Developing a Preaching Series on the Priority of the Local Church Gathering for O'Brien Baptist Church, O'Brien, Texas

Abstract

ABSTRACT

DEVELOPING A PREACHING SERIES ON THE PRIORITY

OF THE LOCAL CHURCH GATHERING FOR

O’BRIEN BAPTIST CHURCH,

O’BRIEN, TEXAS

Charles William Shira, Jr., D.Min.

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2016

Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Brian J. Vickers

The purpose of this project was to develop a preaching series on the priority of the local church gathering. Chapter 1 presents the purpose, goals, ministry context, rationale, definitions, limitations and delimitations, and research methodology for this project.

Chapter 2 presents the biblical and theological support for the priority of the local church gathering. The chapter is divided into six sections that correspond to six sermons, covering the biblical and theological reasons for why the local church gathering should be a priority in the life of a believer. Chapter 3 addresses the theoretical support for the priority of the local church gathering. This chapter surveys both the sociological and spiritual reasons for why church attendance has been declining. Chapters 4 and 5 provide details and descriptions for how the project was implemented, as well as evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the project.