Split
1054 AD was a split between the Eastern Church and the Western Church.
One believes the pope should not have power over them, while the other thinks he should. Name a church and its stance from the schism.
Eastern Orthodox Church-Pope should have no authority over the Church.
The Catholic Church- The Pope should have authority over the Church.
Baptists emphasize the practice of baptism.
Name one of their views.
1. Infant baptism should not be practiced (baptism reserved for believers alone)
2. Baptism means immersion (not sprinkle)
3. Salvation cannot be lost (Calvinism)
4. Baptists are independently run
What is concerning? What is your response?
Jesus. We follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ and honor him as our Savior and as the Son of God. (Matthew 20:28; Acts 5:31) Thus, we are Christians. (Acts 11:26) However, we have learned from the Bible that Jesus is not Almighty God and that there is no Scriptural basis for the Trinity doctrine.—John 14:28.
Jehovah's Witness
https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/jehovah-witness-beliefs/
Evangelical Free's statement of faith: https://www.gefcsf.org/
1. We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.
Name all the modalities someone can participate in our Sunday Worship.
Judah Street- Cantonese
Rollingwood- Cantonese
Youtube- Cantonese
Rollingwood - English
Zoom- English
Active disciplining is essential and should happen now. What are some traits of discipleship?
Walking in the same path
Learning the Word together
Encouraging and supporting one another
Being accountable even with the deep stuff
Sharing burden and joy
Growing in Christ and serving one another
Multiplying disciples through mission
1517 AD is a split because the church was not willing to reform. Reformation turned one Church into two. Name one of the denominations.
Roman Catholic
Protestant
Pentecostals may see sanctification as a process but they also see it as an important singular event in each Christian. They say each has a similar experience to Acts 2. What happened in this part of history?
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them...
What is concerning? What is your resposne?
The Book of Mormon stands alongside the Bible as another testament of Jesus Christ and His divine mission as the Savior and Redeemer of the world. Together, the Bible and the Book of Mormon provide more understanding of God’s great love for all of us and can help us come closer to Him.
Latter-Day Saints https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng
EFC's Statement of Faith:
We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises
Our Church has multiple pastors. Name 1 of our pastors.
Pastor A.
Pastor J.
Pastor J.
Advising Pastor H.L.
Jesus is the ultimate example of someone who leads and serves. How did Jesus demonstrate this duality?
Served in humility
Served by disciplining others
Served by obeying the Father
The Lutheran Church separates from the Catholic Church in some major beliefs. Contrast 1 of them (Luthern belief and Catholic belief)
1. The authority of scripture is above/ equal to the authority of the pope and the church (Lutheran/Catholic)
2. Minister can/cannot marry (Lutheran/ Catholic)
3. Salvation is by grace through faith alone/work combination (Lutheran/Catholic)
EFCA observes 2 ordinances as Jesus commands.
Name one of them.
1. Baptism.
2. Communion.
What is concerning? What is your response?
Though Unitarianism and Universalism roots draw from liberal Christian traditions, we continuously learn from diverse, multi-cultural, spiritual, ethical and moral traditions and philosophies. We welcome community members of all genders, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
What can you refer to if someone wants to compare and contrast what your church believes in?
How does your friend know if this church is a fit?
How does your friend know if this is a bible-believing Church?
Refer to Statement of Faith.
Talk to my pastor.
Early church history shows effective evangelism.
What is evangelism?
Evangelism is God gathering people into Worship.
Evangelism shows Christianity isn't anywhere else.
Evangelism is God making a community.
John Knox and the Presbyterian Church separated itself historically for these 2 major factors. Name one of the two.
1. Presbyter (governing of elders)
2. Calvinism (Salvation is initiated and secured by God)
What is EFCA's stance on women in ministry/credentialing?
EFCA
women cannot be ordained
* Preaching and Teaching the Word/ Scripture
women can lead in vocational ministry
Share a statement you once said or heard that is not Christian-like.
Seaton's examples:
1. There is a god but no way to know which version is the true/correct one.
2. Life is just about people doing their best.
What does Free mean?
https://national-office.ministries.efca.org/theological-faq
First, in reference to history, it refers to the fact that in Europe, the Free Church was free from the state church control.
Second, in reference to theology, it refers to our local church polity in that each local church is autonomous, i.e. free from ecclesiastical and hierarchical control.
Who hosted the Leadership Training?
Horizon Youth Ministry Network
[Tree of Life Church was the location]
Commonly TULIP acronym helps remember the principles of Calvinism. Name one of them.
1. Total Depravity
2. Unconditional Election
3. Limited Atoinment
4. Irresistible Grace
5. Preservence of the Saint
Is EFCA more Calvin or more Armenian?
Because the EFCA is a place for both Arminians (including Lutherans) and Calvinists, there is no official position mandating or prohibiting either position. Our official position is that we are a place where both can serve and minister together. It is not to be a doctrine that causes division in the EFCA.
Local EFCA churches lean in one theological direction more than another on this doctrine. But the church ought to be welcoming to the person who leans in the other theological direction. This means this issue is local church specific and a local church distinctive.
1. Check in with God/ pray
2. Check in with this friend/ Okay to talk more?
3A. Check in with Church/ advice?
3B. Check in with authority (parent, Bible, pastors, servant-leader)
Who can you invite to our church?
When?
Harvest Festival- October 27th 2:30-4:30pm
Cross- 2nd and 4th Sunday 2p-4:30,
12:00 with lunch
Sunday Service Sunday 10am
Please share a personal takeaway.
God is telling me to...