:: Cedarcrest Vision (3) ::

Mission Statement Update, Part 2

March 9th, 2011

The foundation of our mission statements comes from Matthew 22. Philippians 3 is the basis for the second part of our mission statement pointing to the importance of growing in Christ.

Philippians 3:12-15 “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing it do; forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.”

Here is Paul, the leading spokesman in the early church saying, “Guess what? I have not arrived yet in my faith. I still have room to grow!”

The Christian life is an ongoing growth process. Salvation is a one-time event, but the process of sanctification is a life long journey. Paul says I am not stuck in the past, but I press on toward what lies ahead. There is a concept of straining and longing for more of Jesus. Scripture reminds us that following Christ is about growing in our faith to be more like Christ.

You do not show maturity by acting like you have it all figured out. You show maturity if your faith when you recognize that you need to continue growing.

It is my hope and prayer that everyone who is plugged into Cedarcrest Church would be in an ongoing process of growth. I pray that my life and my faith looks different a year from now than it does right now. If you are alive in Christ you must be growing in your faith. If you are not growing you are either dead or dying. Living things grow!

Loving God and loving people AS WE GROW…

The next blog post will detail the third and final part of our mission statement: …TOGETHER IN CHRIST.

Entry Filed under: CC Vision