MISSION STATEMENT
“To strengthen the Church by empowering local congregations to communicate effectively with their target audiences.”
VALUES
- Edifying the Church, for the glory of God and the redemption of the world.
- Excelling in communication.
Edifying the Church
Many Christians don’t know that one of the most influential theologians, St. Augustine, said the following:
The church is a whore, but she is my mother.
When we communicate any message as the Church we need to be authentic. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging the weaknesses of the church as St. Augustine did. Put simply, do you like it when companies use false advertising to get you to buy something? No, none of us like having the truth withheld from us. Rooted Up will encourage you to be authentic in your communications and marketing strategies.
To do that, we will encourage your church to be more authentic as the Body of Christ. This requires a whole new way of thinking about “communication ministry” as a congregation. Communication is in essence the very reason for the Church’s existence, and the whole body needs to be involved and integrated into the process as a ministry of the whole church. It is not simply a ministry of a few talented people who can do nifty things with a computer — it is a lifestyle the Church must adopt and live out together.
A 2007 book entitled, They Like Jesus but Not the Church, captures some very real truths that the Church must grapple with, or potentially face deeper cultural isolation as a result of being inauthentic. In short Christians can often be the Church’s own worst enemy, and Christ’s biggest hurdle for effectively reaching out to his own creation. And yet I love the Church, for she is my mother says Augustine.
At Rooted Up we love our home church. We love pastors from small local churches to big mega churches. We love church moms, and the dads and husbands who are rarely seen at church. We would not love the Church though if we turned a blind eye to all that is wrong with it. It is loving to offer correction.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith…
And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, ‘My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.’ As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all…
But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong…
Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.”
(Adapted from Hebrews 12:1-15)
The Church needs to breathe the fresh air of freedom that comes with truth, and the world desperately needs a fresh encounter with Christ’s Church. If we claim to be people of the Word, then we need to be thinking people, willing to challenge ourselves with the daily renewing of our minds. You are likely a busy pastor or lay person in your church, we understand the yoke you carry. We don’t want to just offer products and paid services, we want to challenge you to a freer experience of God moving in your congregation and your city. He has many great plans to communicate with his creation through us if we are receptive to where he is leading and working.
