The Five Practices of a Fully Engaged Follower of Christ
What Do We Want Jesus Followers To Do?
At Asbury Church, we believe people can fully engage in the life of the church by doing five things: worshiping, engaging in group life, serving, giving and inviting.
Worship
Gathering together in worship gives us a sense of community, purpose and a relationship with God. In worship we encounter God and God speaks to us through the music, scripture and message.
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Psalm 100:2 (NIV)
OUR CHALLENGE TO YOU: Attend worship (in-person, online) 90% of Sundays
Group Life
Growing spiritually doesn’t happen when we know what Jesus says. It happens when we apply what he says. Application happens best within the context of community. To grow spiritually, you have to be connected relationally. Circles are better than rows.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)
OUR CHALLENGE TO YOU: Participate in one small group per year
Serving
We believe when people engage in service, it leads to life change. Whether you serve on a ministry team in our church, in our community, or in the world, God calls us to serve one another.
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:26 (NIV)
OUR CHALLENGE TO YOU: Serve in the church or participate in one mission project per year (find your place)
Giving
God wants to be first in every aspect of our lives—including our finances. We can do this by prioritizing our giving (Give, Save and Live on the rest).
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 (NIV)
OUR CHALLENGE TO YOU: Establish a giving plan
Inviting
Jesus doesn’t want the church to be an exclusive club. He wants everyone to know him and follow him. So we think it’s vital that as we become fully engaged in church, we invest in unchurched people in our lives. That doesn’t mean that we treat them as projects. It means that we genuinely care about them, get to know what’s happening in their lives, and, when the time is right, invite them to take an appropriate next step toward Jesus.
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Matthew 4:19 (NIV)
OUR CHALLENGE TO YOU: Invite one person per year