Christ Church Glocal
JESUS: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NASB)
JESUS: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (NASB)
Jesus’ call upon Christ-followers is to be lived out both locally and globally; hence the call of Jesus is a Glocal call within His people.
The mission strategy of Christ Church begins with what many call The Three Legged Stool. The three legs represent the full-orbed nature of Jesus’ mission: 1.) The Equipping of 150 Small Group leaders in the patterns of disciple-making over 5 years, 2.) The Planting of 100 Churches Around the World over 7 years, and 3.) The Adoption of a Neighborhood in Birmingham over the next 25 years.
The Three Legs are described in more detail as follows:
The Equipping of 150 Small Group Leaders over 5 Years (2007 to 2012)
Jesus calls us to be disciple makers. The Small Group ministry of Christ Church seeks to be a ministry where people meet Jesus Christ and grow in relationship with Him through worship, the study of Scripture, prayer ministry, fellowship, and sharing together in mission. For more information on Christ Church Small Groups, go to Small Groups.
The Planting of 100 Churches around the World over 7 Years (2008 to 2015)
Jesus calls us to nations. The word “nation” is a translation of the word ethnos. Ethnos is the root word for the English word ethnic. In other words, Jesus calls the church to join Him in reaching and discipling people of all the ethnic groups of the planet. Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son . . .”. He did not say, “For God so loved western culture that He sent His one and only Son . . .”
Based upon the revelation of Scripture, we believe it is the call and responsibility of the local church to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8). In light of the words of Scripture, John Wesley once said, “The world is my parish.” The Christ Church mission strategy includes joining God in His heart for the entire world.
In addition to supporting missionaries serving among multiple ethnic groups, Christ Church also sends multiple teams out from the church family several times per year to share Christ and plant churches among the un-reached people groups of the world. To review a list of the un-reached people groups of the world, go to www.joshuaproject.org . To explore upcoming mission opportunities, go to Missions .
The Adoption of a Neighborhood in Birmingham over the next 25 years.
Many would say that the North American Church has abandoned her inner cities. While this may or may not be an appropriate characterization, Christ Church is laboring to serve the inner city with a long term commitment for her welfare and shalom.
We are currently researching and prayerfully discerning what neighborhood God may be calling us to serve. We are seeking to make a long term commitment to an area for the sake of God bringing about generational change for His glory.
Updates will be posted here as more information becomes available.
Suggested Reading
Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life: Rethinking Ministry to the Poor by Robert Lupton. (Available in the church Book Nook)
Sites to Visit
Mission Birmingham www.missionbirmingham.org
Christian Service Missions www.christianservicemission.org
Family Consultation Service Urban Ministries www.fcsministries.org
Christian Community Development Association www.ccda.org
ONGOING LOCAL MISSIONS
As a portion of Jesus’ call to our “Jerusalem and Judea”
Firehouse Shelter
www.oldfirehouseshelter.net
The mission of Firehouse Shelter is to provide homeless men in the Birmingham area a nurturing and caring environment while empowering each individual to reach his full potential. This is done by providing meals, a place to sleep, and counseling.
Oak Mountain Missions
www.oakmountainmissions.org
Oak Mt. Missions is an organization serving needy people in the Shelby County and greater Birmingham area. This mission provides food, clothing, household items, and financial support to those in need.
Urban Ministries
www.urban-ministries.com
Urban Ministries is a ministry of compassion and wholeness. Urban Ministry’s mission is to serve persons in Birmingham, Alabama with programs of Compassion and Wholeness. We recognize that people who are suffering need both. Our Compassion ministries are designed to put an immediate end to their suffering, while our Wholeness ministries seek to offer life sustaining educational opportunities.
United Methodist Children’s Homes/Babies First
www.umch.net
Our Mission is to follow the example of Christ by embracing all God's children ... one child, one family at a time. The Children's Home makes a real difference in the lives of children. It has helped to transform the lives of thousands of hurting children since 1890. Many of our alumni are now successful adults who are giving back to the communities which gave to them.
UMCOR
www.northalabamaumc.org
The United Methodist Committee on Relief, often referred to as UMCOR, is a prominent world-wide emergency relief organization. A nonprofit agency of the United Methodist Church, UMCOR reaches worldwide to provide relief in five core areas: Hunger, Health, Refugees, Emergencies, and Relief Supplies. Ongoing relief efforts include Hurricane Disaster Relief and aid to those affected by recent flooding.
How can I get Involved?
Pray: For God to transform lives and that all who are involved will experience His Presence.
Pray: For those being served as well as for those who will be serving.
Go: Find a mission opportunity you feel God is calling you to participate in and respond.
Give: Support the mission initiatives by giving over and above your tithe. Money given will be used to fund local outreach and international church planting as well as provide scholarships for those who feel called to go.
Pam Bates, Minister of Missions & Creative Arts
(205) 991-5065
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