What is New Beginnings' Vision Framework?
You know our mission shout: “To know Christ and make Christ known!” But there is far more to know about your faith family. What is it that FRAMES our decisions, budget process, and other organizational stuff? We view the ever-changing future through reliable boundaries. The four sides of our framework include: Mission, Motivation, Method, and Measures. These criteria are how we plan and adapt as we enter the uncharted waters of next week, let alone next year. As you read through the different sections of the Vision Framework below, you'll start learning how we speak about what we prayerfully pursue.
Mission
What are we doing?
New Beginnings exists to build relationships with Jesus Christ and one another: person-to-person, house-to-house, city-to-city, and nation-to nation. Our mission shout abbreviates this: “To Know Christ and Make Christ Known!” God clearly commissions us in the Bible from beginning to end: Genesis 12:1-3, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Revelation 7:9-10.
New Beginnings exists to build relationships with Jesus Christ and one another: person-to-person, house-to-house, city-to-city, and nation-to nation. Our mission shout abbreviates this: “To Know Christ and Make Christ Known!” God clearly commissions us in the Bible from beginning to end: Genesis 12:1-3, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Revelation 7:9-10.
Motivation
Why are we doing it?
GRACE is the motivation for what we do. We know we do not make Christ known to get His love, but because God already freely gave it to us through Jesus. We have received eternal life and the forgiveness of our sins by G-R-A-C-E: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. The love of Christ clearly portrayed upon the cross is what compels us (2 Corinthians 5:14). This vertical grace (from God down to us) finds expression in our horizontal relationships. As Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Our gracious culture flows from the Means of Grace, or God’s Word and Sacraments (Scripture, Baptism, and Holy Communion).
GRACE is the motivation for what we do. We know we do not make Christ known to get His love, but because God already freely gave it to us through Jesus. We have received eternal life and the forgiveness of our sins by G-R-A-C-E: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. The love of Christ clearly portrayed upon the cross is what compels us (2 Corinthians 5:14). This vertical grace (from God down to us) finds expression in our horizontal relationships. As Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Our gracious culture flows from the Means of Grace, or God’s Word and Sacraments (Scripture, Baptism, and Holy Communion).
Method
How are we doing it?
One simple sentence explains our strategy: NBLC EQUIPS households to share faith where they live, work, and play. Baptized believers are all ordained by God to share the reason for the hope they have. We do this through GROUPS & TEAMS that look for where God is at work, listen to Jesus through His Word, befriend others, look for how we can do good through actions, and prayer. These simple practices are explained in detail in a book by Greg Finke called, Joining Jesus On His Mission.
One simple sentence explains our strategy: NBLC EQUIPS households to share faith where they live, work, and play. Baptized believers are all ordained by God to share the reason for the hope they have. We do this through GROUPS & TEAMS that look for where God is at work, listen to Jesus through His Word, befriend others, look for how we can do good through actions, and prayer. These simple practices are explained in detail in a book by Greg Finke called, Joining Jesus On His Mission.
Measures
When do we see disciples being made?
Making disciples at NBLC is summarized by the WISDOM lifestyle. So we measure personal and organizational growth through each of the following:
WORSHIP: We gather to receive God’s Word & Sacraments and respond with our lives.
INREACH: As fellow believers, we live out the one-another verses of the Bible.
SERVICE: We apply our personalities, gifts, passions, and experiences in service to others.
DISCIPLINES: We systematically exercise our faith in practices centered on the Bible: prayer, fasting, giving, study.
OUTREACH: Each of us prays for others to know God’s grace for them, demonstrates God’s care in tangible ways, and shares our hope in Jesus.
MULTIPLYING: God called us to be fruitful and multiply. So we strive to reproduce our groups, and even new churches.
Making disciples at NBLC is summarized by the WISDOM lifestyle. So we measure personal and organizational growth through each of the following:
WORSHIP: We gather to receive God’s Word & Sacraments and respond with our lives.
INREACH: As fellow believers, we live out the one-another verses of the Bible.
SERVICE: We apply our personalities, gifts, passions, and experiences in service to others.
DISCIPLINES: We systematically exercise our faith in practices centered on the Bible: prayer, fasting, giving, study.
OUTREACH: Each of us prays for others to know God’s grace for them, demonstrates God’s care in tangible ways, and shares our hope in Jesus.
MULTIPLYING: God called us to be fruitful and multiply. So we strive to reproduce our groups, and even new churches.
Vision
Where is God taking us?
We see more and more people connected to Jesus through Word and Sacrament at NBLC, and multiplying locations where the Word is at work in our community, and to the ends of the earth. God has given us a “vision” of this future in Revelation 7:9-10. So we aim our lives at that image and do what we can, trusting God will finish the good work He began in us. Like ocean waves, the landscape of our immediate future is constantly changing: the economy, technology, relationships, and myriad other details can undermine the best laid plans. But we must plan for the future. We will pursue this vision.
We see more and more people connected to Jesus through Word and Sacrament at NBLC, and multiplying locations where the Word is at work in our community, and to the ends of the earth. God has given us a “vision” of this future in Revelation 7:9-10. So we aim our lives at that image and do what we can, trusting God will finish the good work He began in us. Like ocean waves, the landscape of our immediate future is constantly changing: the economy, technology, relationships, and myriad other details can undermine the best laid plans. But we must plan for the future. We will pursue this vision.
Governance
Who organizes all this?
Church MEMBERSHIP is the Bible’s idea. Most of the New Testament is addressed to specific congregations. All the members of NBLC own the whole Vision Framework’s implementation. That’s why MEMBERS encompass the whole hourglass. The VISION & VALUES LEADERSHIP TEAM (VVLT) is formed from nominated and voter approved representatives from among our members. They oversee the budget process and policies of our church. TEAMS & CONNECT GROUPS are members doing the works of ministry. Accountability and Action flow through the STAFF. Church STAFF is also God’s idea (Ephesians 4:11-12). The STAFF are accountable to the VVLT and support the actions of NBLC’s Teams & Groups.
Church MEMBERSHIP is the Bible’s idea. Most of the New Testament is addressed to specific congregations. All the members of NBLC own the whole Vision Framework’s implementation. That’s why MEMBERS encompass the whole hourglass. The VISION & VALUES LEADERSHIP TEAM (VVLT) is formed from nominated and voter approved representatives from among our members. They oversee the budget process and policies of our church. TEAMS & CONNECT GROUPS are members doing the works of ministry. Accountability and Action flow through the STAFF. Church STAFF is also God’s idea (Ephesians 4:11-12). The STAFF are accountable to the VVLT and support the actions of NBLC’s Teams & Groups.
Membership
We all need commitment.
We understand that churches are not places we go, but are people devoted to one another and a common mission. The Bible speaks of believers as members of a body. Body parts are joined together by God (1 Corinthians 12:12ff). Whatever your reasons for coming to New Beginnings, prayerfully ask not only if you get our Vision Framework, but has it gotten ahold of you? Is this something you want to be part of? You want to know your church is committed to you, right? The reverse applies. Your church wants to know you are committed too. Therefore, prayerfully consider signing our Covenant of Membership.
We understand that churches are not places we go, but are people devoted to one another and a common mission. The Bible speaks of believers as members of a body. Body parts are joined together by God (1 Corinthians 12:12ff). Whatever your reasons for coming to New Beginnings, prayerfully ask not only if you get our Vision Framework, but has it gotten ahold of you? Is this something you want to be part of? You want to know your church is committed to you, right? The reverse applies. Your church wants to know you are committed too. Therefore, prayerfully consider signing our Covenant of Membership.
Denomination
It’ll take more than one of us to reach the world!
We can accomplish more in partnership. Therefore, NBLC is part of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS). “Missouri” because it began here many long years ago. The word “Synod” means “going in the same way.” Every church in our Synod governs themselves, but are theologically united congregations. We share the same basic teachings and mission. The LCMS remains a free association of congregations, teachers, and pastors who work together to train leaders, plant churches nationally and internationally, provide humanitarian relief, etc. Our denomination is not, therefore, an authority placed over our congregation, but is strictly advisory in nature. The only requirement for membership is unconditional acceptance of the Word of God.
We can accomplish more in partnership. Therefore, NBLC is part of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS). “Missouri” because it began here many long years ago. The word “Synod” means “going in the same way.” Every church in our Synod governs themselves, but are theologically united congregations. We share the same basic teachings and mission. The LCMS remains a free association of congregations, teachers, and pastors who work together to train leaders, plant churches nationally and internationally, provide humanitarian relief, etc. Our denomination is not, therefore, an authority placed over our congregation, but is strictly advisory in nature. The only requirement for membership is unconditional acceptance of the Word of God.