Here is a brief summary of a newly developing kingdom endeavor in urban OKC.
By the way, I'm listening to Jon Foreman's Fall and Winter EP. Amazing!
Vision 360 Oklahoma City
What is the vision for Oklahoma City? Spiritual transformation
Oklahoma City is experiencing the kind of transformation that only comes from the presence of Jesus and His Kingdom. The tool is the church. New expressions of church, envisioned by citywide strategy, encouraged by a relational network, and resourced with the tools for fruit, are flourishing throughout the city. Those churches are impacting every area of society, including the vulnerable, the economy and business community, education, the arts, and government. It’s an urban movement, starting among the most marginalized and spreading outward to impact a region. And in the DNA of the movement is the destiny for a city to impact the nations.
What is the challenge? Spiritual decay
Haggai 1:4 "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?"
Oklahoma City is rapidly becoming unchurched. Only 21% of the people in OKC regularly attend a Christian church. The 18-25 generation are abandoning the faith in record numbers.
Spiritual issues require Kingdom solutions: High divorce rate, low value on urban children, racism, the church is least visible where it is most needed.
What is the strategy? Church Planting
New churches are most effective in reaching new generations, new residents, new people groups, and especially the unchurched.
New churches are 6-8 times more effective at reaching non-Christians than established churches.
New churches reinvigorate existing churches in a community.
So what is happening now and in the short run?
In the first three years we’ll plant 15 churches in urban Oklahoma City
Networking and resourcing existing church planters
Establishing a “1 year” board of business and church leaders
Raise $2 million to hire staff and begin resourcing the church planting strategy
Develop a city strategy for church planting that radically crosses all boundaries
Work with existing churches to recruit, assess, train, and resource effective church planters
Start NOW deciding how we will reproduce what God is doing here in a city far away.
2 comments:
I was surprised to hear you say that OKC, the "buckle of the Bible belt," being 21%, only three percent above the national average!
First of all, so glad you are blogging again Ben! Sorry for never getting around to calling you. I will soon. And yes, those Jon Foreman EPs are fantastic! I can't wait for Spring and Summer.
That is a huge vision you have for the city. Seems like you have been asking God what he wants to do and not just doing what seems like the right thing. Thanks for walking out what you taught us during the Furnace years! I so appreciate you!
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