In the last post, I started to unpack the vision we have for Kingsgate which is to: Raise a 300-strong church community, that is devoted to gospel-shaped Witness, Discipleship and Compassion
Let’s look at a couple more of the ideas wrapped up in this vision statement:
300-STRONG
That’s a church community about twice the size we currently are. Now, why add a number to a vision statement? Is it an indication that all we’re really interested in is numbers? That could not be further from the truth! By adding a number into our vision statement, it helps us focus our attention on the significant change that we’re anticipating and will be praying for.
Tim Keller in his amazing article on church growth dynamics said that to make this type of jump is not a doubling of complexity but a quadrupling (just think about that for a moment)! That means we need to give ourselves to learning how to work together, because it is only going to get more complex! So, for example, a church of 300 people means it’s likely that we’re not going to have the right sized rooms for our kids’ ministries! That means planning to reshape the building to accommodate what God is doing. It also means that we’re going to need to raise up lots more discipleship group leaders, and more on the pastoral team, and tech people, and others to serve in the many and various different areas of church life that will all need to grow!
Can you see how having a number sharpens up the picture for us? Like, Abraham and Sarahin Genesis, we’re told that they looked at each other, old and wrinkly and yet Abraham believed God. The facts bring into sharp relief what God is calling us to do.
I want to encourage you to join Abraham in believing God that he is more than able to do this here in Great Yarmouth!
CHURCH COMMUNITY
Let’s take a look at another aspect of this vision statement: Church Community.
Our vision is not to grow a large ‘cold and faceless’ organisation. No, we believe in the family of God! Listen to Ephesians 2 again as it describes the culture and flavour of New Testament Christianity:
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household”
Scott Sauls: “Membership in a local church means joining your imperfect self to many other imperfect selves to form an imperfect community that, through Jesus, embarks on a journey toward a better future . . . together.”
Friends, the church family is a beautiful thing to be part of and we want to give ourselves wholeheartedly to seeing a strong and vibrant community developed here!
