Triads on the brain and vision planning

As I am working through the initial assignments of putting the church plant vision down on paper, the "triads" or triperspectival approach learned in seminary has been of great help.  Other than being a cool word (triperspectival), it is really quite practical.

The idea is that we should not view things solely from one vantage point.  There exists a "normative" (God's word), a situational (your particular context or community) and an existential (your own personal experience).  Obviously we are not ever to violate God's Word (normative), even if our situational and existential pull is in a certain direction.  However, if something is not violating God's Word, we need to make sure we examine our context and ourselves when making decisions.

Put another way...I have to pay attention and heed the directives given by Scripture pertaining to what a church is called to be.  However, I am not given all the particulars of what this will actually look like.  That is where I need to understand my context or target area (situational) and my own unique personality, strengths, weaknesses, etc. (existential).  It has been fun and challenging to try and align all of these things. 

Ultimately what it is convincing me of is that the church collectively and members individually need to engage  in WORSHIP (normative), engage in COMMUNITY/sharing life (existential) and engage in mission (situational).  I am not sure yet what all of this will look like in our area, but I think this is where we need to head.  My hope is that as people engage in these three environments (worship, community & mission) disciples will be made and the church will be more and more expanding the Kingdom of God. 

Much work left to do, but I am getting excited about where things are heading.  More to come.