The Value of Transformation

At Soul City church everyone is accepted, but everyone is expected. We believe that God created us to transform and through the power of the gospel God changes every element of our lives from the inside out. We believe that as we are transformed into our true identity we experience freedom that liberates us to love our community in a way that promotes peace and health that can bring transformation to our neighborhoods, city, and the world.

“You must display a new nature because you are a new person,

created in God’s likeness-righteous, holy and true.”

Ephesians 4:24

(part of a series of posts about the Values of Soul City Church)

At Soul City church everyone is accepted, but everyone is expected. In other words, you are accepted right where you are at, but you are expected not to stay there. We believe that God created everyone of us to transform – TO BECOME EXACTLY WHO GOD CREATED US TO BE.

It is God’s desire and by God’s power that He changes every element of our lives from the inside out. We believe that as we are transformed into our true identity we experience freedom that liberates us to love our community in a way that promotes peace and health that can bring transformation to our neighborhoods, city, and the world.

We want to make that incredibly Spiritual process as practical (helpful) and normal (expected) as possible.

“You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness-righteous, holy and true.”

Ephesians 4:24

Discussion :: How does a church take something as avoided and yet as critical as Growth and make practical as possible? Who is doing this well?

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Jul 27, 2009 @ 4:36 pm

Timothy Stewart

First, I love the vision, especially, the fresh and relative manner in which it is communicated.it resonates with much in my heart as I plant in CA. For us, and me, the gospel, they mystery of the ages, centers on this statement, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” Peter says we have everything we need for life and godliness. So the question becomes,”how do I develop, or unearth this treasure, buried beneath fleshly desires and tendencies, of Christ in me. In my own life, I saw a pattern that worked, and in prayer, God put some language to it, and its at the center of our church’s strategy. I call it the 4R Revolution. Its a revolution (process) that begets a revolution (marked change). If someone commits to follow this process, empowered by Christ, they will be transformed, with ever-increasing glory. First “r” is revelation (see different). Transformation has to begin with a truth encounter. Paul prayed for a spirit of wisdom and revelation. Secondly, there must be repentance (think different). Jesus said we produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Thirdly, there must be the daily grind of renewing the mind (choose different). Our weapons are mighty in God to pull down arguments and pseudo-truths, as we take thoughts captive, and submit them to Christ and his words. Finally, if we do the former three, WE WILL reflect Jesus more. It is just the natural result of setting our minds attention and hearts affection on him. Then, we repeat, and repeat, and get in a rhythm of revelation>repentance>renewing>reflecting, and transformation is inevitable. I’ve seen this pattern in my life, and all over the bible.

#4Rrevolution
@reflecttruth

Jul 27, 2009 @ 5:34 pm

Jarrett Stevens

Great thought Tim. Well grounded and well thought through.
Where are you guys at in Cali?

Jul 27, 2009 @ 10:21 pm

Planting in Elk Grove, CA (suburb of Sacramento). Only been a few months of dreaming and discussing with core team. On staff at church in Sac for 7 years as High School Pastor and Creative Comms Pastor.

Loved the “moments to movements” — we want to create moments where through reflection, Christ is revealed, then reflected in the rhythms of your life. (Or something like that)

Jul 27, 2009 @ 8:19 pm

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Jul 27, 2009 @ 10:04 pm

stephenbateman

Jumping off of what Timothy said:

I found out about Soul City Church via @human3rror, and have to say, I'm excited for ya'll. I doubt I'll ever get to be a part of the church ya'll are planting, but I definitely want in on the movement.

-Stephen

P.S. your video guy…off the chain.

Jul 28, 2009 @ 2:22 am

Thanks Stephen.
We'd love to have you be a part of it. We are excited about what God is doing and want as many people involved in it as possible.
As far as our Video Guys, I agree – the are the heezy for sheezy (that's what the kids are still saying, right )
Which videos are you refering to, I'd love to connect you guys.

Jul 28, 2009 @ 2:48 am

I really liked the Transformation, 7>1, and Moment to Movement videos. Who did the design for you guys? Same as video?

Jul 27, 2009 @ 11:03 pm

Design was a collection of friends.
But the videos were created by Andrew Moroney at Angels and Graffiti. He does incredible work. You should def check him out!

http://angelsandgraffiti.com/

Jul 28, 2009 @ 2:03 pm

yes, all the kids are saying it haha.

I saw the videos posted on church crunch that talked a little bit about ya'lls story. Well keep up the good work, I'll be following along from Charleston, SC, and let me know there's a practical way for me to jump in.

Jul 28, 2009 @ 2:07 pm

lylespain

site is slammin', blog is righteous, vids is tight. is it ok to hate?!?

Jul 28, 2009 @ 8:21 pm

Thanks man. That means a lot. We're really proud of it all.
You can hate all you want.
But you know what Fifty said, "If they hate, let 'em hate and watch the money pile up."
Not sure how that applies to church launching though…although piles of money would be nice…

Jul 28, 2009 @ 8:28 pm

Beth Schweibinz

Timothy – I love your idea of the 4R’s. I am definitely a believer that if we earnestly seek and grow closer to God that growth is going to happen naturally.

Jarrett, congrats on the Launch of Soul City. I am praying for you guys….. that God will bless you immesurably. It takes a lot of guts to take this giant leap of faith but rejoice in the fact that this is all in Gods hands. I am eagerly watching and learning from this process. Adam and I will be transplanting to Big Bear, California within the next few years and are listening for God’s leading in really making an impact there for him. (If our house ever sells) (I am sure you know the feeling). In the meantime, if you need anything, please let us know. (Administratively, logistically, event planning, musically)

Jul 28, 2009 @ 10:44 pm

@ismamartinez

Great job Jarret!!!
This is Isma from Barcelona, Spain. Since my church (http://www.iglesiadelgarraf.com) it's in the process to became an official NP partner, I know about you and i've been following you in the online preachings.
I want you to tell i'm so happy for you and your wife to start this new church in Chicago. Someday i'll go on vacations there and i'll be attending to your church one sunday at least.
Since i'm the responsible for grafic design, video production and webiste at my church, I love all the stuff you guys are doing!!! Great job!!!
I'll be following you.

BTW, lylespain, are you in Spain?

Jul 29, 2009 @ 6:35 am

Thanks Beth. We appriciate the encouragement and support.
Big Bear…not bad. It's beautiful there.

Jul 29, 2009 @ 3:51 pm

From Soil to Soul – Soul City Blog

[...] in the journey of identifying their basic soul needs and then walking with them on the road of transformation. There are more reasons why we choose the word “SOUL” to be in our name – but this is the [...]

Oct 16, 2009 @ 12:32 pm

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