Isaiah 6:8
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
Theme Verse
One Church. Three Movements
ADVANCE is an invitation to join ABC on a discipleship journey in 2027, with biblical engagement at its core. The biblical picture comes from Isaiah 6:8 when Isaiah sees God, receives grace, and responds, “Here I am. Send me.” That movement gives us three words for 2027: Discover, Develop, and Deploy.
God has made Himself known through Scripture and ultimately through Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. In 2027, ABC will read through the Bible together and follow a year-long sermon journey through the story of Scripture. ADVANCE will bring the church around one coordinated year of biblical engagement at church, at home, and in personal study.
God develops us through His Word, but He also develops us in community with other believers. The sermons, BFG curriculum, and age-appropriate Next Generation content will follow the same biblical journey. Bible Fellowship Groups are the primary way people at ABC study Scripture, build relationships, care for one another, and develop as leaders. To create space for more groups and leaders without the need for new construction, we are updating our Sunday schedule to accommodate two Bible Fellowship Group hours beginning in 2027.
We do not study Scripture merely to gain information. We encounter God so that we can respond. ADVANCE is a challenge to pray, serve, share the gospel, invest in your neighbors, and dive into ministry and missions. With those objectives in mind, think through who is your one you can share the gospel with and invite to church and who is our one that ABC will send into vocation ministry or mission?
A New Sunday Rhythm
Two Sunday Services. Two Bible Fellowship Group Hours.
9:00am & 10:30am
Bible Fellowship Groups are the primary way people at ABC study Scripture, build relationships, care for one another, and develop as leaders. To create space for more groups and leaders without the need for new construction, we are updating our Sunday schedule to accommodate two Bible Fellowship Group hours on top of our two existing worship services beginning in 2027.
9:30am | Choir-led
During the first hour, we will have our Choir-led service with adult bible fellowship groups, kids bible fellowship groups, and student bible fellowship groups.
10:30am | Band-Led
The second hour will have our Band-led service with our second hour of adult bible fellowship groups and kids worship for K-4th grade (Elevate & Uplift).
About Advance 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. WHY IS ABC PURSUING ADVANCE NOW?
ABC enters its twentieth year with an opportunity to celebrate God’s faithfulness by taking a meaningful next step together. A shared Bible journey can unite the church, and two BFG hours creates room for new groups and leaders.
Q2. WHY IS ISAIAH 6:8 THE FOUNDATIONAL TEXT?
In the sixth chapter of his book, Isaiah experiences a vision from the Lord as he begins his ministry as a prophet to the people of Judah. The Lord asks for a messenger, and Isaiah willingly and humbly offers himself in service to God. That movement becomes the spiritual pattern of ADVANCE. Isaiah encounters the holiness of God, recognizes his need, and makes himself available. We then follow the same pattern: God reveals Himself, we are transformed, and we respond.
Q3. WHY DOES THE SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE NEED TO CHANGE?
The current Bible Fellowship Group hour limits growth because all classrooms are in use. Offering adult BFGs during both hours creates room for new groups and leaders while giving guests more pathways into community. The schedule supports the discipleship vision.
Q4. WHAT IS THE CURRENT SUNDAY MORNING PLAN?
The current direction is choir-led worship at 9:00 AM and band-led worship at 10:30 AM, with adult BFGs during both hours. Students and children gather for BFG early and worship later. Other details are still being developed.
Q5. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO CURRENT BFGS, TEACHERS, AND SERVING ROLES?
Some groups may remain together. Others may move, multiply, or help launch a new group. Some people may need to choose between roles they currently carry. While change can present new challenges, we view this as an opportunity for current leadership to expand and grow in their roles while leaving room for new leaders to step up and be developed in a brand new calling.
Q6. WHY READ THROUGH THE WHOLE BIBLE, AND WHAT IF SOMEONE FALLS BEHIND?
Reading through the Bible helps people understand its full story and see how all of Scripture points toward Christ. The plan is challenging, but it is not a scorecard. If someone falls behind, the invitation is to rejoin the current week.
Q7. DOES EVERYONE HAVE TO USE THE SAME BIBLE TRANSLATION?
No. The CSB Jesus Daily Bible is the preferred translation because it organizes the Bible into 52 weeks and provides weekly introductions and Christ connections. However, everyone is welcome to use another Bible or translation with the ADVANCE reading schedule.
Q8. HOW WILL ABC HANDLE PARKING, WORSHIP TRANSITIONS, AND OTHER PRESSURES?
Staff and ministry teams are working on traffic flow, hospitality, room movement, worship transitions, service timing, and volunteer schedules. Leadership in each area will communicate to their team the appropriate actions and changes as we move through this transition.
Q9. WHEN DOES ADVANCE BEGIN, AND WHAT HAPPENS AFTER 2027?
The Bible reading plan begins on January 3rd, 2027. The new Sunday schedule, sermon journey, and aligned BFG curriculum begin on January 10th, 2027. The Bible-in-a-year journey concludes in 2027, but Discover, Develop, and Deploy are intended to become lasting ministry language and a continuing discipleship pathway.
Make Your ADVANCE
Come be a part of the journey in 2027! Discover God’s Word throughout the year, develop by participating in worship and biblical community, and deploy on mission by praying, serving, inviting, and living on mission.