Tangible Possibilities

By Neil Pohlhaus and Denise Simms
"Share the Vision" Capital Campaign Leaders

Our Senior Pastor, John Schmidt, explained to us last Sunday the "Kingdom Vision" that God has for His church, which includes Central. We heard that the church is Christ's bride AND God's gift to Jesus. John explained that Central seeks to expand its facilities for the sole purpose of completing Jesus' gift: enlarging the Kingdom. We need to have the space to accommodate those whom He is calling to Himself in our backyard. What a privilege!

What are the practical and tangible possibilities that our leadership believes God is calling us to accommodate? Here are ideas on the drawing board, waiting to see exactly which ones He brings to fruition, to serve His purposes at Central:

• Grow outreach (ALPHA) and adult discipleship through additional classrooms and flexible, comfortable meeting space.
• Expand the Preschool. This has proven an excellent conduit for sharing the Good News.
• Create a secure and safe mid-week, drop-in opportunity for middle and high school students. Our youth program is exploding. We desire to fuel this fire, developing future spiritual leaders.
• Begin a second traditional service. Traditional worship is seeing a resurgence in appreciation and appeal and we wish to continue to serve this interest.
• Offer several varieties of worship services, at times MOST convenient to the community.
• Extend the use of Central's facilities to local community associations. By being a "good neighbor," we extend Christ's message of love.
• Sponsor acclaimed Christian speakers and performers, serving the purpose of evangelism.
• Meet fellowship needs with multi-generational, all-church dinners and events in the new multi-purpose worship center.
• Combine inter-church fellowship and outreach-focused efforts by enabling the Central Lights musical and dramatic productions.
• Birth a daughter church (a church plant) - Our projected growth will allow the necessary resources of people and finances to make this a next-step consideration.

The above plans and ideas are not exhaustive and do not include Central's foundational Missions program - we'll hear more about that vital component next week. What these plans do reflect is our commitment to love those around us and to do so extravagantly. We do not seek to preserve and conserve Central in an alabaster jar. Instead, we want to break the jar, so all that Christ has poured into us will have far-reaching effects for his Kingdom - forever.