missional community

on mission, fulfilling vision.

Len Sweet once said, 'the most at risk leadership skill is inspired imagination.'

Inspired imagination begins with the end in mind. Thinking 'what would our community, church look like if?'

In the early days of serving the city of Cincinnati, Cincy Vineyard leaders often dreamed with inspired imagination. What would it look like if we served cold drinks to drivers stuck in long lines on a hot day? What would it look like if we delivered turkey dinners to the less-served the weekend before thanksgiving? What would it look like if we create a place where the less-served could receive care? Their dreaming provoked action.

Their inspired imagination continues to this day. The creative spark is spreading the good news done in practical ways all over their city and into the world.

Paul spoke about 'people being of one mind, being of one heart, of one spirit, intent on one purpose.'

True community is formed when a people chose to live life on mission, and begin to actively give themselves to pursue their vision...together. Community is formed when people seek to live life intentionally.

Community is living life forward moving toward a purpose.

The purpose?

Perhaps it's seeking to fulfill the Great Commission.

Perhaps it is a group of people are consistently thinking, 'How can I help people within my sphere of influence take their next step toward Jesus Christ?'


Five friends...
we don't know much about them. Just that they were friends. Four of them were healthy, one wasn't.
He was not well, needed healing.
Five friends heard about Jesus.
They heard that he was healing the sick, preforming miracles and that He was teaching how to live life within the Kingdom of God.

We don't know how far they had to carry their friend, we just know that they were intent, focused on one purpose... to bring their friend to Jesus no matter the cost.

Five friends decided to move toward Jesus... together.
Someone had to find the directions to the house.
Someone had the foresight to bring ropes... just in case.

When they arrived they noticed the crowd was huge. Many people were pressing in to hear the words of Jesus. At some point they realized they couldn't gain access.

They formed a new plan. The roof.

They pressed through the crowd and found a way to the roof. Determined they parted the roof, tied ropes to their fiends mat cautiously lowered him to the floor.

Jesus seeing their faith... Their friend was healed.
The walk home was probably pretty exciting.

The principle: True community is formed when people are determined to move toward their common purpose together.

There is no greater purpose than helping others move toward Jesus Christ.

Broken Humanity

We had a week with no power, some people had no water, others no food. Thursday we fed a couple hundred people at the Downtown Campus, then on Saturday we hosted a huge Block Party for the people in the area. It was great to see people being cared for by our heroic volunteers.

We've been kicking up the vibe with our prayer society. On the Saturday they enjoyed prayer team training then came to the block party to practice what they learned.

It was great to see people being prayed and cared for.

One thing about the poor, they know they need prayer and are more open than most people.

Broken Humanity
Seeing the depth of people in need is sometimes a little overwhelming. One couple, obviously on some mind bending drug, sat down just beside the food line and stuffed their back pack with freshly cooked hamburgers, drinks and chips. When we asked what was going on they were totally defensive like 'how dare you question what we are doing?'

It was saddening to see people who are so desperate result to stealing free food. In our mind it just doesn't make sense. However the mindset is 'We'll take what we can today, for we don't know what tomorrow will bring.' Hording is a common trait among the less-served of our society.

One impression: the party helps people to 'feel normal'. Our block party,in a small way, brings some encouragement and light into a community.

what do you say in 35 minutes?

Servant Evangelism in 35 minutes... WoW!

How do you explain the concept of serving others that is impacting, inspiring, and motivating? That's what I have in a few week speaking to some leaders...most I assume are not practitioners. so I'm pondering...

Story will be the intro, middle and exit most probably centered around creating God space, and helping the people we lead to create God space...

I noticed that Dave Workman is speaking on the outward focused life moving toward a lifestyle of generosity and serving over many weeks at the Cincy Vineyard. Knowing Dave he will be measured, inspiring, spiritually smart and clear. The cool deal, the whole church are invited to play in the game on an outreach weekend.

35 minutes... Wow? If you are a praying person please pray for me over the next couple of weeks as I attempt to distill many thoughts, principles into a snack.

i's of leadership

issue no 3. no outward focused model to follow

Outward focusedness is often more caught than taught. People learn best by doing and seeing others model the way. Our western mindset tends to be geared toward theory rather than practice. Therefore there are many theorist and few practitioners. The theorists often teach values, and principles yet may not practice what they teach. (all who teach are somewhat guilty I for one)

The western mindset has a knowledge bias. If we read a book, pass a test we believe we have gained knowledge, an education, or a skill and...experience outworked matters not.

In the real world of outwardfoucusedness externally focused churches are led by passionate practitioners.

The same is true concerning a persons value system. If I ask, 'Do you believe in the great commission?' Most believers would say yes? If I asked, 'Is the great commission something you value as a truth?' Again, most believers would probably also answer in the affirmative. If I asked, 'What do you do in your personal life to live an outward focused life? There may be a pause...

We all have aspired values. Values we say we believe and hold as precious. However there is a great difference between an aspired value we say we believe and the real values we do.

Bottom line what we do reveals our personal true core values.

Leadership component needed...Integrity

Dictionary.com in·teg·ri·ty

1.	adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.

2.	the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished: to preserve the integrity of the empire.

3.	a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition: the integrity of a ship's hull. Integrity means: the messenger is the message. If we say we are an externally focused person and want to lead other outward.. it's important to have some evidence / practice in our lives that point to the life value.

Bottom Line: Leaders lead by example. Relating connecting story, having an evidence of an outwardfocused lifestyle does much to inspire those we lead.

This past week I ventured into the world of the homeless with Nate a young, fearless, passionate leader. Each week he heads out into the city often backpacking food, water, and other necessities into homeless camps dotted around the city of Dayton. As he goes he gathers other 20's from different churches to help serve the less-served. It is amazing to watch him hug, care and love the homeless. They know him by name, and know he is the real deal. He clearly is a friend to many. A few weeks ago he camped out for a few days to be with the people and to experience what they experience.

Each Sunday our Dayton Campus represents the people he is reaching.

It was a blast to see the message and love that flows from this fearless messenger.

Before the BBQ he gathered us together and shared his heart and some caring tips. It was an amazing night. A small band played some songs, jammed and worshipped...and many, many people were fed, loved on and prayed for.

One guy 6 ft 6 and a size 14 shoe named Shaq appeared. Shaq had bandages on his wrists from an evident suicide attempt. I mentioned I knew another Shaq who played basketball. He laughed...After eating a few burgers, some watermellon, and desert... he unrolled his quilt and settled down for the night. I asked if I could pray for him...he answered, 'Yep that'd be nice.' As I prayed I noticed God's peace flow over him. At the end of the prayer he asked, 'Do you guys ever have people attempt to do you harm?' I replied, 'Nope I've got a friend named Shaq and he is 6 foot tall.' He smiled...

Nate is an outward focused guy...it's in his bones, he is the message, he has integrity. Others who sense the real deal are drawn into dangerous places following a fearless, passionate messenger.

i's of leadership

issue no 2. no care for those people out there... inward-ness.

Most people are not taught how to care for others...

One friend of mine has noticed that the 'natural tendency of the human heart is to turn inward.

'Selfishness is the act of giving priority of thought or deed to the self. It is placing one’s own interests over the needs or desires or others. Selfishness is often thought to be the opposite of altruism. Altruism is the selfless concern for the welfare of others. Altruism is considered a virtue, while selfishness is considered a vice.'

Selfishness is rampant and is manifested through a me, myself and I mind set. The worldview revolves around a persons self interest. They, are at the center of their universe.

A friend of mine was an interior designer for the Queen of England. His clients were the powerful, famous and the wealthy.

One lady burst into his shop, interrupted a meeting with some other clients, while weeping with hand to head, dramatically stated accusingly,'You've ruined my life!'

He had the presence of mind to escort the weeping emotional woman to a side room. When she calmed down he was able to hear how he ruined her life. Turns out the custom carpet he designed and had installed... had a seam.

After phoning the installers he found out there was an almost unnoticeable, undetectable to the naked eye seam. He assured her that her life wasn't over and the seam was quite normal on this type of carpet. The drama queen left quite satisfied she had been heard and that her life had not been ruined.

Amazing! Guess who was at the center of her universe.

Not caring for those in our community often stems from a my church, my weekend service, my seat, my kids, my training, my needs mind set. Although following Christ, there is often no thought of others. Nor is there the heart / life value of caring for the least, the lost and the lonely in their mix.

donald miller author of blue like jazz stated at a certain point in his life,
'I was addicted to myself. All I thought about was myself. The only thing I really cared about was myself. I had very little concept of love, altruism, or sacrifice. I discovered my mind is like a radio that picks up only one station, the one that plays me:
K-don, all don, all the time.'


the leadership component needed to break this mindset is motivational, touching the heart stick-able stories, facts, figures, stats, and emotional visual... information.

i's of leadership

I've been thinking once again about issues that face churches who desire to become externally focused and the leadership response to the issue .

issue 1. no outward focused vision...many churches are stuck and have no outward vision.
All vision is a leadership issue. With no outward focused vision people go in circles...no vision people perish kjv.

inspiration is the key leadership response
Inspiring, passionate leaders ...bring inspiration... bring life.

Inspiration is communicated primarily through a vibrant passionate life. Sharing outward focusedness using story, word pictures, and seeking to be an outward focused person is key.

People do what leaders do. Therefore being an outward focused person and being a practitioner is imperative. Leaders lead. Leaders are visionaries. Leaders are passionate. Leaders inspire.

Leaders who begin to focus outward often begin by committing to obey the Great Commission in a personal way. At some point leaders who lead outward have to decide to get out of the office and begin to go into the community.

One of my pastor friends began to go out and to consistently serve his neighborhood weekly. He'd take his computer to Starbucks and front $50 worth of coffee for the people who came in after his purchase and talk with the thankful patrons.

Other times he'd wash windows, clean toilets, bring small gifts to business owners. As he mingled with the people of his community He began to see with new eyes. His passion for *the lost also increased. When he spoke on weekends he began to share stories about the people he contacted and prayed for. Soon people began to buy into his outwardfocusedness and to show up for planned outreach skirmishes. His going, serving and sharing his heart with the people was the inspiration the people needed to shift their focus.

Leaders who seek to move people outward often help their people discover key life principles like:

• it's better to give than receive
• the great commission is not the great suggestion
  
• our mindset should be the same as Jesus. His mission was to seek and to save that which was lost. His mission statement. 'the son of man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life away for others.'
  
• the missional life is primary living a life of servanthood, spending and giving our life away for others...

Smart leaders also create opportunities to help people to learn servanthood by doing.

inspiration is the leadership response
Inspiring, passionate leaders impart inspiration.

...Inspiration is the spark, the passion, that turns churches inside out. Leaders who are inspirational have a fire burning within their hearts. They model outwardness.

Why does the church exists? Is the question. To know God and to make him known. Is the answer. When we focus on anything less than the main thing, the main thing gets lost.

inspiration is the leadership quality that sparks and creates what could be...an outward focused church...when we lose sight of the great commission we lose sight of our great prophetic purpose in life. virgo...


*the lost
pc we don't use the term lost anymore...

lost means people who are away from God's presence...

a friend of mine lost his daughter at Target, time moved in slow motion, security was called, 10 minutes seemed like an eternity, suddenly he saw her hiding behind some clothes. He knelt down and called her name, she ran into his arms and was safe.

It turns out that she was going to hide and jump out at the right moment but became fearful when she saw all the commotion and remained in her hiding place. Once she saw her dad and heard her name her fears diminished and she ran into her fathers arms.

lost someone who is away from God's presence...Our role is to encourage and help restore the relationship

Creating God Space

What’s evangelism?

Much has been written, been theorized about and probably more talked about then actually done.

Recently, I spoke to a group of teens…I began by talking about a friend of mine who has been coming to the food pantry for breakfast and groceries for the past few months.

I first met him as he was waiting in line... we began to talk… As the conversation continued he told me about his wife who was a gambler. In 1987 she blew through $18,000 in savings, began to use drugs and left him with two young boys. Devastated, he went to the place where he thought he could find some encouragement and support… his church.

He told the pastor his story, how he was left with two boys under 3 and needed some help. The pastor told him, “We can’t help you now, but to come back in a month or so.” His comment, “I desperately needed help then, not in a month.” He left that day vowing, “I’ll never enter another church again.”

He then spoke of his ongoing struggle to work, feed, and care for his boys. During the summer he used a neighborhood garden to grow vegetables... fresh veggies in the summer and he canned the rest for winter. He worked hard, supported his kids, had the usual growing pains of boys becoming teenagers and developing into young men.

After, he spoke I paused, and asked him to forgive me, representing the church as a leader. I then asked if we could pray.

During the prayer, I asked God for forgiveness, and asked for grace to be to be given to his family, to bless them and for favor to rest upon them. He shook my hand and said, “Thanks, Steve.”

I then told the teens he’s now a friend and spoke about our continued relationship.

I mentioned that evangelism consists of being a friendly open-hearted person and how important it is to gently step into another persons space.

Once stepping into a person’s relational space we create God space… where God things can happen.

To illustrate I shared another story.

Crosby, Stills and Nash came to the outdoor Fraze Pavilion for a show. My wife, and a few friends headed up to have a picnic outside the pavilion and to listen to the music. It was a great night. Good food, drinking coke, singing with the crowd and enjoying our friends.

There are always interesting people like the hula hoop lady, the bike lady, the hippy dude, dogs of all sizes and shapes, kids with mom's and dad's who walk by our smorgasbord. Often the people comment on our spread of some pretty amazing food, “Man that’s what we should do.”

At one point a father with a small baby girl walked by. I noticed an attached tube to help the child receive meds or food. The father evidently was besotted with his little girl. At one point he introduced the child to another baby. They made faces at each other eye to eye, laughed and giggled…the connection baby to baby was amazing to watch.

A little while later the mom walked toward us carrying the child. I mentioned to a friend, “I think we need to pray for them.” When the duo came by I asked the mom, “What’s the baby’s name.” The mom replied, “Abigail.” I laughed and said, “Our third child was supposed to be an Abigail, but she ended up being a Nathan. I have a blond, brunette and Nathan has red hair.” The mom replied, “Oh, Abigail has red hair.”

I then asked what was wrong with Abigail. She told the story of the birth, things not right with Abby’s stomach, and how she was improving but still had a long way to go. I then mentioned I and my friend were pastors of the Vineyard and asked if we could pray for Abby.

She replied, “That would be great.” We prayed general, to specific prayers for the baby and prayed for the mom. I noticed that the mom was obviously being emotionally moved as we prayed.

It was ‘a God space moment’ Crosby, Stills and Nash were presenting a great show for the crowd, we were presenting a child with a great need, to a great God. At the end of the prayer we thanked the mom for allowing us to pray with her. She in turn thanked us smiled and continued her walk.

Again, seeing a need, then intentionally stepping into a person’s relational space is where God space can be created.

God space is where faith can begin to grow.

I told the teens. “That in a nutshell… is evangelism.” Be where you are. Notice needs. Ask good questions. Listen to their story. Take note of their need as they talk. If you have a story that relates to their life share it. Offer prayer. Usually, people respond in a positive way when they sense genuine love and care... no strings attached.

People are either moving toward Jesus or away from him. Our job is to seek, with gentleness and respect, to enter into a person’s life space.

We can then nudge people who have turned away from Jesus... to turn toward Him, or to nudge those who are moving toward Him... closer.

It’s not really that complicated. It just requires seeing eyes, hearing ears, and a willingness to respond and create space where faith can begin to dwell.

I’ve discovered that God is interested in the people within my sphere of influence. Once I’ve discovered and entered into a God moment He tends to show up. In His presence, there is life. We call it serving our way into the heart… Breaking down barriers, building bridges. Creating God space.

That’s why I enjoy practicing Servant Evangelism. Serving others creates God space. Giving Gatorade to skaters at the skate park on a hot day, or offering sun screen to people at a beach, or cold water at the Dayton Air Show, or serving breakfast at our food pantry helps create God moments where His life can be shared.