Fall Quarter Week 1

Pastor Kevin Hayashida
 
The Bigger Picture
1. God’s plan is bigger than my plan. Seek God’s plan in the world, and be a part of it.
2. People are more important than achievements. How you work with people, how you serve, love, and minister to people will lead to you success. Material things are temporary; the people around you are eternal. God works through the relationships around you! Refer to 2 Peter 3:10-11
3. Post-college life is longer than college life. Invest in the things that will last. Appreciate the time you have your entire life; this will allow you to make wiser decisions and have a clearer perspective. Psalm 90:12
 
Church versus Parachurch
  As a definition, the church is the divinely established institution that is the continuation of the Lord’s presence and ministry in the world. To live together as the church calls for the development of close personal relationship, for the ministry of memebrs to one another, for the experience of family love, and for maturing in holiness. The church is the visible presence of Jesus Christ in the world. It is an enduring body, a community, that will prevail over the gates of hell.
  Parachurch goes alongside the church, providing ministries that the church cannot do on it’s own. Whereas in the parachurch, you can choose who you want to be with (you tend to choose a parachurch ministry with similar people), you do not get to choose who God places in your church family (and real family!). However, the parachurch has great opportunity for reaching non-believing college students, providing a unified vision to a community, and offers opportunities to serve.
  Prepare for transition into your next season of life by developing health habits now. The benefits of starting things now are cumulative. Part of those habits should include how you relate to the church. People often feel out of place post-grad because they did not set up the habit of getting plugged into the church. Also, develop your spiritual gifts by serving. Finally, cultivate relationships beyond your comfort zone.