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Healthy things grow. The early church was continually expanding—not simply through numerical growth but through the multiplication of disciples, leaders, ministries, churches, and mission in the world. Growth requires a willingness to move beyond maintenance and embrace God's call to grow, reproduce, and commission. In the seventh message, Pastor David shares how the thriving congregation continually makes disciples, develops leaders, and multiplies its ministry and mission beyond itself.

Jesus is forming a community of brothers and sisters who joyfully serve him. We have been saved by grace and sent into the world to embody God's love through practical acts of service. As we respond in faith to God’s promised blessings, our service extends God’s blessings to those around us and demonstrates the character of Jesus who “came not to be served but to serve.” In the sixth message of our series, Pastor Melissa shares how the thriving congregation is a conduit of God’s grace and generosity as we serve others in the name and manner of Jesus.

Everything we have—our finances, possessions, abilities, time, influence, facilities, and opportunities—are gifts from God. Therefore, our generosity becomes an expression of our faith rather than simply a means of funding church ministries and programs. In the fifth message, Pastor David shares how the thriving congregation is a wise steward of their God given resources and fosters a culture of financial wisdom, accountability, and generosity within the church body.

A healthy church is a community where love is patient, forgiving, generous, truthful, and willing to bear with others; this love doesn’t quit, but works through conflict. In this community, all people experience the reconciling love of Jesus! In the fourth message, Pastor David shares how the thriving congregation fosters a welcoming environment where people feel a sense of belonging and can build loving and caring relationships to grow in loving community with God and others.

Church attendance and activity are not the same thing as spiritual formation. God wants to transform us into disciples who increasingly think, love, speak, and live like Jesus. Spiritual formation happens through spending time with Jesus and his followers, learning to rest in him. In the third message of our series, Pastor Melissa shares how the thriving congregation becomes like Jesus as we are in his presence.

Healthy churches require healthy leaders. Jesus redefined leadership as humble service, which was a radical departure from the world. The New Testament emphasizes not merely what leaders accomplish but who leaders are—their character, integrity, humility, maturity, and care for others. In the second message of our series, Pastor David shares how the thriving congregation cultivates leaders who are spiritually healthy, emotionally mature, accountable, and committed to serving others.

Prayer is not simply another activity of the church; it is the posture of a congregation that recognizes its dependence upon God. The early church prayed together, and their prayers shaped their courage, unity, discernment, and mission. In the first message of our series, Pastor David begins with an overview of The Thriving Congregation series, explores the purpose and power of prayer, and shares what happens when prayer moves from the margins of church life to the center.

Charismata

How do you discover the spiritual gifts God has given you so that you can use them for his glory? In the final message of our series, Pastor David offers practical guidance for discerning spiritual gifts through prayer, faithful service, spiritual maturity, community affirmation, and openness to the Holy Spirit. Rather than waiting for certainty, believers are encouraged to begin leading, serving, and trusting that God reveals our gifts as we faithfully participate in the life and mission of the church.

Some spiritual gifts inspire excitement while others (due to their more obvious “supernatural” nature) create uncertainty, unease, or even fear. In the fourth message of our series, Pastor David addresses the more “charismatic” gifts—including prophecy, healing, miracles, and speaking in tongues—with humility and biblical balance. Rather than avoiding these gifts or pursuing them without wisdom, we should eagerly desire the Spirit's work while exercising discernment, order, and love.

After his resurrection and ascension, Christ gave gifts to his church in the form of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. These ministry gifts, often referred to as the five-fold ministry, are not titles of status but callings that equip God's people for works of service and help the church mature into the likeness of Christ. In the second message of our series, Pastor David explores these five gifts, how they function together, and what they might look like in the life of our congregation.

After his resurrection and ascension, Christ gave gifts to his church in the form of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. These ministry gifts, often referred to as the five-fold ministry, are not titles of status but callings that equip God's people for works of service and help the church mature into the likeness of Christ. In the second message of our series, Pastor David explores these five gifts, how they function together, and what they might look like in the life of our congregation.

Charismata Scripture Reading: John 14:16; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; Ephesians 4:7; 1 Peter 4:10-11 Sermon Focus: What are spiritual gifts and why does God give them? The New Testament teachers that spiritual gifts are not rewards for spiritual maturity, but gifts of God's grace given to every believer through the Holy Spirit. Every disciple has a role in Christ's Body, and every gift matters. In the first message of our series, Pastor David lays the biblical foundation for understanding spiritual gifts as expressions of God's generosity, intended for edifying the church and furthering God’s gospel mission. WORSHIP RESOURCES Gifts of Grace - Sermon Slides PPT Gifts of Grace - Sermon Slides PDF Small Group Discussion Questions (8-2-26) Bulletin (8-2-26)

Sermon Focus: According to the Bible, God created a good world that has been corrupted by a cosmic rebellion and human sin. Every disease, every disaster, every funeral, and every tear reminds us that creation is groaning under the weight of sin and decay. But this is not the end of the story. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, God has already begun making all things new, and nothing—not suffering, death, or even the powers of darkness—can separate us from his love or prevent his ultimate victory. In today’s message, Pastor David expounds on Romans 8:18-39 and explains how we are "more than conquerors" as we share in Christ's triumph over sin and death.

Sermon Focus: According to the Bible, God created a good world that has been corrupted by a cosmic rebellion and human sin. Every disease, every disaster, every funeral, and every tear reminds us that creation is groaning under the weight of sin and decay. But this is not the end of the story. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, God has already begun making all things new, and nothing—not suffering, death, or even the powers of darkness—can separate us from his love or prevent his ultimate victory. In today’s message, Pastor David expounds on Romans 8:18-39 and explains how we are "more than conquerors" as we share in Christ's triumph over sin and death.