We exist for the community
Common
Ground does not have a vision of becoming a large church in town, but
rather placing healthy, gospel centered, community minded churches in
the midst of communities. Those churches exist for the community and are
ambitious about serving and engaging in that community.
What is 25-25-25?
We desire to partner with 25 churches by the year
2025, praying to see 25% of our community following Jesus. Some of
these churches will be new churches planted by Common Ground. Others
already exist and we will partner with the, praying for their success in
seeing lives changed by Jesus. We say it this way, "Kingdom over
Castle." We want to see the kingdom of God grow. We want to see a great
movement of God and we know that it will by necessity include many other
churches.
authentic community around the Word of God.
Jesus desires for people to find life in Him and experience an
abundant life of joy, peace, and purpose. The best environment for this
to take place is in authentic community around the Word of God. We do
not have a lot of programs. Our priority is community so we have a large
focus on small groups, which we call Outpost Groups. As people get into
these groups and experience life change, the groups will naturally grow
and multiply. When there is a significant number of these groups in the
same community, we will plant a church in that area with these groups
as the base launch team. As a church, as groups, and as individuals we
serve our communities. We go to them, engage in their activities, and
serve with them rather than waiting for them to come to us.
We desire to find common ground
The name "Common Ground" comes from 1 Corinthians 9:22 and
surrounding verses. Here Paul says that he finds common ground with all
men so that he might win some for Christ. We desire to find common
ground with both not yet believers and local churches in order to see
the Kingdom of God expand.
help people get to know God better
Jesus said, "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I
will give you rest, take my yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am
meek and lowly of heart and you will find rest for your soul, for my
yoke is easy and my burden is light". (Matthew 11:28-30)
Jesus is truly Lord of all but it is only when people recognize and
submit to His lordship that they experience the rest, peace, freedom,
purpose, and joy that come from a relationship with Him. We exist to
help people get to know God better through His Word, the Bible; grow to
trust Jesus more, and intentionally and boldly take the good news of
Jesus to those around us who are not yet believers.
We exist to fulfill the great commission
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on
earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)
Our mission: connecting people to the abundant life, only possible through an abiding relationship with Jesus. Our "purpose" as Jesus followers first and foremost is to "know God". Jesus said in John 17:3, "And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." Jesus was asked how we can do the works of God and He responded, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." (John 6:29) When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment He
claimed that it is to love God with all your heart, mind, and strength. (Matthew 22:37)
The person who believes in Jesus, and continually seeks to know and
love God more can rest secure in their identity as a son or daughter of
the King. Then they will engage in the primary mission of the church
and every Christian; which is to "Go Make Disciples."