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sharing my heart

This week has been one of those weeks where God worked in my heart as I watched and interacted with hurting people.  Some of those people we have never met before.  As I have been preparing for Sunday, The Community's core values have become even more real.  

I will share some of this in the message tomorrow, but here are some thoughts about helping people where they are and to become who God wants them to be.

"reach the people nobody wants you'll start seeing the people everybody wants" --Matthew Barnett

Do I see the people that no one else wants to deal with?  Do I really care about the people that few other people care for?  All our churches are looking for more people, but often the people we want are the ones who look like, act like and think like us.  Yet I have prayed since The Community began that 1 out of every 10 would have the means to support the ministry and that the other 9 would be those hurting and in need of God's hope.

I believe if we will share these core values, that we will see lives change.

1.    build COMMUNITY where God is exalted, people are influenced & we encourage one another.      (see Acts 2:43ff)

2.    share what is RELEVANT so people meet God who changes lives.      (see John 14:6, 1 John 1:10)

3.     ACCEPT people as they are so they feel safe & see God's love.      (see Romans 14:3 and 15:7)

4.    be CREATIVE in reaching people (God's church should be the most creative institution on earth because we have the greatest message to share)      (see 1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

5.     AUTHENTICITY and be transparent so others know we are real and our lives are messed up too.      (see Hebrews 1:3)

6.    UNITY comes as we share God's vision and unity draws people to us.      (see Philippians 2:1-5)

7.    raise EXPECTATIONS by holding each other accountable to what God says.      (see 2 Corinthians 8:5)

They are easy but they are also hard.  Yet It is my heart to lead our church family hold all 7 and share them in our lives through our words and actions.  Lives will be changed!

"whoever shows up the most in peoples lives is going to win the battle of influence" --Matthew Barnett

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