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2012 VISION Welcome to 2012. Welcome to the ‘Year of Eccentricity.’ In Matthew 26, we find Jesus eating in the home of Simon. During the meal, Jesus and his disciples encounter a woman with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume. In an act of great eccentricity, the woman smashed the jar and poured the perfume over Jesus' head. Those present accused her of wasting something of great value. However Jesus celebrated this eccentric woman. The passage of scripture concludes with the following statement from Jesus, "...wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed." Clearly Jesus was not offended by this woman's eccentric act of praise and devotion, rather He saw a link between Eccentricity and the proclamation of the message of faith, hope and love. In the eyes of Jesus eccentricity is not wasteful, unwise stewardship but an investment into the Kingdom. This year we are going to be eccentric in 4 key areas: our devotion, our demonstration, our influence and our invitation. Our Eccentric devotion includes the recording and producing of a brand new studio album, our commitment to hosting world-class gatherings and events, an increase in the standard of our volunteering and our management of finances. Our Eccentric demonstration refers to the birthing of 5 new ministries in 2012, the writing and publishing of a second book and an increase in opportunities with local, national and international media. In 2012, BCC will be eccentric in Influence with our new Community Links programme - an initiative that strategically places and mandates a BCCer to breathe life into a specific geographic location by appearing on such things as school board of governors. BCCers will also be challenged to be eccentric in their invitation during 2012. We have to ensure that our gatherings and events - our 'entrances' - are nothing short of spectacular so that when BCCers take a relational risk in inviting their world to church, their guests are sure to press the 'like' button. This is the Year of Eccentricity. 
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