CFW Strategic
Forum

​On Thursday night, 100 CFW leaders gathered for the 1st Annual Strategic Forum at the Center for Architecture. CFW Executive Director David Kim did a presentation on Stretching the Imagination to envision what a Re-imagined NYC might look like, and think about what role the CFW community might play in God’s work here in the city.

Kim began the talk by asking the room to consider what NYC looked like 30 years ago. The high crime and brokenness of the city had people looking to escape it while today people are clamoring to get into NYC because of the culture and opportunities that exist here. What could we make NYC, Kim asked, in 90 years? He encouraged the group to imagine what the city would be if we had a multi-generational vision for the role of the church in every sector of the city.

To demonstrate examples of cultural renewal that move the city forward, three presenters talked about what gospel centered change would look like in their industries. Architect Scott Franscisco, designer Tina Chang and investor Catherine Wood each gave examples of re-imagining their sectors of work.

Kim then focused the group on three areas CFW wanted to highlight in the coming years:

 (1) Gathered Church // Scattered Church
Redeemer doesn’t cease to be the church after leaving the worship service on Sunday. CFW focuses on the equipping, connecting, and mobilizing of the scattered church to be the people of God reflecting the love of Christ throughout every sector of society!

To this end, CFW will create more equipping options to provide three levels of theological training to congregants led by staff and lay leadership.

(2) Connecting Vocational Networks
The scattered church provides a unique cross-industry community motivated by a coherent vision of the interconnectedness and interdependence of various industries in the city, all operating beneath the sovereignty of God!

To this end, CFW’s Faith and Work Nights will evolve into City Rhythms to provide more focused opportunities to get to know the vocations that comprise NYC. CFW will also leverage the power of social media to get a more accurate and current picture of important issues, trends and shifts happening in city vocations through #NYCurrents.

(3) Mobilizing Toward Concrete Change
Because CFW believes that the gospel transforms not only individuals, but also institutions, they will begin moving towards more concrete applications of theological foundations by partnering with key people, organizations, and companies working to Re-imagine NYC.

To this end, CFW will broaden Ei’s focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, develop projects that more concretely connect the church to the city, and the 2013 CFW conference this fall will explore Re-Humanizing Work.

Kim closed the evening by encouraging participants to get involved through prayer and program participation. The evening closed with time for discussion and interacting that was underscored by music from DJ Drew Hammell.