THE MISSION OF CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH

As followers of Jesus Christ
we partner with our neighbors
to experience God's transforming love.


THE MISSIONAL PRIORITIES OF CENTRAL
In this mission, these priorities focus how we will live out our faith as a community:

Diversity and Inclusion: 
We intentionally deepen and widen our circle to include more experiences, and perspectives
to reflect the limitless beauty of the Image of God in and beyond us.
God's transforming love calls us to continually expand our definition of neighbor.

Creativity and The Arts:
We seek and embrace creativity in all our practices,
knowing that the God who creates beauty in love calls and empowers us to do the same.
God's transforming love inspires us to make beauty,
to see God in the beauty around us, and to see one another as beautiful.

Wholeness and Flourishing:
We see in the scriptures, and especially in the ministry of Jesus,
God's longing for us to be whole and complete and fruitful. 
God's transforming love created us beloved and whole.
God's Spirit works with ours to redeem and restore the chaotic and disrupted.


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The Mission of Central Christian Church of Dallas: As followers of Jesus Christ we partner with our neighbors to experience God’s transforming love. This expression of our particular mission here at Central was crafted by the Elders over the spring and summer of 2018. Our invitation to the congregation and community is to join in pursuit of this mission. In the process we will focus on three particular Mission Priorities which are part of our legacy, are essential to our present, and we believe will strengthen our future. They are commitments that give particular shape to our core practices of Worship, Discipleship, Fellowship, Evangelism and Outreach. These priorities are being articulated as: Diversity and Inclusion, Creativity and the Arts, Wholeness and Flourishing. A brief word about each:


Diversity and Inclusion: Central expresses this in a variety of ways. though the congregation is predominately Caucasian and some folks might not look at us and think, “Wow, that’s a diverse group!” We are diverse in income and education and in political philosophies. We are fully inclusive of women and men in leadership, and of both straight and gay folks at all levels of leadership. These are significant priorities that distinguish us from many congregations in our community. We also currently have 4 different worship services on weekends which represent racial, ethnic and age diversity – Sundays: 11am Sanctuary Service, 10am Berean Ethiopian Church, 9am service in the Dog Park, and Saturday 6pm with The Gathering. That’s over 100 people per weekend worshipping on campus and online.  We strive to serve people with a variety of physical and intellectual abilities – specifically though not exclusively through our partnership with Connecting Point.


Creativity and The Arts:   Obviously we have wonderful music in worship, with talented musicians and vocalists focused on traditional church music but extending their range periodically. Our legacy theatre program Westside Players is currently dormant, but numerous folks would love to see its revival. A Sanctuary Drama Team is in development now! Last summer we hosted a two week Summer Showtunes Broadway camp and we’re hopeful to serve a much larger group in summer 2019 focused on kids from Maple Lawn and Rusk. We have several incredibly talented painters and there’s talk of a gallery show this Fall with consignment pieces. We have drawn creative dancers and cooks, and innovative entrepreneurs.


Wholeness and Flourishing:  We may not be accustomed to using these terms, but we certainly know their meaning, and when they are present or not. We seek wholeness when we encourage physical health and wellness through tai chi classes (and soon yoga). We support wholeness when we host 12 step groups where individuals work together to achieve and maintain sobriety. We encourage flourishing through our partnership with Connecting Point – a program designed to help individuals and families living with disability to pursue their fullest potential in life. Our current Dog Park and former community garden are both expressions of seeking wholeness and flourishing through our partnership with God at work in creation. When we welcome people who have historically been marginalized and oppressed in society and even in the church – including the disabled, immigrants, people of color, and the LGBT community – we are supporting their wholeness and flourishing as well as our own.

A quick look back at our 2017 Community Impact Report shares even more of the story of how we partner with our neighbors. Click on the link or get your printed copy at the church.


The Invitation: God continues to call us forward in mission and ministry in this community, in fact a nexus of 6 distinct communities. The Mission Statement and Missional Priorities help clarify why and how we go and do our work together with one another, our neighbors, and of course with God. In the process we work to build God’s kingdom on earth as in heaven, glorify God, lift up Jesus whom we follow and serve, and share the transforming light, love and power of God’s Holy Spirit. What better way could there be for us to spend our lives and all that God has given?

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Simon Sinek - The Golden Circle
In developing these thoughts, we have been 
   making use of Simon Sinek's Golden Circle:


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Why – Core Mission (purpose)

How – Core Priorities (values focus)

What – Core Practices (actions)



​​The Result? – Core Vision (Who will we become?)
A description of our future state. Sometimes described as a future story or “a day in the life” in the future, perhaps 5, 10, or 25 years from now.
“In 2025, Central Christian Church will be known as a hub of community life were diverse people and groups gather and collaborate with creativity and innovation to enhance life for all humanity and creation. In particular we will…”

Who’s in charge here? -- Seasons and epochs in our lives are market by transitions in leadership. We ask who is responsible, who is in charge, and point fingers it the direction of authority. Sometimes we point toward ourselves, other times we point to someone in charge, or an individual or group who has taken action and ownership of decisions. Scripture demonstrates these transitions, different ways that people respond, and how we are called as followers and leaders. Ultimately we look to God as revealed through Jesus as our leader, and take responsibility for our own decisions and their consequences.
TEXTS: Exodus 16:2-7; Ephesians 4:1-7  (Also: 1 Corinthians 3) 

Inspired by "I Know Him" from Hamilton by Lin Manuel Miranda, sung by Jonathan Groff.

The lyrics of this brief song echo sentiments expressed by the religious and political rules of first century Jerusalem and Galilee - "Who does this Jesus think he is? He's not qualified to exercise authority. We knew him way back when... And he's certainly not the first and won't likely be the last to claim the title of Chosen Leader (i.e. Messiah or Christ).  GOOD LUCK!!!"

The song also invites us to reflect upon our own lives and who exercises leadership and authority. As we grow up we transition this role from our parents and other adults to ourselves. U.S. culture encourages us to think that we are the masters of our own domain, captains of our own destiny. While there is truth in this, it also reveals an arrogance that rejects the role others play in our lives. We continue to need mentors and advisers and coaches. Those who have found healing through the 12 Steps of AA recognize the need for a power outside ourselves to help us in those areas of life where we experience powerlessness - whether that's addiction to substances, or failure in relationships, or an inability to manage finances, or a lack of hope. It is at these places where we are invited to recognize God as the leader, guide and source.​