Our Focus Areas

Engaging the Most Pressing Gospel Needs of Charlotte

Based on both trusted research and biblical conviction, and as an outflow of our values (Gospel-Centrality, Church-Unity, & City Transformation), we believe the following 5 focus areas are the primary gospel needs of our city.  For that reason, these are the areas FORCLT will focus on as we carry out our purpose to unite the Church to transform our city.

Mobility Matters:

We believe it is imperative that whole church of Charlotte engage the 5 Gospel issues revealed in the upward mobility study.  This 2014 Harvard/UC Berkeley study showed that Charlotte ranked 50th out of the 50 largest cities in America in economic Upward Mobility, based on the following 5 pillars:

  • Low Economic Mobility / Generational Poverty
  • Racial Division
  • Lack of Social Capital (Trust)
  • Education Inequality
  • Family Structure Divisions
The Margins Matter:

We believe it is imperative that whole church of Charlotte love, serve and advocate for those on the margins of society.  Specifically, Charlotte’s growing immigrant/refugee community (1 in 7 Charlotteans), the over 50,000 vulnerable children (1 in 5 children in Charlotte living below the poverty line, along with massive foster and adoption needs), and the over 34,000 that are either homeless or in need of affordable housing.

Millennial’s Matter:

We believe it is imperative that whole church of Charlotte effectively reach and engage the largest generation in our city.  At approximately 240,000 strong, Millennials make up 1 in 4 Charlotteans.  Charlotte is the #1 millennial relocation city in America, and research shows that 71% of millennials are disconnected from Christ and His church, making millennials numerically the largest demographic mission field in our city.

The Marketplace Matters:

We believe it is imperative that whole church of Charlotte unleash marketplace leaders to lead city transformation efforts.  As the 3rd largest financial hub in the U.S. and the center of commerce in the southeast, Charlotte is home to some of the most influential Christian marketplace leaders in the nation.  We believe the church must focus on unleashing the latent Kingdom potential residing in the marketplace to lead in Christ’s mission, both in our city and beyond.

Multiplication Matters:

We believe it is imperative that whole church of Charlotte effectively multiply healthy churches, disciples, and leaders for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom in an ever-changing city and world.  Multiplying healthy churches and disciples is at the heart of the Christ’s mission in the world.  Yet Charlotte has many unhealthy churches and countless pastors that are on the verge of burnout.  Which not surprisingly has led people away from the church in record levels, with research showing that Charlotte’s churched population declining rapidly.

 

State of the City Report