Church Vision
October 28, 2007 [Listen]
Over the last few months Community Bible Church has experienced a great deal of change (our move into a new facility / new people showing up every week / a dynamic, growing group under 30 years of age). Change is not always easy for everyone and can, for some, create anxiety and conflict. So, what I’d like to do today is step back and clarify a few very important priorities for the leadership of this church and hopefully for most of you.
First – While we are hoping to have an impact for Christ on this community, this culture, and people of all ages, there are things that need no contextualization – like the gospel.
Jesus came to absorb the wrath of God that you and I deserve as corrupt, sinful people. All those who repent and trust Jesus as their only hope of forgiveness, are reconciled to God.
This message, in these words, works for everyone
Second – There are three priorities for this fellowship.
1. This local fellowship, as a community, should exude what it means to make much of God and act in faith. To do this we:
- Worship God in song
- Affirm Scripture as God’s word and respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading in humility
- Lift God up as the great Sovereign of reality
2. This local fellowship should exude biblical service toward those who belong to it. To do this we:
- Must meet physical needs – Fellowship
- Must meet spiritual needs
Sharing Scripture
Sharing the Lord’s Supper together
Praying for each other
Self-giving
3. This local fellowship should be transparent, accessible, and connected to those outside the fellowship. Like those in Acts 5:12-14
After Ananias & Sapphira were killed by God: …And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.
- Transparent – It is important that those outside this fellowship can see us. Not as those who are in any way better than anyone else but as those who have found hope, as those who have been changed by Jesus.
- Accessible – The first group of believers experienced no culture gap between who they were as Christ-followers and those they were called to reach. This is different today – we struggle with allowing others to have access.
- Connected – We must always remember that God’s heart is for his glory through the salvation of the undeserving
Third – This fellowship should be intergenerational
This means those who are older and more mature must look at the younger generations as their mission and calling. We cannot be sedate in a comfortable, faithless retirement. We are called to connect with and minister to the next generation.
Forth – Christ is the head of this fellowship and not any person
Colossians 1:18 – And [Christ] is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
Ephesians 1:22-23 – And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Matt 23:8-12 – “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
This church is blessed to have a broad base of leaders that have been called to shepherd the fellowship. While we may, as individuals, have preferences that don’t exactly match the negotiable issues, this is the direction we believe God is moving this fellowship – it’s important that we, as a fellowship, have unity and support around these issues.
Over the past few months I was amazed at how many sermons touched the very thoughts or truths that had recently been revealed or foremost in my mind. I was thinking how Wally and I must be at the same place in our lives as he touched my very thoughts. However, when I was cleaning out my garden today pondering this morning’s sermon, I realized how silly such thoughts had been. If we are a group being led by the same Holy Spirit, with the same goals…seeking to know and obey the truth as we praise our Lord…it only makes sense that we should all be learning truths that are similar with often the same convictions and running towards the same mark at the same time. The Bible indicates we need diversity to become a completed, whole body, and because of this diversity we will have different ideas on how to reach our mark, but I am comforted in the thought that we can still be unified as we discuss, pray and debate how to reach those goals and proclaim the truth.
Bonnie Kiese
October 28, 2007 at 9:36 pm
I agree that a lot of change has been and will continue to happen. I see God moving through CBC…. transforming people, transforming ministries, transforming the body as a whole. I am personally excited to see where God continues to lead us.
Has it been tough? Has it been trying? Has if been pushing us out of our comfort zone? Yes,Yes,Yes. But I truely believe it is all for God’s glory and his plan for CBC to become a church that is church in a new way, something that Winona has not seen, something people have not experienced before.
I do feel that people need to be praying more for each other (individual people), and for the church body as a whole as it moves forward.
I do think we need to be more transparent, accessiable, and connected as a whole. I am challenging myself on how to be more of all of these three things. And it is tough stuff!! …. definately goes against the gain of how I was taught to operate as a person and christian for the last 20 some years.
Michael
October 29, 2007 at 9:56 am
“To God be the glory great things He has done.” The movement to addressing the necessary change in this community is refreshing and highly important and among other very good charateristics this recognition is of supreme value to a healthy organization, a living and breathing organization much better prepared for the challenges ahead. I am thrilled that is kind of transparency and recognition is present and that we will not stick our heads in the sand and that as we embrace the intergenerational qualities and influence in this local fellowship we will hold, protect and defend this life giving characteristic. It continues to be my prayer and I hope the prayer and difinitive devotion of all members and participants that the vision with all its characteristics and benefits continues to be spoken and practiced within our lives. “If God be for us who can be against us!” If I might suggest that we need and should “get all excited” about the vision and its manifestation in our community. Lets get on bus with this vision and its qualities of Transparency, Accessibility and Connectedness. Let us all look forward with rapt anticipation the results and influence of the vision being captured, understood and accepted in the hearts and lives of the Winona Community.
JIM NELTON
October 29, 2007 at 10:13 am
I would personnally applaud Michaels’ profound thought that we need to be praying (more) for eachother and for the church body! I would go so far as to suggest that we might organize a weekly prayertime for all people where those that can meet, possibly meet at the church. This is certainly not to supercede any efforts that are already taking place in this regard. I would like to suggest that each one might connect with at least 3 other people as prayer partners. I certainly appreciate the thoughtfull concern for additional prayer by all members of the church body
Jim Nelton
October 30, 2007 at 1:57 pm