1. His presence brings joy “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” (Psalm 16:11, NLT) “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11) God is not a God of killjoy.…
I am well aware of the conversation and debate regarding the difference between education and training. Many who have heard me speak about exceptionally employable have gently suggested that maybe exceptionally employable is not a good aspiration for a liberal arts university. You know the old stories about liberal arts graduates having to find work in the fast food or…
Core Value 1:Evangelism occurs primarily in relational contexts in family, work, neighborhood, and community settings and secondarily in outreach events that are easily accessible to seekers. There are some questions that pop up in life that you may not be prepared to answer right away. Like when your teenager comes home from school frustrated with his biology class and asks…
CVC has been committed, from the start to being a “HIGH IMPACT” church. Here is my High Impact Church Definition from a book I wrote on that subject: Definition: High Impact Churches break through spiritual, social, and leadership barriers to establish new churches and new ministries and reach large numbers of new people for Christ. High-Impact churches confront the law…
Core Value 2:God’s Word is consistently and relevantly taught in corporate worship, small groups, classes, personal discipleship, and through creative activities. Today, let God speak to you about the importance of His Word—through His Word. Pray that as you read, the Holy Spirit will renew your love for scripture and your desire to hear from God through the Bible. For…
Core Value 3:Performing Arts are honored and utilized to the glory of God in a fashion relevant and accessible to seekers. We serve a creative God. Just look at the world around you: the endless shifting landscape of the sky, the sunlight dancing through the intricacies of leaves in motion, and the deep and shimmering blue of a mountain lake.…
Core Value 4:Community Life in the church family is so honored that division and gossip are confronted quickly and clearly, and resolved in accordance with Biblical principles of fellowship and conflict resolution. I’m not a heart surgeon. But I’ve watched them on TV. And I’ve sometimes wondered what it is that gives good and sane people committed to healing—what gives…
Core Value 5:Spiritual gifts discovery and utilization are essential aspects of discipleship for every believer. Finding and using your spiritual gifts is critical to Christian maturity and ministry. It’s so critical, in fact, that CVC is devoting six weeks this fall to this very topic. The weekend of October 4-5, we will launch a spiritual adventure which will forever change…
Core Value 6:Ministry programs and activities are started, led, and grown by gifted men and women from the church family. Let’s take a dream break. Not a break from dreams—but a break to dream. Take a few minutes for the sole purpose of dreaming—of exploring the possibilities of life. We’re going to brainstorm here, so anything goes. Turn off any…
Core Value 7:Support ministries are led by people with serving gifts. These people are regularly honored and affirmed. Have you ever broken a toe and hobbled around for a week or two as the bone started to heal? Have you ever slept wrong and spent the day unable to turn your head without wincing because of your stiff neck? Have…