Vision

The 3d church planting vision

What is the 3d network?

The vision we have for Christ Church Derby comes from a bigger vision to see lots of Biblical churches started across the Derby region and, God willing, the country. The 3D Network is essentially a set of principles we want to shape the new church. For example we feel passionately that the Bible tells us to engage both the mind and the emotions, so we will look to be engaging richly with God’s word whilst also enjoying singing his praises. Similarly we are called to look in different ‘directions’ as God’s people, so we will aim to take the life-giving gospel out to those around us, whilst also seeking to see our own lives transformed through discipleship.

This is quite a long article but hopefully it explains what we’re aiming for.

The big idea

• Three distinctives – What are we called to believe? At Christ Church Derby we are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ. As a result of this we rejoice to hear his voice, primarily and authoritatively through the Bible. Whilst learning from and sharing fellowship with Christians from many sections of the Church, we believe the Reformed tradition most faithfully represents the Bible’s teaching. Its emphasis on God’s grace, sovereignty and word therefore shape our beliefs. This God of grace calls through the Gospel: the message that his son Jesus has paid the penalty for our rebellion and risen to offer us eternal life. As this message spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth the con- tent remained the same, whilst the style of presentation and worship adapted to each new culture. We will try and follow the same pattern in Derby city centre.

• Three dimensions – What are we called to be? In the Bible people are changed from the heart outwards: the Gospel is meant to affect us in every way. It should shape our minds, emotions and actions. There should be no gap between joyful praise of God and serious study of his word, or between sacrificial, radical living and deep, reflective thinking.

• Three directions – What are we called to do? There are three different ‘directions’ we are called to look to as Christians. Firstly we are called to look up, and to live for the glory of God in all we do . Then we are told to look out, to transform the world around us, through evangelism and the cultural mandate. Lastly we are told to look inside, to our own spiritual renewal and growth A healthy church will seek to look in each of these directions.

Three distinctives

• Reformed God is sovereignly in control of all creation, and has the right to be acknowledged over every area of life. He graciously calls us and enables us to live for his glory in all spheres, with no spiritual-secular divide.

• Gospel-driven Through the (penal substitutionary) death and resurrection of Jesus, God has offered salvation to the world. There is no-one beyond the reach or the need of his grace. This Gospel is the means through which God calls us to himself, and the means by which he disciples his children. (Col 2:6-7)

• Culturally-engaged The content of the Gospel never changes, but its presentation is shaped by the surrounding culture. Whilst maintaining its full authority, we are to make it as easy as possible for those around us to hear and receive God’s Word. Likewise worship will be shaped by the twin principles of this unchangeable Word and our flexible culture’ (1 Cor 9:19-23)

Three dimensions

• Informing the mind The Gospel and Christian faith do not by-pass the mind: in fact we are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom 12:1). Faith is not an irrational leap in the dark. We are called to be constantly learning from God’s word, growing in our knowledge and understanding of Him through rich and deep preaching, teaching and personal study.

• Engaging the affections Our emotions and affections are given to us by God so we can delight in Him. We will look to grow in our love and enjoyment of God, over- flowing in praise and thanksgiving. (Phil 4:4)

• Transforming the will One of the signs of real faith is a transformed life. We will look to be always changing our lifestyle to bring it closer into line with Jesus. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17)

Three directions

• God glorifying ‘Look up’. The ultimate purpose of the cosmos is to bring glory to God. God allows us to enjoy this glory, and our primary goal is to see Him honoured (Rom 11:36, 1 Cor 10:31).

• Personal renewal ‘Look inside’. We are called to be constantly renewing ourselves, through repentance and faith. Standing still as a follower of Jesus is impossible, he is always shaping and changing us by his Spirit (2Cor 3:18).

• World transforming ‘Look outwards’ Jesus sends his followers to make disciples of all nations. By proclaiming the gospel and transforming our society we are to love, serve and challenge the world around us (Mat 28:18-20, Gen 1:28).