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As we've seen, the best reason to start a new church community is to connect with people and gather them into a Christian community for the purpose of (1) enabling them to discover God's purpose for their lives and (2) to make an impact on their families, neighborhoods, communities, and the world.
But who are these people?
They are both men and women, from different ethnicities, backgrounds, and lifestyles. They are young and old people. They are married and single people. They are professionals and blue collar people. They are New Jersey people and Philadelphians. But what they have in common is that they are seeking God and believe they can't do that alone.
This seeking looks different for everyone. Some come from a traditional Christian religious background (Catholic, Protestant). Some come from outside the Christian tradition (secular, Jewish, Muslim, etc.).
Some of these people feel lost. Some know where they are, but seek deeper, truer meaning for their lives.
Some of these are hurting, broken, or emotionally needy. Others may be emotionally strong and healthy, and want to be in a position to minister and serve and walk with those in need.
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Some have confidence in God's goodness in their lives, and exude that confidence in their relationships. Others may be downcast, possibly even doubtful that God even cares about them. As a result may be angry.
Some have a good impression of the Christian church, but others may be fed up with the church for one reason or another, and need to be refreshed in the context of a healing community which is centered on God's Grace.
All the people of this new church will be committed to being a part of a dynamic movement of faith in South Jersey that is based on the power of God's grace to address our deepest needs. The way these needs will be addressed is tied to our core emphases (see figure above).
So, in the context of relationships, community, celebration, and an attitude of acceptance that invites the sharing of life's difficulties in true Christian love, God will build a Gospel-centered Christian fellowship of a diverse array of people that will have a dynamic impact on our part of the world.
