You were made different to make a difference.
The essence of the Gospel is the Good News that the lost, painful, brokenness that used to be who we were is no more, because of Jesus. And, the best response to that Good News is that we now live for the One who changed us by helping others discover the same Good News. Yes, you were made different to make a difference!
We are seeking to make 2018 the year of “Made Different to Make a Difference.” Let me explain. We want to dedicate the coming year to help CrossPointers become disciples who make disciples, just like the Lord commanded in His Great Commission, “Go therefore and make disciples” Matthew 28:19 (ESV).
Imagine a church where every member knew and accepted their role in making disciples. A church where growth both in numbers and spiritual development was not the sole responsibility of a church staff. A body of believers that knew the answer to this question: “Who’s the church?"
For us to move in the direction of “Made Different to Make a Difference” we will need to lay some groundwork:
- Discipling someone is not about classes or programs: it’s about relationships and living life together where the faith is more caught than taught.
- Discipling someone is not about giving them a theological education: it’s about helping them move in the direction of becoming like Christ.
- Discipling someone is not about checking off boxes on some spiritual maturity chart: it’s about making progress, and the only wrong move is going backward, or not moving at all.
- Discipling someone is not about following a step-by-step path like dominos falling: it’s about helping someone move toward Christ from wherever they start, and using whatever resource we can find to help blaze the trail.
In 2018 we will spend much time, energy and prayer to become this kind of church. Parent’s discipling kids, friends discipling friends, made different and making a difference. Every disciple can make a disciple. How do we know? The Lord would not have told us to do it if He wasn’t going to make it possible. We will be making the path clear, the resources available, and the challenge to each CrossPointer very clear. This is the year of “Made Different to Make a Difference.”