The Lord's Church

A People Belonging to God (1 Peter 2:9-10)

CORE PRACTICES
OF THE LORD’S CHURCH

Our Biblical Foundation - We believe we must always strive to understand Biblical commands in their proper context so that God’s principles are appropriately applied. The scriptures are the inspired, unerring word of God and therefore the foundation for what we believe and do. We will strive to hold to God’s Word and do what the scriptures teach. At the same time, we are fully aware that our understanding of God's Word will never be complete or perfect. We are thankful that God's acceptance of us is not based on perfect understanding of what he has said to us in the Bible. (Matthew 7:13-27, John 8:31-36, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, James 1:22-25)

Authentic and Biblical Conversion to Christ - We believe we must develop authentic faith in the unsaved before they confess, are baptized and repent of their sin. Church members will encourage continued steadfast devotion to Christ with love, honesty, and grace. (Matthew 28:19-28, John 3:5-8, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:4, Ephesians 4:14-16, 1 Peter 3:20-22, James 2:14-26, 1 John 1:4-8)

Servant Leadership - We believe our leaders are to govern with love, support, patience and convictions about the truth. Our leaders are servants of each member of the body and accountable to God and one another. (Matthew 20:24-28, Philippians 2:1-8)

Gift-Oriented Ministry - We believe church members should serve God in accordance to their personalities, gifts, experiences, and abilities. We will minister together as one body, and as the opportunity permits, partner appropriately with organizations outside the Church. (Proverbs 12:11, 12:24, 28:19-20, Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Ephesians 6:5-9, Colossians 3:23-4:1, 1 Peter 4:10, James 4:13-17)

Outreach - We believe this congregation must exhibit a collective faith in God by meeting people’s needs. Our evangelistic efforts will first start by caring for other people. (Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Corinthians 5:11, Ephesians 4:29)

Discipleship and Spiritual Growth- We believe each church member is to continuously grow by personal and public bible study, prayer, and worship, by developing their personal convictions about spiritual truth, by learning to hate sin, by sharing their faith, and by giving their time and money to God in support of the church and her mission. We will grow to be authentic, healthy, committed disciples of Jesus Christ - loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5, Isaiah 59:1-2, Mark 12:30, Acts 2:42-46, 4:30, Romans 8:1-17, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, 2 Corinthians 8 & 9, Ephesians 4:11-16, 5:3-21, 6:16, Hebrews 6:1-3, 11:6, 2 Peter 1:5-8, Revelation 4:11)

Inspiring Public Worship - We believe our public assembly will provide everyone that worships with us an opportunity to experience God by: praising Him in song; remembering Him in communion; honoring Him in our giving; talking to Him in prayer; and learning about Him through the preaching of His scriptures. (Deuteronomy 6, Mark 16:15, John 8:24, Acts 1:14, 1 Corinthians 14:3-4, 3:24-25, Colossians 3:15-16, Thessalonians 5:17, Hebrews 12:28, Revelation 4:8-11)

Love and Care for God’s People - We believe we are to love and show our love for one another. Among the believers, we are to give to anyone as they have need. (John 13:34-35, Acts 1:45, Galations 6:10, Ephesians 5:21, Philippians 2:1-11)

Church Unity - We believe we are to live as a unified part of Christ’s body - serving the Lord and one another with a spirit of cooperation, compromise and collaboration. In doing so, the love of God will be allowed to do its work. Matthew 13:29, Romans 14:1-12, 1 Corinthians 8:9, 12:12-30, Ephesians 4:3, Colossians 3:14



Progress