If you’ve ever asked me about what I see myself doing in five years, ten years, or what you think God has for me to do in the future, I’ve probably either beat around the bush for a few minutes or told you straight up that I know that I will pastor a church one day. I say I know this because…well, I do. It’s kinda like the way you know a song is about to come on the radio before it comes on or the way you know a person’s about to call you just before they call you.
I just know.
Whatever the case, I’ve really been giving a lot of thought lately to what that church would look and feel like. I think I’ve got a grip on several aspects of it, and there are some that are not quite there yet, but I would like to share with you what I do know already and that is the purpose. The purpose is twofold, but simple (this is not a pithy statement of purpose and vision, so don’t take it as that commercialized bull that I detest so much):
1.) To facilitate an authentic, intimate creator/creation relationship (in which a person worships passionately, prays often, lives righteously and hears clearly from God), upon which all Christian life rises or falls.
2.) To provide authentic, intimate community in which people can be introduced to a loving God through the love of the saints. (Caring for widows and orphans, comforting the afflicted [and afflicting the comfortable], setting the captive free, healing the sick, casting out demons, and preaching the gospel [with words, if necessary.])
