The GC3 Church

A couple years ago I wrote and presented this to a small vision team in our church. It's the missional foundation for who we are and what we do. I want to share it with you. I hope it will help you in your own church.

GC ¹ :  WHO WE ARE - Great Confession:              Jesus is Lord and Savior

We commit to live confessional lives as fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and to call others to do the same. Romans 10:5-17

GC² : WHY WE ACT  -  Great Commandment:       Love God and love neighbor

We commit to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Matthew 22:37-40

GC³ : WHAT WE DO  -  Great Commission:                       Make disciples of all people

We commit to go, taking the gospel of Jesus Christ from our front door to the world, and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all Christ’s commands.  Matthew 28:18-20

Values Comparison                                                 Religious                         Relational

Authority (is what we say true?)                                majority rule                   Word/Spirit of God

Focus (where are we looking?)                                  focus on past                   focus on future

Control (who runs the show?)                                    man centered                   God centered

Target (who will we influence?)                                inward                               outward

Receptivity (how are we perceived?)                         closed                              open

Passion (what do we care about)                                programs                         people

Compassion (how do we treat the hurting?)              indifferent                       loving/caring

Responsiveness (how do we handle change?)           resist                                resolve

Diversity (how do we handle conflict?)                     fight                                 forgive

Relevance (do we matter?)                                         irrelevant                         relevant

Our vision MUST NOT BE: Our goal for our church (personal or corporate). Keeping up with the “church down the street.” Not marching to the beat of a denominational drum. Not passed on to us by our ancestors. Not the pastor’s personal agenda.

Our vision MUST BE: God’s promise to Live Oak Baptist Church in this place, at this time, for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom.

KEY QUESTIONS:                       Where do we see God working?

                                                        How may we most effectively join Him?

Our Vision must then SMART:

Significant –        What significant problem do we as God’s people address with the gospel?

Measurable -       At the end of next year, how will we know if we’re winning?

Attainable -         With God’s help, can we really see this become reality?

Relevant -            When we’re done, who will care besides us?

Tenable -             What will our efforts look like in 2-3 years?