In my last post I mentioned that I am believing that Washington DC will be transformed by God through the work of His people at NCC.

But here’s the thing, I believe this will only happen if we will step outside of our box and outside of our comfort zone to reach people who are not like us and don’t like us.

What do I mean by this? Well, there are plenty of people in Washington DC who are not young urban professionals, plenty of people who aren’t college educated, who aren’t intellectuals, plenty of people who don’t smell like us because they don’t have a place to take a shower, people who don’t worship God like we do, and people who don’t believe in the same God.

If we want to make a lasting difference in all corners of our city, it’s going to be uncomfortable at times. We’re going to have to talk to people outside of our circles and cliques. We’re going to have to reach out to those people who aren’t like us, and we’re going to have to reach out to those people who actively dislike us.

“Greater Things” was the theme of the 2009 NCC Leadership Retreat and is the theme of NCC as a whole for the coming year. So, what Greater Things am I believing God for?

I’m believing that God will use NCC to make a difference in Washington DC that is tangible and widespread, a difference that cannot be missed, a difference that affects everyone from the President to the poor, from the wealthy to the homeless. I’m believing that the city will never be the same again because of the impact that God makes through His people in this city and specifically His people at National Community Church.

NCC’s annual leadership retreat is this weekend, and the theme for the year is Greater Things. It’s all about the greater things that God will do in, through and for us and the greater things that He will receive from us as a result of what he has done.

I’m super-pumped for the weekend. To all of those who are joining us, so glad you’re coming. To those who aren’t, come lead a small group or ministry at NCC in the coming year, and you can come in 2010!

You can follow the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #Greater09.