A Church FOR the City

So last night kicked off Austin Stone Community Church's Vision Series. Every year around this time we have a vision series to focus as a church on what our vision is for the church. This year our focus is being a church FOR the city.

Austin Stone is in the process of purchasing land to build a permant home. It is located at St. Johns and IH35. It will be right in the heart of one of the poorest areas in Austin. Matt our pastor really has a vision for a church to be a church that is FOR the city! He doesn't want us to be another suburbian church thats disjointed from other people. We need to be in the midst of the poor and the lost just like Jesus was. And I can't be more excited about the idea.

So last night was our Prayer service to kick off the vision series and our main focus was that Jesus be at the heart of all we do. Our love for him is where our heart needs to be. We aren't preparing for all this stuff just to build a church, or to fund for the church, or to be a church for the city for that matter....our focus is that we love Jesus and that is where our heart lies and we are doing what we are doing because we love him.

Matt was encouraging us last night to get fired up about this, not only in worshiping Christ but even in prayer. But the best part of the night is when Matt told us to get on our knees and close our eyes and go back to that time when you first met Jesus' eyes. And how your life has completely changed since then. Do you remember that moment? Or that feeling or remember what it was like to first really know HIM?! I think alot of people there last night were overcome with emotion when we went back there, as was I. How thankful He chose me! How my life would not have been the same without Him. I am truely BLESSED!

Now starts the time that we be a church FOR the city, not a church thats in a city or apart of the city, but a church that is serving the city.

So I leave you with these words from Chris Tomlin that really show how there is hope for our cities! If you haven't heard it...go download it...its AMAZING!


You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You Are

For there is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

Greater things have yet to come
Great things are still to be done
In this city
Greater things are still to come
And greater things are still to be done here

You're the Lord of Creation
The Creator of all things
You're the King above all Kings
You Are
You're the strength in our weakness
You're the love to the broken
You're the joy in the sadness
You Are

Greater things have yet to come
Great things are still to be done
In this city
Where glory shines from hearts alive
With praise for you and love for you
In this city

Greater things have yet to come
Great things are still to be done
In this city
Greater things are still to come
And greater things are still to be done here