I launched our ministry year yesterday with VISION SUNDAY. This is when I lay out the overall vision for the church and any new initiatives for 2009-2010. Our theme comes from John 15 - Fruit, More Fruit and Much fruit! Jesus told his disciples that by being his disciples it is expected to bear FRUIT. It is the spiritual result of a life lived in Christ. When we come to faith, we are spiritually connected to Christ and He lives through us. The net result will be fruit. Whether it is winning the lost, building up other believers, growing the church, demonstrating the fruit of the spirit or giving - Christ expects fruit. But if you look at the passage, Jesus says that His Father is not happy until we bear MUCH fruit and there is a process to get there. You start at fruit....the basics. Then you move to MORE fruit. This is attained when you are pruned or cleansed of those things that hinder your spiritual life and hold back the fruit bearing. Once pruning occurs, it should leave us at a point of greater dependence or as the text says - ABIDING. When we are at the abiding mode, much fruit will come! I would encourage you to check out our website
www.newsongfellowship.com and listen to the message. JM