So, now what?!

Hope Point exists to be a beacon of Hope in our community. Just as a lighthouse stands on the shore providing guidance, reference, and warning; we must stand in our community providing the same. It is our voice and our consistent presence within the community that we are able to be the “light that shines in the darkness[1].” As cultural trends and life change around us, we must become adaptable to continue our ongoing commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not easy and often can prove to be frightening or overwhelming but we must let Jesus’ words calm and encourage us as they had calmed the storms around and in the hearts of the disciples, “Do not be afraid, Be Courageous, I am here[2].”

The key in moving forward is understanding the essential element of church, which is people. Biblically the church has always been people. It has not been the gathering space, the varying ministries, or even the mission. The Bible references the church in varying images; People of God, Servant People, Body of Christ, and a Community of the Spirit[3]. There must be a return to and recapturing the essence of God’s intended purpose of the Church. In the next phases of this process, we must be willing to explore how we recapture the heart of A Community of the Spirit or tune ourselves to be the Body of Christ in action. During the transition our objective needs to be strengthening the relationships of the people within Hope Point.

The rebirth process requires a church to take an Honest evaluation of herself and be Courageous enough to move forward with only what is needed to confront the new challenges ahead, leaving behind old systems or ideas. This process is God giving the local body an opportunity to begin anew while building on those that have gone before. It is always in respect that a body moves forward but it cannot be bogged down, making the church incapable of the new work of the Spirit. Like Lewis and Clark facing the mountains, the rebirthed church today must be ready to exchange the canoe and paddle for hiking shoes and packs for the adventure that is ahead[4].

Throughout the Bible, before God began a new chapter for his people, he first took them aside to refocus. This was a period of time to disconnect from the past and re-establish a relationship with Him in order to prepare for a new beginning. When the Israelites left Egypt God brought them to the mountain to detox from Egypt, reclaim their identity, strategize for the Promised Land, and know and experience him on the mountain. The disciples were instructed to wait before the next phase of their missional lives. After Paul’s conversion he did not begin immediately but God drew Paul away for two years to learn and refocus. Before Hope Point jumps into the next phase of life we must take time to breathe and refocus or draw near to God, identify our new beginning, and create a strategy for current contextual ministry. Hope Point has two objectives during this time period: Strengthening Relationships and Sharpening our Mission.

To strengthen relationships, during the next six months we will meet in small groups offered over the week, and then meet for large worship gatherings 1-2 times a month. It is important to understand the goal of the small groups is NOT to replace worship gatherings but to encourage and connect the people of Hope Point. The goal will be to develop the connections and deepen the relationships, create a better understanding of people’s place in the community, and pray and talk through the mission in smaller groups. The community leaders (those leading the groups) will be in constant communication and discipled by the pastors. Each week there will be an online devotion/message with focused questions and scripture that will be available for groups, if they choose.

Not only in the small groups, but as leaders we will be evaluating and sharpening our mission. Too easily a church’s mission is disconnected from the community’s daily life and becomes a stagnant document. There are difficult questions to be discerned through prayer and fasting as a church. What specific purpose and mission is God calling us to? Are we, as a whole, engaged and working in unison to accomplish the kingdom mission? The mountain periods of wait that God brings his people to provide an opportunity to shake off the past and the hindrances that weighed them down. It is also a great time to be reminded of who we are and the role we play in God’s Kingdom work.

We need a period to breathe, rest, and not worry about anything but the core of relationships. We need a period to take hold of our new identity and status of a rebirthed church. We need time to create new strategies that connect and empower us to the mission.  Neglecting to take this time only perpetuates old habits and systems that are not helpful into the future. God is doing a NEW THING in our midst and it is time to prioritize our waiting upon the Spirit, prioritize our relationships, and strengthen our mission as God is calling us into the world with the Good News of the Kingdom!

Transitions such as these can be frightning because, for most of us, we don’t have a context of understanding. Rarely do we find ourselves, as partners in a local church, undergoing a change of this caliber. It is alright to be scared and even unsure of the next steps. In fact, God had to repeatedly affirm Joshua in his steps, on the verge of a major transition, “Be Strong and Courageous. Do not be afraid, and do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” May those same words both affirm and empower YOU as we embark on this new journey. Therefore, just like Israel, Joshua, and the disciples, it is time to put our fear in God’s hands and move forward with confidence. The next few months may not be identical to what we have always known but God has not changed and is going with us, our leadership is prayerfully stepping out on the heels of Jesus, and now you are being called to step out. We have each other and the Holy Spirit, which is enough. 
I look forward to seeing what is next with each of you!

For the Gospel!
-Philip

[1] Matthew 5:14-16

[2] Mark 6:50

[3] Daniel L. Migliore, Faith Seeking Understanding (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991).

[4] Tod Bolsinger, Canoeing the Mountains (Downers Grove: IVP Books, 2015).