteria will enable you to find a group of people with whom you can fellowship for many years.

ABFs Meeting at the 9:00 Hour

Classroom #1 - Someone Special Singles
Teachers: Dick Van Scoder & Paul Newmeyer
• Singles of all ages, male & female
Note: Starting Sunday, 9/21/03, Someone Special Singles will move to the Library at the 9:00 hour
• Young Couples ABF will start on 9/21/03 in Classroom #1 at the 9:00 hour. Teacher: Heath Sizick. This ABF is for young, engaged and newly married couples.

Classroom #2 - Kindred Spirit
Teachers: Clyde Caes & Mike Hepler
• Individuals/couples age 40’s and older

Classroom #3 - In His Steps
Leaders: Rob & Kim Testa and Mitch & Erin Madenfort
Teachers: Jerry Richter, Tim Miller & Dave Elliott
• Mostly couples in their 20’s - 40’s

Library - Someone Special Singles (starting 9/21)
Teachers: Dick Van Scoder & Paul Newmeyer
• Singles of all ages, male & female

ABFs Meeting at the 10:30 Hour

Classroom #1 - Crossroads
Teachers: Dave Johnson & Chris Lazaroff
• Individuals of all ages
Note: Starting Sunday, 9/21/03, Crossroads ABF will meet in the Library at the 10:30 hour
• “18 to 24” ABF will start on 9/21/03 in Classroom #1 at the 10:30 hour. Teacher: Pastor Happy Peterson. This class is for single, college & career adults in the 18-to-24 age group.

Classroom #2 - Joy Sowers
Teachers: Randy Ross & Hank VanHala
• Individuals/couples of all ages

Classroom #3 - Heritage Builders
Teacher: Pastor Mike McCartney
• Couples with children of all ages

Library - Crossroads (starting 9/21/03)
Teachers: Dave Johnson & Chris Lazaroff
• Individuals of all ages

Tuesday Evening ABF

College & Career “212 Ministries”
Youth Building from 7:00-9:00 pm
Teacher: Nate McCartney
• For young adults ages 18 to 30-something
 

TRAITS OF A HEALTHY FAMILY: BUILDING HEALTHY MORALS & VALUES
Parenting Seminar with Guest Speaker JIM BURNS
Sunday, November 9, 2003 from 3:00 - 6:00 PM - The Chapel’s Youth Building

Jim Burns, Ph.D., is President of YouthBuilders. He is highly respected for his expertise in the area of youth ministry, family and parenting issues. Each month in the U.S. and abroad people use Jim’s written or video materials, hear him speak, listen to his weekly radio program, or tune in to his daily radio feature currently airing in over 800 communities. Jim, his wife Cathy, and their teenagers Christy, Rebecca and Heidi, live in Dana Point, California.

• Develop a plan for presenting positive, value-centered sex education
• Focus on the prevention of drug and alcohol use and abuse
• Get a handle on the rapidly changing media and technology
• You will create a family viewers guide for radio, TV and movies
• Time for practical answers to your parenting questions

Cost is $15/person or $25/couple - Registration Deadline is Monday, October 27.
Call Alyssa to register (330) 494-3419 ext. 314. Childcare will be provided for infants through 5th grade, but you must request it at time of registration.

Sponsored by 180 Student Ministries
Questions or Registration Contact:
Alyssa Schafer
330.494.3419 ext. 314
aschafer@thechapel-nc.org