My Vision and Philosophies for Pastoring Within a Local Church

The local church is a gateway to the new life that Jesus offers His creation.

My idea of the local church is people from every age, race, social status, economic level, and vocation within a local community coming together to: worship the Lord Jesus Christ, grow in relationship with Him, build authentic, encouraging, and accountable relationships with each other, serve and meet the needs of the world around them, and share the faith, love, and hope that they have found in Jesus Christ in a tangible way with all who they come into contact with.

My vision is to lead and to serve a local church that progressively engages a spiritually lost, postmodern, post-Christian culture with the Good News of Jesus Christ. It is my vision that this be accomplished by creating a safe and authentic Christ-centered community where people can explore the true meaning of following Christ. This shall be done without compromising our passion for Jesus or our theological understanding of him.

My vision is to lead the local church with the following ministry distinctives:

Glorification: That everything I do in work (ministry) or at home, whether public or private, brings glory to God.

Leadership: That everything I do in work (ministry) or at home, whether public or private, points people to Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Authenticity: By being myself around those I minister to- not afraid to show my fears, my doubts, and my struggles. Why would someone want to have an authentic relationship with Jesus if they can’t have an authentic relationship with one of His ambassadors?

Creativity: By looking for new ways for people to express their love to God and to bring others to Him through Jesus.

Contemplative: Teaching people the Word of God in a relevant manner that makes them think, as to not produce mindless clones, but instead fostering communities of dynamic thinking individuals who can rightly divide the Word of Truth and love God with their mind.

My vision is for this local church to uphold the following values:

A ‘Come As You Are’ Atmosphere- God looks at our hearts, not our appearance. 

Authenticity- Being Real, Honest, and Open. 

Church Planting- Supporting the implementation of likeminded Communities. 

Clarity- Making sure that the Message we’re sharing is accessible to all. 

Creative Arts- Encouraging artists to use their gifts for the Kingdom, and appreciating good art in culture. 

Excellence- Striving for the best in everything we do in ministry, not mediocrity. 

Family- Nurturing the development of stable traditional families. 

Freedom- From bondage, and in worship. 

Fun- In all things, not taking ourselves too seriously, and encouraging humor.  

Honoring Our Elders- They are an asset to our Community, not a hindrance, and have much wisdom to share.

 Inquisitiveness- No question is off limits.

 Intentional- Planning and preparation for what we do, not leaving sacred things up to chance.

 Mystery- Recognizing in awe, that we don’t have God totally figured out.

 Priesthood- Every Believer is a minister.

 Redemption- Redeeming things that are good, pure, and true within culture for the glory of God.

 Reverence- For a Holy God.

Sabbath- Not a day, but a rhythmic lifestyle.

 Simplicity in Living- Using resources and time wisely for God’s glory and the benefit of our global community.

 Supporting Our Youth- Recognizing that they are not the church of tomorrow, but today.

Truth- Not being willing to compromise the truth, while retaining a progressive approach to reaching the lost.

Welcoming- Opening the Community to all who wish to explore the meaning of following Christ.

This is the vision that God has given me to pastor within a local church.

Once God leads me to such a church, I will have to observe the community’s culture and get to know its people so that God may expound on my vision in order to reach the specific individuals within the context of their surroundings.