Our Mission
Our mission is that which Christ gave His followers, the two “Greats” of Scripture, the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. These things will be great in our hearts and lives.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
“And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV)
Simply stated, the mission of The Boston Collaborative Church Plant is:
“Connecting Boston to Christ”
Our Vision
Charles River Church will be a transformational community of believers committed to Christ-centered living, serving as His hands to Boston and beyond.
Our Strategy
REACH. CONNECT. DISCIPLE.
Our clearest picture of the local church in its purest form comes from Acts 2:41-47 & 4:32-35:
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. … Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
As seen in the early church, we believe that church structure is biblically simple. Our Vision is derived from this image of the early church.
REACHING the city with the transforming message of Christ,
CONNECTING them to a meaningful relationship with Christ and His Church,
and DISCIPLING the faithful to spiritual maturity.
REACH: Pre-Evangelism & Evangelism Efforts – community service/networking, relational evangelism (grassroots), and formalized efforts.
CONNECT: “Interest Groups” – Sports, Music/Art, Books, Moms, Biking, etc. (spiritual interest, but no formalized Bible study).
“Connection Groups” – Small community groups. This will be our primary unit where needs are met throughout the body. Other Connection Groups will include grief groups, singles groups, teen groups, and other more focused groups. (Led by core team members who will eventually train/appoint under-shepherds)
Connecting in meaningful relationships is especially difficult in the city. As these groups meet this need, we believe that many will be drawn to these groups and they will eventually drive the church plant.
DISCIPLE: Smaller “Discipleship” relationships/groups will spin off of “Connection Groups” and church leadership. These “disciples” may, in turn, lead connection groups and discipleship groups. The expectation level in these groups will be greater than Connection Groups (2 Tim. 2:2). Eventually they will be the pool from which elders and deacons will come (and, ideally, future staff hires).
REACH / CONNECT / DISCIPLE: All three are included at Large-Group Gatherings.
Picture This …
• Picture a church that reaches into dark places with the love of Christ.
• Picture a church that gathers weekly to connect people to Christ in powerful and relevant corporate worship gatherings with creative elements throughout.
• Picture a church that disciples people by unashamedly challenging the intellect and our pattern for mediocrity through practical preaching and faithful discipleship.
• Picture a church with numerous Connection & Discipleship Groups reaching out to make an impact throughout the city on any given day of the week.
• Picture a church with numerous Connection Groups that provide people with a place to connect with others in biblical community, meeting each other’s needs in various ways.
• Picture a church with numerous Discipleship Groups that provide people with a place to be discipled to spiritual maturity and empowered to reproduce themselves.
• Picture a church with a firm commitment to seeing New England and the nations reached, connected, and discipled.
• Picture a church where EVERY person is challenged to engage in the powerful cycle of reaching, connecting, and discipling others.
