MANDATE OF THE SUMMIT

Mandate /ˈmanˌdāt/ (n.) -An official order or commission to do something.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (CEB) Two are better than one because they have a good return for their hard work. If either should fall, one can pick up the other. But how miserable are those who fall and don't have a companion to help them up! Also, if two lie down together, they can stay warm. But how can anyone stay warm alone? Also, one can be overpowered, but two together can put up resistance. A three-ply cord doesn't easily snap.

The Summit Church Nashville is boldly adamant about the transformative work to which God has called and commissioned us. We honor our tradition as an extension for Christian unity by cooperating and partnering with other faith communities to work for bringing about completeness - reconciliation and justice in the world.

Our mandate is rooted in extending authentic community not just in word, but in deed to connect people to Christ. Recognizing people come from all different walks of life and contexts, we believe that these are essential in becoming the tangible message of transformation as found in the process of sanctification. Sanctification is "the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole person after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness." It is a continuing change worked by God in us.

God's method of sanctification is neither activism (self-reliant activity) nor apathy (God-reliant passivity), but human effort dependent on God (2 Cor. 7:1; Phil. 3:10-14; Heb. 12:14). Knowing that without Christ's enabling we cannot do good works, but also that Christ is ready to strengthen us for all we have to do (Phil. 4:13), we "abide" in Christ, asking for God's help constantly- and we receive it (Col. 1:11; 1 Tim. 1:12; 2 Tim. 1:7; 2:1). We are openly evangelistic in our efforts to relentlessly pursue all souls through actively demonstrating the relentless, unconditional love of the Father.

We are burdened for the salvation of lost souls because the love of Christ impels us. We are charged to cross social, cultural, linguistic, and national barriers to share the liberating power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.