Order of Service
Blessed Be Your Name
Fellowship
What a Beautiful Name
The Blessing
Spoken Word
In Jesus' Name
Message
Invitation
The Goodness of God
Celebration of Baptism
Closing prayer

"Family Matters" Sermon Notes
1. A Word For Children
— Obey your parents
— Honor your father and mother
— Do it as to the Lord
— Command with a promise
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

2. A Word For Parents
Deuteronomy 6
4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
— You can't give what you don't have. Parenting begins with your personal relationship to the Father.
— It is a parent's responsibility to share their faith with their children at all times
— Parents are called to raise their kids together

3. A Word For Fathers
4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
— Fathers are called to bring them up
— Fathers are not called to tear them down (Don't provoke them to wrath)
— Train/Discipline them in the Lord
— Admonish them in the Lord
If father's don't raise their kids, then someone else will be their daddy

As the Family goes, so goes the Nation
— begins with a personal commitment to Jesus Christ
— begins with a personal choice to obey Jesus no matter what

Time Of Invitation
If there's a decision you need to make or you'd like the pastor to pray for you, please text him at 985-516-2164 right now. This is a time for you to give your life to the Lord and learn how to trust Him.

Service Schedule
Sundays
9:15 AM Bible study (All ages; No nursery)
10:30 AM Morning Worship Service; Live-streamed
Wednesdays
11:00 AM Prayer Meeting in the Fellowship Hall
6:00 PM Youth and Children's Ministries

Class-101: New Believer Class
“Discovering Church Membership”

Welcome and Congratulations
I’m very excited to have everyone here. And once again, very excited about the changes you have made in your life. Its my goal to help you “optimize” your walk with Christ.

I have felt led to help with this, and my job to seize this opportunity, and to assist you to a point of spiritual maturity so that your “feel good” that might otherwise leave one day, can be replaced with calm, contented, feeling and provide you a fantastic walk with God.

This Lesson is based on the following assumptions
*Each of you has Confessed and asked Jesus to be Lord of Your Life
*Most (if not all of you) are, or are about to be Baptized
*Each of you wants to know “what is Next”? How can I maintain this level of commitment”?

However, let’s assume you are NOT at this level. Let’s first back up to the start…. Let’s back up, much, much prior to this … to see how you got to this point.

SESSION 1
WHATS THE PROBLEM WITH MANKIND?
Mankind has a natural inclination to ignore Gods Principles
Lookout for #1!
We can never attain enough Pleasure or Wealth!
We are in many ways NEVER satisfied in life!
It’s my life and I’ll do what I please!
If it feels good, DO IT!!!
The bible calls this attitude SIN
When people have problems, they often try many different ways of coping before turning to God.
Rebellion against authority or Mankind

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Drugs or Alcohol
Attainment of Personal wealth or Possessions

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS OF MANKIND??
THE SOLUTION = A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD


WHO IS GOD?
Of course, there are MANY types of Gods…

In Christianity, (and according to Google Dictionary) God is defined as the eternal, supreme being who created and preserves all things

Unfortunately, ☹ his name is sometimes used for “emphasis” to express emotions such as surprise, distress, or anger. It is NOT a statement that was invented by God. It is a slander to his name.

What are the attributes (Qualities) of God?
God is Perfect in Power, Wisdom, and goodness
God is the Creator and Ruler of the Universe
God is Truth. He knows all things exhaustively and so we can trust anything he reveals in scripture.
God is Love. He lovingly disciples his people for their evil
God is Merciful. Mercy is his kindness to us despite our wickedness.
God is Gracious. God favors us. Grace can be defined as “Help” given to us by God.
Mercy and grace are closely related. While the terms have similar meanings, grace and mercy are not exactly the same. Mercy has to do with kindness and compassion; it is often spoken of in the context of God’s not punishing us as our sins deserve.
Grace includes kindness and compassion, but also carries the idea of bestowing a gift or favor. It may help to view mercy as a subset of grace. In Scripture, mercy is often equated with a deliverance from judgment and grace is always the extending of a blessing to the unworthy.



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THE BASIS OF MANKIND
We are not a Chicken, or a Dog, or a Donkey, we are unique
There was a STARTING point, Big Bang, etc.,
And
There will be an ENDING POINT (Scientifically Proven)

Why Did God Create Us?
God Created us to LOVE us… you were created to be loved by God!
We were created to ENJOY a personal relationship with God
The Ravages of Sin!
SIN caused a barrier between mankind and God
God Sent Jesus to Die for our Sins (Jesus made the whole plan possible!)
Jesus Died for us, so that… we can live with him forever!!!
However, it is a CHOICE! We personally decide whether to follow Jesus or Not!
At the right time, God will bring his plan together!
The time is getting Closer
It’s now 2000 years closer than when Jesus came.
Jesus says no man knows when this is going to happen

Why are you here today?
It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to advise that almost Everybody is here for SOME reason. What brought you to this point?

Maybe HGHF? A touching Sermon? Struggles in your life? Marital issues? Alcohol or Drugs? Financial Concerns? Stresses and Lifestyle? Inner Conflicts (Doubts? Fears? Uncertainties?) Countless Other unnamed Sources of Conflict in your life.

As we are all mostly New Believers, To Summarize, I feel that most of you are here this afternoon due to the Lord Directly speaking to your heart. He places events in your life to bring you to him. Are you unique? Too Soft? Not at all. YOU are one of US. So, what are the steps to follow a close, lifelong walk with Jesus Christ? GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST.

How do I do this?........Let’s start with the steps involved!!!
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THE SOLUTION!!

BE SAVED
What are the Primary Components of This statement?
ADMIT that God has not been first place in your live and ask him to forgive your Sins. Confess it in privately (in your soul),
BELIEVE that Jesus Died to pay for your sins and that he rose again on Easter and is Alive today
ACCEPT God’s Gift of Salvation. Don’t try to earn it. Its FREE!!!
ASK Jesus to come into your life and be the Lord of your life

What are the primary focus points of Confessing to God?
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31
“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord Shall be saved” Romans 10:13

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CHRISTIAN???
Answers include:
A person who is a believer in Christianity
We are also referred to as Pauline Theology, or Gentile Christianity. Prior to this, the first Christians were Jews.
Christians believe in only one God.
Christian is Someone whose behavior and heart reflects Jesus Christ
First Christians were referred to as “followers of Jesus” in Antioch. They were called Christians because their speech and behavior were like Christ
5 basic beliefs of Christianity
Uniqueness of Jesus Virgin Birth
One God in the Trinity
Necessity of the Cross
Belief in the Resurrection and Second Coming

So, maybe you have confessed and Asked Jesus into your heart.
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BE BAPTIZED
Why should I be Baptized? Have most of you been Baptized?
Let’s look at the reasoning and history behind Baptism

In Matthew’s story of Jesus, Chapter 28, Verses 18-20 are his parting words to the 11 remaining disciples. This is often referred to as the Great Commission… “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations”

Jesus Command is to make “disciples”. A disciple can be best described as a “Learner”, someone who becomes like his/her master by learning from and submitting to that person’s example.

The disciples are commanded to baptize NEW disciples in the name of the Father, the son, and the Holy Spirit

What is the meaning of Baptism?

Baptism means you believe Jesus died for your sins and, literally, physically came back to life. He’s the Son of God, your Savior, and the only way to be reconciled to God.
Baptism declares that grace has made you new and put you in right-standing with God: condemnation, shame, and guilt are completely washed away.
Baptism is a promise to continually turn away from sin (repentance) and says that you commit to pursuing increasing holiness by the power of the Holy Spirit
Baptism unites you to all believers as one global, invisible body of Christ across all times and geographies and initiates you into the care of a Body in a local church. (That means you need to tangibly connect to a church, be known there, and engage.)
Baptism is the marking of a true follower of Christ. It follows the example set by Jesus.
HOWEVER, Baptism is only Christian when it recognizes God as Father, Son & Holy Spirit.

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It is an outward public symbol of an inward Commitment.
Baptism isn’t optional for believers. Jesus Himself commanded us to baptize all new disciples. If you consider yourself a follower of Jesus Christ, then you are commanded to be baptized

Baptism 101 (Basics)
At Westside Emmanuel, we baptize the way they did in the bible: Immersion Baptism (total submersion of the body), putting people all the way under the water. It is a symbol of death, burial, and resurrection. Just like Jesus Christ died

During the baptism, you will hear the pastor quote from Matthew 28
“I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” …. “Buried with Christ in Baptism, raised to walk in the Newness of Life”

IN THE DETAILS
The first part of this biblical phrase……” I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. Comes from Matthew 28:19 which reads…. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”

The second part of this biblical Phrase “raised to walk in the newness of Life” What does it mean to walk in the newness of life?
Romans 6:3, Paul says, “We have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life”


Who Should be Baptized?
Every Person who has BELIEVED in Christ
In the Bible, there was no such thing as a person claiming to be a Christian and NOT be baptized. It was automatic.


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WHEN should you be Baptized?
You Need to be baptized as soon as you gave your life to Christ. It is a picture of the new life you have been given by Jesus.
Then Philip spoke. Starting with that passage, Philip told the official the Good News about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water. The official said to Philip, “Look, there’s some water. What can keep me from being baptized?” The official ordered the carriage to stop. He and Philip stepped into the water, and Philip baptized him.
ACTS 8:35–38 (GW)
There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to receive Christ into your life, you can and should be baptized. If you wait until you are “perfect,” you’ll never feel “good enough!”

Facts about Baptism
Baptism is a moment of celebrating, receiving, joining, and deciding to live permanently in this free grace. If we are ‘in Christ,’ then we are a brand-new creation (2 Corinthians) Baptism is an expression of the old you dying away, and the new you coming to life (Romans)

There is nothing special about the water. The water in the baptismal is not holy, neither are the Jacuzzis, pools, the oceans, creeks, or Pearl River, which has all been used to Baptize people before!

What is Holy is the faith of the people. It’s not to say where you have been baptized. Its WHY you were baptized.

A common Question is…”is it okay to be baptized more than once?”
Sure, you can. There is no law that says you can only be baptized once. There are MANY instances where people get baptized as children, but as they get older, they have questions and uncertainties about their salvation. There are also times when a husband or wife is a new believer, and the spouse requests “rebaptism” so that the family can start their spirit filled life together. Remember, one of the primary purposes of Rebaptism is to bring a person closer to God!


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Can Children be Baptized?
At Westside, it is our intent to wait until children are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of Baptism before we baptize them. Bro. Marcus and Bro. Drake will spend time with children to assure they understand the meaning and importance of Baptism before doing so!

So…. Are you ready for Baptism?
Think you’re ready? The first thing to do is to pray! The Holy Spirit will compel us towards baptism. Ask God to answer your question about whether it’s time. Baptism was His idea, so He’ll gladly lead you there. Also, consider the following things to talk through with someone who’s been following Jesus for a while:
Do you believe that Jesus was a man AND God and lived a sinless earthly life?
Do you believe that your sin makes you guilty before God?
Do you accept that, apart from the grace of God drawing you to Jesus, you’d be eternally, spiritually dead?
Do you believe that Jesus died on a cross as the payment for your sin?
Do you believe that Jesus, literally and physically, rose from the dead?
Are you ready for all people in your life to know that you’re a follower of Jesus?
Are you willing to make time in your life to connect with other believers?
Are you willing to do something only for the sake of being obedient to God?
Are you willing to turn away from any sin you’re currently aware of? (Knowing there is help, time, and grace for you as you walk away!)
Are you willing to start reading the Bible?
Are you willing to step into a new identity as fully as you can—realizing you’re a son of God equipped to become like Jesus through the Spirit?

So…. You have completed Step #2…. Baptism… Then What????




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JOIN A CHURCH

WHY YOU NEED THE CHURCH

WHY become a member
In Obedience to Christ’s Commands
It’s a choice that shows Maturity
It’s a Necessary Step in your Spiritual development

What does it mean to be a member of a local church?)
Share the responsibility of my church
Serve the Ministry of my church
Support the testimony of my church

Ephesians 2:19 NKJV
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God

Out of this verse are some very important “Keys” about what the Bible says about the church
The Church is a family. It is a spiritual family. In fact, your spiritual family is going to outlast your physical family.
God expects you to be a member of a family. Notice he says “you are a member of God’s very own family. Its GODS WILL. IT IS NOT AN OPTION!
Every Christian needs a church family. A Christian without a church family is like a person who says “I want to play NFL football but don’t want to be on a team? Or “I want to be in the army but not serve in a platoon”, or “I want to be a Bee but don’t want to be part of a Hive”

Biblical Facts about the Church
God says in his word we should attend church Regularly (Hebrews)

God has given us at least 30 instructions in the New Testament that you can’t fulfill unless you choose to be part of a local Church

The church is important to God, so it should be ever important to us.
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Early Believers gathered to worship God Together weekly, and at times, Daily

Paul and the other apostilles were sent to these churches to read aloud

CHURCH means getting together with other believers to worship Jesus Christ, and hear the scriptures together, and encourage one another in faith

“It’s worshipping with others, praying for others, serving others, hurting with others, and being involved in the lives of others”

Church Attendance can become one of the greatest Blessings in you and your family life!

There is something Biblically POWERFUL about gathering together with other believers to worship. Matthew 18:20 (paraphrased) Jesus said “where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them. Therefore, he is indeed among us when we are gathered to worship him.


Having a Church Family will help you with your Five REAL purposes for your life!

KNOWING AND LOVING GOD (Worship)
Worship is simply loving god, taking time with God (prayer), and listening to God.

TO LOVE OTHERS (Fellowship)
The moment you become a Christian, you become part of the family of God. But you are not part of a church family until you choose to join!
Two of the things you are going to do once you get to Heaven is (1) To Love God, and (2) to Love other Christians.

GROWING INTO MATURITY (Discipleship) /
The word DISCIPLE is not a spooky word. It is simply the Greek word for “learner”. That’s all it means. It means I am a learner. It means I am learning, I am growing and becoming more and more like God wants me to be.
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TO SERVE GOD BY SERVING OTHERS (Ministry)
Every time you help someone else in love, Jesus says, “its like you did it to me”.
Any time you serve someone else in order to show love for God, that’s Ministry. It could be washing dishes, picking up clothes, taking out garbage, visiting the sick. If you are doing it for the right motivation of helping others, loving others, and loving God it is a ministry.

TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT HIM (Evangelism)
EVANGELISM simply means “to share the Good News”
Evangelism is a gift that is a kind of “reaching and teaching” sharing one-on-one. So anytime you hear people talk about evangelism it just means sharing.

And finally

What’s the difference between being a Christian and being a member of a church family?

COMMITMENT
I become a Christian by Committing my life to Christ. I become a member of a church by Committing myself to other Christians.
I say “that’s going to be my church home where I am going to give, and be given to, and where I am going to serve, and be served, and where I am going to love, and to be loved”


Closing Comments from the Pastor and Audience.










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Session 2WEBC

Our Motto
“Love God, Love People, Pure and Simple”
Based on….
The Two great commandments”
And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.Mark 12:30
“You shall love your Neighbor as yourself”.Mark 12:31

Our Commission…
Based on “The Great Commission” Matthew 28: 19-20
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
Go make disciples (Learners) of all nations
Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit
Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.


Our Faith / Essential Beliefs

About God
We believe that God is the creator, and ruler, of the universe
We believe he has existed in 3 persons, the Father, the Son, and the holy spirit

About Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God. He is Co-equal with the father and Holy Spirit. He lived a sinless human life, and offered himself as a sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after 3 days to demonstrate his power over sin and death. He ascended (rose) to Heaven’s glory and will return someday to earth to rain as King of King and Lord of Lords




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About the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is Co-equal with the Father and Son of God. He is daily present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of Salvation. He provides the Christian with power for Living, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.

About the Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. Human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, wrote it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.
About Human Beings
People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

About Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.





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Leadership within our Church

The Pastor
Duties of a Pastor
Lead worship services through the preaching and teaching of biblical Truths
Conducts and Officiates weddings, funerals, and ordinances, such as the Lords Supper.
He is an administrator, a preacher, and an evangelist.
Also, a servant leader and responsible for maintaining the spiritual edification of the congregation
Pastor is also the leader to outreach ministries, such as visitation to members’ homes and hospitals or other facilities where members or their families may be in need of prayer or spiritual comfort.
Is Responsible for leading the church to become mission minded. (The pastor should encourage his church to support mission projects with finances, volunteering and prayer.
Performs administrative duties by overseeing other church staff, such as youth and music ministers, and Sunday School Teachers.
A Baptist pastor is also the counselor for members who are in need of advice during times of crisis, and had to maintain trust through Strict Confidentiality.

Deacons
The term "deacon" means to minister or serve. Within each Baptist church is a group of deacons chosen for devout attributes who assist the pastor, preach to the congregation and reach out to the community. Elders and deacons must be men who are both sober-minded and self-controlled. To be sober-minded is to be able to make decisions with a clear mind. Therefore, elders and deacons must be able to, with biblical wisdom, judge truth from error.Before they are appointed as deacons, they will be closely examined.

Deacon Definition
The term deacon comes from the Greek word diákonos meaning "servant" or "minister." The word, which appears at least 29 times in the New Testament, designates an appointed member of the local church who assists by serving other members and meeting material needs.

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Duties of Deacons (as a collective Body)

Deacons administer communion and collect financial offerings. While it is the pastor's job to pray for the needs of the church and oversee internal ministry, deacons make themselves available to members for prayer and guidance to alleviate the workload of the pastor.

Because church organizations in the U.S. are tax-exempt, the law requires that they establish boards and committees for budgeting, government reporting and decision-making. This is intended to create a checks and balances system within each church. Baptist deacons serve on these boards and committees to guide the congregation and act as financial advisers and counsel to pastors and elders.

Deacons assist pastors in community outreach by ministering the gospel outside the church, visiting the sick and homebound, recruiting and receiving new members and traveling on missionary trips. Within a congregation, deacons set examples of compassion and stewardship. The deacons also help with educating and nurturing youth within and outside of the church.

No matter how they serve, Scripture makes it clear that ministering as a deacon is a rewarding and honorable calling in the church.

WEBC presently has 15? deacons, with two to be examined during March.


Praise and Worship Ministry
Why do we sing?
The Bible is filled to overflowing with exhortations to worship our God. God clearly desires and requires our praise. King David sets an example for us: “Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” (Psalm 146:1-2)
Worshiping God refocuses our attention onto Him and away from ourselves. Corporate (Group) worship reminds us that we are part of the body of Christ. And worshiping God is acting in accordance with Scripture. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.” (Heb. 13:15)


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Here at WEBC, our music is led by what is referred to as a “praise band”, but specifically, under the direction of a Praise/Worship Leader (worship pastor).

Duties and Qualifications of a Worship Leader / Worship Pastor

A SKILLED MUSICIAN
A worship leader doesn’t need to be proficient in all musical instruments, but they should definitely be experienced and skilled with more than one. They should be able to recognize the elements of the sound their music team is creating and adjust those elements as needed to reach the desired tone and momentum.

A VISIONARY
Creativity and adaptability are two of the most important qualities for a worship leader. Congregations expect to be engaged in the worship experience every week. A visionary is able to maintain passion and keep bringing a fresh feel to the services.

SOMEONE WHO COORDINATES WITH A THEME
The worship leader does not choose the theme of the sermon, but they help coordinate the music to match the vision of the speaker. Subtle nuances in the sermon can be amplified through the songs selected by the worship leader. Song choices can impress the message of the sermon on the listeners.
The goal result of this, for worship leaders, is that songs will emphasize the sermon and help to emblazon the message on the hearers.

SOMEONE WHO CAN BUILD TEAMS
A worship leader is not a solo act. Rather, they are the foundation of a team. They create a culture and an identity for the team they lead.
Communication and organization are essential skills as they work to inspire the musicians they lead. The best worship leaders know when to step back and lead from behind, encouraging individuals of the team to step up in their positions.

SOMEONE WHO WILL FOSTER RELATIONSHIPS
Aside from team building, the worship leader is responsible for fostering and developing relationships with church members and fellow leaders in the church. They are not limited to musical subjects only, but are also seen as mentors and shepherds to the members of the congregation


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SOMEONE WHO IS CHRIST-CENTERED & HOLY SPIRIT-GUIDED
The worship leader is a key contributor to the church, and they are responsible for their personal relationship with Christ, maintaining a sensitive ear to the nudges of the Holy Spirit. They weave Biblical truths into the music they make. They pursue Jesus and seek to become more like Him both on and off the stage.

Youth Minister (Youth Pastor)
Youth pastors work for churches where they lead children and teenagers, educate them about Christianity, and encourage them to worship, do volunteer work, and get involved in community outreach. Youth Pastors provide students with Bible study lessons and other services.

Duties of the Youth Minister
The youth pastor will strive to make all students understand the journey of our souls, encourage students who are interested in the knowledge of God, and support them to develop their love for Him and others. They attend student functions at schools and home school events, grow relationships with the education community, and provide students and their families with biblical counseling.
They need to provide students with a place to belong that gives them the courage to be different and resilient to unhealthy peer pressure. The Youth Pastor should have a proficient understanding of the challenges young people face and are compassionate.

Youth Pastor Responsibilities:
Attending and participating in staff meetings.
Overseeing, growing, and coordinating the church's youth ministry.
Designing, overseeing, and examining curriculum for all programs, events, and classes.
Leading middle and high school students to encourage their spiritual growth.
Interacting with students during Sunday services.
Developing positive relationships with students and their parents.
Sharing program plans through social media.
Displaying a Christ-like approach and lifestyle, and praying regularly for young people in the church and community.
Incorporating youth into various church ministries for His use.
Growing students who are interested in the knowledge of God and His Word.

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Youth Pastor Requirements:
Evident relationship with Jesus Christ.
Proficient understanding of challenges and needs of young people.
Excellent computer skills, and proficiency with social media.
Outstanding communication and organizational skills, both verbal and written.
Affinity for young people.
Ability to lead by example.
Church Secretary (Ms. Esther Pittman keeps everyone straight)
Sunday School Teachers
Committee Members
Church Members (Ministers)
You are not only a disciple, and not only a member of God’s family, you are also a MINISTER!
Not everyone’s called to be a pastor, but EVERYONE is called to be a Minster! (Minster means Service). In the Bible, the word Ministry” and “Service” are the same word.

We say that every Member is a Minister.
A LOT of churches are like a football game.

All of you together are the one body of Christ, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:27 (TLB)
The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.
CORINTHIANS 12:21–22 (NLT)


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Duties of a Minister (Church Member)
Offers Spiritual Guidance and Support
Prays for People
Visit shut-in’s, nursing homes,
Lead Prayers when needed to
Can be asked to meet with those in need of personal or spiritual direction
Make sure everyone feels welcomed
Lead church Sunday School classes, etc.

Chances to Grow in faith and In the body of believers
SMALL GROUPS
We intend that WEBC isn’t a place only where you attend.
You are never going to really feel a part of Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church until you are involved in a small group!
When you get in a small group, you are going to feel connected.


Prayer
What is prayer?
Prayer is simply talking with God. It can involve praise and adoration, thanksgiving, petition, repentance, and intercession.

Why is it important to pray?
There are many good reasons to pray. Here are a few of them.
Direct line of communication
It’s important to pray because prayer is our direct line of communication with God. The Bible says that God hears us when we pray (1 John 5:14). In fact, he doesn’t just hear us he wants to hear from us.
Aligns our hearts with God’s
Prayer aligns our heart with God’s heart. It helps us to desire his will. Our hearts need to be continuously renewed and transformed so that we become more like Jesus. If we’re not praying, our hearts can’t be renewed.
Strengthens our faith
Prayer also strengthens our faith. When we see our prayers answered, it strengthens our faith in who God is. Even if our prayers are not answered how we would like them to be, we still grow in our faith.
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Teaches us to be persistent
Prayer teaches us about the power of persistence. Sometimes, we end up praying about one thing for weeks, months, and even years. We learn persistence and patience as we wait for God to answer our prayer.

What Jesus taught about prayer
Pray then like this:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

MATTHEW 6:9-13
Jesus taught us to pray following the format of the Lord’s prayer. This does not mean we have to pray these exact words. They are simply a guideline for how we should pray. It provides the basic steps to be used in Prayer..

*What are the steps for praying?
1. Adoration and praise
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
First, praise God for who he is. If you’re not sure what to say, read through the Psalms. There are countless praises you can use in your prayer. You could even start off with a song. Many worship songs offer praise to God. Also be sure to express thanksgiving to God as well. As always, make sure that your heart is in it and that it doesn’t become a vein routine of going through the motions.

2. Recognize God’s will and sovereignty
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Next, recognize God’s will. We’re humans and sometimes we tend to pray for what we want even if it goes against his will. Acknowledge God’s will so that as you pray for your needs and desires to be met, he guides your heart to pray for his will to be done instead of yours. Essentially, in this step you are surrendering and allowing God to confirm your heart to his.

3. Express your needs and don’t forget to pray for others
Give us this day our daily bread
Now, you can ask for what you need. Be open before God since he already knows everything about you. There isn’t anything too big or too small for you to ask. The answer could be “yes,” or it might be “no” but you’ll never know unless you ask. Don’t forget to pray for others in this step too
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4. Repent and ask for forgiveness
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Repentance doesn’t just happen once; we should practice it all the time. No, it’s not because we fear some hidden sin that we’re going to be punished for. Instead, we repent because God is constantly convicting our hearts of truth. We repent in humility, acknowledging that there’s still growth that needs to be done in our hearts. There are still things that we’re clinging to that we need to turn from in order to embrace what God wants to do in our lives. Of course, if we have knowingly sinned, we can repent and ask forgiveness for what we have done. Finally, we should also forgive others.

5. Ask God to keep you from temptation
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
In this step, ask God to keep you from temptation and protect you from the plans of the enemy. We don’t keep ourselves from falling into traps by trying to do it all on our own. God is the one who keeps us from falling. If we want him to do that for us, we should ask.

Close with praise and adoration
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
I want to mention that it’s important to close out with praise and adoration. This step is the only one that’s repeated. Perhaps that could mean it’s the most important. So, while you should be doing all the other things I mentioned, let praise and adoration be your focus. Praise when you begin and praise when you close out.

Why pray if God already knows everything about us?
Even though God knows everything about us and everything that will happen in the future, he still wants to hear from us. It’s like a parent who knows what’s wrong with their child, but still wants him or her to trust them enough to share. When you tell God what you need or what’s going on in your life, you open yourself up to receiving comfort from him.
We pray so that God’s will can be accomplished in our lives. There are doors in our lives that cannot be opened unless we knock, things that we cannot receive unless we ask, and blessings we cannot find unless we seek. While God wants to give us these things, he won’t ever force us to have them if we aren’t willing to ask and receive.




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Finally, we all know that prayer changes things but have you considered that it also changes us? God won’t always answer prayers the way we want him to. Sometimes the answer will be no. But, each time we pray, we are transformed and we grow closer to God.

What prayer is NOT
So, you know a little about what prayer is and why it’s important. I also wanted to share what prayer is not about.
A popularity contest
A way to gain attention
A way to force God’s hand
Vain Repetition
Meditation

We need to be praying every single day. The Bible says “without ceasing.” That means that you can constantly whisper words of adoration, thanksgiving, intercession, repentance, and petition to God all throughout your day. He’s always listening and he’s never busy. He longs to hear from you.

Prayer is essential for our lives as Christians. It’s not as hard as it seems if we have the right tools in place. It might feel awkward sometimes and you won’t always know what to say but keep praying. It has more to do with honesty and a genuine heart than it has to do with eloquent and fancy words. As you continue to pray, it’ll get easier. Don’t stop praying, no matter what.

Tithes, Offerings, and Financial Stewardship

Stewardship is managing God’s blessings God’s ways for God’s glory. See, the Bible tells us in Psalm 24:1 that He owns it all: “The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof” (KJV).
Financial stewardship includes spending resources wisely. Resources include time, money, people, and property. Financial consequences are evaluated before existing activities are changed or eliminated and new activities begin.
Churches need money for operation and growth. The Church is a wonderful organization but it is also a Business that must be managed.



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The two predominant reasons for the failure of start-up businesses are under-capitalization and mismanagement. In other words, (1) there is not enough money to fund growth and daily operations, or (2) management poorly stewards the available capital. Many churches fail for one or both of the same reasons.

What is Tithing? Tithing is a term commonly used today to mean setting aside a certain amount of one's income for God. Typically, a title refers to a tenth of one's income because the word literally means “tenth” but it is often generalized to mean any amount of money set aside for God.

The DIFFERENCE between a tithe and an Offering
A tithe is a specific amount (10% of your income) that you give first, and an offering is anything extra that you give beyond that.

The concept of setting aside any portion of one’s income begins within the first book of the Bible. In Genesis, Adam and Eve’s children, Cain and Abel brought “portions” of their flocks and crops before the Lord. The idea was to set aside a portion of the first crop of the season to thank God for a successful harvest.

There are 3 directives for New Testament Giving
Give Generously
Paul also makes a distinction that giving should be “in keeping with his income”. Yes, a person should give generously, but those who make more should be encouraged to give more, while those who make less should give less.

Give Consistently
One goal of giving is to re-orient the giver’s heart to the things of God over the things of this world. It’s a declaration that God is first in our lives, before anything else. In order for this declaration to be effective, one should give consistently.
In Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth, he writes, “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income” (1 Cor. 16:2). The church family was encouraged to set aside an amount of money to give each week. The goal is not for this to be a new rule every church goer must follow, but a general principle to encourage consistent giving.


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Give Joyfully
If God desires a person’s heart, then the heart with which a person gives matters. Paul again writes, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). Paul notes that giving should not be done so “reluctantly” or “under compulsion”.

The joyful giver understands that this earth is not everything. This is why Jesus said, ““Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21). These givers understood the value of investing in the kingdom of God and the work of the local church.
Why is it important to tithe?
Philippians 4:19, “When we're obedient to give back to the Lord, He is faithful to supply all our needs.” This is the reason that tithing is so important — it is something that God wants from us.
In Conclusion
How can God Help YOU in your Daily life?

WHAT HE CANNOT DO
HE cannot solve all problems
HE cannot correct money problems in many instances

WHAT HE CAN DO
In MANY cases, HE CAN restore your family
HE WILL allow you to have the best friends possible.
HE CAN help you from addictions and Dependencies
HE CAN fill your life with hope, peace, and humility

I hope this class was filled with great information about who we are, and what we believe as a church. BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE CLASS is the commitment that I hope each of you will make in your heart.

The Christian walk can be likened to a marriage—the pastor may do some teaching about marriage in the ceremony, but it is teaching that is pointing to the commitment the couple will make. For you to truly enjoy God’s blessings on your life, your personal commitment is needed.