April 30, 2006
Dakota Community Church
100% Sunday - The Dakota Vision
This message is about the mission and vision of Dakota Community Church and the immediate requirements for fulfilling it.
I want to begin by differentiating between mission and vision so we are all on the same page.
The mission is that general purpose which is shared by all congregations of believers.
The vision is the distinct manner that God has given to us as a group for the carrying out of that mission.
Mission: (What we aim to achieve)
The mission of Dakota Community Church is to reach the lost, to equip the believer, and to release the called, by establishing Churches that effectively add value to the community, thereby inspiring people to re-examine the Christian faith.
Habakkuk 2:2-3
Then the LORD replied:
"Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
2 Kings 19:29
This will be the sign for you, O Hezekiah:
"This year you will eat what grows by itself, and the second year what springs from that. But in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
Vision:
The vision for carrying out the stated mission has five key components.
1. Grace, freedom, laughter.
(Central to reaching, equipping, and releasing) - Formerly worded as preach faith and grace.
This is our philosophy of ministry. It is what we preach, it is who we are, and it is what we aspire to.
I am a faith guy. I am a believer, a positive thinker, an encourager. I want you to succeed and I am thrilled to be cheering you on from the sidelines of your life.
A foundation of faith must be built upon with grace. Remember:
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
John 6:37
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
2. Innovative thinking.
(Central to reaching, equipping, and releasing) – Formerly worded as to be non-religious.
We want to be a Church that tears down the walls of tradition that separate the Church from the community.
Matthew 15:3
Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
We want our building to serve us and the community, not the other way around.
How do Church traditions separate us from the community?
- Codes of dress.
- Styles of music.
- Attitudes toward youth
- Child behavior issues
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel that I may share in its blessings.
Traditions, in Jesus day and in ours, always put the institution higher in importance than the individual. That is what we want to challenge with innovative thinking.
Jesus is returning for people, only people! When we run people off for the sake of preserving, buildings, sacred pulpits, pews, stained glass windows, rules or anything else we are in the wrong. He died for every person.
3. Strong youth focus.
(Reaching and equipping)
All the research shows that approximately 2 out of every 3 solid Christians make the decision for Christ between the ages of 13-19. We want to strategically minister to that group.
We want to staff a full time youth pastor as soon as possible.
We want a youth budget that allows for equipment, convention price breaks and sponsorship, retreats, and mission trips.
We want to use young people in the Church for ministry.
Proverbs 20:29
The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.
Proverbs 14:4
Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.
The children’s ministry will be huge!
Think play structure huge. McDonalds isn’t number one because of the great food!
I want kids to associate Church attendance with the best part of the week, not something to endure!
Luke 18:15-16
People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
4. Home groups.
(Equipping and releasing)
Acts 2:46-47
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
We live in a time when a large segment of out society can be described as, “alone in a crowd”.
Home groups are:
- A place to connect
- A place for prayer
- A place for fellowship
- A place for growth
- A place for leadership to be identified
- A place to learn to use your gift
5. Church Planting.
(Releasing and reaching)
Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
It is vital part of our vision to remain clear on the fact that we are not building a monument to our own calling. In any crowd of 200 people I would find it hard to believe that there is only one person there who is called to pastor. No one should be refusing to offer their gift, no one should be refused the opportunity.
We do not want to be guilty of “pastoral cork syndrome”.
How do we know someone is really called to lead?
They have followers.
As you can see we have a fantastic vision from the Lord for this community. I hope it inspires everyone to get more involved and committed.
Power Point Available on request – dcormie@mts.net
