Welcome to this first installment of my new blog. I will be regularly posting thoughts, updates, links to resources, and anything else I think you might find interesting or helpful. The hope is that we can start some conversations that will be encouraging, stimulating, and aid in our moving closer to God and each other. You are invited to share your thoughts as this is what will make this whole thing richer for all. Just follow the simple steps at the end of this entry to join in the conversation.
I want to take some time to share a little more about the Spiritual Growth Pathway we are launching this fall. What we are doing isn’t anything terribly novel or complicated. Our strategy is simply to articulate how we at VCC are going to go about fulfilling our vision of transforming lives in a Christ-centered community. You have heard me say many times that we are called to “live for the glory of God and the good of others.” This is my way of restating the great commandment of Jesus to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. But how do we continue to become the kind of people who can do this? We join together to encourage each other, learn from each other, invest in each other so that we can become the people God calls us to be.
We have divided this pathway into four steps or stages. Each stage has a word that describes our involvement in the process of growth. These four stages are Connect, Engage, Serve, and Multiply. If you take a look at the diagram September issue of the Bell Tower, you will see that the four stages are placed in a circle that shows the progression from one stage to the other. You will also note that Christ is at the center of this diagram. He must remain as the center of all we do. You will see on the diagram that for each stage there is a word that describes our inner disposition toward Christ. Finally, for each of these, we have chosen a phrase that describes the kind of “place” or environment we want our church to be for each of these stages.
So, let me quickly summarize each of these stages:
Connect – a place to belong. We begin the journey by connecting with God and His church. People need a place to belong, to connect with others who are also pursuing a relationship with Christ. The primary place where this will happen will be our Sunday services. While not the only place people begin to connect with God and others, it is our main front door into the church and into this pathway. The word that describes our relationship to Christ in this stage is “exploring.”
Engage – a place to grow. In order to really grow in our faith and see real life transformation we have to engage more deeply with others as we pursue Christ. Spiritual formation is not a solo act, but something that is done in community. The primary place for this to happen is in our small groups. It is our hope that all who are a part of VCC will be involved in a small group. To strengthen these groups we are providing more training and coaching for leaders. We want real Christ-centered community to develop and for all to experience the growth that come from this kind of environment. The word that describes our relationship to Christ in this stage is “growing.”
Serve – a place to give. As we grow in our faith, it naturally leads to a desire to give to the church and community in service. Jesus said that he did not come to be served, but to serve and this same servant’s heart will flow out or our relationship with Him. We are beginning to think less about ourselves and more about others. The word that describes our relationship to Christ in this stage is “embracing” as we are starting to get what it means to let Christ have more and more of our lives.
Multiply – a place to invest. In this final step we are pouring our lives into others, both inside and outside the church. We are reaching out in love to share our faith with people who need Christ’s love and forgiveness and we are helping others grow in their faith. This is the stage where we are really beginning to bear fruit in our lives. The word that describes our relationship to Christ in this stage is “yielding” as we are letting God fully direct our lives.
You’ll be hearing much more about all this in the days to come. Be in prayer and open up your heart and mind to what Christ wants to do in your life and in our church. Great things are on the horizon.
So, what do you think? Post your thoughts and questions and let’s get this journey on the way.
