H7 Story: Growth Doesn't Happen Without Intention

Every Tuesday morning for over 15 years, our Elders have gathered in the early morning hours to pray and talk through matters of shepherding and direction for our church family. During this focused time together, they seek to keep their eyes fixed on Christ while considering how best to guide FCC into the future.

Once a month, the circle widens to allow for ministry updates from different FCC Team Leaders. Staff, Deacons, and Key Volunteer Leaders are invited to join the meeting, and one or two staff members share an update from their ministry area. These updates include three recent wins, areas where they feel stuck, how they are shepherding their team, and their one-year goals for the team. This presentation provides an opportunity for the leader to share any personal prayer needs so that an elder can pray specifically for that leader’s needs as the meeting comes to a close.

Long-time FCC member Sonya Higgs is one of the regular attendees. “Being able to attend the monthly ministry update meetings as a Campus Next Steps Coach has been a reminder that growth doesn’t happen without intention. Watching our Leaders respectfully engage with each other with the unified Mission of ‘Helping People Find and Follow Jesus’ is both inspiring and encouraging.”

What started simply as a way to keep Elders consistently connected to the many goings-on of our Serve Teams has become much more. These gatherings have grown into an essential rhythm for FCC leadership—where Elders, Staff, Deacons, and Key Leaders stay informed, unified, and encouraged. By listening, sharing, and praying together, they are ensuring the health and direction of our church remain rooted in God’s Word and aligned with our mission.

One of our Deacons, Jody Gourley, regularly attends these meetings. “As a Deacon, I am privileged to be able to go to the Monthly Ministry Update Meetings and learn how FCC is working in areas that I am not involved in. I love to hear about all of the great volunteers that we have. It is also inspiring to see the Staff, Elders, and Deacons at a meeting at 6:00 in the morning. This shows how much dedication there is in continuing to spread the Word in Greene County.”

This regular practice reflects Habit 7: Tell the Story. It reminds us that God is always at work in His church and that sharing what He is doing helps us stay faithful and focused together for the Kingdom. Please take a few minutes to pray for our elders and staff this week.