>>> Our Vision to help advance the Christian faith community
Vision To Leaders & Pastors
Our vision is to see followers of Jesus Christ live and love as One, as we independently and interdependently carry out the Great Command and Commission. (Matthew 22: 37-40; 28: 19,20; John 13:34,35; Acts 1: 8; Eph. 4: 1-6; I Cor. 12: 1- 11; 12- 31 emphasize on 20-26; ). There is nothing special in the vision as it is from God except for the acknowledgment we can have individual church experiences with minor doctrinal differences, but with a Kingdom mindset it is important to consider the God-given dreams and needs of other churches and denominations as we carry out our unique calling as a church.
Mission To Leaders & Pastors
We exist to Help, Unite and Grow the Church of Santa Cruz and beyond through the power of the Holy Spirit. = H.U.G. The mission, generally speaking, is from God except it focuses on our Local Church. The prayer is a ‘healthier’ local ‘C’hurch results in healthier churches with healthier homes/families and a healthier Church at large. (Verses. Mathew 22:37-40; 28:19-20; ; Ephesians 2:8,9, & 10; John 13: 34-35; 2 Peter 1-11; ).
Help
Unite
Grow
Help is an action word to guide us to not own, but help others God is using to help others who are loving, pointing and growing people in Christ. Help will be in the form of shepherding, discipling, finances, time and talent as we support and affirm ministries in Santa Cruz and beyond. We also look to do what is often difficult to do on our own as we assist local churches, market place and “ALL Church” ministries. (Proverbs 3:27; Matthew 10:8; John 15:12,13; Luke 6:38; Galatians 6:2; Philippians 2:4; Romans 12:13; Hebrews 6:10; 13:16)
Our desire is to look beyond denominations and our differences as believers while we in unity work as One to love, care and serve each other and our communities. We will cheer lead, support and give God great praise and glory for things done in love and unity. When one suffers we all suffer, but when one rejoices we all should rejoice. ( Ecclesiastes; 4:9-12; 1 Corinthians 12:26. May we better live and love as One. (Ephesians 4:1-6; 13-16; Colossians 3:14; I Corinthians 1:10; 12:26; Romans 12:4; 15:6; John 17:23; Philippians 2:2)
Our desire is to affirm and support local churches, All Church (para church) market place ministries and individuals where we recognize the hand of God is moving. All decisions will made after proportional prayer, which means the greater the decision, the greater amount of prayer, possible fasting and unity is desired. (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 3:7; Acts 2:42; 9:31; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 4:5; Ephesians 4: 1-6; 12,16; 2 Peter 1:5-8)
Values
Value and value statements are ideals that drive almost everything we do and who we partner with. Anyone who has a passion for the Church and doing more things as the Church might agree this is one of the hardest things to establish as they tend to divide more than unite us. The values we ultimately chose are borrowed by respected believers and leaders of our time such as Billy Graham. The “Lausanne Covenant”, written in France, focuses on major uniting elements of doctrine and evangelism all believers hopefully can believe and unite on. Our prayer is we use these to help fulfill God’s calling for our local ‘C’hurch and keep us mindful and participants for our calling to reach the World.
Strategies, Goals, and Objectives
These can be different for every local Church. The strategies we use can be given upon request, but the following is to simplify the principles of each. Our strategies are ones that different pastors or ministers might envision to grow the Local Church where a large percentage of church leaders gather for a single purpose. The percentage may be small at first, but prayerfully grow over time. The strategies must also be flexible as circumstances change. They are one’s not owned by one person, but followed by many as God will usually whisper His desires to more than one person and like myself they might be shared to non-professional church leaders.