If you were to look at the earth from orbit in space, you would see rich, varied and beautiful life—everything from green deciduous forests to warm bronzed deserts to teeming cities that light up the night. But all of that happened on the surface. It’s held up by the bedrock below, and by the core that acts as a foundation and holds it all together. It’s the same with churches. When our community sees City Life Church, they see a church that is making a beautiful difference in its neighborhoods. But they don’t see the core on which it’s built. That core needs to be strong. It needs to be full of people who are committed to it. It needs consistency and vibrancy in the basics. Because it’s so central to the life of the church, there is a deep sense of urgency to make strengthening the core a strategic focus in the next 6-12 months.
City Life Church does a good job of connecting with new people. This is true, no doubt, because of our outreach focus. Many dying churches have lost this missional edge, and it is exciting to be part of a church that steps out of comfort zones to find lost people. However, there are some “inner,” central, foundationalelements to church life that need attention. They are listed to the right. Some are programmatic. The others are about the culture of the church. Together, they comprise core areas that need to be strengthened if we are going to build a movement of disciple-making and build up the new generation. In order to make a difference in these four areas, we need a wider base of “core people” who have developed certain practices that build strength into the church.
City Life Church does a good job of connecting with new people. This is true, no doubt, because of our outreach focus. Many dying churches have lost this missional edge, and it is exciting to be part of a church that steps out of comfort zones to find lost people. However, there are some “inner,” central, foundationalelements to church life that need attention. They are listed to the right. Some are programmatic. The others are about the culture of the church. Together, they comprise core areas that need to be strengthened if we are going to build a movement of disciple-making and build up the new generation. In order to make a difference in these four areas, we need a wider base of “core people” who have developed certain practices that build strength into the church.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS
Kid City• Invest in leadership
• Create an inspiring environment • Build a passionate team |
Youth Ministry• Invest in leadership
• Partner with parents • Fuel teenage spiritual fire • Reengage with community youth |
Community• Provide relational gatherings
• Equip people for healthy community • Provide a roadmap to engagement: connect, give, serve, invite |
Prevailing Prayer Culture• Teach a lifestyle of prayer
• Build a series of prayer teams • Give opportunity for corporate prayer |
CORE4
In order to create movement in the strategic focus areas, City Life needs a wider base of core people. The following four commitments (the Core4) provide a roadmap to the core. City Life will forever be delighted to connect with the newcomer. But people who only attend a worship gathering won’t fuel a movement. City Life needs a strong core of people who are all in.