Glorify God through Praise and Worship

And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession--to the praise of his glory. (Eph. 1:9-14, NIV)

God’s will was a mystery until he fully revealed it in the person of Jesus Christ. His eternal purpose is to unite all humanity under one spiritual authority — Christ. One accepts God’s purpose after hearing the gospel, the good news message about Jesus. Upon expressing faith in Christ through baptism, one receives the indwelling Holy Spirit as a seal guaranteeing God’s promised redemption (Acts 2:38). Christians live for the praise of his glory and assemble to worship God every Sunday, the day of the week when Christ was raised from the dead.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 15:5-6, NIV)

Even though we are a multicultural and economically diverse congregation, a true spirit of unity is possible because we have chosen to follow Christ Jesus. With one heart and mouth, we glorify God in our singing, prayers, partaking the Lord’s Supper, and preaching God’s word each Sunday. In addition, every member is encouraged to meditate on God’s word and pray daily as the early church did (Acts 17:10-11). Our very lives are offered in praise for what God has done for us in Christ.

Reaching the Lost with the Good News of Jesus

Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.... All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. (II Cor. 5:5, 18-20, NIV)

As ambassadors of Christ, we represent God’s kingdom with a message of reconciliation — the gospel. We participate in God’s redemptive work by sharing the good news of Jesus at every opportunity. As we mature, the Holy Spirit empowers us to better understand, implement and teach God’s word. This is our priority mission, which Jesus gave his followers after his resurrection and before his ascension (Matt. 28:18-20).

Equip Everyone for Works of Service

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph. 4:11-13, NIV)

Spiritual leaders of the early church were committed to preparing or equipping every Christian for works of service. Our leaders strive to exemplify Jesus’ life of service (Matt. 20:28) and to create opportunities for everyone to develop and use their unique gifts and abilities (Rom. 12:5-8). Besides a variety of existing ministries through which people can serve, new ministries emerge as God gives us the vision and people resources. Through all our ministries we seek to share the love of God with one another and the community.

Advance All Members toward Maturity in Christ

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. (Col. 1:28-2:1, NIV)

Once a person decides to follow Christ, we seek to present him/her perfect or mature in Christ. This requires growing in knowledge of God’s will as revealed in the Bible. Several opportunities are provided to encourage such spiritual growth, including adult Bible classes held each Sunday morning and Wednesday night. Small (LIFE) groups meet weekly in geographically centered homes to study the Bible and support one another. Spiritual mentors and accountability relationships can further enhance one’s spiritual growth.

Trust in God for the Results through Prayer

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? (I Cor. 3:16, NIV)

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thess. 5:16-18, NIV)

While church growth is ultimately the work of God, each believer participates in the planting and watering of God’s field. We recognize our dependence on God and seek his guidance through prayer. Not only is prayer part of our daily Bible study, but we have access to God throughout the day as need and opportunity arise. All our gatherings include prayer. In addition, we set aside special occasions to gather for extended prayer. The quality of our spiritual life is evidenced by our joyful and grateful prayer life.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 2:1-5, NIV)

In every generation, human beings have struggled to conform to the image of Christ. We pray that God will give us the wisdom and strength to become a GREAT congregation.