1. NLCC VISION SEPTEMBER 2013

2. Introduction. We are newly underway as a church - we are heading out of the harbour, we are under sail, but where are we heading? What is our vision? What are we hoping to achieve?

3. What is Vision? Vision is the church I dream of, the church I long to be part of, the church I'm excited about building.

4. Four Key Words

5. Sowing You’d think if we had the best news in the world, we’d want to tell everyone about it, because there is no limit to its provision! 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 1 Corinthians 3: 10

6. Sowing & Timescale The timing of the fruit is not in our hands. We learn in 1 Cor 3: 6 that ‘Paul planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but GOD made it grow’! We also know that God’s word will never return void. (Is 55: 11).

7. Growing 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28: 19: 20.

8. Showing When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. 1 Corinthians 2: 1 - 5

9. Going Here is what God spoke into my life on 17 th June 2011: “Your calling is a unique calling. I have sent you to Ipswich: it is a mission field, and a mission-sending field. Many will come to know me personally in Ipswich, and some will go – even to the ends of the earth. The vision is to encourage people to dream their dreams & step out in them as God directs. Be releasing not enslaving, send people, encourage them – don't hold them back”.

10. What is the vision of this church? It is to sow seeds of the gospel, the good news of God, whenever we can and wherever we go. It is to build people up into mature disciples of God. It is to ask and allow the Holy Spirit to move amongst us in power. It is to release people as God directs, into all that He has got for them.