A GOD-BREATHED GOAL FOR 2009

Why a goal?
 I think one of the main reasons the Holy Spirit gives goals is because we often need something to reach forward to in order to move forward.  Without a goal or an objective, it would be similar to travelling to another country without a map, or a destination.
“Where are you going?  What country are you visiting?”
“I don’t know, but I’m sure we’ll just get there sometime... wherever we’re going..”
This kind of thinking is one that drives (or doesn’t drive) many churches, businesses, or organizations, towards failure.
No goals equals no growth.
In other words, if you aim at nothing, you’ll most likely hit nothing (and if you do manage to hit something, you might end up doing more damage than good).

What’s the vision of Dunamis Church?
Dunamis Church’s VISION is simple: TO WIN SOULS AND MAKE DISCIPLES
Let’s keep it simple... God wants to see people get saved and get strong, connected, and walk in their God-given destiny, plain and simple!
Allow me to break down a portion of scripture for verity’s sake concerning our vision:
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 in ‘The Message’ says:

^19-23Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!

Paul (the writer of the above) is saying he is totally free, but of his own heart and passion he will do whatever it takes, without compromising holiness and purity, to see people saved from sin, through preaching the good news of Christ to them.  I believe God wants that to be our heart and passion as well!

Our main GOAL (our means to accomplish our vision) is simple as well:
EVERY BELIEVER A SERVANT-LEADER

Look at what the following portion of scripture states:

^24-25You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.  
^26-27I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

Look at Paul’s passion... check out his drive, and notice his deep encouragement for us to run the same way, with the same enthusiasm and ambition for winning people to Christ that he himself possessed.  Especially noteworthy about this portion of scripture is the bit about staying in top condition.  The New Kings James Version brings it out this way, “Thus I fight, not as one who beats the air.”  I love this!  Paul knew exactly what he was doing and trying to accomplish.  He had aims, and wanted to see as many people get saved as possible.

This is, I believe, a proper drive for the church of Jesus who longs to fulfill the great commission (Matt 28:16-20).

Of course, without question, having a passion for people’s salvation comes by and through a deep love and intimacy with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  Love God!!!  Then love people!!!

So I’m putting a goal out for this year, one that I believe the Holy Spirit is speaking to all of us as a local church:

80 people connected into cell groups by the end of 2009.

What part are you currently playing and going to play?