Footprints in Sand

Taking Next Steps Together

On this page, we've listed some of the areas where we encourage people to take their "next steps" in Jesus.

NEXT STEPS in Maturity

Our goal is for every person to be progressing in relationship with Jesus. Here are some of the "steps" God wants each one of us to take:

  1. Committing one's life to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
  2. Joining a small group such as a Sunday morning FLOCK, a men's/ladies Bible study, or an accountability group.
  3. Participating in Sunday morning worship on a regular basis.
  4. Investing one's gifts, talents, and abilities in some sort of ministry within the Body of believers here at Woodburn Missionary Church.
  5. Growing in the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible reading, and Godly financial stewardship.
  6. Developing a heart for lost people and seeking to be a witness for Jesus Christ in words, actions, and attitudes.

NEXT STEPS in Ministry

As believers in Christ, all of us have at least one spiritual gift. We are to be responsible stewards of our gifts, using them to build up the Body of Christ. Here are some of the steps God wants each of us to take in ministry:

  1. Discover one's spiritual gift through the assessment tool offered in discovery 201.
  2. Consider how God has "wired you up" in terms of your personality, talents, abilities, passions, and interests.
  3. Complete a ministry opportunity form, indicating the areas of ministry where you might have interest in serving.
  4. Jump in and volunteer in various ministries to discover where you best fit and what ministry best matches your gifts and interests.

NEXT STEPS in Membership

We encourage every person who attends our church to walk through the membership process in order to have a better understanding of the mission, values, and vision of Woodburn Missionary Church. Membership is a mutual commitment between the individual and the church congregation. It encourages a person to a higher level of commitment in terms of worship, service, body life, and sacrificial giving. Membership also gives an individual greater input in the congregational decisions as it allows voting privileges on matters pertaining to church business. Here are the steps required for membership at Woodburn Missionary Church:

  1. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ
  2. Water baptism since making a commitment to Christ
  3. Discovery 101 Class - discovering your membership
  4. Discovery 201 Class - discovering your ministry
  5. Completed membership application and personal interview with church leader

"Taking Next Steps Together" is one of the values of Woodburn Missionary Church. All of us are to walk in the footsteps of the faith as we mature in Christ (Romans 4:12). We can best do that in the context of community. Together we can encourage one another to "take the next step" as disciples.

The scriptures tell us we are to follow in the steps of Jesus. John writes in 1 John 2:6, "Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did." Peter reiterates this by writing, "to this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps." (1 Peter 2:21)