Intro to the 1 Accord Project

(Images & logo will be uploaded later, but feel free to read on...)

About 5 months ago was the peak of activity for a new ministry that has been on my heart for about a year and a half.

The vision wasn't for another church. (There are enough churches. Couldn't we all agree?)

In fact, it's kind of unsettling within me when I hear the word church to describe either a church building or a ministry. In it's truest, biblical form the word "church" is best defined as the collection of every Christ-follower.

If you really wanted a strict definition from me, it would be this: the ONLY Christian church is the universal church. These groups of believers that make up what are commonly known as "churches" are simply part of the true church.

In my opinion, "churches" as we know them are fractions of the church or calling them ministry centers would be even more accurate.

Have I lost you yet?

Of course, I don't despise the usage of the word "church" in common venacular, I just think it is misleading and steers away from a much more beautiful idea.

And, I believe in my core, that the biblical idea of church has been, at worst, at worst and, at best, making a slow resurgence in the local culture of Elizabeth City, NC.

There are churches who are looking to reach outside the confines of their buildings. There are few others who are looking to partner with other churches in order to make a bigger impact.

In a nutshell, that is what I see the 1 Accord Project doing:

Partnering churches together for a deeper and wider impact in our city.

For most of you (outside of about 30-40 people), this may be the first time you've ever heard that Jenny and I were considering starting a ministry.

It would be what is known as a parachurch ministry, which is simply a ministry that works alongside of the church and is not a replacement for a faith community.

Speaking of such, there are over 100 churches in Elizabeth City. Few are large (say more than 200 people), many have less than 100 average attendees (some have 20-40).

There are more black churches than there are white churches. 

(And yes, just like Martin Luther King, Jr. said more than 40 years ago, Sunday is still the most segregated time in our city.Think about it. Have you ever been to a church more than once or twice of another racial makeup?)

There is a 1-square mile near downtown that has a whopping 20 churches!!

Here's the heart of the 1 Accord Project (in the form of questions):

• What if churches worked together?
• What if the Church (as defined  before) came together and combined their efforts, finances and prayer towards the same goals in EC?
• What if these resources could be combined and sent to organizations like the food bank, homeless shelters, pregnancy centers, etc?
• What if Christ-followers from all different churches volunteered together at those non-profits not as members of "so-and-so church" but as Christ-followers?
• What if churches sent their people on mission trips with other churches for a greater world impact?

Doesn't that sound like the true ministry of the church?

One question that's been sitting in my spirit for a week is this:

How has the church made the simple but incorrect twist that the Great Commission ("Go into all the world and make disciples...") is all about having people (preferrably ones not connected to a church) "come and see" what's going on at your church from the true meaning of THE CHURCH "going, doing and telling?"

"SOUNDS GREAT! LET'S GO!!"

Hold tight. Most of us are not ready.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN? GET 'EM TOGETHER AND LET'S GO!"

It is my firm belief that not only does the church not do enough in their local communities (and even less together with other churches), but that when they do go their people aren't ready anyway.

Let me give you an example.

I set up a simple outreach on the Outer Banks about a decade ago where our students from Asheville would hand out bottled water (that, of course, had scripture taped over the label) to anyone who wanted one on the beach.

Tracts are awkward. Scripture on a bottle of water is less awkward, right?

Although that may be true, one glaring fact remained after our "outreach."

Not one of us engaged in a meaningful conversation with a person that we gave a bottle to. We had some ask, "what church do y'all go to?" But, other than that, not much.

That's disappointing but, I should've counted myself relieved.

"Relieved?! Why?"

My students weren't ready.  They had a simple job that was carried out with a church t-shirt on. Anybody could've done it. But few of them were ready, as Peter says,

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15)

When you do outreach you need to have your stories straight: God's story (what the Bible teaches us) and our story (how Christ has changed our lives).

As part of 1 Accord, I developed a 3-month seminar that teaches Christ-followers four basic things (or the 4 G's):

1. The basics of the gospel and God's Word
2. How to live a God-honoring lifestyle and why it's important
3. How to craft your story and discover your unique gifts
4. How to utilize those gifts in order to go, serve and share your faith

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That gap in space represents the past 5 months since we have temporarily halted the launch of the 1 Accord Project.

Jenny and I are still searching for a church home and sincerely believe that within the confines of a thriving ministry is where 1 Accord belongs.

Also, we praying for Christ-followers to have the same burning desire that we have.

Who cares where people go to church? The most important thing is actually showing and sharing the power of Christ to our community, is it not?

That power is not displayed by a message, music or small groups, is it?

It is when the believers leave the church building and act as the CHURCH. Fully armed and ready to serve.

Church attendance has little to do with community impact if the people within a church building only bring people to church in order for the pastor or preacher to convince them to faith.

Mmm. I would love to see a diverse Church, with unlimited power (through God's Spirit) and burgeoning resources to come together for the good of EC, not the good of their church.

I'll leave you with this.

If Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, then what is the Church?

Are we not the image of the (now) invisible Jesus?

If that's true, how could we do ministry as a Church together differently so that everyone in our city knows that the Church is a powerful, graceful, merciful and generous entity just as the God they serve?

That's gets me going. I think about that every time I drive through Elizabeth City.

How about you?