As I sat at my desk this morning, I was reading through a couple of blogs that I like to go to, and they got me thinking about the direction of Riverstone Church. Yeah, I know we just got started and we have the whole world before us, but I want to make sure that we go down the right path. That we don't take any rabbit trails.
God called me to come back to Claremont to start a church for the unchurched. You can be sure that I won't ever change that. What that looks like is still being determined but in my minds eye I see a church that is passionate about serving people in the community. That is using the culture and it's language as leverage to speak the truth of the Gospel into peoples lives. I see a church where the people live for Christ in an unfettered environment. It's not about rules and regulations but about relationships. I see a church that actively tries to tear down barriers that keep people from making a step of faith toward Christ. A church where people are free to live their lives and love their God without legalism and personal interpretions of scripture that try to make people act a certain way. A church where "No perfect people are allowed".
I see a church where someone who is in need, will think of us first. A church where the town will ask for our help. A church that is actively participating in the community and consciencely changing the culture through our actions. I see a church that reaches beyond Claremont into the surrounding communities and New England. I see a church that is actively seeking to plant high yeild churches throughout New England. I see a church where Christians who want to begin to stand up and put their faith to use come and be a part of our missional movement. I see a place where broken families and lives are restored. Where the sick are healed. I see a place where we grow leaders to impact the world. I see a place where anyone can come and be given the chance to grow to their greatest potential.
I see a church where Christians and the un-churched serve side by side. A place where the un-churched and the de-churched can come and be loved. A church where you are welcome no matter who you are. A church that accepts people where they are at but loves them enough to let them know they need to change and gives them the tools to make that change.
That's my church.
God called me to come back to Claremont to start a church for the unchurched. You can be sure that I won't ever change that. What that looks like is still being determined but in my minds eye I see a church that is passionate about serving people in the community. That is using the culture and it's language as leverage to speak the truth of the Gospel into peoples lives. I see a church where the people live for Christ in an unfettered environment. It's not about rules and regulations but about relationships. I see a church that actively tries to tear down barriers that keep people from making a step of faith toward Christ. A church where people are free to live their lives and love their God without legalism and personal interpretions of scripture that try to make people act a certain way. A church where "No perfect people are allowed".
I see a church where someone who is in need, will think of us first. A church where the town will ask for our help. A church that is actively participating in the community and consciencely changing the culture through our actions. I see a church that reaches beyond Claremont into the surrounding communities and New England. I see a church that is actively seeking to plant high yeild churches throughout New England. I see a church where Christians who want to begin to stand up and put their faith to use come and be a part of our missional movement. I see a place where broken families and lives are restored. Where the sick are healed. I see a place where we grow leaders to impact the world. I see a place where anyone can come and be given the chance to grow to their greatest potential.
I see a church where Christians and the un-churched serve side by side. A place where the un-churched and the de-churched can come and be loved. A church where you are welcome no matter who you are. A church that accepts people where they are at but loves them enough to let them know they need to change and gives them the tools to make that change.
That's my church.
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