What makes a church truly life-giving? How can a community of believers create lasting impact both locally and globally? These questions are at the heart of building a thriving church that transforms lives and communities. Today is about our Vision for 2026 and to introduce that vision, we will visit our seven core values: Live-giving community, unprecedented grace, irrational generosity, strength in diversity, big faith, right-now excellence, and wisdom in action. 

A life-giving community is one where people leave feeling better than when they arrived. This isn't about entertainment or superficial feel-good moments - it's about genuine transformation through relationships with God and each other. Faith is contagious. When you surround yourself with people full of faith and life, you naturally leave feeling encouraged, even on days when you didn't feel like coming. This is why community matters so much in our spiritual journey. The early church understood this principle. Acts 2:42 tells us that believers devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, sharing meals, and prayer. This wasn't just religious activity - it was life-giving community in action.

Grace transforms a church culture. Churches should be hospitals, not courtrooms. The difference is profound: hospitals heal, while courtrooms judge. When a church operates with unprecedented grace, it creates an environment where people can find healing and restoration. We all fall short. We all have moments we wish we could redo, words we wish we could take back, decisions we'd make differently. None of us have everything together, and that's exactly why grace is so essential. Grace doesn't excuse sin, but it does empower change. When we mess up, religion says "try harder," but grace says "come closer." This is the kind of environment where real transformation happens - not through shame or condemnation, but through love and support.

Irrational generosity goes beyond what makes sense from a worldly perspective. Jesus demonstrated this perfectly when He died on the cross - an act of generosity so radical it defies human logic. Biblical generosity involves our time, talents, and treasure. It's not about picking one area while ignoring others. True generosity flows from understanding that we've been blessed to be a blessing to others. Proverbs 11:25 reminds us: "Give freely and become more wealthy. Be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper, and those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." This isn't just about money - it's about a lifestyle of giving that creates abundance in every area of life.

Diversity strengthens the church. Strength comes through diversity when we include everyone and value what each person brings to the table. A church that reflects heaven's diversity - people from every nation, tribe, and language - has exponential potential for growth and impact. Unity doesn't mean uniformity. We can have different backgrounds, stories, and styles while sharing one mission, one Savior, and one big family identity. This creates a beautiful tapestry that reflects God's heart for all people. The book of Revelation gives us a glimpse of this heavenly diversity: "I saw a crowd too great to count from every nation and tribe and people and language standing in front of the throne before God." This is the model for what the church should look like today.

On the topic of big faith, how do we develop this in our lives? Big faith starts with believing that with God, nothing is impossible. Jesus said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God, everything is possible" (Matthew 19:26). This should shape how we dream, pray, and live. If your dream doesn't scare you, it's probably too small. God wants us to dream big dreams and pray bold prayers because we serve a big God. This applies to every area of life - business, ministry, relationships, and personal growth. Big faith isn't about being unrealistic; it's about aligning our vision with God's unlimited power and resources. When we do this, we position ourselves to see miracles and breakthroughs that seemed impossible.

What does excellence look like in a church? Excellence isn't perfection - it's doing the best you can with what you've got. Everything about us says something about us, and since we represent Christ to the world, we should put our whole heart into everything we do. God cares about details. Look at the intricate details He put into creating you. This same attention to detail should characterize how we approach ministry, relationships, and service. Excellence isn't about showing off; it's about showing God off to people. When we pursue excellence, we're demonstrating the character of the God we serve.

What does wisdom in action look like? Wisdom is the application of God's truth in every decision and circumstance of life. It's not just knowing the truth - it's living the truth in practical ways. If you're not doing as well as you'd like in some area of your life, it simply means there's something you don't know. Proverbs 4:7 says, "Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do." Whether you need wisdom for parenting, marriage, business, or any other area, God's Word provides the guidance you need. The wiser you become, the better your life will be.

Making a global impact starts with understanding that we exist not by accident but by assignment. Churches have the opportunity to address needs both locally and internationally through strategic partnerships and generous giving. This can include supporting church planting, helping with disaster relief, fighting human trafficking, providing clean water, keeping girls in school, and supporting orphans and widows. Each of these areas represents real people whose lives can be transformed through the church's generosity.

The key is moving beyond just meeting our own needs to asking how we can make a difference in the lives of others. When churches operate with this mindset, they become catalysts for transformation in their communities and around the world.

Remember, vision doesn't stop when buildings are finished or goals are met. As long as there are people who need to experience God's love and truth, there's work to be done. The question isn't whether you're perfect - none of us are. The question is whether you're willing to be part of something bigger than yourself, something that can transform lives and communities for generations to come.