The examination of change in vital statistics of communities, compared with the growth of churches in the same community, demonstrates that as churches grow, the vital statistics of a city do not change. The time of building a church is over and the time to build a community is here. The focus on “attendance” and “money” has been a distraction for the church and, if not monitored, feeds the idea that a successful church is one that has a lot of people and finances. Although a healthy church should grow in these areas, this is not the primary indicator of health. Growth in attendance and in finances should be a byproduct of a changing community. The primary indicator of a healthy church is the impact it has on the community it is in. Is the community changing? Are the vital statistics getting better? Does the average believer see the “church” as a building, or as the people of God as a whole? The answers to these questions are key indicators of health among the body of Christ in a community and at Timberline.

In 2023 and beyond, the primary focus for Timberline is kids and children. Timberline will engage the students in the schools with the love of God by building a relationship with them that translates into life outside of the school. Build a support system for foster and adoptive families and build a thriving ministry in Kenya for orphans. A relationship is the foundation for real change in a person’s life and kids are the future of any community. When implemented correctly, this focus will bring real change to communities influenced by Timberline.

A secondary focus is the Sunday services and the ministries that take place at Timberline. They will be geared toward those who do not know God by demonstrating the authentic love and goodness of God and speaking through creative avenues. Timberline will empower and train individuals to use their abilities and gifts by giving them opportunities to minister in the community and at Timberline.