Vision
From the Start
ACTS 2.42-47
"They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods they gave to anyone as they had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
Don't you love where the word "awe" is placed in this passage of scripture? Some might find it tempting to use the word awe after the long list of impressive things the early church was known for doing. But then it would have suggested the awe was because of the church. Instead, after discovering that the first church was devoted to knowing Jesus through scripture, His family, communion, and prayer, we find...awe. Awe, because of Jesus.
We know we're called to be a church that is healthy and on mission, just like the early church of Acts 2. But we know that what always matters most and what always matters first is Jesus. We will find that our doing and our being flow best from our beholding.
In Comox Pentecostal Church, Our Vision is Always JESUS.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Bringing the Message and Ministry of Jesus Into Everyday Life.
THE VISION EXPLAINED
Bringing:
When God came to transform the world, what kind of pace did He take? 5 km/hr. That's human walking speed. Jesus came and dwelled among us. He walked along sea sides and city streets bringing Heaven's love and truth at the divine pace of humans in relationship. This influences how we intend to do our part in our community and through our church today.
Message and Ministry:
Jesus didn't do everything solo. In shocking generosity and trust, He called ordinary people to follow Him and do the things He was doing and say the things He was saying. Today, everyone still has a chance to "do the stuff." The truth of Jesus' message and the power of His love at work are not in the hands of a select few. Jesus' words and actions will advance through the everybodys and anybodys that will trust and follow Him!
Jesus:
Our vision is always Jesus. Not a church, a program, a personality, or even the ways or works of Jesus as wonderful as they are. Jesus is at the centre! He is the beginning and the end. He is over all. In all. And for all. He is the Word made flesh. He is the Lamb who was slain and who triumphed over death and every evil darkness. He is the only Saviour and the only Lord. His rule of peace will never end. Jesus is alive today! He fills our lives by His Spirit, and is renewing our world through His faith-family, the church!
Everyday Life:
The words and work of Jesus are not limited to a Sunday church service. If that were so, faith would really be about what happens for around two hours on one day a week. But Jesus died for--and lives for--so much more. The other 22 hours and 6 days matter just as uch. I guess if we're taking the saturation of our faith into day-to-day living seriously, you could say we're a 22/6 church! As wonderful and important as Sunday gatherings are in our church life, imagine how much more God can do in us and our community when Jesus' words and ways work through each of us into our neighbourhoods, schools, and workplaces in the everyday stuff of life.
AFFILIATION
