Epicenter thinking at BridgePointe

Californians understand the word “epicenter” real well. It’s an earthquake term that is as familiar to me as the word “beach”. After an earthquake, the first question asked is, “Where was the epicenter?” The epicenter is the point from which the force of the earthquake originates. It marks the axis from where the hit disseminated. The closer you are to the epicenter, the more impact you feel, and the more you are affected by the movement.

This concept is something that all of us at BridgePointe need to be familiar with as well. The idea of an epicenter forms our strategy in impacting others with our faith. When we use the word “outreach”, know that our first “reach out” should be those closest to us. They are our spiritual epicenter. Close proximity makes the difference. This allows believers to be intentional, strategic, and focused with three advantages:

·         Efficiency-  Time, resources, and influence are maximized with an immediate spiritual impact due to minimal movement from the center.

·         Incarnation-  Those closest to us are experiencing a spiritual influence that they can see, hear, and personally experience from someone near them.

·         Momentum-   A spiritual wave effect of forward movement best travels when the force and catalyst is first centralized and focused.

This was Jesus’ parting strategy to the disciples in changing the world with his message.

“He said to them ... you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8)

It is most significant that the disciples were presently in Jerusalem and that the three other geographical locations Jesus speaks of were at incremental distances from each other moving outward. In other words, Jerusalem was their epicenter and the shock waves formed concentric circles moving outward, much like radar signals. Jesus’ point? Start where you are. This was the principle-thread in the Deep End workshop I taught this last weekend called, “Contagious Faith.” The stats bear this out. When surveyed, 85% of unchurched Americans would visit a church or talk about “religion” only on the condition that it was generated from a friend or family member— People close to you!

Maximizing our epicenter as individuals means we have to inventory all the relationship potential in closest proximity to us in our natural walk of life. As a church, it means our surrounding communities and cities must be our first responsibility to reach and serve. Beginning in August, BridgePoint will be more and more intentional, geographically. The best way for BridgePointe to build towards an international influence is to start with those in need of Jesus living right in front of us.

In fact, this summer, I’m challenging our church staff to get to know the people working in the surrounding units right next to our church office. It was Jesus’ way. The closer those are to your epicenter, the more impact they will feel, and the more they will be influenced by your life as a Christian. No need to go to California for your epicenter … or anywhere else for that matter.