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Posts Tagged ‘Growing’

Growing:: Marriage Conference

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 | Tags: , , , , , |

Apex, we are very blessed as a church to have Paul Tripp, well-known author and national speaker, coming to Apex on March 23-24 for the Apex Marriage Conference. Paul will be speaking both Friday evening and Saturday morning. He will be teaching from God’s Word and also using his latest book on marriage, What Did You Expect?? Redeeming the Realities of Marriage.

While this conference is called a “marriage conference”, we are encouraging everyone from teenagers to adults to attend. God created the marriage relationship, and understanding it biblically is essential in understanding God’s commitment to His church. Teenagers, singles, dating couples, engaged couples, marrieds, divorced and widowed are all welcome to register for this conference.

Mark your calendars and register early for this conference in the Apex Missions Cafe. There are only 1,250 registrations available, and we expect a large crowd. Registration is available for Apex until February 3rd. Starting February 4th, Apexers and people who do not attend Apex can register. We have already heard from other churches who are interested in registering for the conference. We are excited to see how God will use this conference in the life of Apex and we hope that you will join us!

For more information:
Stop by the table in the Apex Missions Cafe, contact the Apex office at 937.432.9022 or contact me directly.

Phil Depp
937.432.9022 x204
phil.depp@apexcommunity.org

This blog post was written by Phil Depp, Team Lead for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship.

Family Ministry:: 2012

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 | Tags: , , , |

Every January I enjoy previewing the upcoming year in Family Ministry. Through a variety of means, FM will periodically update  the Apex body about our efforts to minister to children, students and their families. In the coming weeks we will present information about things like Apologia, Summer Camps, Dad-Daughter Dances, House Church Resources, Family Mission Trips, Parent-Child Dedications, Operation Christmas Child, Mission Clubs, PJ Purity Party, Revolve Tour, Service Projects, Underground Church, VBS and a host of other things.

All of those things are designed to present the Gospel to our families, our neighbors and our world. We believe that these efforts are valuable in that they encourage, educate and motivate our families to share the Gospel to those God has placed in their households and life path.

Ultimately, it is the duty of Parents and Guardians to share the Gospel to the children or students in their care. It will always be on my mind and in my heart, to provide support to those seeking to share the Gospel with the Kids and Teens they care about the most.

2012 will present a unique cultural backdrop to which families will live out their lives.  In a year where so many messages will permeate our homes and the minds of those we love most, we must not cease presenting the “Gospel”  to our families. If we are not vigilant, our households will hang on the words of those who are cross, instead of the words of the one who hung on “the” cross. We must teach our children to trust and  have confidence in God, not mankind.

Developing a Child’s Confidence in God

Psalm 27:1-3 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Through a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise up against me, in this will I be confident.

The Bible is an inexhaustable source of strength and advice, Psalm 27:1-3, is just one of many scriptures that directs us to trust in God and not to be afraid. A family that will memorize and meditate upon this verse will have a solid biblical point of reference when life seems threatening.

A Simple Daily Plan

The book of Proverbs contains many principles that clearly speak to questions and scenarios that face all family members. I would humbly suggest that many of the questions that will be posed in 2012, are answered in these 31 chapters. Read one chapter a day, chapter 1 on the 1st, chapter 2 on the 2nd and so forth. Repeating this every month will provide opportunity to focus on a different verse or two within each chapter. Let me offer this last bit of advice . . .

If there is an “ant” mentioned in a verse – READ THAT VERSE TWICE!

This blog post was written by Kevin Bowman, Team Lead for Family Ministry.

Growing:: Marriage Conference – Single?

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 | Tags: , , , , , |

Over three months ago, my marital status changed.  Having been culturally single for about 28 years, I am sensitive to the fact that our culture can place identity and significance on our marital status.  A few years ago, some of my closest friends and I were talking about the comments we receive about our singleness.  “Why aren’t you dating anyone?” or  “Oh, I have someone I want to set you up with?”  I finally came up with a reply that could steer the conversation else where, “Well, there are too many to choose from.”  Although, a light hearted joke, it may have helped deter that blind date, but more importantly I hoped for an opportunity to share about my Savior.  How could I share about my Savior in reference to my singleness?

Thankfully, my Savior gives me an identity that will never change.

- I am redeemed

- I am accepted

- I am justified

- I am adopted

- I am forgiven

My identity in Christ is is what I have to press into with the Lord, whether, I am single, dating, engaged, married, divorced, or widowed. A person’s status does not change their identity in Him.
This is why we are encouraging singles to come to the marriage conference. Marriage gives the church a small glimpse of the bigger picture. Christ is our husband and the church is His bride.  The Biblical truths of marriage can come into play as the body of Christ lives life together.   We are placed in different circumstances that God wants to use to mold us into more of His image!  Because of our flesh, the fallen world, and the enemy we are all prone to find our identity in false refuges, instead of Christ.  As the body of Christ, no matter our status or circumstances we need each other to encourage and exhort us to find our identity in Him.

Still not convinced that a marriage conference would be beneficial?  Read the statements of singles who attended this conference:

“I’m single and I felt like the conference was helpful for me as I relate to others (family, friends,etc.).  It also helped me to become more aware of the realities of marriage – I will move into relationships being much more prepared about what to expect as well as how to deal with my
problem – me.”

…Jessica

“I really enjoyed the conference even though I am single.  I felt that it wasn’t awkward to be here, and that the information presented was very helpful in terms of all relationships, and it was great to shatter illusions of the idea that marriage is what satisfies, and to help prepare for dating
and eventually a marriage relationship.”

…Matt

“The conference has been a blessing to me as a single woman.  It is a reminder to me to focus on being the type of person I would want to be with because my greatest relationship problem is me.  It helps to shift my focus and remind me once again about the importance of my vertical
relationship in my horizontal ones as well as showing grace.”

…Kina

“It has been a great opportunity in preparing for marriage.  Now we know what to expect.  It has definitely shown the utter importance and dependence on God in relationships.  It’s a great learning experience on how to properly live out a marriage for God and not ourselves.”

…Benjamin

So help us by encouraging your friends to come.  Limited seating, so register soon!

This post was written by Melanie Begg. If you have any questions regarding the Marriage Conference, please contact her at melanie.begg@apexcommunity.org.

Growing:: New Year Post

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 | Tags: , , |

As we enter 2012, we are thankful to the Lord for the opportunities that will be available in the Growing Ministry at Apex Church. New classes for Christ believers, as well as those searching for answers about Christ will be offered in the new year. The counseling and discipleship ministry will also offer a variety of equipping gatherings on topics such as: marriage, parenting, finances and men’s and women’s conferences. The Apex counseling team will continue their monthly training in order to better serve the body of Christ here at Apex.

Paul Tripp Conference
We are excited that Apex is hosting the ‘Redeeming the Realities Marriage Conference’ with Paul Tripp March 23 and 24.

Whether you are a teen, student, single, dating, engaged, married, divorced or widowed this marriage conference will be beneficial for you. Why are we encouraging everyone to come? Often, we believe that marriage is for fulfilling our own needs, wants, and desires. We pray that this conference will give Apex a bigger picture of marriage, and that is to give Him glory. You still might be wondering why would we want everyone to come? Singles, there may come a day when you are sitting across from someone wondering if this is the person you will marry. We desire for you to view marriage as God views it this side of the aisle. Also, you probably have married friends. If a friend comes to you struggling in their marriage, we want you to be able to guide them with His love, truth, and grace.
Apex, we plead with you to join us in the following:

1. Pray that God will get glory through this conference.
2. Register for this conference and tell your friends!

Cost for registration is $15 per person. See the table in the lobby or the missions’ cafe for more details. Registration will be open to Apex ONLY until Feb 4. After Feb 4, anyone can register. Seating is limited! Visit the table in the lobby or the missions’ cafe to pick-up your registration envelope. Information about childcare registration is available at the tables. If you have questions contact Melanie Begg at melanie.begg@apexcommunity.org

Shep Prep
At Apex, we live out discipleship within the context of small groups of Christians known as house churches. Apex house churches are facilitated by house church shepherds. We encourage every current and future house church shepherd to receive the equipping they need for ministry within a house church through Shep Prep. There are two steps to Shep Prep.

The first step is The Bible Class. The Bible Class is a 13-Week equipping seminar where participants learn who the Biblical God is, what God is doing in the World, how to interpret scripture, and what it means to be the community of God on mission for Christ. Registration for the Bible Class closed January 1, but look forward to future opportunities soon.

The second step is House Church Shepherd Development – aka Shep Prep. The Shepherd-in-Training will meet with another shepherd and walk through topics such as the spiritual disciplines and formation, house church ministry, Christian servant-leadership, and missions through the house church among other topics. Shepherds-in-training will receive coaching as they go into house church ministry so they can receive wisdom and advice as they serve the church and raise up the next generation of disciples themselves. Training for Shep Prep will take place within the first quarter of 2012.

The Gospel Class
Do you have questions about God? Who is He? What is he like? Who is Jesus? Why did he die on the cross? Did he really raise from the dead? Does any of this really matter to me? Maybe you want to know more about Jesus and His life. Every month Apex offers the Gospel Class for people with questions like these. We will learn about the new life that Jesus gives as he saves us from our sin and death. Jesus saves us from death and into life with God in a new family – the Church. The next class is January 8, 15, and 22 from 11:30-12:45 in the upstairs conference room. Classes last three weeks and all the materials are provided. If you are interested in The Gospel Class, please contact Jason Zastrow at growing@apexcommunity.org.

Year in Review :: Jason Zastrow

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011 | Tags: , , , |

Really? Is 2011 almost over? Oh, where did you go? An aspect of a year coming to a close that brings us excitement is the simple act of reflection. Growing provides shared teaching, accountability, community through house churches, opportunities for discipleship and encouragement as we go out as workers into the harvest.

We are excited to report that 39 individuals participated in Shep Prep throughout the network this past year. Each region took their own group through a training in the Gospel, Spiritual Formation, Doctrine, House Church Ministry, and Biblical study. From these 39 individuals who participated, eleven new house churches were multiplied! Four additional house churches were planted in Region Two with the launch of the gathering in Xenia. There are now approximately 80 house churches across the Apex network.

Apex Growing looks forward to new offerings in the new year for your development and growth as disciples and house churches. If you desire to shepherd a house church, prayerfully consider taking The Bible Class starting January 15, 2011. The Bible Class forms the biblical foundation you need to guide and shepherd God’s people in the truth of His word and ways. Applications and information can be found at the table next to the women’s restroom outside of the main auditorium. If you are interested in The Bible Class or have any questions please e-mail growing@apexcommunity.org.

This past year was a tremendous one for the Apex Biblical Counseling & Discipleship Ministry. Below are some additional highlights for 2011:

• Approximately 35-40 people were seen for counseling/discipleship reasons per week in 2011

•20 Apexers committed to join the Counseling/Alongsider Team to help hurting people

•Monthly training sessions for the counseling team, house church leaders and other Apexers were completed

•Quarterly large group training events were held on topics such as: Discipleship, Financial Peace and Knowing God

•Additional finance classes were added due to increased interest from the large group training events

•We hosted both a women’s and a men’s conference at Apex

As we reflect on the Apex Counseling Ministry, we are encouraged. Many individuals and couples were healed from life struggles as they sought God’s restoration and direction in their lives. Often we think and pray, “Lord, we do not know what to do here – Please, give us wisdom. Guide us to see more of You.” And people made decisions to rededicate their lives to Christ and some decisions were made to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

When people in the midst of chaos see the ‘Light of God’ shining, even if it is just a scant ray of hope, it is a joy for us. It is a joy to see people grow in knowing the Lord. We have seen people repent of adultery, persevere in darkness, fight for joy when all is hopeless, forgive when the world says they should not. To get a glimpse into the work that He is doing in people’s hearts in their darkest moments is amazing, humbling and convicting. However, that is not all.

What brings us even greater joy is when people who are growing in Christ join Gospel-centered community – even in hard times. When people are in a community that desires to see them flourish in Him, often, they continue to run the race. It is not always easy. The body of Christ is messy. We do not have it all together. That’s why we need Him! It is messy and hard at times, but it’s beautiful when Jesus is at the center. It is beautiful when we are spurring one another on, bearing with one another and sharing His name with others. May we continue to love one another as He has loved us while we are on His mission!

As you reflect along with us, we encourage you to take the time to think upon and thank the Lord for how He has made Himself known through your life and your house church. Please send us any stories you would like to share with the network.

We are excited to see where the Lord takes Apex in 2012! May King Jesus reign in our hearts and our house churches.

The Apex Growing Team
growing@apexcommunity.org