Ministry Year 2022-23 Prayer & Action Goals
Why Have Goals?
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:14
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul the Apostle declares that even he hasn’t “arrived” yet and still has room to grow. He invites us to adopt the same mentality. This spiritual “pressing on” is what our yearly Prayer & Action Goals are all about at Peninsula Community Chapel.
Our church elders have identified several goals for us to pursue as a church this year. Some of these goals will excite you while others may make you say, “Ehh…” And that’s kind of the point.
Your walk with God is a community project! Because of that, some of our goals will relate to things that you are already passionate about. Other goals will stretch you to take action and pray for an area or topic that you might not have that much interest in at first and that’s the beauty of growing in community. When we grow together as a community, we help one another to address blind spots and areas that we could use shoring up in. None of us has “arrived” yet and we all have areas in which we need to grow. By growing together as a church family, we help to ensure that our growth is biblically balanced and nourished by other people’s perspectives and experiences.
If we only pursue goals that we are already excited about, our spiritual growth will be stunted as we simply reinforce our own interests and passions. But when we grow together, we stretch ourselves to explore new areas and press on to know the Gospel’s influence in every corner of our lives.
So join us this year in using these goals to guide your prayers and actions. We are excited to have you with us for this adventure!
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul the Apostle declares that even he hasn’t “arrived” yet and still has room to grow. He invites us to adopt the same mentality. This spiritual “pressing on” is what our yearly Prayer & Action Goals are all about at Peninsula Community Chapel.
Our church elders have identified several goals for us to pursue as a church this year. Some of these goals will excite you while others may make you say, “Ehh…” And that’s kind of the point.
Your walk with God is a community project! Because of that, some of our goals will relate to things that you are already passionate about. Other goals will stretch you to take action and pray for an area or topic that you might not have that much interest in at first and that’s the beauty of growing in community. When we grow together as a community, we help one another to address blind spots and areas that we could use shoring up in. None of us has “arrived” yet and we all have areas in which we need to grow. By growing together as a church family, we help to ensure that our growth is biblically balanced and nourished by other people’s perspectives and experiences.
If we only pursue goals that we are already excited about, our spiritual growth will be stunted as we simply reinforce our own interests and passions. But when we grow together, we stretch ourselves to explore new areas and press on to know the Gospel’s influence in every corner of our lives.
So join us this year in using these goals to guide your prayers and actions. We are excited to have you with us for this adventure!
Our Year of Joy
God’s Word says a lot about joy. Jesus explained that he wanted his joy to be in us and for our joy to be full (John 15:11). We are told that joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22), that there is fullness of joy in God’s presence (Ps 16:11), and that love rejoices in the truth (1 Cor 13:6). This is why we can rejoice in hope (Rom 12:12), rejoice in the Lord always (Phil 4:4), and count it all joy (Jam 1:2).
Joy is a central part of the Christian life. In the 1600s a group of Christians created a resource called the Westminster Shorter Catechism to help teach the basics of the Christian faith. In that helpful document they explained that our chief end or purpose in life is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. Contemporary pastor John Piper adds that the best way for us to glorify God is by enjoying him forever. In other words, God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.
These Prayer & Action Goals are all intended to help us experience more joy in the Lord and to spread his joy to others. Below each goal are listed several ways that you can pursue it but feel free to come up with your own ideas as well. We hope that they will enrich your spiritual growth this year!
In the joy of the Lord,
Garrett Spitz, Lead Pastor
Joy is a central part of the Christian life. In the 1600s a group of Christians created a resource called the Westminster Shorter Catechism to help teach the basics of the Christian faith. In that helpful document they explained that our chief end or purpose in life is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. Contemporary pastor John Piper adds that the best way for us to glorify God is by enjoying him forever. In other words, God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.
These Prayer & Action Goals are all intended to help us experience more joy in the Lord and to spread his joy to others. Below each goal are listed several ways that you can pursue it but feel free to come up with your own ideas as well. We hope that they will enrich your spiritual growth this year!
In the joy of the Lord,
Garrett Spitz, Lead Pastor
Making Disciples Who Know His Joy & Change His World
Word
Experience a deeper joy in living out my faith with others by studying and applying 1 Corinthians.
To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 1:2-3
- Use an ESV Scripture Journal to help me record notes and prayers related to 1 Corinthians.
- Participate in a Home Group, Bible Study, and/or Discipleship Class on 1 Corinthians.
- Study 1 Corinthians using The Challenges of Life Together Bible Study published by InterVarsity Press.
- Memorize or meditate on 1 Corinthians 13 or other key verses from 1 Corinthians.
To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 1:2-3
Worship
Nurture a growing joy in the Lord by regularly reading His Word and using it to shape my prayers.
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. - John 15:7-8
- Identify and follow a Bible reading plan that will meet you where you are at and help you to engage with God’s Word more regularly.
- Set aside consistent times in your schedule to spend reading and praying God’s Word.
- Participate in a Discipleship Class about different ways to read and pray through God's Word.
- Use an app for smart devices like PrayerMate or Bless Every Home to help you regularly pray God’s Word.
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. - John 15:7-8
Equip
Get equipped to share my joy more confidently with others by learning about the most challenging questions of our day and age.
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
- 1 Peter 3:14-15
- Read and talk about one or more of the following books with another believer. Discussion questions available HERE.
- Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth (288 pg) by Thaddeus J. Williams
- The Secular Creed (125 pg) or Confronting Christianity (240 pg) by Rebecca McLaughlin
- The New Reformation: Finding Hope in the Fight For Ethnic Unity (240 pg) by Shai Linne
- Talking About Race (188 pg) by Isaac Adams
- Gay Girl, Good God (208 pg) by Jackie Hill Perry
- Surviving Religion 101 (272 pg) by Michael Kruger
- Making Sense of God (336 pg) by Tim Keller
- Before You Lose Your Faith (139 pg) by Trevin Wax and others
- Participate in a seminar related to the pressing questions of our day and age.
- Read, watch, or listen to other suggested resources related to these questions.
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
- 1 Peter 3:14-15
Engage
Local: Partner together with others in spreading joy by doing regular local ministry with a Home Group or others.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 5:16
Global: Help spread the joy of the Gospel to the ends of the earth by participating in or supporting the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course (Mondays at 6-9PM, January 23 – May 8, 2023).
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. - Matthew 28:19-20
- Encourage my Home Group to serve and pray for local ministries each quarter or to “adopt” one specific local ministry to pray for and serve. Suggested options include Peninsula CareNet, Peninsula Rescue Mission, THRIVE Peninsula, Serve the City Peninsula, Newsome Bailey Project, Lackey Clinic, Friends of Refugees, or helping someone in your group do outreach work in their neighborhood.
- Invite others to join you for Serve the City Peninsula’s Big Volunteer Week.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 5:16
Global: Help spread the joy of the Gospel to the ends of the earth by participating in or supporting the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course (Mondays at 6-9PM, January 23 – May 8, 2023).
- Participate in the course as a student or as a one-time guest
- Support the course by:
- Promoting the class to others
- Praying for someone who is taking it
- Giving financially to help someone cover the cost of it
- Hosting an instructor
- Providing refreshments
- Serving as a grader or in some other official role on the Coordinating Team
- Providing free childcare to parents of young children so that they can take the course together.
- Promoting the class to others
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. - Matthew 28:19-20
