What is The Overflow? Part 8

UNITY: One body, one vision
1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:1-6; Philippians 2:1-2; Colossians 3:15-17; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 3:8

FAITH: Pray and pursue
Matthew 17:19-21; Luke 18:27; Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 3:10-12; Philippians 4:4-7; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 11:6; Hebrews 12:1-2

As I conclude this series of posts, I hope you've been able to gain a better understanding of who we are as a church. We are more than just a group of people who meet together at a school and use contemporary music. We truly believe God is calling us to be a movement of people committed to leading people towards Christ with overflowing love, and this vision is who we are, not simply something we talk about on Sunday morning!

These final two values bring everything together. It is our faith that God is going to do great things that keeps us united. It is our unity that enables us to have the faith needed to see God do great things!

Specifically in regard to unity, I want to make a few specific comments. All churches strive to have unity; however, we believe can never value "unity" over the vision. From my experience, some churches and Christians remain united around their comforts instead of the vision God has given them. This type of unity is not healthy. As a result, they are unwilling to take steps of faith because they fear the unity may be hindered. The Overflow strives to keep our church unified and in continual pursuit of the vision, but if this pursuit requires us to take great steps of faith that may test our unity, we are okay with that. After all, we believe that God will keep those people unified who are truly committed to seeing lives changed.

Additionally, in an effort to keep our church unified around one vision, we have decided that everyone from middle-school students through the oldest members of our church, will remain united as one body (You can read more about our approach to student ministry on our website). Each person, regardless of their age, will have the opportunity to be an active ministry partner within The Overflow, not simply within an age-separated area. While we will have groups that are designed for different stages of life, but these groups will still function under the overarching vision of The Overflow Church.

As we strive to remain united in our vision, we also understand that we must have faith.

• First and foremost, we must have faith in God, His plans, and His abilities as affirmed in Scripture.

• Second, as a church, we have faith in our leadership to guide us as God directs. We believe that God calls certain people to function as leaders, and this calling is not something we take lightly (neither does the Bible). While we people each person has an important role within The Overflow, we believe God has gifted our leaders to lead as servant-leaders, and we will allow them to do that.
  
• Third, our faith means that we will pray as if it depends on God's power, and we will pursue our vision as if it depends on us.

Together, our unity, which is built on prayer and the continual pursuit of our vision, will enable us to lead people towards Christ with overflowing love!