Resources & Updates
Next 10 Blog
FPC Ministries
Mar 27, 2025
A series of weekly blog post ideas that align with the themes and objectives of the "Next 10" strategic plan. These posts are designed to inspire reflection, prayer, and action.
Advancing Community Engagement: The Impact of Alpha Courses at FPC
Friday, April 4, 2025 / Elizabeth Crites
In our ongoing effort to advance the goals of the First Presbyterian Church's strategic plan, we are constantly seeking opportunities to deepen discipleship and foster community connections. This week, we shift our focus to an initiative that embodies these principles: the Alpha course.
In April 2023, I was asked to start an Alpha course at our church. At the time, I had no idea what Alpha was, and I didn’t believe I was capable of accomplishing such a difficult task. After learning about Alpha and realizing it is considered one of the most effective tools for evangelism, God put a very strong desire in my heart to start a course at FPC. We began a pilot course in September 2023 with about 38 people from our church and our church plant, ACC downtown. It was extremely rewarding to witness non-believers become believers and believers become stronger in their faith. I attended three of our new Christian guest’s baptisms and attended a wedding of two guests whose faith grew significantly during Alpha. It was clear to me that Jesus was alive and working as I witnessed hearts being changed.
In 2024, I began to prepare for our second Alpha Course, and I was amazed that our 2023 leaders wanted to return, and many guests wanted to serve as leaders. Our 2024 Alpha grew to 65 guests from FPC and a few other churches in our community. Two more non-Christians became Christians, and many Christians grew stronger in their faith.
I am currently preparing for Alpha 2025, and once again, many 2023 and 2024 leaders are returning, and more guests have stepped up to lead. The return of so many year after year confirms to me that Alpha is a wonderful and effective course. It offers a safe space for guests to explore their faith, ask life’s hard questions, and be introduced to Jesus while growing in faith.
Here’s why Alpha continues to resonate within our community:
Alpha is Real: By speaking about Jesus authentically and praying in the power of the Holy Spirit, lives are often changed.
Alpha is Relational: It's about the relationships formed within small groups, embarking on a spiritual journey together.
Alpha is Reliant: It's not Alpha but the Holy Spirit working through it that changes lives. We partner with the Spirit in this endeavor.
Alpha is Reproducible: Experiencing God’s love naturally prompts us to share our faith, with Alpha serving as a bridge for this sharing.
Please pray about inviting someone to Alpha next September 2025. We also welcome those who feel called to join our leadership team.
Stay tuned for next week when we will delve into the discipleship opportunities that follow Alpha.
Embracing Our Gifts: A Call to Community Stewardship
Thursday, March 27, 2025, Pam Ray
Community Stewardship: Leveraging Our Gifts for a Lasting Impact
Community Stewardship calls us to recognize and utilize our God-given resources—our time, talents, and treasures—for the benefit of our city and beyond. This practice isn’t only about financial generosity. It also encompasses the intentional offering of our abilities and efforts in service to others, adhering to the divine calling to care for what God has entrusted to us. As outlined in 1 Peter 4:10, we are each called to serve as faithful stewards of God’s manifold grace.
Stewardship is seen in everyday decisions and actions. It’s found in the mentorship of a young student, where we invest our time to guide and inspire. It’s in praying for our city leaders, supporting them in their challenging work with wisdom and grace. Volunteering at local missions, engaging in community clean-up initiatives, or offering skills pro bono for a church project all depict stewardship in action.
Empowered by these acts, we embody the teachings of Colossians 3:23—to work heartily for the Lord, not for men, recognizing our service as an act of worship.
Reflective Questions:
Dear God,
- How can I better steward the time and talents you have entrusted to me?
- Am I truly reflecting Your love in my interactions with my community?
Next Step for the Week:
Each day, dedicate a moment to pray: "Gracious Lord, how would you like me to serve today? Open my heart to the opportunities around me, allowing me to be your hands and feet, serving my community with love and intention." Spend a moment listening for His guidance.
Music Moment:
Reflect on the song "Build My Life" by Pat Barrett, a powerful anthem of devotion and stewardship:
"…I will build my life upon your love; it is a firm foundation. I will put my trust in you alone, and I will not be shaken."
This song serves as a reminder to anchor our daily actions in God’s love and to extend our resources generously, building communities that reflect His abundant grace.
Uniting Believers in a Personal Calling: The Power of Missional Collaboration
Thursday, March 20, 2025, Pam Ray
Missional Collaboration: Walking Together in God's Calling
Missional Collaboration is a foundational pillar of our strategic plan, emphasizing the collective mission to live as witnesses of the message of salvation. This collaboration isn’t just a short-term outreach effort; rather, it's a lifelong commitment for each believer to participate in God's ongoing mission of redemption and restoration.
The concept of being "missional" extends beyond periodic acts of service. It embodies the everyday call for Christians to actively carry and communicate the message of salvation in every sphere of life—locally and globally. As Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:16-20, we are to spread the gospel to all nations, baptizing and teaching others to live empowered by the Holy Spirit in a personal relationship with Him.
Missional Collaboration is about working together in unity towards fulfilling this purpose. We are not sent into the world to work in isolation but to join hands with fellow believers in this great commission. This unified effort is at the heart of what it means to be a disciple at FPC, reflected in the following commitments:
- Seeking Jesus and Obeying His Word Daily: Cultivating a deep, daily relationship with God.
- Giving with Increasing Generosity: Sharing resources to further God’s kingdom selflessly.
- Engaging in a Personal Calling: Embracing our individual roles in God’s mission.
- Living in a Generational Discipleship Community: Growing alongside others across generations.
- Serving Others with Contagious Joy: Demonstrating the joy of Christ through service.
Reflective Questions:
Dear God,
- Who in my community is already serving effectively, and how can I collaborate with them?
- What would it look like for me to respond to Your command, "Go and make disciples of all nations"?
Next Step for the Week:
Begin each day by asking: "How will you use me today, Lord, to respond to your Word and spread the gospel in my community, family, or workplace through my words and actions?" Spend two minutes in silence, listening for God’s direction.
Music Moment:
Reflect on the song "The Commission" by CAIN, which encapsulates the essence of our mission:
"Go tell the world about me. I was dead, but now I live. I've gotta go now for a little while. But goodbye is not the end. Don't forget the things that I taught you. I've conquered death and I hold the keys. Where I go you will go too, someday. But there's much to do here before you leave. Go tell the world about me. I was dead but now I live."... My spirit is with you wherever you go. You have a purpose and I have a plan."
Sacrificial Generosity: Embracing God’s Call to Give from the Heart
Thursday, March 13, 2025, Pam Ray
Obedience to God's Word by Giving from the Heart: Sacrificial Generosity is a Pillar
The Importance of Sacrificial Generosity:
Sacrificial giving is a profound theme throughout the Bible, present in both the Old and New Testaments. It reflects a heart devoted to God and an act of worship. This type of giving, which often comes at a personal cost, is both a demonstration of faith and an act of obedience in response to our relationship with God. It embodies trust and devotion.
Consider Abraham's willingness to relinquish his beloved son, Isaac—a God-obedient, sacrificial act that demonstrated his profound faith. Similarly, the widow's offering of two coins was a small yet significant sacrificial gift. Sacrificing your comfort by giving up your seat for someone else is an act of sacrificial generosity. Reconciling with someone first, even when it's difficult, is sacrificial. Choosing to forego dining out and instead donating that money to KRL or another ministry that serves the needy is another example of sacrificial generosity.
Reflective Questions:
Dear God,
- Does the thought of sacrificial generosity make me anxious because it requires me to carefully examine my spending and perhaps give certain things up?
- Are there aspects of my life that You would have me manage differently if I truly acknowledged them as being Yours?
Next Step for the Week:
- Pray and identify one sacrificial change you can make with your time, energy, or resources that reflects obedience and dependence on God.
Music Moment:
Reflect on the song "Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me" by CityAlight, allowing its message to inspire your journey of sacrificial generosity.
Walking in Alignment with God’s Holy Word: Biblical Centeredness is a Pillar
Thursday, March 6, 2025, Pam Ray
Introduction:
When I look at the Merriam-Webster definition of “Pillar,” several descriptions emerge—support, superstructure, integral. These are powerful metaphors for what we aspire to embody in our spiritual lives. Yet, life often presents “Pillar alternatives” that lead us astray. This week, we begin unpacking the first of the five pillars in our Holy Spirit-inspired FPC Strategic Plan: Biblical Centeredness.
The Importance of Biblical Centeredness:
It’s no accident this is our first pillar—it’s deliberate and meaningful. God’s Word is sacred and should be revered and integrated into our daily lives. Disciples of Christ are called to immerse themselves in scripture daily, seeking Jesus and reflecting His love to others.
To help guide this practice, we turn to the *Daily Office*—an ancient and revolutionary spiritual discipline. As described in Peter Scazzero's book, "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Day by Day," the Daily Office differs from traditional "quiet time." It occurs at least twice daily and encourages us not to seek something from God, but to simply be with Him. It's about cultivating an awareness of God's presence throughout the day, rooted in the belief that this is the first and most important "work of God." Stopping to be with God in this way can transform your spiritual routine, nurturing a deeper and continual connection with Him.
Reflective Questions:
- Dear God, what are the distractions that keep me from dedicating Daily Office time with you?
- What are you trying to speak into my life that I've been too busy to hear?
Next Steps for the Week:
- If this isn’t yet your habit, join me this week in practicing a "Daily Office" with God. Begin with a few minutes of Silence and Stillness.
- Invite a friend to undertake this practice and share at the end of the week how it influenced your days.
Let me know how it goes—I’d love to hear your experiences!
Next 10 Questions & Feedback Form
Music Moment:
Peace be with you,
Pam Ray
By focusing on Biblical-Centeredness, we lay a solid foundation for our spiritual growth and communal unity, staying true to the transformative vision of our strategic plan.
Journey Through Lent: 40 Days of Prayer and Insight into Our Strategic Plan
Thursday, February 27, 2025, Pam Ray
Embark on a transformative 40-day prayer journey this Lent that aligns with our strategic vision—discover more about your role in God's plan and deepen your faith.
Lent begins next week on Ash Wednesday, March 5th. I invite you to join us in 40 days of prayer focused on our strategic plan. Each day, we will release a prayer and a related scripture on our social media channels that aligns with a focus area of the strategic plan. Engaging together in this prayer effort will not only honor God but also provide deeper personal insight into our strategic goals.
You might be wondering: "How can I learn more about the plan and how does it impact me?" Here are some ways to learn more:
- Watch the Next 10 Sunday Sermon Series - the recorded services are available on our website and YouTube.
- Attend a Small Group Presentation - to add your group or committee to the small group schedule, please contact Pam Ray to coordinate.
Your participation in this 40-day journey will not only deepen your personal spiritual life but also fortify our church's shared mission. Together, let's unite in prayer, trusting in God's guidance as we move forward in faith and action.
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Music Moment
“You are our daily bread, You are our daily bread. And we will seek your face before we seek your hand. You are our daily bread, You are our daily bread, and we desire You before the Promised Land. It is good for me to draw near my God. It is good for me to trust in my God."
Walking Intimately with God: Preparing Our Hearts to Go Beyond Our Comfort Zones
Thursday, February 20, 2025, Pam Ray
This week is based on the Next 10 newsletter article in the February 2025 issue of First Press Magazine on the message from Brad Hobbs on Sunday, January 16, 2025, in our Unified Worship Experience.
Dive into a journey of faith that’s beyond your comfort zone and into the heart of God’s purpose for you.
As we move toward unpacking more of the strategy that grounds our Next10 as a church family, we must prepare our individual hearts. The journey of faith often requires us to venture into unfamiliar territories- places where we can lean fully on God rather than our own understanding or strengths. In the past weeks, we have reflected on pioneers like John Newton Forrest, who embodied perseverance despite challenges, trusting fully in the unique call God placed on their lives. As we embrace the Next 10, God asks us to do the same—taking bold steps that may lead us out of our comfort zones, but closer to His heart.
This intimacy with God is not passive; it invites action. By stepping into the unknown we learn to listen more closely to His voice and align our lives with His purpose. We discover that true intimacy with God can spur incredible transformation, both personally and within our congregation. This week, I encourage you to ponder the areas where God might be inviting you to trust Him more deeply and how you can live out that trust in practical ways.
Reflective Questions
Dear God,
- How are You asking me to move beyond my comfort zone?
- In what areas of my life do I need to trust Your guidance more, Lord?
Next Steps for the Week
- Take 5 minutes to be still and reflect on areas where you might be holding back from God's call to discipleship in your life.
- Consider joining or starting a small group to foster spiritual growth.
- Volunteer in our Church nursery to actively engage in service and community.
- Spend daily time in God's Word to deepen your personal faith journey.
- I am taking my next step by joining the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality course this Lent. This course offers a space for collaborative learning beyond my daily devotions, with the goal of growing as a disciple. Join me by signing up for the course starting on March 5
Music Moment
“Still, help me be still. Help me turn down the noise and tune in Your will. I have tried my own way, but it only led me to You. Here I am. Here I am. God you have my attention. You are all that I want. “
At the Crossroads: Embracing God's Vision for Our Church
Thursday, February 13, 2025, Pam Ray
This week is based on the Next 10 newsletter article in the February 2025 issue of First Press Magazine on the message from Brad Hobbs on Sunday, January 16, 2025, in our Unified Worship Experience.
In Numbers 13, we read about Israel at a crossroads, poised to enter the Promised Land yet hesitant and fearful of the unknown. At First Presbyterian Church, we find ourselves in a similar situation—standing at a pivotal moment. Our 175-year legacy is rich with God’s blessings and trials, each shaping who we are. Now, with the "Next 10" strategic plan, we are called to choose faith over fear and step boldly into the future God has mapped out for us.
God invites us all to move beyond our apprehensions, embrace His promises, and contribute to His work in our lives and community. Like the Israelites, we are faced with a choice: to dwell on the safety of the past or to step into the divine opportunities of the future. This week, consider how you can be part of this journey and what you need to release to truly trust in God's plan.
Questions to Ask God:
- Lord, what do I need to let go of to truly abide in You?
- Father, do I trust You enough to follow You into new, uncomfortable places?
Prayer Points:
- Pray for courage to embrace God’s vision without fear.
- Ask for wisdom to discern His guidance and strength to act on it.