Catalyst Church Vision 2021 Session 1 | Healthy Biblical Vision Catalyst Church Catalyst-a “change agent or one who precipitates change.” (We believe that God has called us to be change agents to know Christ and make Him known.) a substance that alters the speed of a chemical reaction but is not used up in the process. Would you agree with this statement? A person can change but not grow. (cadavers)(maturity) How about this one? It's impossible for you to grow and not change. Catalyst Church is a non-denominational church, so we have many different doctrinal, theological, cultural and religious backgrounds represented in our family. For this reason, we understand the importance of teaching our Biblical community the “Christ-centered” foundation that our church is built upon. We believe that church membership is a commitment to a local expression of the body of Christ. We see many New Testament examples of believers coming together under organized names and locations to fulfill a like-minded vision that brings glory to Christ. Church membership is not a path to salvation, nor does it show spiritual maturity. It is a way of officially identifying with a local church and utilizing resources to “Know Christ and Make Him Known” in a particular location. We offer church membership as a way to show long-term commitment and service to what God is doing at Catalyst Church. Anyone is welcome to worship with us and be a part of our community life without becoming a member. However, membership in our biblical community takes on a much deeper connection and commitment to our local body. Giving a vision of a life that makes an impact now and in eternity. Our Vision: Knowing Christ & Making Him Known Many people simply attend church. This is not our desire for you at Catalyst. We want you to move from attendance to identifying as a catalyst. By definition, a catalyst is a change agent. We want your life to be transformed by knowing Christ and then be empowered to be a catalyst to make Him known. This is not a simple statement of belief. Everything we are and do as the church revolves around and points back to the vision. We know we are succeeding when we see the DNA of our vision in the fabric of every person and area of our church. Proverbs 29:18a (ASV) Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; (undisciplined and disobedient) Proverbs 29:18a (BBE) Where there is no vision, the people are uncontrolled; Proverbs 29:18a (KJV) Where there is no vision, the people perish: · Vision is the act or power of anticipating that which will or may come. · Vision gives us the ability to see things not as they are, but how God sees them. · Vision helps us align everything we do with a singular focus. · Vision helps us look beyond our current state to the transformation that God can bring. This includes people, process of ministry, organizational principles and so much more. Everything we do, we do to fulfill the vision. We want our vision to propel us into all that God has for us as a church and as individuals. In all simplicity, Christ is in charge. It’s His church. He is the Senior Pastor. He has the plan. He gives it to His church and we are to humbly receive it, submit to it, obeying His plan as servants to oversee His directives. We are stewards of His church. Vision does not mysteriously come to pass. It takes focus, intentionality, discipline, and sacrifice. 1 Chronicles 12:32 of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do The Gospel Philippians 1:27-29 27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, ● that you stand fast in one spirit, (unity) ● with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, ● and not in any way terrified (frightened, alarmed, intimidated) by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, (destruction) Philippians 2:1-4 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Therefore if there is any: ● consolation in Christ, ● if any comfort of love, ● if any fellowship of the Spirit, ● if any affection and mercy, Fulfill my joy by: ● being like-minded, ● having the same love, ● being of one accord, ● of one mind. ● Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, ● but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. ● Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Time under tension builds strength 1 Peter 5:5-11 5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”6 humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Sober-self controlled, restrained, watchful Vigilant-on the alert, awake, alive, to watch Resist-oppose, be hostile toward, withstand Humble-lower, reduce, decrease in size, make low Cast-throw, cast upon, stop worrying and trust Care-anxiety, worry, ambition, plan, anxious mind and thoughts Suffered-undergone experience, endure, punishment, grieve over, examine, inspect Perfect-prepare, complete, restore, mend, mature Establish/Strengthen-fix firmly in place, sustain Settle-establish, lay the foundation, to found, to build from the foundation, found firmly, make ready.