Sometimes it is just good to go on record and declare the coming victory! Sometimes the best way to experience victory is to storm the beach and burn the boats – leaving no option of turning back.

As the leader of Parkview (remember, I only have that position because I got here first:) I am declaring that with God’s help and by God’s grace we will have the best Children’s Ministry we have ever had. Call me Captain Obvious but the truth is that currently we don’t have the best Children’s Ministry we have ever had at Parkview. While we have some absolutely amazing volunteers who give 110% we have not had the leadership necessary to take our Children’s Ministry to a whole new level.

With arrival of Pastor Kelly we are recommitting ourselves to the ministry God has called us to – bringing Life Change to children and their families! We are reorganizing our staff, looking to hire a Children’s Director and committing all that is necessary to make God’s vision a reality. While I have a tremendous burden for multisite ministry, right now we are committing our horsepower to the children of our church before launching into multisite.

For clarity’s sake – we divide 0-18 years of age into 3 categories: pre-school, children and students. For several years I have stated that some of the best leaders and volunteers serve in our student ministry(6th-12th) – I still believe that to be true. With the arrival of Pastor Kelly and the ongoing commitment of those great volunteers you can look for a re-energized focus on group life for students and you will see additional opportunities for students to participate in community and fellowship while having a blast together!

Our pre-school ministry continues to grow at a rapid pace – something is in the water!! What a joy it is for our church to be filled with such new life! We are thrilled to welcome into pre-school ministry leadership Jacci Keeny and Alayna Dykes. These two ladies have been All-Star volunteers and have recently enlisted to lead our pre-school ministry. Watch out as these ladies empower an already incredibly faithful/loving group of amazing volunteers. These ladies have pre-schoolers of their own and their passion for all of our children is amazing. Welcome aboard ladies!!

Children’s Ministry (1st-5th grade) is where we are going to focus our energies and see the biggest change. We have begun to experience a shift and the momentum is changing in our favor. Please join with us in praying that God will lead us to the Children’s Director that He would have for us! So many things at Parkview are firing on 8 cylinders and I can’t wait for the day that Children’s Ministry is as well. Our Kids deserve our best ministry!!!

• I am thrilled to have Kelly and Amber as a part of our staff team!
• I appreciate Kelly and Amber’s heart for people.
• A special thanks to our Family Ministry Transition Team who have steeped up to serve as Kelly and Amber transition into Parkview!!!
• I am proud of Brian Taylor for graduating from Trinity Baptist College this past weekend. Brian has served faithfully in our children’s ministry for almost a year.
• We have many amazing volunteers. Right now, every single week, we have new people expressing interest in serving in Family ministry.
• We have some great volunteers stepping up in our preschool area!! Announcements coming soon.
• We have been able to split some classes and do a better job ministering to all the children God has sent us.
• I personally believe that the greatest opportunity that our church has is to hit a grand slam when it comes to ministering to the children of our city.
• I saw students signing up to go to Philly on the Summer mission trip!! Great opportunities in Philly!!!
• If you want to get in on the action – volunteer in Family Ministry.
• If you have any questions or would like to serve in Family Ministry email kelly@parkviewlife.com.
• The children are not our future they are our present!!

• Let God speak to you during the week through His Word
• Before you come to church pray that God will speak to your heart
• Bring your Bible (a worn out Bible is usually owned by somebody who is not)
• Take notes (writing significantly increases retainage)
• Come to church rested as opposed to exhausted
• Use the bathroom before the service starts. Getting up during the sermon not only distracts you but others around you.
• Utilize the amazing learning environments for your children (if applicable) where they learn on their level from incredible, loving teachers.
• Expect God to speak to you
• Talk about the sermon with others after the service

What I believe to be true is that the power of God’s Word has the ability to change our lives. I don’t want to miss anything that God is trying to say to me and I don’t want you to miss anything that God wants to say to you. Let’s come to church this weekend and both of us preach the sermon!!

• I really had a desire to see a strong gospel voice in the Hammock and I still have a desire to see that happen.
• I am spiritually sad we will not have that opportunity in the next couple months.
• I love the people of Hammock First and I thank them for considering this matter.
• I hurt for the people of First Hammock – for years they have experienced great pain.
• I am sad that they fired their pastor a few weeks ago. I have shared very openly with their leadership my feelings on that matter.
• I have heard about what people at the church said about the vote today and I hurt for them. Some are very sad about where this leaves them as a church. The church is now running less than 20 – wow I wish that weren’t the case!
• I am not disappointed by the outcome. I truly believe God has something better in store for Parkview!!
• If the merger went through I had some strong concerns about a couple matters. I believe the Lord’s timing is perfect and His way is perfect. I see His closing this door being the potential opening to another door.
• The elders, staff and I will continue to seek God’s face about how to expand His Kingdom.
• Matthew 7:7 is in the continuous voice.
• I see multisite church being a great way to expand the kingdom and a great way to leverage resources.
• I love pastoring Parkview and this has been a tremendous weekend.
• I spent a good portion of the afternoon with a church planter and his wife who visited Parkview and I was privileged to share with them what an honor it is to serve at Parkview.
• I can’t wait to see what God is going to do in the near future.
• Let’s remember our mission – Guiding People to Life Change in Jesus Christ!

In regards to the potential merger at Hammock First Baptist I wanted to give you a couple links for you to read. Please click here to read an FAQ piece that we put together. The FAQ not only gives the Hammock church some clarity but it also serves as a communication piece for Parkview as well.

This past week Pastor Mike Wehde forwarded me a great article about church mergers. Click here to read the article written by Pastor Mark Driscoll. I posted the preceding article on our church’s Facebook page and one of our members posted the following comment: Very thought provoking article. This statement taken from it, makes what we’re considering a very good option and Biblically sound: “Rather it’s about two churches uniting to do more together than they could apart. It’s about putting aside personal agendas, and realizing that Jesus is the Senior Pastor of the Church and that we have one mission: to make disciples”

After reading the FAQ or the article, if you have any questions please feel free to email me at greg@parkviewlife.com. Most importantly please make the merger a matter of prayer.

During December 2011, Pastor John “JD” Friel of Hammock First Baptist Church (HFBC) initiated a conversation with Greg Peters, lead pastor of Parkview Baptist Church, to determine if Parkview would consider merging the two congregations into a single multi-campus church.  This initial conversation developed into a prayerful interaction.  During April 2012, JD and Greg publicly announced plans to have formal conversations around a potential church merger. If approved, the merger would create one church in two locations under a single vision.

Why are we considering a merger?

From the very beginning, our two churches have been about guiding people to life change in Jesus Christ.  Through much prayer and discussion during merger conversations, our pastors felt God’s strong call to come together for the good of His Kingdom.  By joining teams, we have faith that more people throughout our area will be changed by the Gospel.  By leveraging our strengths and focusing our efforts as one Body, with a unified vision, we have an opportunity to be a healthy church that is united for the good of the greater Palm Coast area and ultimately the good of the Kingdom.

What is the goal of this merger?

The guiding focus of this merger is to reach more people to advance the Kingdom of God.  Our goal is to form a healthy, vibrant multi-site church with two campuses.

What is a multi-site church?

A multi-site church is simply one church in multiple locations.  It has multiple “campuses” but operates under one vision, one ministry model, one budget, and one leadership.  On the one hand, being one church pools together the best resources to impact people in ways smaller churches are often unable.  On the other hand, by being in multiple locations, it distributes a larger church family into smaller units in a more neighborhood-based way.

What are the benefits of becoming a multi-site church?

Simply put, we are better together than we could ever be apart.  Both churches bring a commitment to the Word of God in our lives and the work of God in our community.  Both bring a heart for families and the next generation, while wanting to honor those who have brought us to where we are today.  There are several additional advantages for HFBC.  In addition to financial stability, we believe Parkview’s vision, leadership, implementation, systems, and structures will enhance and maximize the impact of the ministry of HFBC people in the community and around the world.  An additional benefit is that we expect a very quick influx of trained and willing volunteers who have attended Parkview but live closer to the Hammock.

How will the merger decision be made?

The merger will be decided at a vote of the members of HFBC on May 6, 2012 (HFBC is currently a congregational-style government), and acceptance by the Parkview Elder Leadership Team which will operate in consideration of the staff, finance team and entire congregation.

What will the leadership structure look like?

Our multi-site church will receive spiritual leadership from our elder team and ministry leadership from the pastoral staff.  Each brings various talents to the table in being accountable to one another and in keeping watch over the church, working together in community, and spearheading new ministry opportunities.  Given his experience, Pastor JD will likely serve as the HFBC campus pastor.  Reporting to Parkview’s Executive Pastor, JD will also transition into a role of church-wide responsibility that optimizes his gifts on the Parkview staff team.

How will the facilities be utilized?

Parkview’s plan is to maximize the use of the HFBC campus for greater Kingdom impact.  The HFBC campus is strategically located in the greater Palm Coast area.  We will encourage families who currently attend Parkview but live in or near the A1A corridor to worship on the HFBC campus.  You will also see facility improvements as we begin to catch up on delayed maintenance and upgrade projects.

What is the timeline?

The following timetable lies before us:

• April 1-4: Presentation of information to both churches
• April 4: Stakeholder/leadership Q&A meeting at HFBC
• April 10: Information on Pastor Greg’s Blog at www.gregpeterslive.com
• April 12: HFBC youth participates in Parkview’s Student Night – 7:00 pm
• April 15: Second Q&A meeting at HFBC – 7:00 pm
• April 16: Q&A meeting with the Parkview congregation – 7:00 pm
• May 6: Member vote at HFBC following the morning service
• May 13: Celebration Service/Vision for the Future (if merger is approved)

What happens if the vote passes?

HFBC will donate its assets and liabilities to Parkview Baptist Church, as provided for in HFBC’s Articles of Incorporation.  HFBC has no mortgage debt or financial responsibilities outside of normal operations for a church its size.  HFBC would begin operating as the Hammock campus of Parkview Baptist Church.  We would be one body joined together under Parkview’s Constitution and By-Laws.  This process would make us one church, with one vision, operating in two locations.

What happens if it is not approved?

Regardless of the outcome of the members’ vote, HFBC recognizes its needs for resurgence and change.  As witnessed by its lack of healthy growth over a number of years, the current status of HFBC does not honor its mission or reflect God’s intention for His Church.  If the HFBC membership does not vote to merge with Parkview, there could be serious financial consequences and its continued existence could be in jeopardy.  Regardless, Parkview will continue its mission of guiding people to life change in Jesus Christ.

What can I do during this process?

First and foremost, you can seek God’s will for Hammock First Baptist Church.  Change is coming to HFBC and it can be a difficult challenge.  We ask that you:

• Celebrate the wonderful new thing God is doing in our two congregations.
• Pray for the leadership and staff as they work out the details of a possible merger.
• Explore the possibilities at Parkview by visiting its website at parkviewlife.com and attending weekend worship services.
• Seek God’s will for the future of HFBC and its impact on His Kingdom.
• Vote on May 6, 2012, to acknowledge what you believe to be God’s will for us.

Our elder team is absolutely committed to hearing God’s voice and following God’s agenda. We are considering everything and our desire is to determine if the Kingdom can be furthered through this merger. Our bottom line is our mission – guiding people to Life Change is Jesus Christ.

The best way to describe last night is “Grand Slam”!! We had two training events – one at 4 and the other was at 6:30. Let me give you some of the details:

• Attendance was excellent at both sessions!!
• Many people who have never served were present!
• So thankful for all who faithfully serve who came out to prepare for Easter and improve our overall serve.
• We talked about our responsibility to provide the absolute best environment.
• With everyone equipped and on the same page we are better prepared for this Easter than at any time in our history.
• We introduced our process, which is also a brand new print piece – Celebrate, Grow, Serve, Reach
• The MAJOR announcement that I shared is that we are in discussions with Hammock First Baptist in regards to the possibility of them merging with us. I will probably shoot a video later today and post it on my blog. I will use the video to give similar information as to what I shared with all those in attendance last night.
• All of our staff and leaders did a tremendous job in preparing for the training event. Thanks!!