Every Thursday evening our outreach team, Millvale Matters, meets for an hour of Bible study, prayer, & planning of future outreach events. The group has been meeting like this for the last several months, and we'll continue to do so until the opening of the church.Two weeks ago, Jodi & I went with Nick Poole to Church Planter's Boot Camp in Grass Lake Michigan. It was a great time of learning, but even more importantly, it was a time of focus and direction for us, as we endeavored to hear from God regarding some of the organizational issues for our new church.
We began to feel convinced that the name of our church was to be, "Element Church," and as we shared with our group this past Thursday, the following is a kind of "snapshot" of what I believe God wants our church to be like. Please know that this is a work in progress, but as we dream together, these ideas will make up many of the values that Element Church will hold to.
Element Church Purpose Statement:
Engage. Experience. Express.
Element Church is committed to engaging the community of Millvale & the surrounding areas to experience the reality of God, expressing His love in practical ways.
Engage. Experience. Express.
Element Church is committed to engaging the community of Millvale & the surrounding areas to experience the reality of God, expressing His love in practical ways.
Why “Element Church?”
- Because it speaks to the missing element that so many people can attest to feeling before they know God.
- Because we know what that "missing element" is.
- Because every time someone asks what Element Church is, we will have the opportunity to share Christ, by answering the "question" that everyone is asking: "It feels like something is missing in my life. What is missing?"
Engage. (the community)
- A church that welcomes & engages all kinds of people through authentic relationships.
- A church that always has room for one more.
- A church that is packed full of people who love people.
- A church that resists complaining, but embraces problem solving (unity!)
- A church who has the answer
- A church that has fun together!
Experience. (the reality of God)
- A church that unashamedly preaches the Truth of God’s Word
- A church where God’s presence is welcomed & embraced through prayer
- A church where the worship is passionately experienced through excellence in music
- A church that is spiritual, but not spooky. (a REAL church for REAL people!)
- Because it speaks to the missing element that so many people can attest to feeling before they know God.
- Because we know what that "missing element" is.
- Because every time someone asks what Element Church is, we will have the opportunity to share Christ, by answering the "question" that everyone is asking: "It feels like something is missing in my life. What is missing?"
Engage. (the community)
- A church that welcomes & engages all kinds of people through authentic relationships.
- A church that always has room for one more.
- A church that is packed full of people who love people.
- A church that resists complaining, but embraces problem solving (unity!)
- A church who has the answer
- A church that has fun together!
Experience. (the reality of God)
- A church that unashamedly preaches the Truth of God’s Word
- A church where God’s presence is welcomed & embraced through prayer
- A church where the worship is passionately experienced through excellence in music
- A church that is spiritual, but not spooky. (a REAL church for REAL people!)
Express. (God's love to others!)
- A church that is driven to serve, brave enough to act, and gracious enough to love the outsider.
- A church that moves outside the walls, not to conquer, but rather to love people into God’s kingdom.
- A church that recognizes the needs of others, and is creative about how we can be God’s agent to meet those needs.
- A church that is driven to serve, brave enough to act, and gracious enough to love the outsider.
- A church that moves outside the walls, not to conquer, but rather to love people into God’s kingdom.
- A church that recognizes the needs of others, and is creative about how we can be God’s agent to meet those needs.
- A church that considers no one “too far gone” for Christ to make a change in their lives.
The Dream… (Long-range goals)
- Francis Chan quote – “If your church ceased to exist in your community, for whatever reason, would there be any regret for having lost your church?” - WE WILL BE THAT CHURCH!!!
- Missions trip with changed lives from Millvale.
- To plant another church out of our church.
As we begin the process of planting Element Church in Millvale, I can't help but be excited that God has chosen us for this moment, and for this task. I love being able to join God in what He is doing, and am grateful for the great team of world-changers God has allowed us to partner with. With God's help, we will bring change to a community that needs Him. We will answer the question in this community that makes people wonder what is missing in their lives, not simply by introducing them to a great church, but by connecting them to a GREAT SAVIOR!
The Dream… (Long-range goals)
- Francis Chan quote – “If your church ceased to exist in your community, for whatever reason, would there be any regret for having lost your church?” - WE WILL BE THAT CHURCH!!!
- Missions trip with changed lives from Millvale.
- To plant another church out of our church.
As we begin the process of planting Element Church in Millvale, I can't help but be excited that God has chosen us for this moment, and for this task. I love being able to join God in what He is doing, and am grateful for the great team of world-changers God has allowed us to partner with. With God's help, we will bring change to a community that needs Him. We will answer the question in this community that makes people wonder what is missing in their lives, not simply by introducing them to a great church, but by connecting them to a GREAT SAVIOR!
Here's to the future, and to the idea of becoming and being a GREAT CHURCH in Millvale!
No comments:
Post a Comment