The Vision of Restoration
Describe for me what Restoration will look like in five years?
This question is one I have thought about a lot. In many ways it echoes some of what I wrote about in my last post. We have to know where we are going, in order to be able to get there.
There is a great deal I’d like to say about this, however it can be answered simply by this statement, “we want to be needed”.
Frequently I hear from people that they feel churches have done more consuming in their communities than they have contributing. In a culture consumed by consumerism (no pun intended) we should not be surprised that this problem has affected the local church. While not all churches are this way, we would be naïve to act like it isn’t happening and that it has driven people away from the church.
I hope, pray, and intend to labor towards creating a church that is genuinely needed in Port Orange. A church that is seen as greatly contributing to the physical, spiritual, and cultural needs of our city. I would love to see God create a community of believers who once said, “I wanted nothing to do with Jesus, and especially his church; however my time at Restoration has helped me to see that I am a part of something that is greater than myself, something bigger than myself.”
That something is slowly becoming a reality in the city of Port Orange. We are expecting, and believing, that God is going to use us to bring a piece of his Kingdom to our city.
Over the next weeks I intend to share our values with you. These values will help you to see how we intend to make the vision you have just read about a reality in Port Orange.
So, what do you think?
outside the gate 
I’d like to hear about some of the practical ways you intend on being needed by the community.
Sure Lee.
There are four primary ways we plan to be a blessibng to our community.
1. Meaningful Relationships. We have already challenged the core team to share their lives with people in all of their spheres of influence.
2. Civic Service. When the time is right, we intend to let our local government know that we care about our city and will be available to help them in any way we can. A good example of this would be post hurricance clean up.
3. Adoption. We have already developed great partnerships with people in the community committed to adopting children. Through these partnerships we intend to see Restoration become a support system for people interested in caring for orphans.
4. Community Partnerships. Currently we have two girls overseeing how we can best serve our city by connecting with existing community services.
I’ll be blogging on this in greater detail in the future. Hope that helps.