The 5 Purposes of LowCountry Community Church
By Jeff Cranston
Last March, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, LCC had to become an online, virtual church—and we had one week to do it. We wanted to do all we could to continue bringing church to you, to keep you involved in ministry, and to keep LCC functioning well. Without a sense of purpose and vision, I don’t know that we would have made it. However, the purpose and vision that Jesus has for His church are what helped us make it through in 2020, and it will be what keeps us pressing on through 2021 and beyond.
So what exactly is the purpose and vision for God’s church? To find out, read 2 Timothy 1:1-10. In this letter, apostle Paul reflects on the vision that fueled his life and ministry. It also serves to renew Timothy’s vision for God’s church. We’re going to see five specific areas Jesus wants in His church.
1. Worship
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus. To Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did …” – 2 Timothy 1:1-3a
Worship happens as we embrace a lifestyle of devotion to God. We find an emphasis on worship in the word “serve” in verse 3. This is not the usual New Testament Greek word for “serve,” which generally means to minister or to render any kind of service. This word in verse 3 refers to service offered to God as an act of worship. This kind of service is never directed toward other people; it’s always directed toward God.
For LCC, worship is about celebrating Jesus Christ. It’s about celebrating Christ’s presence among us, realizing that He is here with us when we gather as a congregation for worship. LCC’s facilities are significant to our worship because they give us a place to gather. But due to the pandemic, we have learned that we can’t put all of our worship eggs in one physical facility basket. So, we will continue to work hard to make LCC’s ministries more accessible online so that, whether you attend in person or online, you can stay active and involved. This will continue to be a big effort for us throughout 2021.
2. Connect
“ …as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.” – 2 Timothy 1:3b-5
We connect with God through prayer, and we connect with each other through relationships. Paul’s life was so directed toward God that whatever was of concern in his heart automatically bubbled up in prayer to God. No technique, no seven easy steps, but simply expressing his heart to God. Paul also reminds Timothy of how his faith had been handed down to him from his mother and grandmother.
Relationships are vitally important to the Christian life and church life. We foster relationships at LCC through small groups meeting throughout the week and through serving—whether it’s on LCC’s parking lot team, being a service host, helping in the children’s ministry or in community outreach. The dozens of opportunities at LCC will help you serve God by serving others and help you develop friendships and get to know others in our church family.
3. Serve
“For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:6-7
God had given Timothy everything he needed to be effective as His servant. But the fire of God’s gift in Timothy’s life was going out. Paul encouraged Timothy to "fan the flame" of his gift, so it would once again burn brightly and with intensity. Fear was holding Timothy back from using his gifts.
What comes from God is an attitude of power, love and self-discipline. Power is the capacity to face our fears and use our gifts, even when we’re shaking like a leaf. Love is the capacity to express God’s love through our gift when we do use it. Discipline is the courage to go forward even when we’re timid and fearful. The way we fan the flame of our spiritual gifts is by using them. The flame loses its blaze through lack of use, and gradually our gifts become glowing embers. We fuel the fire when we use our gifts.
4. Reach
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner …” – 1 Timothy 1:8a
Sharing the gospel with others is not to be our hobby; it’s to be our lifestyle. Christians can be tempted to feel ashamed of Jesus Christ and keep our faith hidden inside our hearts and our churches, rather than letting it flow into our words and actions.
We must always be about the work of putting into words how Jesus has changed our lives. It means sharing with those around us the good news of Christ, about His life, death and resurrection. It means building relationships with unchurched people so we can shine as lights in their lives. If we can work as partners together, imagine what might happen! And, according to Acts 1:8, we are to do that locally, regionally, nationally, cross-culturally, and internationally.
5. Grow
“… but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel …” – 1 Timothy 1:8b-10
The good news of Christ—the gospel—is how we are brought into a relationship with God. This change is by grace because there’s nothing we can do to contribute to our salvation. Although we do not contribute anything to our salvation, once God saves us, He calls us to live differently. He calls us to a life of transformation, a life where we grow and mature. He calls us to put down deep spiritual roots that are nourished by the truth of God. He calls us to nurture a holy life.
It’s our experience that most accelerated spiritual growth occurs in small groups—clusters of Christians who meet to pray together, study the Bible together, and serve together. Our congregation will only be as healthy as our groups are expanding. At last count, we had about 750 adults involved in these groups. We believe this is a vitally important part of being nurtured into spiritual maturity.
In 2021, I believe God wants to pull us closer to our vision and purpose. He wants a congregation of renewed vision for worship, connection, service, outreach and growth. So, as we begin this new year, I challenge you to:
Believe the gospel.
Live the gospel.
Study the gospel.
Preach the gospel.
Spread the gospel.
Defend the gospel.
Jeff Cranston is the lead pastor of LowCountry Community Church in Bluffton, S.C.
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