Our mission is to make disciples by:
Abiding in the Vine
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified.
[John 15:4-8a, ESV]
Communing Within the Body
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
[Philippians 2:1-8, ESV]
Evangelizing in the community
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 28:18-20, ESV]
Our vision is to complete our mission of making disciples by coming alongside the work the Father is doing around us.
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.
[John 5:19, ESV]
The ministry of coming alongside comes from our namesake, Barnabas, whose name means "son of encouragement" and is inspired by the book "Becoming Barnabas" by Robert Logan. While Barnabas does not get much acclaim and may not have been the most eloquent speaker or dynamic leader, his behind-the-scenes discipleship of Paul and later John Mark resulted in the authorship of most of our New Testament.
The vision for Barnabas Church is not that it will be a platform for one or a few particularly gifted individuals to lead our corner of Cleveland for Christ, but that we would be an army of believers--submitting to the Spirit's guidance and working in his power--laboring together to make multiplying disciples.
"but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
[Luke 10:42, ESV]
Servanthood
“And he said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.’”
[Luke 22:25-26, ESV]
Multiplication
“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.”
[Matthew 28:19-20a, ESV]
Truth
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
[John 8:31b-32]
Community
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
[Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV]
Unity
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”
[1 Corinthians 1:10, ESV]
We are going to be an Acts 29 church, and hold fast to their statements of faith and commitment to planting gospel-centered, church-planting churches.
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