If our purpose is to reach unchurched people and assist them toward becoming fully committed followers of God that, in turn they will reach other unchurched people, the question is how do we do that?
We have developed a simple three part strategy. Instead of making it complex we are attempting to make it simple. Every believer is accountable to God for their own spiritual growth. We can not do this for the “Christian.” But what we can do is offer assistance and our lives to come along side others to help in the process. What is the Process? It is found in our Vision Strategy.
To be centered in Christ means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through a personal salvation experience and continued spiritual growth through personal discipleship. The worship service at Central is not an end to itself but rather a symbol of what being “Centered in Christ” is about. Therefore we design our worship services to point every person toward a life that is “Centered in Christ.” This includes corporate worship, celebration, examining God’s Word, personal application and commitment to following Christ. We ask every church member to make a commitment toward attending at least one worship service through the week. Our Corporate services should be a mirror of what takes place in the life of a believer on a daily basis in the privacy of his/her own life. Therefore we ask every member to live out their commitment to God by being a lifelong follower of Jesus Christ. Being a disciple means you know what the Bible teaches and you govern your life around His word. Being Centered in Christ is to take responsibility for your own spiritual growth.
To connect with people means you recognize that you cannot do it alone. Therefore to connect with people fulfills two purposes. It helps you in the cause of fulfilling God’s purpose and it helps the person you join to fulfill God’s plan for them. Therefore we ask every member to make a commitment to be connected to others in the life of Central. Our main venue is our small groups and we ask every member to be an active part of at least one small group that meets throughout the week at Central. But we go further than simply attending a weekly class. We ask you to experience true community by involving your lives with the lives of those in your small group. Caring for one another, reaching out to one another, ministering to another is all a part of being connected.
To commit to serve is to make yourself available to find your ministry and your mission and then spend your time in fulfilling your call to the Lord. We do not want 20% of the people doing 80% of the work. We want every member to passionately fulfill their personal calling through the Central family. Therefore, we ask every church member to find a ministry in the church and a mission that takes you outside the church. As a part of being committed to serve, we ask every member to find something that they are passionate about. It might be a current ministry that Central is involved in now, or it might be a brand new ministry that we have never thought of.
