Last year’s EXPO was all about showcasing our ministries to our congregation. Our goal was that our fellow brothers and sisters would either find a ministry that could bless them or find one they could join. From the reports I received through the year since, we more than reached those goals. However, another thing happened last year as well: leaders of ministry found other leaders of ministry! Great fellowship happened between those who showcased their ministries at the EXPO! While all of these outcomes were wonderful, there is so much more potential bound up inside the EXPO vision!
The modern “expo” concept goes back at least 225 years to “an industrial exhibition” held in honor of “the coronation of Leopold II as king of Bohemia.” It featured “considerable sophistication of manufacturing methods.”1 The idea behind an expo is to bring together in one place the most innovative, cutting edge technology, methods, inventions, etc., contemporary to the times. So, how does this apply to the SGT Ministry EXPO?
My vision for the EXPO is that, on that day, we would reach for and demonstrate—or have demonstrated to us—the latest technologies, the newest ideas, and the most cutting edge ministry tools possible! That we would be inspired and have our own visions for ministry made larger! And this not just for our parishioners or ourselves, but also for other churches and ministries on the Island and beyond! Big vision? Yes! But great achievement begins with the smallest of persistent efforts!
So, what might this vision look like if we can achieve it? First, let me be clear: the EXPO is not about luring people from other churches to our church. This is counter to what we are all about at SGT. It is, rather, an opportunity for us to demonstrate possibilities for ministry that can be imported by others into their churches. Those possibilities for ministry may be ministries already happening at SGT. However, they might be ministries that can be demonstrated at the EXPO for all of us by guests we can invite for that purpose. Here are some examples:
Imagine if we were to invite to the EXPO the LOGOS Bible Software Company, a top church presentation software company, or a leading discipleship curriculum publisher? What about leading Christian universities? The possibilities are endless!
What should you make of this? What steps should you take? There will be opportunity to expound on this vision as we get closer to September 20. But for now, think big! Plan to showcase your ministry this September in grand fashion! Allow yourself to think beyond our own in-house purposes and consider how your ministry might work in other churches and how those churches might benefit from your experience. If you hear of some awesome cutting edge ministry tool, etc., let me know!
The ultimate goal of the 2015 SGT Ministry EXPO is, at the end of the day, that people from all around will leave the EXPO having enjoyed good Christian fellowship, food, and fun. But more importantly, that they will leave inspired! Inspired to do great things for God and His Kingdom!
1 http://www.czech.cz/en/66361-general-global-exhibition-in-prague-in-1891; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_world%27s_fairs.
