We don’t exist for ourselves
As those so extravagantly loved, we exist for our neighbors and for the world. We are the light of the world. We make room for guests. We care for others while expecting nothing in return.
Purpose and vision documents always present an interesting tension. If they are good documents, they present something of a soaring hope and dream. It’s our way of saying, “We’ve always dreamed of being a part of a church like these words.” The tension on the other side is that by putting it down on paper, we better do all we can to make this happen, or it’s just an inspirational fib!
A few years ago, when the elders of the church selected the words above as a value of Grace Community Church, it held the tension between aspiration and experience together. We were already very practically living out this vision in several respects. Our members were serving in a number of ways that reflected this value. We had also heard from our members that they wanted to observe this outward life more clearly. So, we crafted words that defined both a soaring aspiration and an existing reality.
We don’t exist for ourselves. That is a reality of any true church in that the church belongs to Christ. It has never been our church because it has always been His church! And the church of Jesus Christ has always existed for more than the blessing of her current members.
The simple reality of church life is that it is easy to become a church that does exist most largely for the benefit of the members, and even more sadly for itself. The members work hard and thrash about just to keep the organization afloat. There is little time and energy for anything going on outside our walls. We tend to live frenetic paced lives anyway, and the church is just another frenetic, unfocused organization.
Identifying this as a value and associating it with a goal has helped to electrify this mission at Grace. Tom Breeden has formed and led a Community Engagement Team to help us live out this value very practically. I know of members who are serving with Habitat for Humanity, Greene Alliance, Love INC, Pregnancy Centers, Abundant Life Center, and other places around us. One of our members is now the Good News Jail Ministry chaplain at the Albemarle County Jail. I thank God for all this and say, “Wow, God!” This soaring aspiration is becoming more obvious as time goes on.
I’m not thinking we have arrived or will arrive at this anytime soon. It will always remain a challenge and a high mark to reach. After all, our Lord Jesus Christ Himself modeled this value perfectly:
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mk. 10:45 ESV)
It is because we believe in him and trust in him for life, that we seek to follow him in this pathway. Please pray for your pastors, elders, deacons and staff as we aspire to live out this lofty value!
Don Ward