February 22, 2024
Dear Central Church,
Last Sunday we began a sermon series that will set the course for an extended season of faithfulness and fruitfulness at Central. As we journey through this lenten season, we are thinking about the mission of Jesus and finding our place in that story. Just like Jesus, we were made for mission. I pray that God uses this series to remind us of who we are, empower us in what we do, and clarify why this matters for eternity.
Here’s a prayer we prayed last week, and I would like us to begin praying it together:
A Made for Mission Prayer:
God, remind me of who we are as the Church; help me find my place in what we do; and let me wake up each day knowing why it matters for eternity.
Scripture says so much about who we are, but I love what Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are the masterpiece of God.” We are the Church, and at the core of our identity is this divine designation as the masterpiece of God, a people uniquely created to reflect the love of the Creator to the world. As you look at the life of Jesus, he always remembers this identity as the beloved Son that showed the world what the love of God looks like when it takes on flesh and blood. In the same way, this is who we are.
Jesus was on a mission, one that we embrace as well. Summarizing the life of Jesus, we are leaning into this simple mission statement of what we do:
Our mission is to make Christ-like disciples
IN our community FOR our community.
God has put us IN this community for a reason, and we are FOR it! We want to see families, schools, and businesses thrive and flourish as we lead our community in becoming more like Jesus, God’s ultimate goal for all of humanity.
What does it look like for Central to accomplish this mission? Here’s what our leaders see:
Our vision is to be a multicultural church helping people experience God, connect with others, and impact our community with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
This is why it matters! There is a unique role for us to play as a multicultural church. There is an impact God wants us to have IN and FOR our community, and it’s someone’s best chance to come to know Jesus.
I hope to see you this Sunday as we continue this series and imagine what it looks like to see this vision become a reality.
Until He’s Finished,
Pastor Mark