Oppotunities (cont'd): Review Our Vision

Opportunities (cont’d): Review Our Vision.  An unexpected freedom rushes in when most other options run out. Like when we sold everything to go on the mission field, a surprising relief breezed through from the release of managing stuff. We were free to focus solely upon purpose and strategy. Or when a newlywed couple starts out with few possessions and zero disposable cash, a calm simplification settles upon their decision making. Should we go out to eat? Nope! Should we go on vacation? Nope! Should we repay our school loans? Yup! 

So, our savings account at church has drained, but think of this as a gift to review what matters most at church and in ministry. We have been called to give testimony to the grace of God. That costs everything, true, but it incurs no monthly payments. We have been commissioned to make disciples. That requires us to take up our cross and follow, but it does not necessitate a hefty savings account. We have been tasked with equipping the saints for the work of the ministry. That involves focus, but it does not demand a cash down payment.

Ministering without extra money puts us in good company! Jesus had no extra money while ministering on earth, yet he divided history in half. The apostles carried zero surplus during their itinerate missions, yet they were more influential than all the Caesars combined. Most of the early church was comprised of those in the lowest socio-economic station, yet they rescued the unwanted, befriended the outcasts, and preached the gospel to their executioners even with their last breaths. “The blood of Jesus, it is like the widow’s oil. / When it’s all you have, it’s all you’ll ever need” (Andrew Peterson, “All You’ll Ever Need” [2008]).

Grace Community Church started (April 2016) with the simplest vision: to be an uncomplicated church in Wayne County that is Bible-saturated, missions-oriented, military-friendly, and relationship-heavy. We have been that, by God’s grace. Continuing to be that, by God’s provision, is certainly possible with a shoe-string budget. In some sense, having a shoe-string budget best suits a simple church philosophy. There is no fat to trim from our budget; we are lean and lithe. We harbor no ill will for those in our vicinity who prefer a heavier church, so to speak, with sleek programs, complicated hierarchies, and a hologram-projected preacher (not a joke; look it up!). But for those in our area who value a no-nonsense approach to spiritual maturity with multiple onramps for “every member ministry” in Goldsboro, then Grace Community Church might be the best-kept secret in Wayne County. We believe that we occupy a niche because few (no?) other churches in Goldsboro rally to this vision for ministry.

The rub, however, is that a secret can’t grow. Grace Community Church needs less camouflage and more day-glow orange. We need sustainable growth to offer spiritual growth opportunities to more and more residents in Wayne County. Financial sustainability translates into ministry stability, or as one friend said, “We need more folks who give some AND some folks who give more.” Will you become a member, invite a friend, and support this vision?