Life Bridge Christian Church of Valparaiso, Indiana is a large project. Many of us who participate in it perhaps do not recognize the scope of Life Bridge, but it is. Over the past twelve years, Life Bridge has served over 4,000 different people at weekend services. We have baptized over 200 during that same time frame and 419 distinct individuals have worshiped at Life Bridge over the past 365 days. In 2013, the average size of a church congregation was 89 people. 60% of the congregations in the United States average less than 100 people on any given weekend. In addition to that, there is much discussion over the decline of Christianity in America. Life Bridge, though, is alive. It continues to be alive and well. It continues to reach new people, serve our community, and bring Glory to God. With this many people being reached, served, and encouraged, we must recognize the fact that Life Bridge is a large project. We need Blueprints.
Blueprints used to exist for Life Bridge Christian Church even before the church had a name. The newsletter was sent to mission-minded members of the Body of Christ who wanted to be faithful to God's Mission for our lives:
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)
In this original Blueprints, "It's purpose was to lay out a God's-eye view of what was going on... It included Biblical, Kingdom-focused vision. It included stories of success and challenges. It also included numbers (financial, attendance, involvement) that showed us what God was doing, whether we considered those numbers "good" or not. It also included Biblical teaching that helped us interpret the vision, stories, and numbers through the lens of God's Word, rather than the lens of the world. It encouraged us to be faithful to the call God has placed on our lives. It equipped us to empower one more to walk together with God." ("Business, Budgets, and Bad Boxes," God Sightings, 6/5/2015)
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47 NLT)
This is the new Blueprints. It's purpose will remain the same. It will still equip and encourage us as we empower one more to walk together with God. Its format will simply be new. Blogs and email newsletters are easier, more responsive and more immediately accessible than the old paper-style newsletter. They also don't bring with them the financial and time overhead that went along with the old paper newsletter, making us better stewards of the resources God has entrusted into our care. The mission is the same. The tools are still focused. The format is simply changing with the times.
He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old." (Matthew 13:52 NIV)
I'm praying for you right now.
I'm praying for your ministry and participation in God's Mission.
I'm praying for your walk as you empower one more to walk together with God.
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