When you see the initials MVP what first comes to mind? If you are familiar with sports at all or know someone who is; you’ll recognize the abbreviation for “Most Valuable Player.” Every team has a most valuable player, even if the team lost the game. Does First Church have an MVP? Absolutely! The Most Valuable Player on our team is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the head of the Church. Without the power of the Holy Spirit we can’t field a team, but with Him we can do all things! Philippians 4:13 is true: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Something very significant happened last Wednesday night at First Church. We unveiled an additional MVP to a group of about 65 committed believers. These people had invested the previous three months in prayer, reading and discussion of a new Mission, Vision and Process for First Church challenged by some concepts and reveling studies in the book Simple Church. Our staff invested this entire year in a similar process of prayer, reading, study and discernment. We collected ideas, suggestions and comments from our Wednesday Night Study Group participants and went on a retreat two weeks ago to pray, clarify and discern God’s will for us as a church family. Though we know this may simply be a beginning point; it is a significant one for us as we move forward in the New Year.

Here’s how we’re currently describing our new MVP with foundational scriptures:

Mission:
First Church exists to Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the world!

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20

Vision:
    We become disciples by…
     Connecting with God - John 4:23-24
     Growing in Faith and - Acts 2:42-47
     Serving with Love. Ephs. 6:7

Process:
1. Worshipping God weekly.
2. Growing in our faith regularly.
3. Developing spiritual maturity daily.
4. Serving others willingly.
5. Sharing our faith passionately.

This Thanksgiving week, I am very thankful for how God is leading us forward at First Church. We’re growing in our love for God and service to Him. With our new MVP we have new direction for greater vitality and effectiveness in our pursuit of Christ and His Kingdom here on earth. It’s a very exciting and challenging time to be a Christian!

I’ll be sharing more specifically about our new MVP as we begin the New Year. Please be in prayer now about how we can all work together in a spirit of genuine unity to fulfill ALL God has for us in 2010! I love you and thank God for each of you! Have a Blessed Thanksgiving. Advent begins this week with a new 4 week series, ALL I Need for Christmas. I’ll look forward to seeing you here Sunday! Blessings!

Yours in Christ,
Mark

P.S. We had a great first response to our Commitment Sunday! If you are yet to make your 2010 commitment; please be sure to bring it with you this week. Thanks!

P.S.S. For my note-taking friends, please forgive me. I just realized we put the wrong outline in the worship folder last Sunday. No wonder you were looking at me so funny!