SHIFT Series reCAP: theVISION (Part 1)

(We're going to do this in two parts because I couldn't decide on what I could cut out an get the same message across.)


We just wrapped up our series called theVISION. The focus of the series was to lay out the vision that God has given to theSHIFT for serving the college/20 something community in Cheyenne & Laramie County, Wyoming. We spent three weeks talking about who we are, what we do, why we do what we do, how to answer God when He calls you and where we’re called to serve. So here’s the summary:


Week One – Who We Are


1. We are an Element Church Ministry. This means that we are under the authority and protection of Element Church. We will never teach in contradiction to Element Church, nothing crazy like “the mother ship will soon be here to take us home.” What this doesn't mean is that we are restricted from discussing the things that we need to talk about to help in our “shift” during this time of our life. You can view Element’s Mission, Vision and Core Values on their website (HERE).


Here are theSHIFT’s Mission, Vision and Core Values:


Mission: To connect Cheyenne's college/20 somethings to each other and ultimately with Christ.


Vision: To IMPACT our city's college/20 somethings in such a way that the “shift” into adult life is facilitated by a community of acceptance in which Christ's love is freely and fully experienced.


Core Values:
Connection: We all desire to be known. To be part of something that has both meaning and importance. A place in which others recognize us as individuals, but accept us as part of a group. theSHIFT provides a place with an atmosphere that is both inviting and approachable. Our Core Value of Connection fits within the Element one of Significance.


Community: When we feel like we're part of a group & accepted for who we are, then we start to care about those we are connected to. We begin to desire the best for others and the group as a whole. Within community you are able to invest in people and give to something bigger than you. Within community we get to experience love, loss, success, & failure together. We get to live life together and experience Christ with one another. Our Core Value of Community fits within the Element ones of Life, Family, Worship & Allegiance because Community is where all this is experienced. Community provides a culture in which all of this, to include accountability, fellowship and servant-hood occur naturally.


Challenge: It is natural to desire growth. When we are accepted into a community that loves us, we accept that others in that community will push us to be better. Community encourages us to challenge each other to grow. Challenge encourages us to look at where we are in our connection to others, but more so in our connection to Christ. Challenge causes us to desire more. More connection, more community, more Christ. Our Core Value Challenge fits within the Element one Change.


2. We are a College Ministry. This means we are here to serve the college community in the city of Cheyenne and Laramie County, specifically at Laramie County Community College (LCCC).


3. We are a 20 somethings Ministry. We are also called to serve Cheyenne & Laramie County’s young (20 something) adult community. Through reaching the students at LCCC we will be connected to other 20 somethings throughout our area.


4. We are a Ministry. We will ALWAYS preach the Gospel and point to the redemptive work that Christ did on the cross and the life available to us through His resurrection, though we are undeserving. We will NEVER compromise on this or apologize for it.


That was just the first week. Tomorrow I'll post Part 2 which will cover the other three weeks.


Believing in theVISION,
Bruce