This is what he showed me:
The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb,
with a plumb line in his hand.
–Amos 7:7
Plumb lines are a series of short, pithy statements that we, at the Summit, use as rallying points—both for our staff and for the entire church. They are a way to encapsulate our theology and philosophy in short, memorable phrases. These 16 statements form the core of our DNA as a church.
1. The gospel is not just the diving board; it’s the pool.
2. We judge our success by sending capacity, not seating capacity.
3. The church is not an audience; it’s an army.
4. People are the mission.
5. Prayer doesn’t just fuel the ministry; prayer is the ministry.
6. Live sufficiently, give extravagantly.
7. The local church is God’s “Plan A.”
8. Where trust exists, God moves.
9. The church should reflect the diversity of its community and declare the diversity of the Kingdom.
10. Stay where you are, serve where you live, be the church in your community.
11. Discipleship happens in relationships.
12. The best ministry ideas are in the congregation.
13. We are led by the Spirit, taught by the Word.
14. When life cuts us, we want to bleed God’s Word.
15. The one takes priority over the 99.
16. The question is no longer if you’re called; it’s only where and how.
If you’re curious to see some of our past “plumb lines” (some of which stayed the course and others of which were laid to rest), check out this post from 2011: 35 Values I Wished I Had Possessed When I Started Pastoring 10 Years Ago.
This article originally appeared here.
