EXPLANATION:

This theme is to guide all local churches to strengthen pastoral work. Jesus taught his disciples: "If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me" (Mt. 16:24, NASB).

ACTION PLANS: 

1.  To equip and encourage every member of our church to cultivate a strong, daily relationship with Christ. 

The following outlines key areas we want to focus on, along with the practical resources available to support our growth in faith together. 

1. 1. Read Scripture Daily: Reflect on God's Word every day.

   2. Pray Continually: Maintain a daily prayer journal.

   3. Sing Praises: Familiarize and fill our heart with hymns of praise.

   4. Take Sermon Notes: Stay engaged during sermon messages and apply the teachings to our life.

   5. Join Bible Study: Connect with a group in church to study the Bible and encourage one another in our walk of faith.

   6. Write Down Personal Testimonies: Remember God's grace in our personal and family life.

   7. Share Our Faith: Witness for God to our family, friends, and people He sends our way.

To help us focus on each of the key areas, the USGA Pastoral Department will introduce a new monthly ministry focus, broken down into weekly highlights. These highlights will be rolled out to the pastoral contacts at each church to share with the local members.

Resources

• Bible reading plan

• Prayer journal templates

• Family altar handbook

• Hymnal app (hymnal.tjc.org)

• Psallo music app (iOS, Android)

• Sermon notebook templates

• eRhema Bible app (bible.tjc.org, iOS, Android)

• Bible study guides (bsg.tjc.org)

• Bible study leading training

• Testimony questions

• Basic Beliefs curriculum

2. To reflect on and remember the growth of the local church.

Church Council to help research and write down:

A. How the early members gathered initially, 

B. How past generations navigated trials, cultural shifts, and difficulties,

C. The grace that was experienced over the years.