Intro

My name is Travis Aicklen, and we're concluding our "Summer of Wisdom" series on Proverbs next week. Today, I'm delivering our annual "State of the Union" address. This is not a typical sermon, but an important one as we set the course for the new year. I want to talk about three things: the realities of being a sending church, our Sunday rhythms, and our readiness and responsiveness as a community.

Scripture References

John 2:1-11, John 20:21, Acts 1:8

Key Points

Realities of a Sending Church:
- We were planted in 2005 with a vision to be a constellation of churches. We know church planting is a highly effective way to reach the unchurched; research shows 40% of church plant attendees were unchurched.
- This vision is a mix of gratitude for what God has done and a desire to heal from past pain.
- Planting churches is difficult. It means sending our best people and resources, but it's a huge win for the kingdom. We celebrate the 53 people and $100,000/year that have moved to Radiant Exeter. This requires new pillars to emerge, as the burden shifts.
- God is a sending God. He sent the Son, who sent the Spirit, who now sends us (John 20:21). The church's nature is to be generous and to give, just as our God is generous and gave dearly.
Rhythms of Our Year:
- Bible Teaching: This fall, we'll begin a study of the book of Exodus. It’s foundational to understanding the rest of the Bible, including Jesus's ministry and our own story of redemption.
- Worship: Kids (K-6th grade) will continue to join us for worship for the first few songs. This models worship and gives them a sense of belonging.
- Service Length: Our service will be 90 minutes. We're shortening announcements to allow for more time to respond in worship and at the communion table.
Readiness and Responsiveness:
- The church is not an audience, but an orchestra. Your presence and participation are essential.
- We're asking for consistency. The average churchgoer misses 75% of what happens. Make attending the rule, not the exception.
- We're asking for punctuality. Being on time communicates that what we do here matters. It honors the people who serve and the Lord we've come to worship.
- The servants who helped Jesus turn water into wine were the only ones who saw the miracle; the guests only got the wine. Those who serve get a special glimpse into what Jesus is doing.
- God wants us to overcome our fear and risk of commitment and participate in His work.

Conclusion

When we wonder why we do this—sending our friends and money, taking on new burdens—we must remember our God is a sending God. He sends us, as He was sent by the Father. He gives generously, and so do we.

Calls to Action

Serve: Consider joining a ministry team and becoming part of the "orchestra."
Commit: If you're connected, commit to consistent attendance and punctuality.
Communion: The table is open for all who believe Jesus died for their sins. Come and remember what He has done, and how He is raising up an army from dry bones in our valley.

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