When we started the C3 journey, we knew unifying the Christian community was the unique opportunity God had placed before us. Last year we refined the C3 vision to better articulate this destination, “C3 exists to mobilize the Christian community for city transformation”. Through this journey we have grown to understand the power and importance of the Christian community and the vital role each group plays in this process. We all desire to see the many divides with the Christian community healed and Jesus’ prayer in John 17 that the world would know Him through our unity realized, but who is the Christian community?
What is a Kingdom Community?
There is a unique opportunity to impact culture for Christ by connecting the Christian community. We see many good things happening throughout the state with dedicated business owners and leaders, alliances, churches, and individuals walking out their faith in the sphere of influence for which they are called. This has reinforced the C3 vision and heightened the awareness that the Christian community must work closer together by strategically engaging the ABC’s (Alliances, Businesses, Churches) and individuals in the Christian Community. We must first understand and respect the roles of each group we are working with.
The Vital Role Each Play
The alliances are defined as a not-for-profit organization where a Christian is in a position of leadership and has the authority and desire to apply Biblical principles to serve their employees, customers, donors, vendors, and community.
The role of Alliances is critical in the Christian community and provides valuable services in a variety of areas from serving the homeless, incarcerated, veterans, children, feeding the hungry, discipleship, and many other ministries within the community. These services are the hands and feet of Christ that work together to serve our communities. We support Alliances through volunteering to assist, donations, serving on boards, and assisting in strengthening the organization.
The businesses are defined as a for-profit organization where a Christian is in a position of leadership and has the authority and desire to apply Biblical principles to serve their employees, customers, vendors, and community. The role of businesses in the Christian community is to provide valuable services, employ people, and use influence to promote Kingdom activities. Businesses can be supported by doing business with them, and they support others by using their influence to promote alliances, churches, individuals, and others in the community.
The churches are defined as a not-for-profit organization or fellowship to promote evangelism and discipleship of Jesus Christ. The role of the church is vital in the Christian community and is to equip and encourage followers of Christ to apply their faith in each sphere of influence they are called to. Churches can be supported by the tithes and offerings of their attenders and support the community through the promotion of business, alliances, individuals, and other churches.
Individuals are followers of Christ who may be employed by a secular or Christian organization, work in government, education, healthcare, work as a stay-at-home parent, or any other sphere of influence where God has placed them. Individuals are the largest group in the Christian community and play a vital role as they serve in many capacities and bring the light of Christ into many places throughout society.
Engaging the Community for City Transformation
We believe that each of the four areas of alliances, businesses, churches, and individuals are all important roles in the Kingdom of God. Moreover, we believe that a mobilized Christian community who shares the same values, vision of unity, and foundation of prayer can impact the world in ways we have never seen before. Acting in unity and caring for all would reduce poverty, crime, prison population, orphans, impact social and moral issues, strengthen families, and reduce the tax burden on our state. City transformation is possible when the Christian community is empowered by the Holy Spirit and work together according to His will!
To get more information and join the South Carolina Christian Chamber of Commerce (SC-C3) movement, go to www.sc-c3.org and become a member today!
Jamie Jordan is the State Director for the South Carolina Christian Chamber of Commerce (SC-C3). His passion is to see unity and excellence exhibited within the Christian community. Jamie can be reached at jjordan@stravicom.com.