The mission of our new church is to "lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ". That sounds great but how do you actually do that? How do you know if you're actually growing in your relationship with Christ?
- By church attendance?
- By the consistency of your quiet time?
- By holy living?
- By involvement in the church's ministries?
- All of the above?
Or, is it even measurable?
I believe Jesus gave us the exact matrix for measuring growth in our relationship with Christ. It is found in the Great Commission and the Great Commandments. Growing in a relationship with Christ requires the balanced pursuit of 3 vital relationships.
1) Intimacy with God
2) Community with Insiders
3) Influence with Outsiders
Pursuing these 3 vital relationships = a growing relationship with Christ. The danger comes from pursuing one or even two but not all three vital relationships.
For example, some Christians pursue a relationship with God but not with other Christians. They don't want to serve they want to learn. They want to go "deeper" in the Word and in their knowledge of Christ. They love to pursue intimacy with Christ . . . alone. Christ NEVER intended the Christian life to be led this way.
Other Christians want to pursue intimacy with God and community with insiders. They serve in every ministry they can find. They listen to Christian radio, download teaching podcasts, shop at Christian bookstores, wear Christian t-shirts, and only spend time with Christian friends. They pursue intimacy with Christ, community with insiders but that's it. Christ NEVER intended the Christian life to be led this way.
A growing relationship with Christ requires an equaled pursuit of all 3 vital relationships. So it's less about how long was my quiet time today and more about have I pursued all 3 relationships today.
A desire to have influence with outsiders is what led me to volunteer as a chaplain with the SAPD and to work as a chaplain at Shannon Hospital. That is why Ginger and I are working to invest in the lives of our neighbors because our growing relationship with Christ requires that we pursue influence with outsiders.
I want our new church to value influence with outsiders. I know it starts with me.
So are you growing in your relationship with Christ? You can by simply pursuing intimacy with God, community with insiders, and influence with outsiders.
The mission of our church is "leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ." To accomplish this mission we will create environments where people are encouraged and equipped to pursue intimacy with God, community with insiders, and influence with outsiders.
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