It’s a Way of Living
by John Kimball, CCCC Director of Church Development
There has been a running theme in my life and education since seminary. I was privileged to sit under the teaching of a Messianic Rabbi for my studies in Hebrew and some Old Testament work. Both that historic language and the story it tells of the Old Covenant came alive for me in ways I never dreamed possible.
A significant component of that “theme” has been brought to my attention by others throughout my ministry, most recently emphasized again in some mentored ministry training I have been pursuing through the Praxis Center. From a Hebrew standpoint (and, frankly from the whole of the Bible), doctrine and teaching do not find their purpose and fulfillment in what we know or learn; rather they culminate in how we live. If we are serious about being followers of Christ, then we must be equally serious about living as our King and Rabbi lived.
When it comes to our Passion as the CCCC Family — what we have been calling the Irreducible Core of the Christian Life (Love God, Love Others, and As We Go, Make Disciples), this is not describing a belief system but rather the ultimate lifestyle each pastor, missionary, Christian worker and church member is to emulate. And the order is critical, for one cannot rightly love people unless he first loves God rightly. And further, we cannot rightly disciple others toward Christian maturity unless we first love them.
When it comes to the CCCC Ministry of Church Development, our entire process is rooted in this way of life. The training, resourcing and coaching we provide has one primary goal: that everyone (from the pulpit to the pew) would rediscover what it means to truly love God with every fiber of our being (Matthew 22:37–38). As that love (passion) grows in our relationship with our Triune God, then our love for people will overflow as a result (Matthew 22:39–40). To miss either of these points is to miss everything (1 John 4:7–8). Finally, as our love for God and people flourishes, we can then righteously draw others to God in Christ and disciple them to maturity in these things as well (Matthew 28:18–20).
When a church family does this consistently and passionately, revitalization and development will occur. Strategies, resources, training and methodologies are important tools, but the Irreducible Core is the singular thrust on the human side of the equation that turns things around. Without this flow of love and the powerful way of life it produces in partnership with the Holy Spirit, the best tactics will fall way short.
Would you like to know more? Call the Conference Office at (651) 739-1474 and ask about Church Development. Remember, it’s not what you know about Christ, but how you live in Christ that makes the difference!
