In all that we do, our ultimate goal is not success, and it is not to build “the perfect church” but it is to bring glory and honor to our Lord and Savior. Sometimes the mechanics of church ministry gets all the attention. But the nuts and bolts of ministry is not our primary focus. Ministry should zoom in on the “why” and “who” more than on the “how” it is done.
Our Purpose is Three-Fold
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To serve the Lord in WORSHIP
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To serve the church in DISCIPLESHIP
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To serve the world in EVANGELISM
Purpose answers the question of “Why?” Why does our church exist? We do we do what we do? The answer is found in our three-fold purpose. These purposes already exist… we do not need to discover them, but rather to understand them, and to buy into them. Consider the following:
Service to the Lord in Worship: The Westminster Confession says, in part, “The chief end of man is to glorify God.” We do that as individuals, as a lifestyle, in our daily lives at home, school, work and in the neighborhood. But corporately, we do that as an event, when we lift our hearts and voices to God in praise, adoration and worship.
Service to the church in Discipleship: Spiritual maturity begins with knowledge of the Word of God, but also includes holiness, character development, deepening commitment to the Kingdom of God, and learning ministry skills.
Service to the world in Evangelism: As individuals, we are to be a witness to those who are without Christ in this world. The Great Commission is given to individuals and local churches. In one of many expressions of the Great Commission, Jesus said in Mark 16:15 (NIV) He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Our mission as a church is to reach out to the lost by tapping in to the three motivations that will bring a soul to Christ: their felt need, a point of transition in life, and the keen desire to make a difference in this world.
Purpose Statement
We summarize our purpose in an easy to remember sentence, which serves as our Mission or Purpose statement:
God has put us her to reach the people of this valley with the good news and to build each other up in the faith.
This is not just a slogan. Our desire is to actually be driven and guided by our purpose. Every ministry, every event, every bit of energy expended, every penny spent, should serve to further one or more of the above three purposes of New Life Assembly of God. The continued existence of present programs and the establishment of future programs will be measured against these three stated purposes above and the vision statement below.
Our Vision is Focused
Vision comes from the heart of God, and it always involves the harvest. Jesus said “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” (John 4:35) This is not what was expected. There were still four months remaining for the harvest of grain. But Jesus was saying that the harvest of souls is NOW! All we need to do is open our eyes, and we will see God’s vision for the harvest. It is now! Without vision, the people of God have no direction, and they cast off restraint. It is absolutely central to the work and ministry of the church. But too many people try to complicate the subject of vision. Most writers on the subject use one or more of the following scriptural examples for vision:
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Zerubbabel’s vision to rebuild the temple of God. His vision could be simply stated, “Rebuild the temple of God!”
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Nehemiah’s vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. His vision could be simply stated, “Rebuild the walls of Jerusalem!”
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Paul’s vision of the man from Macedonia. His vision could be simply stated, “Take the Gospel to Macedonia!”
While God’s vision is bigger than any one person, He unfolds vision before us as you would unfold a road map, so that you could eventually see the whole map, but one panel at a time. When, on your journey, you come to the edge of that panel, you unfold the road map to expose the next. In the same way, God unfolds His plan and vision for us as individuals and as local congregations in manageable portions… one panel at a time.
Vision is about the harvest, it is about tomorrow and is unfolded before us. Vision involves change, that is, a letting go of the past and risking the status quo for the promise of a better future. Vision embraces the future. For this to happen, we must rise to the vision rather than settle for what comes easy.
“From the very day that God allowed me to come to New Life Assembly of God, I have known that the harvest field that we should work in is the whole Kern River Valley and surrounding communities. Vision is the cornerstone of the work of ministry. It’s now time that we get serious about the vision of God.”
Pastor Dave Taylor
In obedience to the Great Commission, and in following the example of the Lord, who came to “seek and to save that which was lost” our vision statement is simple:
Vision Statement
We will take the good news of God’s love to the people and communities of the Kern River Valley.
While the pastor does not own or create vision, he is the initial discoverer, main custodian and chief disseminator of vision in the local church. If the vision is to be successfully implemented, it will need to be adopted as a church-wide crusade, not just the pastor’s pet project. If you are serious about being a follower of Jesus Christ, then pay careful attention whenever vision is being articulated in speech, writing or example. Learn to embrace that vision. Commit to it. Use your gifts and resources to fulfill it. Pray about the vision… and about your role in bringing it to pass. Be willing to let God use you for His purposes, whether the task seems significant or not. The question to each friend and member, and especially the lay leadership of New Life Assembly of God is, “Are you willing to get behind the three-fold purposes of the church and the vision of the pastor?”