New Life Vision Guide

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Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

1 TIMOTHY 6:18-19

Venture Church Family,

We are right on the edge of an incredible adventure! God is calling us as a church family to embrace some exciting opportunities over the next couple of years. I don’t know about you, but I want to be poised as a follower of Jesus to take hold of them and make my life count. I’m so excited to see where God takes us on this NEW LIFE adventure… together!

NEW LIFE is first and foremost what God seeks to do IN us in this season – that is our primary goal – that God would till the soil of our lives, of our faith, and of our generosity in ways that cause our lives to bear fruit that points more people to him.  Please know, I have been praying for YOU.  I’m praying that God is doing an exciting new work IN you.  As you listen for his prompting, I pray you hear his “still, small voice” in your ear today. We’re excited to see how God uses his NEW LIFE investments to grow his Kingdom in your heart.

NEW LIFE is also about the mission God seeks to advance through Venture.  As we follow his prompting as individuals, I can’t wait to see what God does in our collective midst as a church family.  We’ve got some big dreams!  Just like last year was all about ONE LIFE (You have One Life to live, who is the One Life you’re investing in?), this year and next we’re excited to see how God uses our collective NEW LIFE investments to grow his Kingdom right here in the heart of Hamilton County!

Praying toward the Harvest,

Pastor Stan

OUR JOURNEY

1968

1970

history

It all starts with a handful of families with a vision for a Carmel congregation patterned after the New Testament church. Shortly thereafter, they officially launch as Woodland Springs Christian Church, meeting in the Woodland Springs Community Clubhouse.

After meeting for two years in several temporary locations, they purchase property on 116th Street, and construction of a new church building begins.

1971

First Sunday worship service in the new building.

2000

The congregation chooses a new name –Hazel Dell Christian Church – and holds the first Sunday service in the new building on Palm Sunday.

2004

Construction begins on the Discipleship wing and Student Center.

1989

Mark Wright becomes the church’s fifth Senior Pastor and stays for the next 30 years.

1999

1994

After multiple building renovation projects to expand the meeting space for the growing congregation over the years, the decision is made to begin searching for property to move the church to a new location.

1997

The congregation purchases 25 acres in northeast Carmel at 146th Street and Hazel Dell Road.

Groundbreaking at the Hazel Dell property.

2005

Hazel Dell Christian Preschool begins, sharing the love of learning and the love of Jesus with children and families from the surrounding communities.

2010

Construction of the Children’s Ministry wing begins, providing a bright, fun, and much needed space for the rapidly growing kids’ classes.

2019

Mark Wright retires from the ministry, and Stan Killebrew joins Venture as Lead Pastor.

2020

Venture responds to the pandemic with online streaming of worship services, providing hope in the midst of great uncertainty.

2011

The Bread of Life Pantry opens, allowing the church to share food and compassion in the name of Jesus with those who are food-insecure in Hamilton County.

2022

Looking forward to a limitless gospel impact, the One Life initiative “raises the temperature of evangelism” in the congregation.

2018

The church celebrates 50 years of God’s faithfulness and re-launches as Venture Christian Church.

2023

OUR NEW LIFE VISION

What God Might Do IN Us

Our PRIMARY GOAL during this upcoming two-year season is for 100% of our people to go before God and have a life-changing encounter with him regarding their generosity. In God’s eyes, our growth in generosity is not about a financial transaction but is about heart transformation and spiritual growth.

What God Might Do THROUGH Us

Our SECONDARY GOAL is $7 million in generous giving over the next two years, enabling us to provide NEW LIFE opportunities in these areas:

NEW LIFE FOR OTHERS

NEW LIFE FOR NEXT GENERATIONS

NEW LIFE FOR VENTURE

NEW LIFE FOR OTHERS

Two-year goal: $1.65 million

We want to bring NEW LIFE to our community and our world. Locally, we plan to fund things like opportunities for people with disabilities and mental health challenges and to continue to assist those around us who are under-resourced. On a national level, we want to invest in God’s kingdom through church plants. Internationally, we want to bring help and hope to people in Honduras, working with His Eyes as they build a new hospital there.

NEW LIFE FOR NEXT GENERATIONS

Two-year goal: $1.1 million

Our children are the future of the church. This $1.1 million will allow us to improve our outdoor spaces for our kids and students, establish an apprenticeship program, and pay down Venture’s mortgage, so as not to pass that debt to the next generation.

NEW LIFE FOR VENTURE

Two-year goal: $4.25 million

Ongoing ministries and life change happen here. Together, we will continue to invest in God’s kingdom at Venture, funding needs such as our two-year ministry budget, a new groundskeeping building, facility renovations and maintenance, as well as ministry staff growth.

The local church is God’s “Plan A.” It’s the vehicle through which we care for the poor, feed the hungry, equip people to minister in the community, and send people out to the nations.

When we give to the local church, we give to the central institution for the mission of God.

J.D. GREEAR

HOW CAN YOU ENGAGE DURING THE NEW LIFE SERIES?

1 SHOW UP

Make plans to worship at Venture every week during the NEW LIFE series!

2 GET IN A GROUP

If you’re not yet part of a Group at Venture, join one during the NEW LIFE series!

3 CELEBRATE

Share your story of how God is using this season to help you grow in your faith. Share your NEW LIFE story at stories@venturechristian.church.

4 GIVE GENEROUSLY

Make a plan that stretches your faith. Join us with a NEW LIFE commitment. Invest in our church as a beacon of hope to our community and beyond.

ONE FUND INITIATIVE

In the past, you may have been asked to give a second gift “above and beyond” your usual gifts to complete special projects. These extra donations have been used to make new buildings and ministries possible. Normally, you gave that gift to the “Building Fund,” and you also continued to give to the “General Fund.” This type of giving is potentially confusing to people who either don’t have a baseline for their “usual giving” or who aren’t able to really celebrate their total giving at Venture in one single number.

The NEW LIFE initiative will last two years. In those two years, every gift given to Venture Christian Church will go to the NEW LIFE initiative for mission advancement. We’ve included a sample commitment card so you can begin to think and pray through your role in generosity in this season. Please take the time to fill this out as we prepare for Commitment Sunday – November 19.

MY TWO-YEAR COMMITMENT

What I/we would typically give to the ministry fund in a year

My/our additional annual generosity as part of the NEW LIFE initiative

$ $ $ $ $

x 2 years = Gifts from my/our stored resources

+

My/our 2-year Commitment (Dec. 2023 - Dec. 2025) $

Name(s) Email Phone

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:18-19 NIV

TWO-YEAR GIFT CHART

As you pray and discern how God would ask you to give during this time, use this gift chart as a discipleship tool – let it be something that inspires and challenges you toward greater generosity for Christ’s Kingdom as we seek to give it all for him.

THE GIVING JOURNEY

GROWING IN GENEROSITY

Our prayer is that God would help each of us grow in our faith and generosity for the sake of Jesus and his mission. Where do you find yourself on this giving journey?

PRIORITY GIVER

Matthew 6:19-24

INITIAL GIVER

Matthew 7:24

An Initial Giver is someone who decides to give for the first time, out of a response to God’s Word about giving. This is someone who decides to give something and trust God and the leaders of the church with this gift. They experience the initial joy of putting Jesus’ words into action.

CONSISTENT GIVER

2 Corinthians 8:7

A Consistent Giver is someone who decides to give something and to give it on a consistent basis to exercise the discipline of giving as a disciple of Jesus. Often, someone who decides to make their gift an online recurring gift will be someone who is learning the joy of consistency. Non-online givers can be consistent givers as well, of course; it just requires more discipline. They experience the joy of excelling in this grace of giving.

A Priority Giver

is someone who understands the preeminence of Christ and that he is before all things – that all things were created by him, for him, through him, and to him. This giver places such a significant priority on their giving that it drives their spending and their saving, as opposed to their spending and saving driving their giving. They experience the freedom of serving “one master” and declaring Jesus is first.

SURRENDERED GIVER

Ephesians 5:1-2

A Surrendered Giver is someone who recognizes that Christ surrendered his whole self for us, and, therefore, we desire to surrender our whole selves to him, in love. This giver would say, “My giving is not just changing my spending and saving. It’s also changing me!” They also look at what they’re not giving away and ask, “Is it surrendered, too?” This informs how they use everything they’ve been blessed and entrusted with – whether that be through direct monetary giving or through a God-honoring use of an existing resource (i.e., honoring God with the use of your home, etc.)

ETERNAL GIVER

1 Timothy 6:19

An Eternal Giver is someone who sees the eternal impact of their giving – on them and on others –not just the immediate programs and ministries it helps accomplish. This giver has been captivated by the knowledge that the more they are led to “do good, to be generous and ready to share,” the more they “take hold of that which is truly life.” This encourages them to keep growing! They make all decisions (big purchases, savings, giving, relationships, areas of service) in light of how it will affect their eternal impact.

DISCUSSION GUIDE

WEEK 1

The New Life Is the Eternal Life

WEEK 2

The New Life Is the Surrendered Life

WEEK 3

The New Life Is the Stewarded Life

WEEK 4

The New Life Is the Cheerful Life

WEEK 5

The New Life Is the Abundant Life

WEEK 1 – MESSAGE NOTES

The New Life Is the Eternal Life

WEEK 1 – SMALL GROUP GUIDE

The New Life Is the Eternal Life

2 CORINTHIANS 8:1-7

1. What is or has been your favorite TV show?

2. Which three TV or movie characters would you say you are most like?

3. How have you experienced a moment of unexpected generosity from someone else?

4. What does our culture tell us about generosity? Think about that from a few vantage points: our shared American culture, our shared Hamilton County culture, and even your specific family culture.

Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were

able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

5. How does Paul describe the Macedonian churches?

6. What does God tell us about generosity?

7. How is the Holy Spirit challenging you to “well up in rich generosity”? How is he challenging you to “give yourself first of all to the Lord”?

WEEK 2 | MESSAGE NOTES

The New Life Is the Surrendered Life

WEEK 2 – SMALL GROUP GUIDE

The New Life Is the Surrendered Life

2 CORINTHIANS 8:8-12

1. What was the first car you owned? What did you name it (if anything)?

2. What is your most quirky unpopular opinion?

3. Describe the most generous person you know.

4. Have you ever hesitated to give something because you felt your contribution would be too small to make a difference?

5. What is the general attitude of giving to the Church from the perspective of someone who doesn’t follow Jesus?

Read 2 Corinthians 8:8-12

I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

6. What things does Paul compare in this passage? (Look beyond just the use of the word “compare” in the text; there are several answers.)

7. Do you give “according to your means”? If you were God, would you give someone like you more money?

8. What would it look like for you to give “according to your means,” really? What baby steps can you take toward that this week?

9. What more could be accomplished if every Jesus follower gave according to their means?

WEEK 3 | MESSAGE NOTES

The New Life Is the Stewarded Life

WEEK 3 – SMALL GROUP GUIDE

The New Life Is the Stewarded Life

2 CORINTHIANS 8:16-24

1. Name three items on your bucket list.

2. What is the strangest gift you’ve ever received?

3. What does it mean to be a good steward?

4. Give an example of poor stewardship of resources.

5. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the stewardship of Americans, in general? Of Hamilton County residents? Why?

Read 2 Corinthians 8:16-24

Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man. In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.

6. How does Paul demonstrate stewardship in this passage?

7. How can the Corinthians “prove” their love?

8. Are there inconsistencies in your attitude toward how you should spend your money (which is God’s to be stewarded) versus how Christian leaders should spend their money (which is God’s to be stewarded) versus how the Church should spend its money (which is God’s to be stewarded)? To find out the true answer in your heart, ask yourself if there are luxuries that you would be shocked to find out your pastors bought themselves that you regularly buy (or want to buy).

WEEK 4 | MESSAGE NOTES

The New Life Is the Cheerful Life

WEEK 4 – SMALL GROUP GUIDE

The New Life Is the Cheerful Life

2 CORINTHIANS 9:1-9

1. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

2. What is the most recent book you’ve read or movie you’ve seen?

3. What hesitations do people have when it comes to giving?

4. How do Americans view others who give sacrificially (to their own detriment)?

There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord’s people. For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

5. How does God view a cheerful giver?

6. What does the challenge to the Corinthians for this special gift to the Jerusalem church indicate about how we ought to give?

7. Do you give cheerfully? Are you cheerful simply because you don’t give enough to affect your lifestyle? Or are you cheerful because you’ve done the heart work to live with less so others can be blessed?

8. What hesitations do you have about financial generosity? What stumbling blocks are in your way to start giving? To give more? To give sacrificially?

9. How are you inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your financial decisions? What heart work needs to be done for you to be able to give sacrificially and cheerfully?

WEEK 5 | MESSAGE NOTES

The New Life Is the Abundant Life

WEEK 5 – SMALL GROUP GUIDE

The New Life Is the Abundant Life

2 CORINTHIANS 9:10-15

1. What is the last new thing you tried?

2. Would you rather live where it is always hot or always cold? Why?

3. Describe a time when you have been impacted by the generosity of another person.

4. List some reasons people praise God.

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

5. What does Paul say about the results of the Corinthians’ giving?

6. What does he say will cause others to praise God?

7. How has God been generous to you?

8. How does your generosity toward God need to change to demonstrate you actually believe your “confession of the gospel” (who Jesus is and what he has done)?”

FAQ

WHAT ARE YOU ASKING ME TO DO?

First and foremost, we are asking that you pray and seek God’s leading on what he is asking of you. Prepare your heart to hear him, and then listen to what he says. Engage in a Group during this season if you haven’t already engaged in one. Engage in personal reflection with God in this NEW LIFE guide as you track along with the NEW LIFE message series. Talk with your group, your spouse, your family, friends, or others about what this commitment will mean for this next exciting season of your life. We are asking that you make a commitment to gospel-driven, Jesus-centered generosity – generosity that wells up from the new life within you. Follow his leading. Finally, prepare to be amazed. We serve an awesome God, and we anticipate he will move in huge ways as we seek an unprecedented result from our collective NEW LIFE commitments – something only God can do. Please mark your calendar for Commitment Sunday, November 19, and prepare to experience a worship service that will be a defining moment for our church and for our own faith.

IF WE ARE COMMITTING TO NEW LIFE, HOW DOES THIS CHANGE MY GIVING TO THE MINISTRY FUND AND OTHER SPECIAL OFFERINGS?

During this two-year period, every contribution to God through Venture is a contribution to our NEW LIFE generosity initiative. Every aspect of the vision God is calling us towards for the next two years will be funded through NEW LIFE. There will not be separate funds for the ministry fund, building fund, or other special projects. Every gift will go into the same fund and will fuel all of our NEW LIFE initiative priorities. Our historic mission partnerships, ministries, and special NEW LIFE projects will all be made possible through these donations.

ARE THERE ADDITIONAL WAYS BESIDES CASH THAT I CAN GIVE MORE TOWARDS NEW LIFE?

Be creative as you explore ways you and your family can give towards NEW LIFE. You might have some stocks, real estate, or other items of personal property that you wish to give. Or you may have other types of stored resources that God has blessed you with in the past that he might be calling you to give out of during this time. If you have questions regarding how to make these types of gifts, please contact Daniel Shelton at daniel@venturechristian.church or 317-846-9828, and he would be honored to help.

HOW LONG IS MY COMMITMENT?

We are asking that everyone make a two-year commitment. The fulfillment period for your commitment will begin with our First Big Give on the weekend of December 3, 2023, and will culminate in December of 2025.

WHAT IF I HAVE NEVER GIVEN TO VENTURE?

NEW LIFE was designed specifically with you in mind. It is a “one fund” generosity initiative, meaning that it is different from a traditional capital campaign where you are called to not only give regularly to the church’s general fund but also asked to give to a special project or building fund – creating TWO steps for people who aren’t yet giving. By doing a “one fund” initiative with NEW LIFE, we’re saying that every dime that is given to Venture over the next two years goes toward NEW LIFE. So you don’t need to already be a regular giver to participate. NEW LIFE is a call to sacrificial, gospel-centered generosity for absolutely everyone at Venture. If you have never given before, this is your chance to get in the game and commit to the work God is doing. We really hope you will.

WHAT IF I AM NEW TO VENTURE?

NEW LIFE is about the vision of our church. We believe that the local church is one of the most compelling missions to give toward, and we would really love for you to make Venture your home and join us in NEW LIFE. If you are ready for it, this is a perfect time for you to put a stake in the ground and make this your church.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

If you have a question we didn’t answer in our FAQs, please contact Daniel Shelton at daniel@venturechristian.church.

THERE’S MORE ONLINE.

Stories, videos, renderings, giving, updates, and more

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