The purpose of the Equipping Ministry is to engage 100% of the Tulare First Baptist Church family in living out a Purpose Driven Life fulfilling the five-fold purposes of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry service, and evangelistic mission. My role is to assist people in finding the tools they need to become the Christians God has intended them to be. I want to work with people and help them discover what they are called to do and provide the training and/or resources needed to fulfill that calling. This will be done through prayer, individual conversations and classes. I believe relationships are made and developed when an individual engages in learning and serving through teams and small groups

Monthly Message ~ What is Equipping?
Spiritual Health Assessment ~ FAQ of Equipping Ministry

Email Chris at Christine@tularefbc.org
or call her at 559-686-0004

Monthly Message

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what is says.”
James 1:22 (NIV)

FAITH IN ACTION “DON’T JUST GO TO CHURCH”
Faith in Action is a 4-week, church-wide emphasis that teaches about having an outward focus and
a heart to serve. Faith in Action culminates in a day devoted to service projects in, and with,
the community. We would like to make this the focus for the year not just one day!

FAITH IN ACTION WEEKLY THEMES
March 30-Week 1: DETOUR - God uses “detours” to get our attention and help us see what’s really important.
April 6-Week 2: LENS - When we refocus our vision we will begin to see the world as God does.
April 13-Week 3: DROP - God uses small things and multiplies the results. We can each make a difference.
April 20-Week 4: PARTY - We experience joy and spiritual rewards when we put our faith in action.

FAITH IN ACTION SMALL GROUP STUDY
Part of this emphasis includes a 4 week small group study that coincides with Pastor Bob’s messages each week. The participant guide also includes a daily “Faith Step” Devotional and a separate small book that contains “The Gospel of Luke” from the Faith in Action Study Bible. If you would like to be part of one of the small group studies please keep an eye in the bulletin for more details or call the church office for more information. You can also contact Chris Peterson at the church or email her at christinepeterson@tularefbc.org for more information. Cost of Participant Guides - $5.00 (includes “The Gospel of Luke”) Dates available-After services on March 16th, 23rd and 30th.

FAITH IN ACTION SERVICE PROJECTS
Another part of this emphasis is participation in service projects with a special focus on reaching out to the community. Please prayerfully consider how and where you would like to be involved. There are several service projects already formed but we would like to give the opportunity for anyone who God has directed to lead in a service project. Please keep you calendars open for our “All Church Service Projects Day” on Saturday, April 19th. For more information about the service projects or if you wish to lead a service project please contact our Service Project Coordinator- Rachel Mendes at 685-8490 or email her at weteach4food@sbcglobal.net . **Keep an eye in the March bulletins and next newsletter for the specific projects already available!

A new resource for finding serving opportunities
Please visit: www.mychurchkid.com/jsp/TulareVolunteerHomePage.jsp

You can search by any of the categories listed. Then you can fill out the online form and an e-mail will be sent to the church with your request for more information regarding the serving opportunity. Tulare First Baptist Church Volunteer Opportunities.....Step 1 Search for a ministry opportunity that matches your SHAPE for ministry. Step 2 Fill out and submit an online form and a ministry coordinator will contact you about getting involved in ministry @ Tulare First Baptist Church.

Part of what I would like to offer to you, the Body of Christ here at TFBC is resources.
My prayer is that some of you will find these helpful and will enjoy the opportunities they may bring to grow in your walk with our Lord. Below is one such resource that I would like to share with you.

SPIRTUAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND PLANNER BY
Steve Gladen and Todd Olthoff, Made to go with The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren ~
“Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups . . . Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.” 2 Corinthians 13:5 (The Message)

In Day 39 of The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren introduces the concept of a spiritual health assessment. He says that to maintain our physical health, we need regular check-ups with a doctor who can assess our vital signs—blood pressure, temperature, weight, and so on. For our spiritual health we need to regularly check and balance the five vital signs of a healthy Christian life:

What is Equipping?
The Equipping Church provides personal, relational, Christ-centered growth through ministry in the church, community, world, and the whole of life. It is done by preparing, connecting and equipping the Body of Christ.

An Equipping Church....	A Doing Church....
1. Sees servers as an end in themselves.	1. Sees servers as a means to an end.
2. Sees the task as a means to develop servers as disciples.	2. Sees servers as a vehicle to get the task done.
3. Relate to give something.	3. Relate to get something.
4. Invests in the servers they lead.	4. Invests in those servers who produce the most.
5. Creates a loyal following.	5. Cycles through workers.
6. Derives satisfaction from the success of their followers.	6. Derives satisfaction from results achieved.
7. Loves and empowers servers they lead.	7. Causes servers to feel used and eventually resentful.
8. Sees people and relationship as what is profitable.	8. Sees people and relationships as expendable.
9. Measures success by product and process.	9. Measures success by product alone.
10. Raises up other equippers.	10. Raises up other doers.
11. Leads with authenticity and vulnerability. Leads from a position of humility.	11. Leads with force and authority. Leads from a position of control.

Equipping is about growing people in Christ. "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the son of god and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)

Q-"What is a Director of Equipping Ministry?"
A-"Well, I'm definitely not the one who hands out materials and equipment.
Instead my role is to assist people in finding the tools they need to become the
Christian God has intended them to be. One pastor explained it this way, equipping
is Encouraging Qualities Undeveloped In People."

Q-"What do you mean by "Encouraging"?"
A-"Scripture is very clear that we have all been given specific gifts, experiences,
and callings to use for His purposes. We want to work with each person and
help them discover what they are called to do and provide the training and/or
resources needed to fulfill that calling. This will be done first through prayer
and then involve individual conversations where we can hear where you feel the
Spirit is leading you. There will also be opportunities to participate in short
term classes that will give individuals information about our church, discovering
your S.H.A.P.E. and how it fits in the Church body, and how to reach out beyond
ourselves to our family, friends, community and world."

Q-"Does this mean that if I come to you or one of these classes I'll be asked to
make a commitment to a ministry?"
A-"Only if it is the ministry that fits your S.H.A.P.E and most importantly it is
the ministry the Lord has given to you. We recognize that everyone goes through
seasons in life. While we learn and grow through serving it is important to
always be involved in a study that helps you grow in your learning of His Word.
Sometimes He gives us a season where we are asked to spend extra time in the
study and application of His Word. Sometimes we are given a season of rest
either for our own health or for the sanity of those that love us. But we need to
remember that these seasons are temporary and part of encouraging is to help
you transition from one season to the next."

Q-"This all sounds great, but when will it begin and how do I find out more
information?"
A-"Right now we are working on the planning, organizing and prioritizing of the
ministry. We are ready to begin with the prayer and individual conversations. If
you are interested in finding out more about the ministry or would like to discuss
the burden the Lord has put on your heart for a specific serving or learning
opportunity please feel free to call me at the church (686-0004) or email me
(Christine@tularefbc.org) and we will arrange a time to get together. I look forward
to getting to know you better."