The Heart of LifePointe Church - Part 3

THE HEART OF LIFEPOINTE CHURCH  - PART 3

Focus
Unity
Energy
Leadership
________________

This the "FUEL" of a purpose driven church.

LIFEPOINTE CHURCH – OUR PURPOSE STATEMENT

A purpose statement is the why of ministry. Why does your ministry exist? Why was it created? Why does it operate? For any Biblical ministry, the why is pretty simple: we are here to fulfill the Great Commission.

A great commitment to the great commandment and the great commission will build a great church.

(Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Church)

THE GREAT COMMANDMENTS & THE GREAT COMMISSION

 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40 – NLT)

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 – NLT)

LIFEPOINTE CHURCH – OUR MISSION STATEMENT

A mission statement is the how of ministry. Your philosophy of ministry is defined out of your mission. Once you are clear on your purpose, your mission statement is how you target that purpose to accomplish it.  A mission statement defines the “end result” of the church’s ministry.  The problem is that most churches are pretty unclear about what it’s meant to be all about. Too many mission statements presume that the church exists to be a nice, safe, do-good-things kind of organization, but that’s hardly the picture Jesus painted of “his church”. Ultimately the church does not exist to do good things, it exists to impact the world and change lives.

To point ______________ people to an __________________ life in Jesus

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me . . . I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” (John 14:6, 10:10 – NLT/Msg)

LIFEPOINTE CHURCH – OUR VISION STATEMENT

 The vision statement is the where question. Not so much where you are right now, but where you are going, who you are becoming. A vision is the ideal picture in your mind, and in the minds of your people, about what your ministry should look like. A clear vision helps to empower your purpose. It shows the desired end result and so provides the motivation to work toward that goal. A clear vision gives meaning to your mission. It gives you something to aim for, and helps you to see that target clearly as you strive to reach it. A vision is the ideal. It’s the goal. It’s the dream. The vision question is this:

 DO YOU KNOW THE SCORE

LifePointe’s vision is to bring people to membership in God’s family, develop them to Christ-like maturity, equip them for their ministry in the church and their life mission in the world in order to magnify God’s name.

 LifePointe is here to S____________________________ God’s family (FELLOWSHIP)

 LifePointe is here to C____________________________ God’s presence (WORSHIP)

 LifePointe is here to O________________________________ God’s love (MINISTRY)

 LifePointe is here to R____________________________ God’s truth (EVANGELISM)

 LifePointe is here to E__________________________ God’s people (DISCIPLESHIP)

PURPOSE – MISSION – VISION: WHY THESE MATTER

 Why are these three things necessary? Because without them, no church has what it takes to reach and see lives changed for Christ. Without purpose, mission and vision, all you have is programs. The problem? Programs only work for a while. One day, the fad will change, the program will become ineffective, or people will simply grow tired of it or out grow it. What you win people with is with is what you will win them to. If you win them with programs, then they will move on to a bigger and better one. But if you win them with an authentic ministry that is clearly defined and centered on Christ and his Word, then you’ll see a great impact in the Kingdom.

But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day! (Habakkuk 2:3 – Living Bible)