A Dream for RCC

Following is an excerpt of a time of prayer and journaling. It is a picture of some of the things I see as I dream about the work we have before us here at Rock Creek Church. I shared this with the church during a Sunday service and had several requests for a copy of what I read, so I am posting it here and will send it out in our e-bulletin as well. My hope is that you will be energized by these words and be encouraged to dream as well. I know that together, with God, we can be a part of what He wants to do in the North West. Please join with me as we pray and work for the transformation of our region.

I see a thriving growing church that is Diverse; multicultural, multi-class, & multi-age, connecting through corporate and small group opportunities. I see a church that is spirit-connected and presence-driven, known and active in serving the community, I see a place that is incredible for kids a mix between the Wiggles, Nick Jr, and Heidi Baker, I see a church that serves other churches in the community (apostolic), that is forward thinking and kingdom-minded, I see a church that has a large young adult population connected to the culture but not of the culture, rather, transforming culture. I see youth and adults reaching the world locally and globally through short-term missions and other opportunities (Evangelistic). I see a church where families are connected and parents are respected because they love uncommonly and with wisdom and honor (Pastoral). I see a church that is not caught up in correcting but focused on connecting. Not about defending the faith but conveying the love of Christ; a church full of people that are in tune with the spirit and equipped to dodge the bullets of the enemy and discern the spiritual reality amid a carnal world (prophetic). I see a church that knows how to be a Martha and a Mary; A church that presses into the gifts of the spirit and sees the fruit in their character. I see a church that is a lamp on a hill that attracts those without light; a church that communicates the works of Christ and the words of Christ and releases leaders of spiritual influence to the world.

Humans... we build temples and walls

In our lives, we sometimes build a temple where we keep God. It becomes our place of worship, this temple is our paradigm, made of our understanding and our history. Often this temple can be that which limits God in our lives. The place where we keep Him separate from us, our hidden sins, the lifestyle we continue to pursue, the relationships we protect, and the wounds we hold on to, it helps us maintain order and control.

In addition to that temple, we have also built walls that separate us from what God has called us into, intimate relationships. Sometimes we call them boundaries because that sounds much more spiritual. We build walls of race, walls of politics, walls of denomination, walls of how we will serve, walls of doctrine, walls in marriage, walls between us and our kids, walls in the workplace, and walls between the sinner and the saint.

For Christ himself has made peace between us Jews and you Gentiles by making us all one people. He has broken down the wall of hostility that used to separate us. Ephesians 2:14-18

The truth is that Jesus came and destroyed the old religious system, the temple, and the old way of thinking about God, and he destroyed the barriers we have created in humanity. He did this work because he knew we couldn’t, or wouldn’t, He knew we were expert wall builders. Walls give us comfort and structure that prevents us from trusting and relying on God and our fellow brothers and sisters. Our God is a God who tears down walls.