1. WHY DO WE EXIST? Think twice-- our actions speak louder than our words!

2. What do our actions say? We exist: To be happy! –To be prosperous! –To be comfortable! –To be admired/affirmed! Or, to be pitied!

3. What do our bulletins say? THREE primary reasons! ONE primary direction!

4. We exist… 1) To WORSHIP and GLORIFY God! Why? The Greatest Commandment –Matthew 22:36-40 –Created, commanded, compelled to worship! What? –Connecting with God! –Hearing Him speak to your heart! –Wanting to please Him more than anything!

5. We exist… 2 ) To help Christians GROW in Christlikeness! Why? The Great Commission! Mt. 28:18-20 –Commanded to teach them to obey everything… –Called and challenged to prepare everyone to be mature and perfect in Christ! Eph. 4:11-16 What? –Encourage daily, quality time with the Lord –Encourage Biblical stewardship –Provide worship, small groups, ministry opportunities inside and outside the church

6. We exist… 3) To REACH OUT to people who need to KNOW Christ! Why? The Great Commands & Commission –Commanded to love our neighbors! –Commanded to go and make disciples! What? –Here, there, everywhere! –By praying, giving, and going. –By baptizing, discipling, and sending. –By touching, telling, showing, and growing.

7. We exist… AND, we do all these things UNDER GOD’S DIRECTION Directed by His Word Directed by His Spirit Directed by His Works Jn. 5:19-20 Directed by His Leaders Directed by His Church

8. Our Core Values: Spiritual growth in our: Daily time with God. Biblical financial stewardship. Weekly worship with Christians. Weekly small group Bible studies. Weekly church ministry. Weekly community ministry.

9. Grow in Christlikeness! Oak Street’s Blueprint For Spiritual Growth

10. Moving people towards Christlikeness Connecting with GOD Oak Street Baptist Church Personal Growth Intentionally moving believers to maximum commitment! Ministry Growth Community Nation World 1 2 34 Connecting with PEOPLE

11. A GROW GROUP for you! I will commit to….. Weekly Worship Attendance Daily Devotions: 5-15 minutes Regular Giving: Something I will commit to….. Weekly Worship Attendance Daily Devotions: 45. min or more Regular Giving: 10% or more Weekly Small Group Attend. Weekly Church Ministry + Weekly Community Ministry I will commit to….. Weekly Worship Attendance Daily Devotions: 30-45 min. Regular Giving: 5-10% income Weekly Small Group Attend. + Weekly Church Ministry I will commit to….. Weekly Worship Attendance Daily Devotions: 15-30 min. Regular Giving: 1-5% income + Weekly Small Group Attend. Key: Weekly Worship options: Sunday.10 AM, 12 PM or 6 PM Weekly Small Group options: Sunday School, Home Bible Study Weekly Church Ministry options: teach, sing, serve, or lead in church Weekly Community Ministry options: teach, outreach, serve and/or mission trips outside the church Oak Street Baptist Church BLUE Grow Group RED Grow Group YELLOW Grow Group GREEN Grow Group Moving people towards Christlikeness

12. We reap what we sow… If we sow little, we reap little. If we sow some, we reap some. If we sow much, we reap much!

13. How well are we existing? Not as bad as we could be! Not as good as we should be! Our best days are still ahead of us! –Sow much now, reap much later!