FBC as a BEACON by JRC 7.

2018 JANIFESTO
“The mission of the First Baptist Church of Medina
is to share God’s gift of love and hope in Jesus Christ."

This photo of Medina NY

showed up on facebook not too
long ago and its unique qualities,
First Baptist Church in the
background and reflected in the
canal, sent me right back to
contemplating our role as a
BEACON to the community of
Medina and Orleans County – our
Jerusalem, if you will. Acts 1:8b
nlt “... And you will be my
witnesses, telling people about
me everywhere—in Jerusalem,
throughout Judea, in Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth....”
(Coincidenatally and not at all
related: the photo is credited to one
Laura Fields. I worked and double
dated with her Uncle Paul Fields.)

Contents
Introduction
Our Past
Ongoing Needs, Medina/Orleans
Specifics
Conclusion
Photo by Laura Fileds
Introduction

Matthew 5:16 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 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works...

From Signal Beacons for Christ January 2, 2018 by Pastor Tim Singleton
This is the reign of God among us. Hearts and minds are changed, lovingkindness flourishes,
society is improved, and there is a multiplication of the people of faith in Christ. For this is how
Christian faith and spirituality first grew, and it is how it best grows even today — especially today.
Block by block, person by person, neighbor by neighbor, relative by relative, the beacon light of
Christ shining through our good works and gospel testimony calls people home to him, increasing

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the community of Christ (the Church) and benefitting society along with it.
When people have their hearts changed by the grace of God in Christ, they tend to take more
personal responsibility for their lives. At the same time, they tend to be drawn together to take
more social responsibility for the sake of everyone. So again, may we each let our signal beacon
light so shine (even blink and flash) before others, that they may see our good works and give
glory to our Heavenly Father. ….... Pastor Tim

Our Past

I, Jan C, think we threw out the baby with the bath water, when we ended Wednesday night
meal and groups. I remember when we discussed discontinuing programs that were there for
programs' sake, the idea being that (from thomrainer.com) “they can become an end instead
of a means. A few months ago I was in a church where the pastor proudly proclaimed, 'We are a
Sunday school church.' I asked him what he meant by that. His response: 'We believe in Sunday
school.' I was hoping he would say that the church believes in the life changing power of groups
for community, ministry, teaching, and evangelism. Instead the means (Sunday school) had
become an end.... the problem with programs is not the programs. Rather, the problem is when
churches become program driven....”

Ongoing Needs, Medina/Orleans

from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/pastor-gilford-t-monrose/role-of-the-church_b_1896969.html
Meeting the Needs
People need to have their spiritual, emotional and physical needs met. We are living in a
crazy world today. II Timothy 3:1 helps me put this in perspective, “but know this, that in
the last days perilous times will come.” ... Targeted small groups should be implemented in
churches to be available to meet the needs in each believer’s life. Irrespective of church size,
each church can provide effective small group ministries and outreach services, even smaller
churches can have and should have specialized small groups. This momentum can then
spread out beyond the walls of the church and be incorporated into the community where
the church serves. To the best of its ability, the church can provide services, counseling and
advice to those in need.

Caution/Beware: Having an exceptional next generation ministry that reaches out to the
community is critical. (Carey Nieuwhof)
- A Self-Centred Mission – You have to be careful not to make the mission about your church.
When your church has had a little success, it’s easy to become self-centred. The people you’re
trying to reach aren’t interested in your church. What they’re interested in (whether they realize it
or not) is Jesus. And his mission. ...
- Random Programming – this is why we stopped many activities several years ago*
baby/bathwater
The bigger your church, the more you will be tempted to add programs and ministries.
Why?
Because people demand them.
Leaders—afraid to disappoint people or lacking an alternative strategy—cave and allow dozens
(or hundreds) of random programs to emerge in their church.
These programs can be counter-productive for numerous reasons:
They compete for money, time and attention.

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They lead nowhere in particular.
They cause more division than unity (ever try to shut down a women’s ministry or men’s
breakfast?).
They become their own mission and compete with the overall mission of the church.
Why does random programming not work?
Simple: because random programming pleases insiders but rarely reaches outsiders.
Instead, be strategic and focused. Do whatever helps move people the most clearly and deeply
into a growing relationship with Jesus, and do whatever advances your mission into the city.
Make no mistake: What people become involved in becomes the mission. So choose carefully.
Make the mission your mission.

Specifics

+ More of Carey Nieuwhof: At Connexus Church, where I serve, we reorganized our approach to
new people around two key phrases: “I’m New” “Take a Step”.
We’re doing everything we can to ensure people understand how to become a Christian, how to
engage in spiritual growth and what steps they can take to help them grow.
We even set up two hosted kiosks in the foyer under the phrases “I’m New” and “Take a Step”.
Our trained guest services people help orient guests around what step might be best for them to
take next.

+Incorporate our youth and kids into all possible ministries.

+ “At Church in Toronto (churchintoronto.com/) we strive to be a meaningful community presence.
On the one hand, we partner with established compassion ministries that reach the needy of our
city.”
Sandy Geiger in the MAAC Clothing Depot --- some sort of display?
Food Pantry
Christmas Barrel/mitten tree

+ Still Connexus Church: ”On the other hand, our doors are open to support various groups...”
Orleans Co Social Services used to be grateful to have a local place for group meetings
one of our NAB Sister churches has an Art of Marriage conference
DV awareness/education
Parenting
Divorce Recovery
Macks --- children with special needs

+ Special parking lot acivities for the neighborhood

-(Hey --- how about something during Farm Market times?)
-A picnic for those who serve the church, the village, the county, the state, the US
-artists in our immediate neighborhood, with our own Randolf Wells

+ 10 Ways Your Church Can Get Involved in Your Community (also youth and parking lot)
Daniel Threlfall Church Resources, Outreach Ministry
…. Churches and Christians get involved in the community to better represent Jesus, and

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 to make His name known.
• Community Clean-up. picking up trash along the side of community roads; leaves to rake.
Shoveling snow in the winter; Be armed with flyers, gospel tracts, and big smiles,
• Car Wash.Totally-Free-No-Donations-Accepted Car Washes; inexpensive advertising, a
handful of happy teens, some buckets, a few hoses, and sponges for all, you can make a
literal splash in your neighborhood. Make sure that your people are representing the
church well by dressing modestly, cleaning carefully, and–again–not accepting a dime.
• **Host a Conference, Meeting, or Special Event. Everyone expects a church to have a
revival meeting every so often. But people may not expect a church to host a free
Community Financial Seminar, a Family Life Hour, or a Successful Marriage Conference.
Sharefaith has great resources for you to use in any of these topics. By providing a free-of-
charge event to people in your community on topics that are relevant, interesting, and
engaging, you can make contact with people who may not otherwise attend church, and
give them the life-changing gospel.
• Community Cookout. church property -- fund the food yourself, or host a bring-your-own
• dish event – get to know people in the community and enjoy time together.
• Fun for Kids. It doesn’t have to be VBS, but may just be a one-day event to get people
together and have fun with the kids. After all, where there are kids, there are also adults!
Rent some inflatable toys, host a giveaway (like an iPod or iPad for the adults), provide
free drinks and snacks, and let the fun begin.
• Nursing home help. We do this already
• Whatever you choose to do as a church, keep the gospel at the center. Yes, you’ll have
fun. Yes, you’ll get to know people in your community. Yes, you’ll find that it is a lot of work
to organize and oversee these events. Yes, you’ll probably gain more respect in the
community. But the real reason is to glorify God by reaching people with the gospel. Keep
that the focus.
+ Our Adult Bible Fellowship has been studying Ray Vanderlaan' Israel's Mission, A Kingdom of
Priests in a Prodigal World. The last page consists of this:
25 SIMPLE WAYS TO BE MISSIONAL IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
[ This is a guest post from Josh Reeves. ]
1. Stay outside in the front yard longer while watering the yard
2. Walk your dog regularly around the same time in your neighborhood
9. Have a game night (yard games outside, or board games inside)
11. Grow a garden and give out extra produce to neighbors
14. Do a summer BBQ every Friday night and invite others to contribute
16. Host a sports game watching party
17. Host a coffee and dessert night
23. Have a front yard ice cream party in the summer

Conclusion

from https://billygraham.org/story/shine/ the final installment of a 6-week Summer Soul

Refresher series from BGEA : Shine (v): To give off or reflect light
What does it mean to shine?
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of
God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as
lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I

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did not run in vain or labor in vain. —Philippians 2:14-16, ESV (emphasis added)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is called “the true light, which gives light to everyone” (John 1:9).
Throughout the New Testament, the followers of Jesus are called to be lights in the darkness. So,
what does it mean to shine? It means:
•Being counter-cultural. We live in a dark world, full of lies, hate and confusion. But God’s Word
tells us to “cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12). While
others are chasing after physical pleasures and selfish gain, we’re commanded to live a different
way—to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires”
(Romans 13:14).
•Putting yourself out there. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others” (Matthew 5:16a). He
explained that no one lights a lamp just to hide it under a basket. A lamp is meant to be placed on
a stand to give light to everything around it. Whether you’re timid or outgoing, you’re called to be
a light to the people around you. That’s only possible if you’re taking time to interact with people
and cultivate relationships. ...
•Always pointing back to the light source. When Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others,”
that wasn’t the whole sentence. He went on to give the reason why it’s important to shine: “so that
they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16b).
Our goal should never be to bring recognition to ourselves, but to bring glory to God. There’s a
fine line between being a light and putting on a show to get attention. It’s a matter of the heart.

from https://christiancrusaders.org/a-beacon-light-in-the-community/ : What made the

church on the corner a beacon light in the community? It is faithfully preaching Christ, the
crucified and risen Lord.

We have that. Hallelujah. Thank You, Lord. Our base is 100% on track. Pastor, leaders....
YES! We've worked and prayed hard for that.

I, Jan C, want so badly for our church to be a beacon in Medina and Orleans County, and it's
been Michael Enderby's dream for a long time --- that's where I got the 'beacon' idea
years ago. So c'mon, folks. Let's do it!! Use your strength your gift, your burden ...

“The mission of the First Baptist Church of Medina

is to share God’s gift of love and hope in Jesus Christ."