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shaped by our values


Colossians 1:6  NLT
This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.

This coming Sunday we complete another session of COMMUNITY 101 which is a 4-week series where people can learn more about being a follower of Jesus and about The Community Fellowship.  It is always an honor to share the vision and history of The Community as well as to dream about the future.

What we have come to understand is that the foundation God has given our church is that we are to share the Gospel as often as possible.  Much of the time that sharing will be tied to meeting needs and serving those around us.  It is the same good news that changed my life that is changing others.

There are many people I am praying for God to get hold of their lives.  God can change anyone.  I am believing Him for even more changed lives.  In fact the Sunday after next we will have baptism in celebration of the lives God is continuing to change!

Realize it is all about Jesus.  Our lives are to focus on Jesus.  Our church is the body of Jesus made us of different people that He has a plan for.  Literally we find our purpose as we lose ourselves in serving others.  That is best summed up in our motto of demonstrating the love of God to our community. 

The Community has 7 core values that we have built on the premise that God set up His church to change the world.  Here are our core values:

COMMUNITY

We seek to build community in order to exalt God, influence people & encourage one another (see Acts 2:43ff)

RELEVANT 

By sharing God’s message that is as relevant today as it was in Jesus’ day because that message through God still changes lives (see John 14:6, 1 John 1:10)

ACCEPTANCE 

We show the love of love by accepting people as they are (see Romans 14:3 and 15:7)

CREATIVE 

We use creativity in reaching people (see 1 Corinthians 9:19-23) because God's church is be the most creative institution on earth because we have the greatest message to share (that statement is adapted from Mark Batterson).
  
AUTHENTICITY 

One of the best ways to influence people is to be real (see Hebrews 1:3).  When others know our struggles, they will allow God to deal with their struggles.

UNITY

The church should agree to share God's vision (see Philippians 2:1-5) and the message of Jesus.  Agree on the most important thing which is Jesus!

EXPECTATIONS

The church will reach new levels as we seek to hold each other accountable to what God’s word calls us to do and how He tells us to live (see 2 Corinthians 8:5).

Live what you believe.  Chose courage and not comfort.  Don’t hold back.  Don’t miss the best that God has for you and those around you.  What you are passionate about ought to be what you do each day.  My passion is to influence others for Jesus by meeting needs one person at a time.

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

May God use us to influence others for Him so that He can change even more lives!
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