Connecting to Bless RVA“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill

cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14

Revised in 2016 James AndersonDon Coleman

Richmond, Virginia

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Forward

RVA’s Christian community is comprised of many diverse individuals, families and churches. Churches are comprised of people who are gifted, designed and called by God differently. Although diverse, we all share God’s vision and purpose for each of us – to glorify Him by loving people. As local churches own this vision together, it becomes clear that some congregations are the feet of our local Christian community, some are the eyes, and some are the hands. In 1 Corinthians 12, the scriptures affirm this truth—that we are uniquely different yet one body.

Also true is that RVA’s Christian community is the primary vehicle that God uses to advance His kingdom into Metropolitan Richmond. Hence, cooperation between our local congregations is critical. Instead of cooperation between churches, isolation is often the reality. May God’s grace and mercy heal the isolation that exists between congregations of Catholic Christians and Protestant Christians and between Christians of different ethnicities in a way that glorifies and honors Him. This healing will enhance our effectiveness in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, in serving the poor and needy, and in articulating God’s protective moral standards all across our region. Don and I have written this brief document for RVA’s Christian leaders. As our local Christian leaders build authentic relationships that bridge denominational, racial and economic differences, congregations will follow. May the day come when each congregation’s greatest cheerleaders in glorifying God will be the other congregations surrounding it.

For His Glory, James C. Anderson

“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven”. This scripture has gripped my life for many years. Therefore, when James asked me to co-author this document, I was humbled yet confident that our Father would give us the grace to write it. As a native Richmonder, my passion for “City Transformation” is deep and sincere. I personally do not profess to be a writer but a “pray-er”. Hours upon hours I have cried out to our Father God that ‘His kingdom would come and His will would be done’ in the city where He has called me to serve, Richmond, Virginia. My hope and prayer is, as you

read these pages, your passion for a Christ-centered transformation of Metropolitan Richmond would be awakened like never before!

Agape, Don Coleman

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Table of Contents: Page

Glossary of Terms 4

Introduction 8

1. The Gospel of Jesus Christ 10

2. God Relates to Individuals and Groups 14

3. Why is Church-to-Church Relationship Critical? 19

4. Jesus prayed, “…that they may be one as we are.” 22

5. The State of our Cities 25

6. Leadership Groups in Metropolitan Richmond 30

7. RVA’s Christian Community 32

8. RVA’s Christian Leadership 34

9. RVA’s Churches Cheerleading Each Other 36

10. Today’s Pastor: Little Time for Friendships 39

11. Practical Steps 41

12. To Do Our Best 46

Statement of Faith 48

Thoughts and Concepts 49

Footnotes 50

here are no restrictions on re roducin this docu ent. t is our ho e that it ill be used for the lory of od throu h our ord esus hrist. less nc. incastle ourt

ich ond ublished this docu ent. e are ery than ful to ic rot n el rauter an hris al e and ason al e for their assistance ith editin . his docu ent

can be re roduced fro .blessr a.co .

Authors: James Anderson: james.anderson.md@gmail.com 804-276-9305 ex.221 Don Coleman: pastrdon@verizon.net 804-339-0745

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Glossary of Terms

1. A Christian or a believer is an individual who has repented of their sin and has received forgiveness through the redeeming work at the Cross by Jesus Christ (Romans 10: 9-10, Acts 4:10-12). A Christian or a believer refers to male or female but in this document the male gender will be inclusive of both.

2. A church, parish or local assembly all refer to a congregation of believers and seekers. This document will use the term church as inclusive of all three.

3. Pastor, Reverend and Priest are leaders of local churches. This document will use the term Pastor as inclusive of all three.

4. The Body of Christ, the Christian community and the Church (capital ‘c’) refer to all believers collectively or to all local churches collectively in the same geographical area.

5. City, locality, region and community will be referred to synonymously. All refer to large and small groups of people living and interacting together in the same geographical location.

6. Metropolitan Richmond, Metro-Richmond, Central Virginia and RVA (Richmond, VA) all refer to the area that includes the City of Richmond and the neighboring counties that surround the city.

7. Christian leadership is defined by Christ-likeness and serving others. It includes those professionally trained and those in the lay community. It includes those in churches and those in para-church ministries.

8. Love defined Biblically is sacrificial giving, is serving, is caring, is initiatory and is generous. Love is unconditional acceptance and gratefulness for another.

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It is honoring others more highly than oneself. Love is an intentional choice and dedicated commitment towards another person. Love is, ‘my life for you instead of your life for me’. Love is treating every person with value because they are created in the image of God. Love is not synonymous with trust. Love does not involve expectations. American culture has redefined love and made it about our wants or desires. People might say, ‘I love that car’ and really mean, ‘I want that car’. There is no sacrificial concept or generosity in this cultural use of the word love. The advertising and entertainment industries in America have used this notion of love to manipulate today’s culture into this self-centered perspective of love.

9. Trust defined Biblically is a relationship dynamic thatinvolves vulnerability. Trust believes in anotherperson’s character. Trust is confidence in someone’sjudgment, their motives and their love. Trust involvesexpectations and hope. Trust creates a dependency. It isan investment into relationship development. Trust iscritical because it is the doorway into relationshipconnectedness and into relationship intimacy.Relationship intimacy refers to being valuable, special,unique and belonging. From a scriptural perspective,trust and faith are the same relationship dynamic. Totrust God, or to have faith in God, is to honor Godbecause we are making a statement about His infinitecharacter and attributes.

When trust is fractured, there is pain. The pain ofbroken trust can cause some people to refuse to take therisks inherent of trust. American culture has notredefined trust but has become very stingy with trust.People often choose to be very critical and cynical as anexcuse to avoid the vulnerability of trust. Anotherstrategy to avoid trust is to maintain relationshipisolation that neither requires nor builds trust.Sometimes people use the pain of fractured trust as an

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excuse to live selfishly. When ‘every man does that which is right in his own eyes’, because of a breakdown of trust, then there is anarchy.

. Authentic relationships are relationships that involvegodly character with the relationship dynamics ofsacrificial love and vulnerable trust.

. Unity, or being one, or oneness, is a byproduct or fruit;it is not an achievable goal. Unity is the wonderfulconsequence of authentic relationships, in the context ofgodly character, with a shared-vision and a passion forGod’s glory. Unity is the overflow from the sacrificiallove and vulnerable trust between Christians whoseforemost purpose in life is to glorify God in everythingthey do. Unity is blessed by God and is evidence to theworld of Christ’s divinity. It is never achieved byconformity and cannot be fabricated.

. Relationship realm, relationship world orrelationship reality are used in this document as anumbrella term to refer to or describe the relationshipvalue and atmosphere that exists between two or moreindividuals. The individuals can be spouses, siblings,friends or strangers. It is also used to describe both therelationship value and atmosphere that exists within theTrinity as well as the relationship between God and aperson. The foundation of a Biblical relationship realmis the truth that each individual is of infinite value, madein God’s image, for God’s glory. A rich and fulfillingrelationship reality is dependent on the godly characterof each individual and each individual’s commitment tothe relationship dynamics of love and trust. Joy andunity are byproducts of a Biblical relationship realm.

. God’s kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy iswhere God’s influence, His ways and His will reign.The Body of Christ, or each local Christian community,

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is one vehicle that God uses to bring His kingdom to the earth: into the societies, the cultures, the communities and the cities of each nation.

14. Transformation occurs when the prayer of Jesus isbeing fulfilled: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be donein earth, as it is in heaven”. Transformation occurswhen Christ-centered change and Biblical truthspermeate every area of a region or a city: government,corporate, entertainment, education, home, health-care,legal, media and religious. Christians haveresponsibilities in this process but ultimatelytransformation is dependent on the sovereignty andgrace of God.

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Introduction Life is about God, who He is and what He has done in the past, does today in the present and will do tomorrow in the future. Our purpose in life is to glorify Him and to enjoy Him forever. God, the Author of life, has made life about relationship. This is clearly the central theme as John records Jesus’ departing statements and instructions before His crucifixion and resurrection. In the Gospel of John, Chapters 14-17, Jesus reveals truths about the Trinity and the relationship realm between the Father, Himself and the Holy Spirit. Jesus gives the disciples clear instructions on how to live in relationship with the Trinity and with the people in their lives.

If Don and I were to write a summary paragraph of John 14-17, it would read like this: Through the forgiveness offered to us by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we are invited into the relationship realm within the Trinity.1 Each Person of the Trinity -- God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, is distinct and is equally and fully God; yet, they are One Divine Being.2 The relationship realm that exists between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is one of infinite sacrificial love and vulnerable trust.3 This relationship realm between the Three is life giving and overflows towards us.4 This overflow from within the Trinity courses through us to build life-giving relationships with others.5 The fruit of this relationship reality is joy and oneness (unity).6 The harmony of this is so attractive and stunning that it testifies of Jesus’ divinity.7 Jesus knew that if we built a relationship realm of sacrificial love and vulnerable trust, ‘the world would know that the Father had sent Him’. This relationship reality invites the very presence of God into our midst.8 The Presence of God -- this is the change-agent that we so desperately need.9 John writes in Revelation that the glory of God is the light of Heaven.10 What is this glory that lights Heaven? One aspect of this glory is the radiance and magnificence of God’s infinite character and attributes. God’s character and attributes are mesmerizingly

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stunning and brilliant. Another aspect of this glory is the overflowing and inviting harmony of the relationship realm within the Trinity. The harmony of infinite love and trust that exists between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit radiates glory and magnificence. This too is beyond superlatives and is part of the explosive glory of God that lights Heaven. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are completely other-centered with love and trust towards each other. There is no self-centeredness within each Person of the Trinity. In the relationship realm of the Three Persons of the Trinity, they ‘glorify’ each other. They honor one another and overflow with thanksgiving for each other. As Jesus was preparing for His return to His Father, He prayed that He would glorify His Father, “Father, the hour is come: glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee”.11 Jesus Christ came to earth to glorify God.12 The Holy Spirit’s ministry is also to glorify God.13 Every Christian’s purpose is to glorify God with their life.14 A Christian will glorify God by finishing the specific works that God has planned for him.15 Because God is the essence of love, the specific works that God has prepared for us will be expressions of His love towards people. Just like Jesus, a Christian will glorify God by loving people.16

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1 The Gospel of Jesus Christ

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is “the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile”. The revelation of Jesus Christ remains the most powerful dynamic an individual, a city or a nation can experience. The very “gates of hell shall not prevail against it”.17 May God’s great grace enable Metro-Richmond’s Christian community, comprised of many diverse individuals, families and local churches, to be a conduit for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to do its redemptive and restorative work in the lives of those who live in Metropolitan Richmond.

Over the last thirty years, we have come to realize that the Christian community of Metropolitan Richmond has an amazing opportunity as well as a huge challenge before it. As in most cities and communities of this nation, the congregations of RVA’s Christian community have been disconnected from each other for almost three centuries. It is still true today that many churches in RVA’s Christian community have very little interaction with each other. Our hope is, instead of the isolation that often exists between local churches, the day will come when cooperation and partnerships between RVA’s churches are the norm. This hope will become a reality when ‘authentic relationship intentionality’ and a shared vision ‘to glorify God by loving people’ are the foundation for local congregations to serve this area together. Only the grace of God can build a well-connected Christian community that will be an earthly structure bringing healing to individuals, families and Metropolitan Richmond. We have written this document to help fuel the passion of this local Christian community to become a channel for Christ’s truth, influence and care to bless our region. With heart-felt desire, may we all echo Christ’s prayer “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”.18

God’s plan for Metropolitan Richmond could be viewed as a three-step growth process. First, an individual begins a relationship with God through receiving forgiveness. Second, believers grow in

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relationship with other believers who have received God’s forgiveness. Third, God cares about those who have not received His forgiveness. He uses believers to introduce non-believers to a life-giving relationship with God through His forgiveness. a. The first step of God’s desire for Metropolitan Richmond is for each person to experience a life-changing relationship with God. This relationship begins once an individual repents and receives the forgiveness offered through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.19 A Christian is simply a person who has received God’s offer of forgiveness. God uses Christians who are committed to following Jesus and have experienced His grace. This occurs through a surrender of oneself to know Jesus experientially, by believing His promises, and following His ways.20 The evidence of an individual’s relationship with God is observable by their love for Jesus Christ and His truth and by their love for other people. b. After experiencing God’s forgiveness, God, the Author of relationship, desires for us to live in relationship with Him and with other believers. We are designed by Him for relationships of sacrificial love and vulnerable trust. He is the source of our relationship love and trust. The byproducts of this relationship realm with God and other believers are a growing joy and oneness (unity). God desires joy and unity among His people. To understand the relationships we are to build while here on Earth, we must understand what the scriptures reveal about the Trinity. Each Person of the Trinity - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, is infinite in attributes and character.21 Each is fully and equally God and yet they are One Divine Being. The relationship dynamics experienced between God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, each of whom is infinite in character and attributes, are sacrificial love and vulnerable trust.22 As unlimited, never-ending love and trust flows between each Person of the Trinity, the resultant relationship realm overflows with joy and unity. The harmony, beauty and radiance of this relationship realm are beyond our comprehension. Yet, through the forgiveness offered to us by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we are

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invited into this marvelous and stunning relationship realm of the Trinity and it becomes our source to build a relationship realm that glorifies and honors God here on Earth. The vision to glorify God with our life binds the Christian community together in mutual purpose. As we desire to glorify God and build a relationship realm of sacrificial love and vulnerable trust with others who are like-minded, then unity and joy are byproducts. Unity and joy cannot be fabricated; they are wonderful consequences from Christ-centered authentic relationships. As authentic relationships and shared vision erase denominational, ethnic, and economic boundaries, unity and joy will grow. By intentionally developing authentic relationships with Christians who want to honor God, unity and joy will become evident in RVA’s Christian community. This will be the harmony of relationship that will cause RVA’s Christian community to become a ‘light on a hill’ to our region. God desires unity among believers.23 Unity, a byproduct of a Biblical relationship realm, testifies to the world that God sent Jesus Christ to rescue us.24

c. God cares about those who have not experienced Hisforgiveness. Just as the Father sent Jesus, Jesus has sent us tobe ambassadors of His love and forgiveness to non-believers.25

God uses Christians in Metropolitan Richmond to be His ambassadors to our region. RVA’s Christian community includes all the diverse individuals and families that comprise the many Christian congregations of Central Virginia. Authentic relationships built on godly character with a shared vision for His glory are the foundation for collaborations. The harmony of this is very attractive to the non-believer. A well-connected Christian community exists when congregations are linked in relationship and vision. It is only through a well-connected Christian community that the tremendous needs of our region can be affected with the love of Christ.26 God cares about Metro-Richmond.27 The Christian community of this region is a vehicle for an expression of His care and is intended to be “a light to the world”.28 Different expressions of God’s care will emerge from tangible partnerships in areas of

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prayer, service and evangelism. Only the love of Jesus Christ can bring healing to the deep pain, anger and hopelessness that is so pervasive in our region. Our city and counties will be blessed when God’s truth and grace flow through a well-connected Christian community to permeate every area of our region and culture. It is our hope, that by God’s grace, a Christ-centered transformation (awakening or revival) of Central Virginia will follow this blessing.29

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2God Relates to Individuals and Groups

The intention of this document is to help RVA’s Christians develop a vision of local churches and ministries working together to bless and serve our region together. A shared regional-vision makes sense when understood in the context of God’s value for people and His priority on relationships. God desires ‘for us to love people who have not experienced Christ’s forgiveness’ and, ‘for us to love people who are very different from ourselves’. God uses the people in our lives to develop a sense of relationship orientation to life. His plan is to continuously enlarge our capacity to love and trust others. The people used by God to prepare us and enlarge us come from the groups that we would identify as family, church, community, city or nation.

Before the creation, there was relationship.30 God is the author of life.31 Life is about relationship.32 American culture today says life is about success and success is measured by one’s power, position, wealth or fame. In this environment, relationships are devalued in the pursuit of success. God has designed life in such a way, that our relationships or our love for people are the only things that have eternal value.33 Our power, position, wealth or fame has no eternal value unless used as an expression of love to serve others. This truth was affirmed by Paul in his letters to the Christian community in Corinth. Even though they were very gifted in prophecy and faith, even though they were very generous and sacrificial, it all counted for nothing if they did not love one another.34 God has chosen to relate with the human race through a personal relationship with individuals.35 Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross is the doorway into this relationship with God as we receive His forgiveness.36 He loves and knows us individually, and sees us as unique and valuable to Him.37 This personal relationship is the centerpiece of a Christian’s life and is the foundation for all other relationships.38

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As an individual experiences God’s initiatory and unconditional love, they will experience self-acceptance.39 In response to God’s love for him, a Christian will fall in love with God. 40 From this foundation, an individual will learn to value relationships and to love people. God will work in our lives, throughout our lifetime, enlarging our capacity to love people. We must understand that our relationship with God (or lack thereof) affects our relationship with people. If we receive the unbounded and infinite love God has towards us, we will then be able to love others. If we do not receive God's love, then we will look for love and affirmation from those around us. This creates unrealistic expectations and pressures that tend to undermine relationships rather than build them. God’s purpose over our lifetime is to change us to be like Christ. This means that God’s plan for us is ‘to grow in the character of Christ’ and ‘to mature to love like Christ’.41 God uses the joys, the pains and the challenges of the relationships in our lives to mold us into this Christ-likeness. God uses the exhaustion of relationship to make us stronger for relationship just as the exhaustion of physical exercise makes us stronger physically. Our purpose in this life is to glorify God.42 As said earlier, a Christian will glorify God by loving people. God has commanded us to love people.43 It is almost impossible to love people due to our own inherent selfishness; but, God will give grace and teach us to love sacrificially.44 As we choose to love people, our lives will be changed. This growth process will create an ever-enlarging dependency and trust in God.45 As our trust in Him leads to obedience in our relationships, God is glorified and honored. A commitment to love others will not only be a source of joy but will also act as a rudder to help guide us into the very works that God has created for us. There are four distinct groups of people that God has placed around us in order to accomplish His purpose in our lives. We are changed into the image of Christ as we learn to relate appropriately within each of these four groups.46 These four groups are:

1. Family47

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2. Christian community or local church48

3. City or community49

4. Nation50

God designed the family and has a purpose for it even though we humans often reject His plan. The rejection of God’s plan has created much pain and life-long heartache for many. By God’s design, the family was to be the beginning of our relationship orientation to life. The family is to be the first place where we would learn about and experience love and trust. It is in the family that our sense of belonging develops which causes us to value intimacy and commitment in our relationships.51 In family interactions, we learn to forgive and to communicate. The family is where we gain an understanding that a higher priority should be placed on others rather than on our individual happiness.52 It is in the family that we learn that authority is to be protective and not to be self-serving.53 These lessons will prepare us to have fulfilling lifetime relationships with God and with people. If we do not learn them in our family of origin, even though it will be tougher, God can teach us through other significant relationships. Next, in Christian community, which is a local congregation or church, we learn to love and worship God corporately.54 We learn to love people who are different from ourselves. We also learn to love those, who because of their own pain and heartache are very difficult to love. In this relationship-oriented atmosphere, we learn new lessons of God’s mercy and holiness. A local church could be described as both a relational and emotional hospital as well as a discipleship-training center.55 Thus, it is in the church that Christ enlarges our capacity to love and to trust by teaching us to love and trust those in the Christian community, which is our new adopted family.56 What we learn in these relationships also facilitates future development of good friendships, both Christian and non-Christian. The function of the local church is essential in God’s plan for a Christian’s life. As stated earlier, God cares about cities and communities. A Christian not only acquires the capacity to love other Christians in the church, but he discovers that God cares about those outside the

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church. God’s desire is for Christians to care also.57 He has placed Christians in cities for the good of the city as vessels of His goodness and by being His ambassadors to introduce others to His forgiveness.58 Outside the church, in the community, Christians have an opportunity to love those who are radically different and even learn to love those who might hate them.59 In addition to the impact of individual Christians on Metro-Richmond, God’s plan is also that the Christians of the local churches and ministry groups would collectively influence this region. If the leaders of local churches and para-church ministries intentionally build a relationship realm of sacrificial love and vulnerable trust among themselves, then this would birth partnerships and collaborations intended to glorify God; thus loving and serving people together. This relationship realm is attractive and beautiful; it testifies of His divinity and it invites the very presence of God into our midst. The presence of God, this is the life-transforming change-agent that we are desperate for. If relationship isolation persists and maintains distrust between RVA’s Christian leaders, then critical collaborations and partnerships will not develop. Without collaborations and partnerships, the overwhelming needs of our region cannot be fully addressed. The tremendous potential for good by RVA’s Christian community on Metropolitan Richmond will be the focus of this document. By God’s grace, a well-connected local Christian community would become a channel of God’s blessing, love and truth to our region.60 God views each nation as unique and valuable. His command is “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations”.61 He causes us to care for all people, no matter what the differences. God wants the people of every nation to know Him. As people experience Christ’s forgiveness, Christian community grows. If a nation is ever to become a Christian nation, it will happen city by city, one city at a time. It is the local Christian community of each city that is to be the primary vehicle for Christ’s blessing to that city and its surrounding region. Heaven itself reflects God’s love for the people of all nations as Christians are gathered from every nation to worship God. This

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truth is confirmed in the Book of Revelations. The scripture says, “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no man could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. …they fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: ‘Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”62

A step to facilitate church-to-church cooperation: Identify which churches in our area that are working together and which ones that are isolated from each other. How can you facilitate increasing the numbers of churches working together?

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3 Why is Church-to-Church Relationship Critical?

The mission that God has given to the Christian community of Metropolitan Richmond is to introduce others to the love of Jesus Christ and His forgiveness. Only through receiving His forgiveness can we be in His presence throughout eternity. In the process of loving people, we will invariably confront the cruelty of evil and all the pain and suffering evil has caused. In order to be faithful to this mission, Metro-Richmond’s churches need to be in relationship with one another.

Church-to-church relationship is important because God has a plan and a desire for Metro-Richmond.63 God’s desire is that “all might be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth”.64 Christ’s prayer, “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, is referring to God’s kingdom of “righteousness, peace and joy”.65 From Christ’s prayer, it is clear that God’s desire is for the people of Metro-Richmond to know His forgiveness and goodness. God cares about the people in our region. RVA’s Christian community is one of the vehicles that God uses for the expression of His care.66 The most formidable enemy to God’s plan is Satan. The scriptures tell us that he is the enemy and that he comes only to kill, steal and destroy. His entire purpose is evil.67 Evil is cruel. The scriptures teach us that to love God is to hate evil.68 One of Satan’s primary strategies that he uses against each Christian community is division by any and every means.69 Simply knowing God’s plan for relationship harmony and Satan’s plan for division, we can understand why there needs to be church-to-church relationship instead of isolation and separation. Church-to-church relationship and cooperation in no way undermines each church’s value, uniqueness or mission.70 The purpose of each church individually, as well as corporately, is to be a refuge from the storm, a hospital for those emotionally and relationally sick, and to be salt and light to its community and region.71 Local churches are to reflect God’s goodness, holiness

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and purity. A church family is critical in helping people begin and grow in a relationship with God through receiving His forgiveness. Corporate worship and thanksgiving born out of adoration are transformational to the believers in the congregations.72 In our local churches, believers are to experience the harmony of authentic relationships. The internal mission of each church is fulfilled as it gathers, cares for, and builds up those in its congregation to love God and to love people.73 Each local church also has an external mission towards our region.

God cares about those who have not received His forgiveness. The external mission of each church is to care for these people as well. This is a monumental undertaking requiring many different giftings and strengths.74 Churches need each other in this external mission. There are at least two obvious reasons for this. First and most importantly, God has made His Church, the Christian community, one body.75 The different parts of a physical body are all connected by a vascular system and a nervous system that traverse every part. No organ system within the human body can survive without these connections. This dependency and connection in the human body is why Paul uses the analogy between the human body and the Body of Christ.76 The people, churches and ministries comprising a Christian community are likewise dependent and connected by the God-authored relationship dynamics of sacrificial love and vulnerable trust. Without these connecting relationship dynamics, there will be no long-term fruitfulness by the many parts comprising Christian community. God never designed Christian community to be just an assortment of isolated, fragmented and disconnected groups. A second reason that RVA’s churches need to be in relationship is because the needs of Metro-Richmond are far too big for any individual church or ministry. Local churches need to be connected such that one church’s strengths will complement another’s weaknesses. As this occurs, then the giftings and strengths of each church will benefit RVA’s whole Christian community.

One example that can serve as a picture to communicate the value and necessity of a well-connected Christian community is a pipeline. Imagine a pipeline that brings clean water from a reservoir to a thirsty city. If the individual pieces of pipe are not

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tightly attached, then the pipeline will fail to carry a steady stream of water to meet the needs of the city. This also is true of RVA’s Christian community. Isolated churches, like loosely attached pieces of pipe, cannot fully accomplish their external mission to serve their region. Connected churches will function as a well-built pipeline through which the love of Christ can flow more fully into the many diverse needs of our region.

Churches, connected both by a mutual passion to glorify God and authentic relationships, have the potential to be a steady, vibrant conduit of God’s truth, mercy and grace to our region. As local churches care for those within their congregations and together reach out to care for those outside their congregations, then Metro-Richmond’s Christian community will become “the light of the world” to our region.77 Our culture is desperate to see this light and come out of its darkness.

A step to facilitate church-to-church cooperation: Gather 2-5 youth pastors whose Christian students attend the same middle school(s) or high school(s). Have lunch together and then spend some time praying for these particular schools and the non-Christian students attending them. Know that as relationships grow, vision will grow. Eventually collaborations involving these youth groups on how to serve their schools together will develop.

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4 Jesus prayed, “…that they may be one as we are.”

“That they all may be one; as thou Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” John 17:21 Jesus not only prayed that we would be one; He prayed that we would be ‘one’ as the Trinity is one. His prayer is that our oneness would be like the oneness that exists between God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This is amazing. We are designed such that ‘being one’ or ‘unity’ is consistent with our deep desire ‘to belong’. Conceptually it is very difficult for almost any group of believers to agree on a definition of unity. In our culture and throughout history, cults will manipulate this desire for unity by demanding conformity prior to acceptance. Conformity means the loss of one’s creativity and uniqueness. This is not what Jesus is praying for us. God’s emphasis on unity occurs throughout the scriptures and was Jesus’ last prayer for his disciples prior to entering the Mount of Olives.78 Three times prior to His crucifixion Jesus prayed, “…make them one as we are.”79 His heart’s prayer not only confirms His emphasis on ‘being one’ but He also defines what it is for us. He desires the same oneness for us as that which exists within the Trinity. Each Person of the Trinity is fully distinct and is equally and fully God, yet they are One Divine Being. God wants us to experience the same oneness (or unity) that exists within the Trinity in our relationship realm with Him and with other Christians. Jesus prayed that the harmony of relationship, which exists within the Trinity, would be experienced between believers. The Trinity is a mystery -- God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are individually distinct and yet they are One Divine Being. The relationship realm of the Trinity involves the infinite sacrificial love and vulnerable trust between each Person of the Godhead, each of whom is infinite in character and attributes, and whose desire and vision is to honor and glorify each other. Somehow these truths create complete oneness between them without any loss of their uniqueness or distinctiveness.

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For a Christian, who exemplifies Christ-like character, unity with other Christians is birthed from authentic relationships between them while embracing the mutual vision to glorify God with their life. Our subterranean yearning ‘to belong’ is satisfied when we experience the oneness of the Trinity, into which we have access, through Christ’s forgiveness.80 From this platform of belonging and security we can build oneness and community with other like-minded Christians. The passion and fruitfulness of the early Christians affirms the desirability of Christ-centered unity.81 The relationship harmony of ‘being one’ is blessed by God, is evidence to the world of Christ’s divinity and has a promise of His Presence.82 His Presence is referred to many times throughout the Scriptures. Moses said he would not go anywhere without His Presence.83 The Shekinah Glory that filled Solomon’s Temple was His Presence.84 The ‘fire by night’ and ‘the cloud by day’ that led the Israelites through the desert for forty years were His Presence.85 David said, “In Your presence is fullness of joy”.86 Before His departure from the disciples, Jesus promised His Presence if we obeyed His commandments and built a relationship realm of sacrificial love and vulnerable trust.87 This is the change-agent that throughout history has changed individuals and whole nations. We are desperate for this revelation of His reality and the healing that His Presence brings to our cities and regions. Many in RVA’s Christian community will fail to experience Christ-centered unity if their present relationship isolation is maintained. Differences of denomination, ethnicity or economics can breed distrust that maintains isolation.88 This detrimental isolation will diminish and fade as we intentionally build a relationship realm of sacrificial love and vulnerable trust. As Christ-like character grows in a believer’s life; and, as authentic relationships develop with other believers, a shared-vision for God’s glory also emerges. This becomes the foundation for collaborations within RVA’s Christian community. Not only are collaborations much more effective to accomplish a mutual goal, but the harmony of this is very attractive to the non-believer.

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A mutual passion and vision for God to be honored and glorified becomes the motivation for regional collaborations. Prior to His departure, Jesus gives us one of many perspectives in what it means to glorify God. He said, “I have glorified thee on the earth, I have finished the work which thou gave me to do”.89 We can paraphrase this to mean that we glorify and honor God by being obedient to finish the works that He has purposed for each one of us.90 Works and sacrificial love are synonymous. Works are tangible acts of sacrificial love. Jesus’ earthly life was a life of sacrificial love. Like Jesus, we glorify and honor God by loving and serving people. As our passion to glorify God grows in the context of authentic relationships, tangible partnerships and campaigns will be birthed. These partnerships and campaigns, all different expressions of God’s love, will focus on and express themselves in the following areas:

1. Demonstrating God’s compassion towards the poor, theweak and the marginalized.

2. Articulating the protective moral boundaries that God hasestablished.

3. Communicating the hope of salvation and a relationshipwith God available through the forgiveness of Christ.

Through these tangible partnerships and campaigns, many people not connected to a church will begin to desire a relationship with God. In the local churches they can grow in relationship with God, be healed of their emotional and relational wounds and will gradually be transformed into His disciple. Our cities will be impacted and God will be glorified.

A step to facilitate church-to-church cooperation: Help facilitate or create partnerships or projects between our local churches. Programs for food collection with the food bank or a regional prayer gathering are always beneficial.

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5 The State of our Cities

In preceding generations, our culture has been influenced by the moral tenets of its Judeo-Christian foundation. The Judeo-Christian teachings are very clear on how we are to treat people and honor relationships. Any trend that moves us away from these ethical standards will eventually undermine our social wellbeing. As we study the different statistics that reflect social stability, it is clear that Metropolitan Richmond is in a precarious situation. Metro-Richmond’s fragile condition mandates the involvement of its local Christian community.

As stated earlier, the purpose of this document is to bring focus on the potential that RVA’s Christian community could have if we were working and serving together for the good of Metropolitan Richmond. As we study the different societal statistics that are a reflection of social stability, it is clear that intervention is needed. The numerous issues that confront us include family dysfunction, racism, youth gangs, suicide, violence, abortion, pornography, greed, drug abuse and many others, all of which negatively affect the social environment in which we live. Three particular issues that can be tracked as indicators of social stability are:

1. Frequency of violent crime2. Percentage of those in poverty3. Measures of educational performance

These three measures of social stability are all interconnected and directly proportional to the rising percentage of children born out-of-wedlock.91 If the percentage of out-of-wedlock childbirth remains at its present level, it will have serious implications for our collective future and the state of our city. The increase in the out-of-wedlock birth rate is the result of the significant change in the family unit over the last forty years. Nationwide, in the Caucasian population, the percentage of single parent families has increased from 8.9% in 1970 to 38.3% in 2004. In the African-American community, during the 70-year period

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from 1890 until 1960, two-parent households headed eighty percent of families. From 1960 until 2012, two-parent households in the African-American community have decreased to a low of twenty-eight percent. In Richmond, Virginia, the total 2012 out-of-wedlock birth rate was reported at 64.5% of all births.92 The out-of-wedlock birth rate portends serious implications for our future. One of the troubling statistics with a direct correlation to the out-of-wedlock birth rate is the increasing incidence of violent crime. This connection was noted in the 1995 Virginia General Assembly Report that stated the best predictor of violent crime in a city is the percentage of homes without a father.93 Half of the fatherless homes in Virginia come from divorce and half from out-of-wedlock births. In 1995, Richmond and Petersburg were #1 and #2 in percentages of homes without a father. They were also #1 and #2 respectively in incidence of violent crime in the State of Virginia. Seventy percent of juveniles in state institutions grew up in fatherless homes.94 The increasing prison population reflects the increasing incidence in violent crime. Between 1987 and 2007, the national prison population has nearly tripled.95 In 2008, for the first time in history, more than one in every hundred adults in America was in jail or in prison.96 Over the past forty years America has experienced prolonged episodes of prosperity and peace, so what then is an explanation for the increase of these negative and painful trends? Many Christian leaders believe that the departure of our society from a Biblical foundation and personal faith is the root cause. In preceding generations, our culture was influenced by the moral tenets of its Judeo-Christian heritage that gave us very clear guidelines as to how we are to treat people and honor relationships. Today, we can observe in our culture the movement away from many of these moral directives. This direction will eventually undermine our social wellbeing because social stability depends on much more than just economic stability. Social stability ultimately depends on how people value each other and how they honor their relationship commitments. Let us look at four aspects of our culture that contribute to a devaluing of people and their relationships; and therefore negatively influence the social health of our cities:

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a. Family dysfunction and breakdownb. Cultural messages that change our prioritiesc. Many messages of the media andentertainment industries undermine personalaccountabilityd. Negative examples of public leaders

a. Family dysfunction and breakdown: The family unit in ournation, basic to the stability of any society, has crumbled over the last forty years. Trends represented by the out-of-wedlock birth rate, the divorce rate and the rate of non-marital cohabitation have had a decidedly detrimental impact on the family unit and on societal stability. The connection between family stability and social stability exists because the social building blocks necessary for individuals to function properly in society (trust, love, forgiveness, communication, honesty, respect and many others) are learned first in the family. Without this beginning structure, our foundation for functioning in society is weakened. If there is family dysfunction and breakdown, the resultant ripple effect on those involved is often anger, distrust and selfishness. These can replace the critical social building blocks. These negative dynamics all devalue relationships and people, both within and outside of the family and therefore negatively affect societal stability.

b. Cultural messages that change our priorities: The Judeo-Christian foundation of our society in the preceding generations placed an emphasis on character development and understood the importance of relationships. Our culture today has devalued character development and relationship commitments and has made our abilities and our activities of higher priority. Our culture resonates with the superficial theme that our self worth and importance are tied primarily to our wealth and performance rather than by our relationship and character development. Success today is defined by power, position, fame or wealth. Our desire to be successful has grown to the place that it has become the engine or rudder of our decision-making process. We have chosen to trust in our abilities more than in our character. We now place a higher

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value on our intellect instead of our honesty or patience, on our beauty instead of our generosity and kindness, and on our athletic skills instead of our perseverance and courage. That which should be regarded as the most essential, now seems to have taken a back seat. Our culture has also chosen to place higher priority on our activities, careers and social position rather than on our relationship commitments, and for this choice, we also suffer much heartache. There can be no doubt that our relationship commitments and how we value and treat one another should be considered as far more important than our careers and activities. These changes in priorities because of the departure from our Judeo-Christian heritage are responsible for much of our social instability.

c. Many messages of the media and entertainmentindustries undermine personal accountability: The explosive growth of mass communications, especially television, movies and internet over the last 30 years has been unprecedented. These communications now have gained access to nearly every household across our Nation. The content and the messages of what we see and hear are increasingly lacking the moral boundaries of our Judeo-Christian foundation. With this widespread exposure comes an unhealthy potential to influence the culture by undermining personal accountability. This occurs by removing from poor moral decisions the predictable consequences that would ordinarily occur in real life. A case in point is in the entertainment industry that often portrays intimacy mainly by the physical-sexual relationship and most often outside the commitment of marriage. The real life consequences of sexual relationships outside the commitment of marriage are rarely portrayed. In truth, the consequences of non-marital sexual relationships are the cause of much breakdown and heartache. In many other areas the media and entertainment industries consistently fail to show the true consequences of self-centered decisions and therefore communicate an inaccurate representation of real life. A self-centered life style devalues others and weakens relationship commitments. By disconnecting the consequences from self-centered decisions and thus undermining personal

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accountability, the mass communications industry has contributed to our current crisis of societal disorder and dysfunction.

d. Negative examples of public leaders: When publicfigures misuse their position of leadership there are often negative consequences. One consequence is the erosion of the people’s confidence in their public figures and government institutions. Misuse of power causes people to distrust and become cynical towards important government institutions or systems that are needed for societal and city stability.

These are just a few examples of some of the dynamics that are creating a fragile situation in Metropolitan Richmond. The consequences of our society’s departure from a Biblical foundation and personal faith are in evidence by the significant amount of heartache and suffering that has resulted. How can we reverse these trends and the heartache they create, not just for the individual, but also for society as a whole? The task is monumental. This local Christian community must be involved if there is to be any turn-around. Our local churches must work together to bring Christ’s holiness and love into our city and surrounding region. We need a focused strategy to bring our local churches into a closer working relationship in order to serve our region together. We all recognize the cruelty of evil as well as the healing potential in Christ. Therefore, we echo Jesus’ prayer, ‘Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven’.97

A step to facilitate church-to-church cooperation: Endeavor to develop an understanding of the issues that undermine societal stability in our area. Look at trends and statistics reflecting those in poverty, high school drop-out rate, crime statistics, teenage pregnancy rate, etc. Then you can be aware of the enormity of the pain and heartache associated with them. This will help us pray for wisdom on how Metro-Richmond’s Christian community can make a difference.

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6 Leadership Groups in Metropolitan Richmond

There are at least seven major leadership groups that influence Metropolitan Richmond. These leadership groups collectively establish the culture and values of our region as well as being a reflection of it. Each group has its own mission and each group has the potential to use its influence for the good of our region or for its own self-serving purpose.

In today’s world it is easy for us to believe that the government-judicial-political leadership is the ultimate leader in a city. Perhaps this belief comes from the extensive media coverage given to government related issues and its elected officials. This amount of attention can give a false impression of the amount of power ascribed to these elected positions. William Wilberforce, an 18th Century English Parliamentarian, who is credited with abolishing the slave trade, said “politics is downstream of the culture”. What Wilberforce said is true, both then and now. Government-judicial-political leadership in a city generally follows the culture of that city. The following is a list of the major leadership groups within any city that simultaneously reflect, influence and establish the culture and identity of a city or region (this list does not represent any order of importance):

1. Education: for literacy and intellectual and technicaltraining

2. Media: for communication of news and information

3. Entertainment: provides a variety of avenues forrelaxation and enjoyment

4. Business: Corporate: provides jobs, goods and services to acommunity

5. Religious-faith based: strengthens peoples’ faith in Godand communicates godly values and moral standards for acommunity

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6. Government-Judicial-Political: responsible for theinfrastructure that provides justice, stability and communityservices

7. Health Care: cares for the people’s health and wellness ofthe community as well as establishing public healthstandards

Observing how these leadership groups relate and balance each other helps explain why a city has its own unique personality and identity. A city may be known as an industrial city, a college town, a military community, etc. Cities are also identified by the values they embrace. For example, a city that promotes gambling or alcohol will often derive its identity from these activities. Even though the mission of each leadership group is distinctly different, all have the potential to use their influence for the good of our region or for their own self-serving purpose. When considering Metropolitan Richmond, we can try to surmise which groups have the most influence on the culture of RVA through the identity and distinguishing factors of our region. For Metropolitan Richmond to be prosperous, the influence of its Christian community must be strong. The Biblical truth of Imago Dei, each person is made in the image of God and therefore valuable, is foundational to a prosperous community. This truth causes us to value people and to value relationships. This truth must also influence the other leadership groups. If the other leadership groups have a vision for goodness and compassion in their particular mission, then they will impact those they serve. This will benefit all the people in our region.

A step to facilitate church-to-church cooperation: Help facilitate gatherings of pastors and Christian leaders to pray together. Through prayer, relationships will be established and vision will grow. These gatherings can be small regularly planned breakfast or lunch time meetings, or larger yearly meetings, on commonly recognized days, such as the National Day of Prayer. Both types of meeting serve a distinct purpose and are needed.

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7 RVA’s Christian Community

The Christian community in Metropolitan Richmond is facing significant challenges as our desire grows to influence our region. Two of these challenges are the isolation between the local congregations and the absence of a shared regional vision. As we recognize these challenges, we must develop a strategy to address them. The first major challenge is to overcome the isolation that exists between churches. In Metro-Richmond, many congregations are isolated from each other because of differences of denomination, ethnicity, economics and a host of other factors. This isolation is unhealthy because it generally breeds and maintains distrust. Trust between congregations and the leadership of congregations must exist if cooperation is ever to develop.98 Without cooperation and partnerships between churches, a Christian community cannot fully express Christ’s care, truth and goodness to its region. Another major challenge that confronts us is the absence of a mutual or shared regional vision between churches. A shared regional vision will give a sense of direction and purpose as well as undergird the effort and sacrifice that is required for vision to become reality. Each of the following three issues contributes to the lack of a collective regional vision among most local churches:

1. A collective city or regional vision within our Christiancommunity has not been a priority over the last thirty years. The main emphasis has included individual salvation, family development, the local church and national/international missions. Developing a shared regional vision with other churches has not been a focus.

2. A shared regional vision for Christ-centered change seemsimpossible because the needs of our local region often overwhelm our faith. The immensity of problems such as poverty, pornography, racism can seem insurmountable and can be paralyzing to any single church. In order to keep from being

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overwhelmed, it will require our Christian community to come together and take ownership of these issues and problems.

3. As a consequence of mass communications, many Christianshave lost a sense of local responsibility. Due to the large audience they serve, the media and entertainment industries focus mainly on national and worldwide events. This focus shifts the attention of their audience away from relevant local issues. The constant exposure to a national/international perspective accounts for why many Christians have become disconnected from their responsibilities locally. In conclusion, for our Christian community to influence our region, our leaders must confront these challenges. The strategy has to address both the isolation that exists between congregations and the lack of a collective vision for our region. A strategy must begin by addressing the relationship isolation between the pastors of our local churches. If authentic relationships, prayer and a shared regional vision for God’s glory grow among pastors, then collaborations between their congregations would be a natural consequence and become the basis of regional partnerships.

A step to facilitate church-to-church cooperation: Pulpit exchange is a healthy dynamic within any local Christian community. Help begin or facilitate this between some of the area churches.

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8 RVA’s Christian Leadership

When reviewing the primary leadership groups that influence our region, the Christian leadership is critical and relevant. Investing time and resources into strengthening the relationship fabric of this group of leaders will result in a significant benefit for Metropolitan Richmond.

In Metropolitan Richmond, the Christian leadership consists of the leaders of the local churches, leaders of para-church ministries and lay Christian leaders. Their dedication and belief that God has drawn them and guided them is the foundation of their leadership. The grace of God has instilled in these men and women a sense of destiny and commitment and has empowered them to serve, care for and lead others. Our Christian leadership is valuable and strategic for a number of reasons. This group of leaders has an understanding of God’s truth and holiness and has a vision to serve people.99 They desire God’s goodness for our region and the people of Metro-Richmond.100 In addition to their capacity to care and to love, our Christian leaders promote and value strong character development.101 Citizens of solid character are important to the stability and prosperity of this region. Our Christian leaders work toward the restoration and the rebuilding of broken lives by teaching and encouraging forgiveness to replace bitterness and anger.102 They articulate a vision for generosity and service.103 They recognize and promote the protective purposes of God’s moral boundaries that are vitally important to the stability to our region. 104 Our Christian leadership also has access and influence, through their congregations, to a significant percentage of our region’s population. It is critical that a strategy be implemented to facilitate the development of relationships between the Christian leaders of our city and counties. The influence of these leaders will be maximized if there is a strong relationship fabric among them. The scriptures clearly teach us, “…every house divided against itself cannot

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stand”.105 Isolation between Christian leaders maintains distrust that only reinforces the present divisions that already exist within our Christian community. Therefore, every investment of time and resources dedicated to strengthening the relationship fabric connecting these leaders will yield significant benefit.106 As the Christian leadership embraces the scriptural mandate “to love one another with a pure heart fervently”, this creates the fertile soil out of which mutual prayer and vision grow.107 As this growth takes place, the potential for our local churches to serve our region together is more likely to become reality as RVA’s Christian leaders seek God together.108 The importance of a strategy for relationship development among our local Christian leaders cannot be overstated. In Psalm 133, written over three thousand years ago, Israel’s King David writes about the ever-enlarging overflow of goodness and blessing that God places on brethren hen they d ell to ether in unity. As stated earlier, unity is a byproduct of sacrificial love and vulnerable trust. King David affirms the truth that there is no limit to the impact Christian leaders can have if they experience a unity downstream from a Christ-centered relationship realm with a common vision to glorify God. This relationship harmony is the fruit of the intentional investment made into the ‘relationship and friendship development’ between pastors. This will pave the way for RVA’s Christian community to become a conduit for Christ’s grace and blessing to influence Metro-Richmond.

A step to facilitate church-to-church cooperation: Host a dinner or lunch for 2-5 local pastors just to thank them and honor them. Including spouses makes these moments even more enjoyable and special. Create a fun moment of fellowship and mutual support. Do no recruiting at this gathering. Let relationship dominate the moment.

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9 RVA’s Churches Cheerleading Each Other

Local churches are a huge part of RVA’s Christian community. From a societal perspective, churches are thought of as small or large organizational entities. From a Biblical perspective, churches are congregations of diverse individuals and families. Relationships between RVA’s churches range from one end of the spectrum, where relationship is totally non-existent, all the way to the other end, where relationship is mutually vibrant and overflowing. From a Biblical perspective, the relationship realm of churches is to radiate the harmony of sacrificial love and vulnerable trust just as the relationship realm between individual Christians is to display this harmony. The connection between churches, just like people, is to be built on God’s eternal truths. If RVA’s congregations build relationship connections on these truths, then our Christian community will become a more effective vessel to spread Christ’s care and influence into our region. Churches will become each other’s greatest cheerleaders. If this happens, Metropolitan Richmond will be blessed. The truths of the Gospel are the foundation for relationship between churches:

a. God has given to every Christian the purpose to glorifyChrist.109

b. God blesses and values relationships betweenChristians.110

c. Through prayer God teaches us to depend on Him anddemonstrates to us His faithfulness. 111

d. The harmony of joy and oneness declares to the worldthe divinity of Christ. This harmony is the consequenceof Christ-inspired sacrificial love and vulnerable trust.112

Christ’s purpose was to glorify God.113 As Christians, we also have been given this same purpose to glorify God.114 The Holy Spirit’s ministry is to make this a reality in our lives.115 Relationships that are built on love and trust must be the standard among Christians. Christ-centered relationships bridge

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cultural, economic and denominational differences as we desire to obey the scriptural command to love one another.116 Prayer is another foundational principal. Even though prayer may appear as a weak and feeble endeavor, it is in fact one of the most powerful God-inspired tools given to Christians for change.117 Prayer is our access into God’s presence to receive mercy and grace as we live dependent on Him.118 When we pray, we learn to trust Him both individually and corporately. Corporate trust with Christians of different denominational, culture and economic backgrounds enhances vision and relationship.119 Through this dependency on God, we learn together that God is trustworthy.120 Relationship harmony is the description of the joy and oneness that are the fruit of the relationship dynamics of love and trust between those who live with Christ-like character and share the purpose to honor Him in all that they do. This harmony with other Christians is not only a delight to experience but is also a witness of His existence and love to this unbelieving world.121

As RVA’s Christian leadership builds a relationship realm of sacrificial love and vulnerable trust, then vision to serve God together will grow. The mutual passion to glorify God together, by loving the people of Metro-Richmond together, will grow. This vision and passion will birth greater prayer momentum by necessity and desire. This momentum will enlarge beyond the leadership to include those of the congregations and area ministries. Partnerships and collaborations involving congregations will develop organically. ach church ill beco e cheerleaders to the churches surroundin it. The resultant harmony of this Christ-inspired relationship realm, displayed through these collaborations, will bear witness to Christ’s divinity to those who have never experienced Christ’s forgiveness.

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A step to facilitate cooperation within RVA’s Christian community: el collect infor ation and aintain an electronic database of local Christian leaders. Postal addresses, email addresses, phone, updated web page and fax numbers will be needed for efficient and consistent communications. Social media needs to be maximized.

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10 Today’s Pastor: Little Time for Friendships

Most pastors have very little time to develop fulfilling friendships with other pastors. One reason for this is that today’s job description for pastors is impossible to accomplish. The emotional, physical and spiritual demands of the pastorate are all-consuming such that friendships and partnerships with other local pastors rarely develop.

As stated earlier, the isolation between congregations plays a role in the relationship isolation that exists between pastors. Below we will discuss three of the numerous dynamics that contribute to isolation among our local pastors:

1) Pastor to pastor friendships suffers because their dailyresponsibilities are so demanding and exhausting. Many do not even attempt to cultivate and build friendships within their own church family, much less outside of it. This isolation increases a pastor’s vulnerability to be overwhelmed when confronted with the numerous issues of their own congregation. Pastors need friendships with other pastors in order to strengthen and encourage one another. In addition to the ministerial support, the benefits of real friendship with other pastors are numerous and would be a significant personal blessing to every pastor.

2) In Metro-Richmond there is minimal infrastructure thatbrings Christian leaders together from different churches for relationship development and prayer. The majority of citywide gatherings of pastors and other Christian leaders are usually to recruit them for a particular project or ministry focus. These moments often become just another demand on their time and finances with minimal relationship value. Eventually, we see that the effects of these gatherings often leave them feeling manipulated and devalued. This is because more value is placed on their leadership position than on who they are as individuals.

3) Communication between pastors about logistics ofmeetings and events is another significant problem. This is because in our region there is inadequate infrastructure such as a commonly

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used Christian web page or an easily accessible database to facilitate communication. The need for consistent communications is critical when it comes to the planning and logistics of meetings. A communications infrastructure is also very important to sustain momentum for relationship development and growth. Without a communications infrastructure, isolation will not be reversed. These are a few of the reasons that our churches and church leaders are isolated from each other. None is insurmountable and all can be addressed and reversed. It is very important that we understand the difficult situation of our local pastors. This understanding will enable us to initiate solutions that are an asset to them and to the congregations they serve.

A step to facilitate church-to-church cooperation: Create moments for friendships between pastors: a golf outing, a baseball game, times together with spouses, etc.

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11 Practical Steps

In obedience and faith, we can initiate practical steps to build an infrastructure consistent with Biblical principals to facilitate church-to-church relationship. Then together our churches can influence Metropolitan Richmond with Christ’s truth and mercy.

As we seek to identify practical steps to strengthen our local Christian community in its ongoing mission to bless our region, the account of Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1st Kings 18 is a good analogy to consider. After a prolonged drought, Elijah confronted King Ahab and challenged him to summon the prophets of Baal to Mount Carmel. At Mt. Carmel, Elijah spoke and the people agreed: “the God that answers by fire, let him be God”. Then Elijah and the prophets of Baal each built an altar and sacrificed a bull. The prophets of Baal called upon Baal. Baal never answered. Elijah called upon God. The Lord answered and sent fire from heaven that consumed his altar and sacrifice. Then the people fell down and worshiped God. This is a picture for us today. Although Elijah’s altar was visible to the people as was Elijah’s faith, the people did not fall down and worship God until the fire fell from heaven. Obedience, faith and sacrifice were all part of this process that eventually culminated in the worship of God. Today, God’s commandment to “love one another” and His prayer that “they be one” still require obedience, faith and sacrifice, analogous to Elijah’s altar. We read that Elijah’s altar and sacrifice bore witness to his faith, yet these did not change the people’s hearts. It is also true that authentic relationships and unity bear witness to our faith; but these alone will not change an unbeliever’s heart. The people’s hearts were changed only when the fire fell from heaven and consumed the altar and the sacrifice. It is the same today as then. Only the faithfulness and power of God will change the non-believer’s heart. We must seek grace both for ourselves to be obedient to his ways and for the unbeliever’s change of heart.

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In obedience and faith, we can initiate practical steps to build an infrastructure consistent with Biblical principals in the areas listed below. Many of these following suggestions have already begun in Metropolitan Richmond. (We will not attempt to list each specific initiative because our exposure is limited and because things change quickly. To get an idea of our perception of where we are in this process, please contact the authors)

a. Gather Christian leaders for relationship development and prayer.

b. Develop a communications system for the Christian community.

c. Support the development of partnerships and campaigns that build on the foundation of authentic relationships, prayer and shared-vision.

a. Gather Christian leaders for relationship and prayer: The goal is to facilitate the development of authentic relationships between local Christian leaders. In any locality there needs to be an investment of time and finances into an infrastructure of consistent relationship development and prayer. The following is a list of ideas, suggestions or guidelines about the development of this infrastructure:

1. Gather with other like-minded Christians who have a regional or citywide vision. Pray and seek God on what are the best steps presently for building infrastructure.

2. Identify or create a local networking organization that has a 501 C-3 tax-deductible status that can handle the accounting.

3. Organize a special event to gather Christian leaders. An out-of-town retreat for prayer and relationship is a good option. The yearly regional prayer-breakfast on the National Day of Prayer is a good building moment.

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4. Gather Christian leaders monthly for a meal, fellowship and prayer. This way momentum can build towards the larger gatherings.

5. Invite spouses whenever possible.

6. Make the events as much fun as possible.

7. Do neither recruiting nor project promotion at these events.

8. These events can be inclusive for all the Christian leadership groups or may focus on a particular group of Christian leaders, i.e. youth pastors or pastors or corporate or lay-Christian or para-church.

9. Create opportunities that serve these leaders, that bless their marriages or that help them in their leadership responsibilities.

10. One particular group of leaders, such as professional or corporate, could host a dinner to honor another group of leaders, i.e. pastors or youth pastors or para-church. One example is a Friday or Saturday night banquet to honor and to pray for a particular group of leaders. This is tremendously encouraging.

b. Develop a communications system for the Christian leadership: Communications within the Christian community is a major hurdle in any region. A communications system for the Christian leadership (pastors, youth leaders, para-church leaders and Christian lay-leaders) is necessary for at least three reasons:

• There can be no clear vision development without consistent communication.

• Relationships will not grow if there is no consistent communication.

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• The logistics and details of citywide leadership meetings or multi-congregational meetings require precise and consistent communications.

Our society’s communications infrastructure includes telephone, postal mail, fax, radio, television, email, web pages and newspapers. All are an option depending on time, money and the target audience. In today’s world the most consistent, the most efficient, the least time consuming and the least expensive is electronic: email and web page technology. The following is a list of ideas, suggestions or guidelines about the infrastructure of communications:

1. Our electronic Christian leaders’ database needs to be more easily assessable to the Christian leaders across our region. Its use should be limited to region-wide leadership events and large gatherings.

2. It is not to be used for ministry fund raising.

3. It needs to be updated frequently because of the numerous changes that occur.

4. Information most frequently needed is postal addresses, email and phone numbers.

5. A local Christian webpage is a real asset for communication. It should have an accurate calendar of Christian events, regional meetings and relevant information for the local Christian leadership.

c. Support the development of partnerships and campaigns that build on the foundation of authentic relationships, prayer and shared-vision: These campaigns should be a vehicle to build upon the foundation of relationship, prayer and a shared-vision. If this foundation is strong, then the resulting partnerships will add momentum to the building process as the events are planned and goals are accomplished.

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The following is a list of ideas, suggestions or guidelines about partnerships and projects:

1. The desired goal of a project must be kept in the forefront. Set aside issues that cause division and debate because they will only fracture relationship and prayer. Focus instead on issues where there is commonality between Metro-Richmond’s various Christian groups.

2. If the purpose of a campaign is to increase visibility for a local or national ministry, then the campaign will undermine relationship development.

3. Good projects to use for regional building are prayer gatherings, youth focused events or programs to serve the poor.

4. Whenever possible, utilize preexisting community social structures. A good example is with food collection. The local food bank can help with logistics as churches are coordinated in a food collection program.

5. Pulpit exchange is a very healthy city dynamic. It is rewarding for pastors and congregations. To have a regular regional pulpit-exchange program, a mid-level organizational component will be needed to assist with logistics.

In summary, just like Elijah’s altar, as we build the infrastructure we will be totally dependent on the grace of God to change the hearts of the non-Christians. The infrastructure, as described previously, will both facilitate the development of church-to-church relationship and will bear witness to our trust in God. As local churches become connected, they can then be a conduit for Christ’s influence, truth and mercy to spread beyond themselves into our region. One day, just as sovereign as the fire falling from heaven, may Christ’s and our prayer be answered, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven”.

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12 To Do Our Best

For the sake of the broken and the lost, let us strive to do our best. Our hope is that the shared-vision to glorify Christ will birth a life style of Christ-centered relationship harmony. If this happens, then RVA’s Christian community will be able to maximize its potential to influence, serve and care for our region. This is the best we can do. Therefore, after having done our best, let us trust, wait and hope for God’s grace to do its transforming work in Metropolitan Richmond.

In an article written by Alan Doswald entitled The Largest Company in Your City he says, “The Church is life and death in its city. Its vital role however, is not realized until it is mobilized”. The scripture affirms the amazing potential of the Christian community when it says, “How good and how pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity…for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forever more”.122 Other scriptural references speak of the synergy and strength of cooperation, “Two are better than one” and “five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight”.123 These are just a few of the numerous scriptures that give great hope when there is authentic relationship, Christ-like character, prayer and shared-vision for God’s glory. It seems difficult for Christians to imagine the blessing to their church and our region when one church’s strengths complement another’s weaknesses. Perhaps this is because very few in Richmond have experienced Christ-centered relationship harmony as the foundation of church-to-church cooperation. If RVA’s Christian community experiences a lifestyle of Christ-centered relationship harmony, then we will fulfill Christ’s words, “Ye are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden”. When this happens, our Christian community, a foreshadowing of heaven, representing many nations, kindred and people will be praying and working together in areas of service, care and evangelism for our region.124 The Christian community

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will fulfill its role by influencing Metro-Richmond in moral leadership and by serving the poor. Christians will use their positions of influence in government, education, healthcare, media, entertainment and business to serve. This is the best we can do as we wait and hope for the transformation that comes through God’s grace and sovereignty. If this happens, God alone, through Jesus Christ, will be glorified. In conclusion, we know that this earth will never be heaven; and, while we are here, we are but pilgrims and strangers on this earth.125 This being the case, let us be diligent to receive grace to become like Christ and be His ambassadors to Metropolitan Richmond.126 May our greatest desire be to glorify our Father with our lives while we hope and pray “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”.127 May His abounding grace operate in our lives to the fulfillment of the scripture: “because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the Gospel of Christ and for your generosity…”.128

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Statement of Faith:

1. The Bible is the infallible word of God. It is truth. (2 Peter 1: 20-21, Hebrews 4:12, John 1:1, 1:14, 2 Timothy 3:16)

2. Relationship with God Almighty and our Lord Jesus Christ

are possible only through the forgiveness and the redeeming work of Jesus Christ at the Cross. (John 14:6, Acts 4:12)

3. Our most important relationship is with Jesus Christ, then

ourselves (self-acceptance), family and friends. God will even teach us to love our enemies. (John 17:3, Matthew 19:19, Ephesians 5:20-33, Matthew 12:48-50, Proverbs 27:9, Matthew 5:44-48)

4. The reflection of a successful life is good relationships.

(1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

5. God will spend our lifetime enlarging our capacity to love others. (Luke 6:27-38, 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13)

6. The key to honor is to be a servant. (John 12:24-26)

7. The secret of joy is obedience to God. (Hebrews 1:9)

8. The safest place to be is in the center of God’s will.

(Psalm 91)

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Thoughts and concepts:

1. People are to be objects of our love, not our expectations. 2. Relationships are more important than activities (social,

career, entertainment).

3. Relationships are built on Godly character.

4. Godly character is more important than ability (athletic, intellectual, physical beauty)

5. Godly success is defined by obedience, not results.

6. America will be changed one local city/community at a

time. 7. Relationship building creates trust; trust is the foundation

of cooperation; cooperation in service, prayer and evangelism creates community impact.

8. Relationship isolation that is maintained by distrust will

breed distrust. 9. Leadership is influence. Leadership is not power, wealth,

position or fame. We are influenced by those we trust. We trust character and vision.

10. If leaders are gathered in an atmosphere of trust, there will

be an explosion of leadership. 11. Diversity in people is an expression of God’s infinite

diversity.

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Footnotes: 1 God has made a way for us to enter into this relationship-realm within the Trinity: John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes unto the Father but by me.” 2 The Trinity is three distinct Persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit: John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. John 15:26, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me.” John 14:16, “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever” Each Person of the Trinity is equally and fully God. Each Person of the Godhead is of infinite character and attributes: John 14:9, “Jesus saith unto him, have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, show us the Father?” John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:16, “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one: John 10:30 I and the Father are one. John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? John 14:10-11 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. 3 The relationship-realm within the Trinity is other-centered: The Three Persons of the Trinity ‘glorify’ each other. They pour honor and praise into each other: John 14:28, “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.” John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:14, “He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” John 17:4, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” The Tree Persons of the Godhead experience infinite love in their relationship-realm within the Trinity:

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John 17:24, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” John 14:31, “But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.” The Three Persons of the Godhead experience infinite trust in their relationship-realm within the Trinity (True obedience is based on trust and love. The word ‘sent’ implies obedience. Jesus knew He would not be alone because He trusted the Father.): John 15:21, “But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.” John 15:27, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.” John 16:32, “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.” 4 We are invited into the relationship-realm of the Trinity: John 14:20, “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” John 15:4-5, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:10, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” John 17:6-9, “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.” 5 God wants our relationship-realm to overflow from us to others: John 17:18, “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” John 17:20, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word,” John 15:8, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 6 God desires us to experience the oneness that exists within the Trinity (oneness is the byproduct or the fruit of sacrificial love and vulnerable trust): John 17:11, “ And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father , keep through thy own name, those whom thou hast given me that they may be one, as we are.” John 17:21-23, “that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

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I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” God desires for us to experience His joy (Joy is also the fruit of relationship, downstream of love and trust): John 15: 9-12, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.” John 17:13, “And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.” 7 The harmony of this is attractive and bears witness to the divinity of Christ: John 17:21, “that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” John 17:23, “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” 8 God manifests His presence in His relationship-realm of love and trust: John 14:21, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” John 14:23, “Jesus answered and said unto him, if a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” 9 Exodus 33:14-15 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. 10 Revelation 21:22-23 (KJV) “…for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” 11 John 17:1 …glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: John 14:13 …that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 12 John 17:1-4 “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come, glorify thy Son, that thy Son may also glorify thee…I have glorified thee on thee earth: I have finished the work that thou gavest me to do” 13 John 16: 13-14 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shew it unto you. 14 John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples. 15 John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 16 1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love. 1 John 4:20-21 If a man say, I love God and hateth his brother, he is a liar, for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. John 15:8-12 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit…this is my commandment, that ye love one another.

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17 Matthew 16: 15-18 Matthew 16: 15-18 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Romans 1:16 …it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 18 Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. 19 Matthew 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 20 Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. 21 God’s attributes refer to His being omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient. God’s infinite character refers to His love, mercy, kindness, goodness, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, generosity, compassion, faithfulness, meekness, humility, hope, grace, power, strength, greatness, courage, initiative, diligence, perseverance, vision and creativity, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, brilliance, order, design, precision, perfection, holiness, righteousness, cleanness, purity, truth, beauty, honor, dignity, glory, splendor, majesty and more. 22 John 14-17 23 Philippians 2:2-11 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind…And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Ephesians 4:2-6 With all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit…One Lord, one Faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. John 17:20-24 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one...for Thou lovest me before the foundation of the world. 24 John 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast love them, as thou hast loved me. 25 John 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

26 Acts 4:32- 5:14 And the multitude of them that believe were of one heart and one soul…And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all…And the believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes of men and women.

Psalm 133: 1-3 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon,

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and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forever more

27 Jeremiah 29:7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof, shall you have peace. 28 Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden…let your light shine before men… 29 Acts 19:1-20 …and this continued by the space of 2 years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks…many that believed came and confessed, and shewed their deeds. So mightly grew the word of God and prevailed. 30 Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 31 John 10:10…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. 32 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal…and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 33Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 34 1 Corinthians 13:2-3 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 35 Jeremiah 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord that exercise lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true and that we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Philippians 3:10 That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death 36 Ephesians 1:6-7 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,according to the riches of his grace. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 372 Corinthians 5:17-18 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. And all things are of God,

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who hath reconciled all things unto himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation: 38 Mark 12:30-13 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Thee is none other commandment greater than these. 39 Luke 10:27 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God…and thy neighbor as thyself. 1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 40 1 John 4:19 We love him because he first loved us. 41 Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Acts 11:26 ...And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. 42 John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 43 John 15:13 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 44 1 Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 45 1 John 1:7 But, if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 46 1Thessalonians 3:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you. 1Thessalonians 4:9-10 But as touching brotherly love, ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more. Matthew 5:44-48 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you:… for if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans do the same? And if you salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 ...and have not charity, I am nothing….and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing 47 Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh. Mark 10:6-14 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and his mother, and cleave to his wife. And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder…Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Ephesians 5:31-6:4 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak

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concerning Christ and the church….And ye fathers provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 48 Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another…. Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers…And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Luke 8:21 …My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God and do it. 49 Luke 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it. Jonah 4:11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle. 50 Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance 51 Exodus 20:12 Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Ephesians 6:1-4 Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor thy father and mother… nuture and admonition of the Lord. 52 1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. John 13:1-17…having loved his own which were in this world…Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands…..began to wash the disciples feet….For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you….happy are ye if ye do them. 53 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments and his commandments are not grievous. 54 Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Ephesians 2:18-22 For through him we both have access by one spirit unto the Father. Now therefore…In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord. In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 55 Matthew 9:12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick…..for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 2 Timothy 2:2-4 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 56Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear: but ye have received the spirit of adoption,whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Luke 8:21 …My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. 57 Jeremiah 29:11 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

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58 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 And all things are of God…and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ…For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin: that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 59Luke 6:27-35 …Love your enemies,…for he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil. 60 Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Acts 17.6 ….These that have turned the world upside down, are come hither also 61 Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father… 62 Revelation 7:9-12 (NIV) 63 John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. Luke 13:34, Matthew 23:37: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! 64 1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth… John 17:18-20 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I scantify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 65 Matthew 6:10 (NIV) Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. 66 2Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Ephesians 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 67 John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:… 68 Psalm 97:10 Ye that love the Lord, hate evil. Psalm 34:21 Evil shall slay the wicked… Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil…. 69 Matthew 12:25 …Every kingdom divided against itself is bought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. 70 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31 For as the Body is one….and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. 71 Matthew 9:12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick…..for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth:... 72 Psalm 22:3 But thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel John 15: 8-12 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit…This is my commandment that love on another as I have loved you. Psalm 107:32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

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73 Acts 2:42-47 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers…Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. 74 Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 75 Ephesians 4:16 (see footnote 12) 1 Corinthians 12: 18-28 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you….And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers… Romans 12: 4-16 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…Be of the same mind one toward another... 76 Romans 12:4-10 For we have many members in one body… 77 Matthew 5:14 ..ye are the light of the world 78 Luke 22:39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 79 John 17:11 Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. John 17:21-22 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one… 80 John 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 81 Acts 2:42-47 And they continued steadfastly…such as should be saved. 82 Psalm 133: 1-3 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity, …for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forevermore. John 17:21 That they all… as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. John 14: 21He that hath my commandments and keepeth , he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 83 Exodus 33:14-15 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. (NKJV) 84 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

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85 Exodus 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 86 Psalm 16:11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Your presence is fulness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (NKJV) 87 John 14:23 If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 88 Matthew 12:25 …Every kingdom divided against itself is bought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. 89 John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 90 Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 91 ‘Study of the Status of Virginia’s Families’, House Document No. 57, Commonwealth of Virginia, 1995, page 32 92 Source: Virginia Department of Health, Division of Health Statistics (Richmond City Health District, 2013) Statistics, pg 15 93 ‘Study of the Status of Virginia’s Families’, House Document No. 57, Commonwealth of Virginia, 1995, page:24 94 Father Facts (Fourth Edition) 2002, National Fatherhood Initiative 95 One in 100: Behind Bars in America 2008 Public Safety Performance Project, The Pew Center on the States 96 See #95 97 Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. 98 Psalm 107:4-7 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty their soul fainted in them. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. Judges 18:7 …and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure, and there was no magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame in anything, and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no business with any man. Isaiah 47:8 Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me: I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children. 99 Mark 9:35 …If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. John 21:15-17 …Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea Lord: thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs….Feed my sheep…Feed my sheep. James 2:8-9 If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: but if ye have respect persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 100 1 Samuel 2:30 …for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

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101 1 Tim 4:8 …but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Pro 10:9 He that walketh uprightly, walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known. Pro 11:3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. Pro 13:6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. 102 Eph 4:22-32 That ye put off concerning the former conservation the old man, which is corrupt…put on the new man…putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor:…Let all bitterness, and wrath…be put away from you, with all malice:…forgiving one another… Matthew 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say unto thee, Until seven times: but, until seventy times seven. 103 Luke 6:38 Give and it shall be given unto you: good measure, pressed down, and shaken together… 104 Ps 40:11 …let thy loving kindness and thy truth continually preserve me. Pro 6:26-35 …the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom and, and his clothes not be Burned? …he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul… 105Matthew 12:25 …and every city or house divided against itself cannot stand 106 Psalm 133:1-3 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity…for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. Judges 18:7-28 …how they dwelt careless…quiet and secure…and had no business with any man….when Micah saw they were too strong for him…and they smote them with the edge of the sword…And there was no deliverer…and they had no business with any man: Isaiah 47:8-10 ….thou that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am and none else beside me: I shall not be as a widow…Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted the, and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me. 107 Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish… Mark 12:35 …Every kingdom divided against itself is bought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falleth 1 Peter 1:22…see that ye love one another with a pure heart feverently: 108 James 4:2 …yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 109 John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples. 110 1 John 4:12 …if we love one another, God dwelleth in us and His love is perfected in us. 111 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 112 Acts 4:10-33 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole…Neither is there salvation in any other….for all men glorified God for that which was done…they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth,…and when they had prayed, the place was shaken….And the multitude of them

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that believed were of one heart and of one soul:..And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. John 17:22-23 …that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that Thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. 113 John 12:27-28 Now is my soul troubled: and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it,and will glorify it again. John 17:1-4 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come, glorify thy Son, that thy Son may also glorify thee…I have glorified thee on thee earth: I have finished the work that thou gavest me to do. 114 John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples. 115 John 16:13-14 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself: but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shew it unto you. 116 John 15:12 This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you John 13:35 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if ye have love one to another… 1 John 4:12 …If we love one another, God dwelleth in us and His love is perfected in us’ 117 I Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. John 14: 12-13 Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do: because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall anything in my name, I will do it. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 118 Jeremiah 33:3 Call upon me and I will answer thee and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 119 Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not on your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. 120 2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 121 John 17:22-23 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them: that they may be one, even as we are one. I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that Thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

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122 Psalm 133: 1-3 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity…for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. 123 Leviticus 26:8 And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight:… 124 Revelation 7:9-10…of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb… 125 Hebrews 11:13...and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 126 2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ… 127 Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven… 128 Romans 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 2 Corinthians 9:8-13 (NIV) God is able to make all grace abound towards you…and for your generosity…

Connecting to Bless RVA“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill

cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14

Revised in 2016 James AndersonDon Coleman

Richmond, Virginia