Three-Year Ministry Goals for Reed Creek Baptist Church (Revised 2026)

Goal 1: Build a Healthy Church-Pastor Relationship

Key Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-5

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 

Key Concept: Humility Toward Each Other

The Christian walk requires us to invest time and effort to build fellowship and unity. We will be deliberate about cultivating mutual knowledge and trust. We seek to communicate in love and resolve relational issues with grace as quickly as possible. As new people visit and join our fellowship, they should find a healthy relational body of believers who live in unity, grace, and peace.

Activities for Building a Healthy Church-Pastor Relationship

• Healthy pastor/congregational relationship

• Monthly potlucks for the church after the morning service

• Bi-weekly fellowship and planning with the church leaders

• Weekly emails of upcoming events and news

• Encouraging text messages 

• Weekly bulletin and worship guide

• Church Prayer List

Original Timeline: Year 1 began in 2025

First six months, and will continue to be a core value of healthy church relationships.

Analysis: This goal has mostly been met, except for the lack of regular meetings with leadership. This will be addressed in the second year as we add deacons and ministry leaders.

Goal 2: Provide a Path for Discipleship

Key Scripture: Colossians 1:9-12

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 

Key Concept: Spiritual Maturity

We do not want to live lives that neglect to live out our faith, discover and use our spiritual gifts, or allow the Holy Spirit to conform us to the image of Christ. All believers are called to discipleship, which means we continually grow in our understanding, obedience, and good works. We want to be deliberate about helping people grow in their faith beyond the Sunday experience.

Activities for Providing a Path of Discipleship

• Conduct a spiritual growth survey for people to measure their current state of discipleship and give a list of actions for next steps

• Identify our spiritual gifts and strategize how to use those regularly

• Refresh our membership course and regularly invite people to membership

• Hold regular visitors' luncheons to invite them to church membership

• Introduce a Discipleship Pathway – curriculum resource to take people from new faith to baptism, mature faith, church membership, and ministry

• Review and revise, if necessary, our current Sunday School curriculum, midweek studies, and small groups

• Encourage and financially support attendance at GA Baptist Spark Conferences

Timeline: Year 2

First six months and continuing to be a core value of healthy church relationships.

Analysis: We are on track to start this goal this year and have sponsored attendance at our local Spark Conference. We have also finished a revised membership study and process. The pastor is developing a curriculum and study group for discipleship.

Goal 3: Develop a Culture of Evangelism

Key Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Key Concept: Seeking the Lost

God has given his followers the responsibility of sharing the gospel. Our church must maintain a culture of evangelism in which our activities and expressions are intentionally designed to bring others to know the Savior. We must be mindful that our church exists for both current members and those who have yet to respond to Christ.

Activities for Building an Intentional Culture of Evangelism

• Identify the Lost among our personal relationships and consistently pray for them by name.

• Make sure the gospel message is incorporated into our singing and preaching.

• Plan strategic events to help others connect, including VBS, Fall Festival, Seasonal Holidays, Sports Outreach, and Community Events

• Be present in the community through acts of service and good citizenship

• Prepare ushers/greeters to receive and serve guests

• Refresh our branding and logo

• Advertise through social media and the website

• Be mindful of the experience of those who are “unchurched” and help them to learn the Christian faith and practice

Original Timeline: Year 1

Beginning in month seven, and continued to be a core value of healthy church relationships.

Analysis: This goal has been partially met, except for prayer emphasis for our unsaved friends and family. This will be addressed in the second year through churchwide projects and a special services emphasis.

Goal 4: Empower Christ-centered Families

Key Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 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.

Key Concept: The Family of God

God’s plan for the family is for a father, a mother, and their children to serve God together. Training children in the Christian faith is the responsibility of all parents. And we recognize that households today include single parents, single individuals, senior citizens, and combined families. God’s desire is for each household to be a primary place of teaching and living out His commands and worldview. The term “household” refers to the variety of structures we find in modern culture. A household could be a grandmother raising her grandchildren, or a single parent, or even a retired couple with an empty nest. Each household can make Christ the center of the home. 

Activities for Empowering Christ-Centered Family

• Work to build small groups/life groups that fit the needs and demographics of our community and church

• Host annual seminars and weekend events focused on raising children

• Provide recommended materials and resources for parents to guide their children in developing and defending a Christian worldview

• Create multi-generational gatherings and activities that are family-friendly, such as Summer Family Nights, Fall Festival, and other gatherings

• Build a worship setting that is mindful of intergenerational ministry

Timeline: Year 2 (Revised)

This was originally for the beginning of the second year, but is being moved to the end of the second year or the beginning of the third year to focus on leadership and discipleship development.

Goal 5: Prepare for the Next Phase of Growth

Key Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Key Concept: Plan and Build

As we do the things that God has called us to do, we should expect to see fruit. As the early church grew, it required more lay leadership, more pastors, missionaries, and strategic administration of its resources. Growth is a valuable challenge. We will seek God's help to pursue this growth and make the necessary changes to accommodate it.

Activities for Preparation of Growth

• Prepare to bring on paid staff to oversee Next-Gen ministries

• Take care of outstanding safety and liability issues for the church building/property

• Develop maintenance plans and strategies that ensure that the building has sufficient comfort and cleanliness

• Develop a plan for future property use for increased ministry needs

• Build and maintain a financial reserve of at least 9 months

Timeline: Year 2 or 3 (Revised)

Analysis: Some elements will be started sooner, especially in worship and general family ministry development, to move from the Pastor’s responsibility to new leadership. The Finance Ministry Team and the Building Maintenance team will address our building needs.