Vision & Values

Vision: “The 3C Life”

The 3Cs are more than just an easily expressed and understood statement of our vision. They are an overarching framework for the direction of a Christian’s entire life… a structure for fitting participation as a member of God’s family! Click here for an all-on-one-page description of how to Live the 3C Life at First Christian.

  • CELEBRATE — “CELEBRATE GOD and His Glory” — We are creating a culture of upward-focused worship where God is celebrated and His Word and Works are named and proclaimed in our lives. Worshiping God is the reason humanity exists and the highest purpose to which we as Christians can aspire. It is like fuel for our lives and it recharges our faith! This is about understanding clearly who God is and who we are in relationship to Him, in an all-encompassing and transformational way that changes our worldview entirely and leads us to worship. Consider these Scriptures: 2 Chronicles 7:1-3, Psalm 29, Psalm 95, and John 4:19-26. Also, Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 that we are called to “take every thought captive.” Just think about it… While the process of being saved and becoming part of a church family is often described with phrases like “giving one’s heart to the Lord,” “praying a prayer to receive Christ,” or “getting dunked,” the best way to describe the new life we enjoy in Christ might just be a lifestyle of obedience to God where all our thoughts flow out of… worship! Jesus didn’t die to simply create people who are “saved” from hell… He came to create worshipers!
  • CULTIVATE — “CULTIVATE GROWTH in Relationship with God and One Another” — We are creating a culture of inward-focused growth where our relationships with God and fellow believers are strengthened. Just like gardening, growth in our relationships takes work: participation in Bible studies and prayer groups, interacting with the sermon material, learning together in classes and small groups… These are all activities which can help you grow to know God and one another better. In Hebrews 10:24-25, Scripture implores us to “consider how to stir up one another to love” and “to encourage one another.” Consider these other passages: Ephesians 2:18-22, Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Peter 2:2-5, and 2 Peter 3:18. It is important to spend time with others of like faith and enjoy the fellowship and strength that come with being part of the family of God.
  • COMMUNICATE — “COMMUNICATE the GOSPEL in Word and Deed” — We are creating a culture of outward-focused service where the love of God and for people is demonstrated in word and deed. It is also important that we let others know of our faith in Christ, both with our mouths and our actions. In Isaiah 6:8, upon experiencing worship of the Lord in the temple and hearing God call, “Whom shall I send?” Isaiah says, “Here am I! Send me.” We want to answer likewise, as steward of God-given resources. Consider these other texts from Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38, Mark 16:15, Luke 9:1-6, , Luke 12:35-37, Acts 1:8, Romans 15:18, 1 Corinthians 9:15-27, 2 Corinthians 2:14-17, Galatians 5:13-14, and 1 Peter 4:10-11. When we serve others, we witness to the power of Christ for our lives, which both strengthens our faith and could lead to someone else coming to a saving knowledge of Christ… and after all, that’s what we’re here for!

 

Ministry Values: “The 7 Practices of Effective Ministry”

Taken from the book of the same name by Andy Stanley, these 7 practices ask questions all churches should be asking themselves. They are the processes by which we strive for excellence in our ministry teams.

  • Practice #1 - CLARIFY THE WIN - Even the best team can’t score if it can’t find home plate. It’s important to clearly define wins at every level of your organization.
  • Practice #2 - THINK STEPS, NOT PROGRAMS - Before you start anything, make sure it takes you where you want to go. A long-term, clear ministry strategy is more important than maintenance of programming.
  • Practice #3 - NARROW THE FOCUS - The longer a ministry operates, the more complex it becomes. In order to maintain a winning organization, we must continually face the challenge of narrowing its focus.
  • Practice #4 - TEACH LESS FOR MORE - People are bombarded by thousands of messages every week. If the local church is going to be effective, it must cut through the noise. It must learn to say only what needs to be said to the people who need to hear it.
  • Practice #5 - LISTEN TO OUTSIDERS - Why don’t the unchurched people in your area go to church? Could it be because you’re focusing on who you’re trying to keep to the exclusion of who you’re trying to reach?
  • Practice #6 - REPLACE YOURSELF - We are all replaced eventually. The wisest leaders will extend their influence by finding and mentoring their replacements.
  • Practice #7 - WORK ON IT - All of us work in ministry every day, but is that enough? Working on your ministry requires time to evaluate your work and to celebrate your wins.