FRAMEWORKS FOR SPECIAL SERVICES OF THE CHURCH AND YOUR ROLE AS A SPIRITUAL LEADER

TOUCHPOINTS

BAPTISM CLEAR them on their spiritual beliefs and the church’s biblical doctrines

Each of our beliefs/vows – show how... What is means to WALK WITH JESUS, What it means to be grateful to JESUS for the gift of salvation, What it means to bring glory to JESUS with our influence and actions.

You can provide PRINTED INVITATIONS for them to give to others for their baptism

Printed invitations for the baptism Family Friends Co-workers Neighbors Schoolmates

Planning ahead Special meal at church following baptism. “Head” table for them and their family. Friends if room. Ask them if they have a Bible text they would like read at baptism. Ask if there is a personal/special song they would like sung. Invite them to PREPARE to give A TESTIMONY. Or, they could WRITE out A short TESTIMONY that you read. Clean the changing rooms! Clean the baptistery! Someone designated to take pictures

DO NOT TOUCH THE MICROPHONE !

MAKE AN APPEAL FROM THE BAPTISTRY Jesus example – for us. Someone impressed by Holy Spirit. New start. Decide today to prepare. Re-baptism Raise hand or speak to me at the door today. Repeat the appeal Close appeal with prayer

DISCIPLING Invite 2 church members to lead in discipling through coming year. Give members instruction/outline and materials to take them through. Encourage these members to come close as friends. Integrate into a Sabbath School class and/or a small group for regular fellowship, prayer, sharing and growth.

CHILD DEDICATION Not INFANT BAPTISM! “PRESENTING THE CHILD TO THE LORD.” Dedicating of the parents to be godly influence. Have entire family come forward, along with sibling of infant. Invite extended family – grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc.

POSSIBLE BIBLE TEXTS Matthew 19:13-15 Mark 10:13-16 Luke 18:15-17 Luke 2:22-24 (also 25-38) 1 Samuel 1:20-28 (especially vs. 27, 28)

Stress to the Church Family They are a part of this service. God calls on the whole church family to support this family and influence this child.

RECEVING NEW MEMBERS Visit in their home. Inquire of background, previous church, when joined SDA. What ministries they have done. Share your local church “guiding values” Be cautious if they indicate expectation to hold specific office right away.

Introduce to church members Special meal when voted in. Small gift, potted flower/plant, book. Quietly arrange for several members/families to invite home for lunch over next 6 months. People desire friends. Connect them to members. Small group for fellowship, sharing, prayer, growth. RECEVING NEW MEMBERS

HOME BLESSINGS Not there to sprinkle “Holy Water!” Purpose to ASK IN PRAYER for God’s blessing on the family and the LIFE and INFLUENCE of that family as they live there. Give God gratitude for place of shelter, safety, comfort

HOME BLESSING – EVANGELISM OPPORTUNITY Family can invite their extended family, friends, neighbors. Special meal for guests right in that home after blessing. You should make point to get acquainted, without pressuring.

COMMUNION 1.Ordinance of Humility 2.Ordinance of the Lord’s Supper

The act of bending down, washing/rinsing water over someone’s foot, is a powerful, physical reminder that all of us are here on earth to SERVE, not to LORD IT OVER each other, or to become exclusive in church.

Hymns that might be considered before Ordinance of Humility-- “Have Thine Own Way, Lord”, “Just As I Am”, “My Jesus I Love Thee”, “Take My Life and Let it Be”, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”, “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”,

SCRIPTURES AND PRAYER Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Peter 4:7-9 Encourage partners to pray personally with each other.

ORDINANCE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER Adventists observe “Open Communion” Vocal solo before starting at the table: “The Church has One Foundation”

APPROPRIATE BIBLE TEXTS TO READ John 6:35, 47-51; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 7:25-27; Hebrews 9:11-12; 1 Peter 1:18,19; Etc.

Other variations: Members invited to give testimony while emblems being passed. Vocal selection (timed to be appropriate) while emblems passed. Elders stand at front of church, members come to front and receive emblems, returning to their seats, then all partake as indicated by pastor.

SCRIPTURES THAT CAN BE READ AFTER THE SERVICE AT THE TABLE, BEFORE THE RECESSIONAL Hebrews 12:1, 2; John 13:1-3; Titus 3:3-7; Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:9,10; Jude 24, 25; Revelation 1:7,8; Revelation 21:12-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23,24.

MAKING IT SPECIAL Some churches have held an “AGAPE” feast on a Friday evening or a Saturday evening. This is a good time for testimonies of God’s GOODNESS, recounting God’s BLESSINGS, sharing a MEMORY of when a person came to Christ, and the JOY of looking forward to the second coming of Christ and a life in the New Earth. Tables shaped as a cross. Candles. Fresh fruit, crackers, light foods, soup. Good time to recount God’s blessings.

OTHER POTENTIAL SPECIAL SERVICES-- Mother’s day Father’s day Visitor’s day Community appreciation day (1 st responders, nurses, public school teachers, electric company linemen, etc.) Honoring school graduates Funerals Happy “re-birthday.” Celebrating baptism in past. Telling story of God’s leading now. Cake. Pictures.