About FORCLT – FORCLT

OUR STORY

FORCLT was founded by a group of pastors out of a shared burden that the operating system of the Church in Greater Charlotte is broken. Historically, the Church has been divided, declining, and too often disengaged from meeting the needs of our city, all while leading to epidemic levels of pastoral burnout. While this can be discouraging, in John 17, our Lord Jesus provided the answer when He prayed “…that they may become perfectly ONE, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” This is why the FORCLT Network exists. To Unite the Church to Transform Our City.

As this vision began to take hold with pastors and Christian leaders across the city, it became clear that no single church could lead this unified effort. Rather, it would require a neutral convening organization operating as a platform to connect the Church in order to see pastors, churches, and our city realize the renewal that only comes in Christ.

OUR PURPOSE

FORCLT‘s purpose is to Unite the Church to Transform Our City.

OUR KINGDOM VALUES

Trust- The currency of the Kingdom.

Because we value trust, we build network infrastructure that fosters unity and trust within a deeply divided church culture. We believe in the importance of hospitality and safe places and spaces where pastors and leaders can grow deeper together. We also provide trusted research, data, and thought leadership to ensure churches and organizations can marry their biblical-missional convictions with spiritual, physical, and societal needs of our city.

Metanoia- The mindset of the Kingdom

The Apostle Paul compels the church to “be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” Biblical metanoia (translated as repentance) refers to a radical reorientation of our minds (or paradigms) to the mind of Christ. Because we value metanoia, we will posture ourselves as listeners, learners, and reconcilers, in such a way that leads to personal, church, and organizational transformation, both in us, and those we serve.

Servanthood- The posture of the Kingdom.

Because we value servanthood, we posture ourselves to support and serve the mission of the church of our city. As a network of networks, we rejoice in knowing that our fruit grows on the trees of the pastors, leaders, churches, and organizations in our network. When they win, we win, and ultimately the Kingdom wins.

Collaboration- The strategy of the Kingdom.

Because we value collaboration, it shapes how we approach all we do as a team internally, and on mission externally. We believe when the church is collaborating on mission, it is a tangible expression of the unity that our Lord Jesus both prayed for (John 17) and commanded (John 13) in the upper room.

OUR MISSION

FORCLT‘s exists to Connect Pastors for Personal, Church, and City Renewal.

OUR THEOLOGICAL DISTINCTIVES

The FORCLT Network embraces the historic, orthodox creeds (Apostles & Nicene) of the church. We also leverage the Lausanne Covenant for how we help churches partner around church multiplication. Our theological distinctives listed below act as an anchor to give clarity for who we are and drive all the efforts of FORCLT.

THE CENTRALITY OF CHRIST –A radical and unwavering commitment to Jesus, in whom we have been united to God, and is at the center of our identity and mission.

THE UNITY OF HIS CHURCH – A commitment to the reality that the church of Greater Charlotte is already one in Christ, and that when lived out is the most powerful expression of Jesus’ gospel to our city.

THE FLOURISHING OF OUR CITY – A commitment to seeking the shalom of Greater Charlotte, which is the epicenter of both culture and Christ’s mission in our region.

Our Strategy:

FORCLT‘s Strategy is help Pastors and Church Leaders Learn, Connect, and Take Action, Together.

Learn

FORCLT maintains a posture of learning allowing us to better understand both the Church and the City. We create content, resources, and facilitate learning environments to equip pastors and church leaders to most effectively meet the needs of Charlotte.

Connect

FORCLT hosts citywide pastoral gatherings and mobilizes 4 types of networks: 1) geographic pastoral networks, 2) collaborative networks, 3) citywide affinity networks, and 4) geographic prayer networks.

Take Action

FORCLT mobilizes collaborative city-wide initiatives and provides technology tools that unleash the Church on Christ’s mission to meet the most pressing needs of our city.