Prepare Your Fields

S-Scripture: Proverbs 24:27, “27 First, finish your outside work and prepare your fields.  After that, you can build your house.”

O-Observation:  Solomon states that we must do our work before we do our work.  We must take care of the minor details, prepare the fields (the people, the location, etc.).  Then, we build a house for the Lord!

A-Application:  I immediately thought of our current situation as a church.  We have been meeting in a theatre for the past four and a half years.  It has worked well for us up until now.  We are approaching the five year mark of our church, our numbers are growing, and our children’s ministry is maxed out.  Russell and I have been racking our brains, trying to think “outside the box” on what to do, but have only a few thoughts.  The thing I take from this verse is to get ready, prepare the fields (the plans), reach more people, continue to grow numerically and spiritually, then you can build a “church building” to house the assembly.  In the meantime, I must continue to cast the vision of StoneBridge Baptist Church.  Our vision is to be a church where:

• People are passionate about Jesus Christ, sharing the good news of the gospel to the hundreds of thousands of residents in Monongalia County.
• Unchurched people will feel welcome, where the hurting, the broken, the frustrated and the confused can find love, acceptance, help, hope, forgiveness, guidance and encouragement.
• All members are involved in ministry, working to glorify Jesus Christ in everything we do.
• All the members are working together with the same mind, purpose, and heart.
• We establish like-minded churches in the the I-79 Corridor and beyond.
• God raises up church planters  within the local church to carry out the Great Commission.
• All members are active in the services of StoneBridge Baptist Church.
• We develop people to become fully developing followers of Jesus Christ through Life Transformation Groups, HomeTeams, seminars, retreats and a Bible school offered through our church.
• Multiply our Church Staff to produce more leaders who in turn will meet the needs of people in Monongalia County.

P-Prayer:  Dear Father, we are at a crucial time period in the life of our church.  Many of the folks within our body are wrestling with a permanent location.  Lord, please direct our paths, show us when, where, why, what, and how we will do this for you.  In the name of Jesus.  Amen.