Summer 2024
It has been two years since I took on leading Branches. Those years have been the quickest, most difficult, yet most rewarding years of my life. In the midst of adjusting to life as a pastor, I committed to equipping myself to lead this church by getting a MABL from Western Seminary (masters in applied biblical leadership). I would be lying if I told you I wasn't counting down the days until I am finished so I can focus on Branches. At the same time I feel the burden to start writing some of what is on my heart as far as vision and direction for the future. Here we go!
At Branches, we are building a church we can bring our friends to. have been told: "I don't get it, that's heresy, that's stupid, that's incorrect grammar." I get it, we aren't going to please everyone, and the last one is technically correct. The question I do feel the need to address is: "Why is that our vision?"
My response: In order to reach people that no one else is reaching, you have to do what no one else is doing. Influence is vital in sharing the gospel and discipleship, and through "building a church we can bring our friends to," we create a place where relationships are forged and people are encouraged to be in community. In other words, Branches Sunday gatherings are a means to the end of getting skeptics and new believers in proximity with mature believers who will influence them toward an intimate relationship with Christ. This is how we do discipleship.
So, we do Sunday gatherings a little differently, it's an hour long service with an atmosphere designed around the skeptic and new believer. Where the cafe, music, content and environment are structured in such a way that if someone is to get tripped up on something, it won't be the stale rigidity of the building and the people, it will be on the gospel alone. So it's a little (too?) casual and maybe a little (too?) loud, but the people are genuine, relatable and after the heart of God.
In short, we don't call Sunday service "church" on purpose because we want to see people committed to community. Since Christ is the cornerstone of the Church, Christian community must be next stone over (Church requires community). That is why we have groups throughout the week where people can know and be known by people of the local church and be the Church, and ultimately do life together pursuing all the fullness of Christ.
More to come,
In Christ,
Timmy
At Branches, we are building a church we can bring our friends to. have been told: "I don't get it, that's heresy, that's stupid, that's incorrect grammar." I get it, we aren't going to please everyone, and the last one is technically correct. The question I do feel the need to address is: "Why is that our vision?"
My response: In order to reach people that no one else is reaching, you have to do what no one else is doing. Influence is vital in sharing the gospel and discipleship, and through "building a church we can bring our friends to," we create a place where relationships are forged and people are encouraged to be in community. In other words, Branches Sunday gatherings are a means to the end of getting skeptics and new believers in proximity with mature believers who will influence them toward an intimate relationship with Christ. This is how we do discipleship.
So, we do Sunday gatherings a little differently, it's an hour long service with an atmosphere designed around the skeptic and new believer. Where the cafe, music, content and environment are structured in such a way that if someone is to get tripped up on something, it won't be the stale rigidity of the building and the people, it will be on the gospel alone. So it's a little (too?) casual and maybe a little (too?) loud, but the people are genuine, relatable and after the heart of God.
In short, we don't call Sunday service "church" on purpose because we want to see people committed to community. Since Christ is the cornerstone of the Church, Christian community must be next stone over (Church requires community). That is why we have groups throughout the week where people can know and be known by people of the local church and be the Church, and ultimately do life together pursuing all the fullness of Christ.
More to come,
In Christ,
Timmy