Almost 2 years ago now, God planted a seed in my heart for something huge, something too large for me, for my friend who has shared this same passion, and for our small church, LifePoint. Over the course of 2 years we’ve brainstormed over this, prayed about it and for whatever reason, it’s just never really taken flight. Maybe the timing hasn’t been right, maybe we aren’t the right people to get this off the ground, but this morning God re-awakened my passion and heart for this vision that He gave me several years ago. I think it’s time for me to let go of it and let it take flight and allow God to use it however He pleases.

I wish I had the ability to get it going myself, but I don’t, I need your help. It’s my hope that God will draw the right people to this page and that they will catch the same passion and heart that we have for all of this. When we initially started planning, we saw this as a ministry of LifePoint. And some day, it very well may be, but let me say from the start that we want no credit for this vision or for the far reaching implications and changed lives that may result. We give this vision back to God and ask Him to do His will and accomplish His purpose, whatever that may be and whatever that may look like. Perhaps there is someone reading this that knows how to make it all a reality, I don’t know.

Chances are, you have talents and resources we do not. Or if nothing else, you know of those that do or you may even be part of a church that does. If you feel God tugging at your heart to get involved with this, please take this model and show it to whoever you feel can help get the ball rolling. Undoubtedly, it’ll take developers, designers, writers, pastors, prayer warriors and just everyday people who are trying their best to live for Jesus and want to have an impact in the world around them.

I don’t even know where to start, or what the best way is to explain this, but if you’re still with me and want to know more, it may be best to start with a little back-story so you can understand where the following vision came from and what it was born out of. I wrote this a long time ago, but I hope it will give you an understanding of the vision God’s given us. Click here to read it. And while you’re reading it, please keep in mind that the original intent was for our church to launch this, so be thinking how you can use this idea or model in your own ministry. Once you’ve read this, hopefully the model below will make a little more sense.

The diagram above demonstrates your online website visitors, either to your church website or various ministries you’re a part of or possibly those people that stumble on your blog by accident, that are searching for answers. The steps below will describe what’s going on above in a little more detail and the people and organizations involved:

Step 1:
Design sites like whatsthepointoflife.com – filled with a visual representation of the gospel. Created with the sole intent of reaching the lost, hurting, and disillusioned with the hope of Jesus. Filled with practical (relative/relate-able) content, like videos (i.e. Nooma, Erwin McManus), discussion forums, live chat, etc. These could also be sites designed to address specific topics like divorce, death, sex, addictions, etc. People who are searching for answers may not go to a church website, but if there is contact there that catches the eye, there’s a good chance they’ll take the time to dig deeper.

Step 2:
Establish ContactPoints (web traffic helpers/communicators) who will reach out to these website visitors (PeoplePoints) to establish a relationship with them, provide resources, direction counseling, encouragement, etc. Our church receives many emails every month from people who are searching, who’ve accepted Christ or who have returned to Him as a result of listening to a sermon. If our little church of 150 has had this kind of impact, I’m sure larger ministries have seen this too. What are we doing to help these people? And if we are reaching out to them, does it go beyond surface level?

Step 3:
Establish ConnectionPoints globally (i.e. Missionaries, Tentmakers, Churches) that would be willing to go and meet one on one with our PeoplePoints to establish a personal relationship with them, point them to Jesus, help get them into ministry and ultimately help reach their friends and family with the gospel. This model may seem ‘social networking’ oriented, and it very well may be, but the core of it involves personal contact, something sorely lacking in today’s society. Most ministries focus on the areas surrounding them, which is totally fine, but what about the people that are impacted by your ministry in other parts of the country or even the world? Establishing these ConnectionPoints will help build a network of individuals and ministries that can meet them one on one, where they’re at.

Step 4:
Establish a very personal connection with our ConnectionPoints (mainly Missionaries and Tentmakers) to help fill the gaps that their mission boards and supporters at home often leave, and provide consistent, continual encouragement, resources and prayer. If you were in a foreign city with no family or friends or possibly even fellow Christians, you think you would have a hard time adjusting and adapting? Surely Missionaries have needs, more than financial ones that their mission boards cannot begin to fulfill. I’ve heard firsthand from so many who just desperately want personal contact and communication with people from home. This is just a side-step to all points above, but one I think is an integral part to all of this as well.

- – - – - – - – - -

This “model” may not be new, perhaps it’s been developed by much more talented individuals than us, but if it exists, we could not find it anywhere. The closest thing we did see were church CRM packages that help you get people in your doors… which is a good thing, but leaves a gaping hole. What about all the people that would never think to step foot in a church, no matter how convenient, casual or comfortable it is?

To some, I’m sure this all seems like a pipe dream and perhaps it is. I live in the south where there is literally a church on every corner, yet I’ve never seen churches work together to share God’s love. Never. Perhaps unity exists elsewhere, but I doubt it. For some reason our churches are in competition mode, striving to be bigger and better, offer more programs and activities. Be cool, be hip, be trendy. But is that the point? Is that what the great commission was all about? IS THAT THE CHURCH GOD INTENDED?

So like I said at the beginning, I don’t know what to do with all of this, but I felt God prompting me to at least get something out there. A cry for help if nothing more. In a perfect world I envision our churches working together to reach the world with the love of Christ. And no, I’m not talking about ushering in the Ecumenical Movement. I’m talking about doctrinally sound churches partnering together (despite perhaps, differences of non-stated Biblical preferences) to reach those who are actively searching for hope.

I know this has been a long post, I don’t know how to condense it. I’m horrible at this, I know. But I don’t know what else to do. This whole thing has been on my heart and mind for years now and I don’t know what to do with it. I feel like I’m just throwing up all over my blog, but I felt led to do it. If you have any ideas, or would like to take the torch and run with it, I would love to talk with you. You’ll find me on Twitter via @nathanduvall or you can email me here.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.