In an unprecedented show of unity, Christian leaders from dozens of denominations, ministries and local communities have committed to working together toward the spiritual and cultural transformation of America’s cities. While national and local Christian leaders have worked together on many occasions, this is the first time that so many national leaders have formally committed to making partnership with grassroots leaders a priority.
The Mission America Coalition (MAC), has developed a ministry framework called Loving Our Communities to Christ (LC2C) to help facilitate effective working relationships among churches and ministry organizations throughout the country, so that the love and grace of Jesus can be experienced in a new and more powerful way by our cities. MAC Chairman, Paul Cedar, emphasized that LC2C represents the desire of the Mission America Coalition to serve and support leaders who are on the front lines of ministry. “We believe that in a miraculous way, God has brought Christian leaders together to focus their efforts on cities,” Cedar added.
Cities Commit to Three Year Process
In December, Christian leaders gathered for the official announcement of LC2C Pilot Cities that will serve as the “proving grounds” for collaborative ministry. Jim Overholt, Executive Director of MAC said the cities were chosen through a prayerful process that “was quite amazing to watch. So many Christian leaders, from so many corners of the kingdom moved through a thoughtful, prayerful and Spirit-led process of choosing the LC2C Pilot Cities.” Overholt added, “Christian leaders in each city were asked to make a three year commitment to literally change the culture of church and renew their collective focus on transformational ministry.” During these three years, leaders will pray and work together in a collaborative and wholistic strategy for reaching their city with the Gospel message.
City reaching efforts in most of these cities and regions are already well underway and in some cities, pastors and other leaders have been meeting and praying together for several years. Phil Miglioratti, MAC LC2C Coordinator, explained that “what’s different about this is that LC2C calls for a deeper and more lasting commitment to both God’s kingdom and local community, and offers a greater synchronization of city reaching movements with national denominations and ministries.”
The LC2C Pilot Cities are: Cedar Rapids, IA; Charleston, WV; Charlotte, NC; Coachella Valley, CA; Corvallis, OR; Fox Valley, IL; El Paso, TX; Santa Rosa, CA; and Tuscaloosa, AL.
Miglioratti pointed out that in some cases the name of the LC2C Pilot City represented additional cities and whole regions that will focus on LC2C. For example, the El Paso, TX LC2C effort also includes Las Cruces, NM and Juarez, Mexico and the Coachella Valley, CA incorporates leaders from cities such as Palm Desert and Palm Springs, CA.
The Church Must Be The Church
Overholt said LC2C challenges Christians and churches to “be the church” contemplated in the New Testament by restablishing a foundation of prayer, a lifestyle of care and a willingness to share Jesus Christ in our communities. “Pray, Care and Share are foundational biblical concepts and the DNA of LC2C,” he added, “and they also represent the common themes and ‘best practices’ in communities who are experiencing authentic transformation.”
Denominational, ministry, and marketplace leaders from each of the nine communities were on hand for the announcement of their city as an LC2C Pilot City. Charles Daugherty, Serve the City in Cedar Rapids, IA, says local pastors will begin teaching Pray-Care-Share January 22. Other activities planned include a Go to the Wall Sunday in which Christians will make a commitment to pray for and reach out to those around them who don’t know Christ. Bob Lowman, Metrolina Prayer Network in Charlotte, NC, says they’re working with a coalition of pastors and marketplace leaders and believes LC2C can provide models for working together with national leaders who will in turn encourage their representatives to get involved locally.
In addition to serving as Chair of the Mission America Coalition, Paul Cedar is helping lead Lighthouses of the Valley (LOV) in Coachella Valley, CA. LOV is already moving through the three year LC2C Pray-Care-Share emphasis. “Prayer is the foundation of all we do,” Cedar emphasized, adding that, “We’re planning several care events early in 2006 and working toward evangelism training in each church with a commitment of at least one ‘harvest’ event each year.”
MAC national leaders, staff and others will serve LC2C Pilot City leaders in a consulting and advisory role. According to Cedar, “It’s our prayer that God will use each one of us to enhance the Holy Spirit’s work in each of the LC2C Pilot Cities so that the lives of many people, and in turn the cities of America, will be changed and transformed to the glory of God!”
More Information on Loving Our Communities to Christ
