Three Objectives
Capture: Our first objective is to capture attention. The church has the most important message ever entrusted to humanity but until we capture attention no one can hear our message. God used a variety of methods – miracles, angelic visitations, talking donkeys – to capture the attention of His people. Today, the internet, great music, lighting effects, television, visual-visual-visual technology are not to entertain or appear “cool” but are tools to capture the attention of this generation.
Communicate: Once we have captured attention we must communicate the message in a culturally relevant “language”. Missionaries understand that to reach a people the unchanging message of the gospel must be “translated” not only into the language but also into the culture of the target population. Jesus spoke to farmers and fishermen about sowers, seeds and fishers of men. Practical teaching on relevant topics enables the eternally relevant message of God’s Word to be applied to life in the 21st century.
Care: Scripture makes it clear that no matter how much we understand God or the Bible it all amounts to nothing if we do not love (1 Corinthians 13). It is not enough to simply capture attention and communicate the message clearly. The process is completed by caring for people – walking with them through the struggles, disappointments, sorrows and joys of life. The Summit Church strives to be a place of care and compassion as well as a source of health and healing.
Three Measures of Success
Every sports team knows what it takes to score points and how to measure the success of their efforts. But how can a church tell if they are “scoring touchdowns” or simply running up and down the field? While bigger attendance, bigger budgets and bigger buildings are great, they do not guarantee we are being successful. We were not commanded to gather crowds, generate big bank accounts or construct impressive edifices – we were told to make disciples. We measure success with three standards and everything we do at the Summit Church is designed to “score points” in one or more of these areas.
Transformed Lives: Jesus did not come to reform us – re-shape the same old material. He came to transform us – make us new creatures. When we see attitudes and actions transforming, as we see men and women reasoning differently, responding differently and living differently we know we have “scored a point” for God’s kingdom.
Restored Relationships: God is a relational God and wants us to be people of healthy relationships – with Him, with family, with friends, with neighbors, with coworkers, with all others. Forgiveness, kindness and other fruits of God’s Spirit enable us to live in proper relationships. Healed marriages, restored friendships, children honoring their parents, parents lovingly training their children – these are all ways we measure the success of this ministry.
Obedient Service: We grow most when we invest our lives in others. We were designed to serve. As we give out, God pours more in. Therefore we want to help each person at the Summit Church find those unique talents and skills God has deposited and help them utilize those gifts for His kingdom. Involvement in obedient service – filling the place God created you for – leads to a happy, healthy, growing walk through this world.
We have designed a series of experiences to help you move into all these areas of a fulfilling Christian life. The Summit Series will help you discover your talents, develop your skills and engage in serving the Lord and His people.