Why we do what we do
1. In this ministry, everything we are and
do is based upon the Scriptures, the Word of God. We believe the Bible to be verbally inspired,
the inerrant Word of God, and, when rightly interpreted by the Holy Spirit, to
be the infallible rule of faith and practice (see Psa. 45:1; Ezek. 1:3; Matt.
24:35; Luke 24:27; Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16; and 2
Pet. 1:21). There is a word of present
truth (2 Pet. 1:12; Rev. 2-3). However,
there are some things that the Lord has yet to reveal to His Church. We have
but crossed the threshold of the
2. In this ministry, we have a generational
vision; that is, the home and the family constitute the biblical foundation of
many generations (Isa. 58:12). Jesus
Christ is the Head of two great institutions:
the home and the local church (Eph. 1:20-23). In the home, the order is the man, the woman,
and then the children. In the local
church, the order is the set man/woman, the other elders and deacons, and the
saints (Phil. 1:1).
3. In this ministry, the House of the Lord,
the local church, is central to the community, just as the tribes of
4. In this ministry, all our horizontal
relationships in the home and local church are governed by the principles of
covenant community. No one lives to
himself/herself (
5. In this ministry, we recognize that we
are but stewards of that which the Lord has given (Psa. 115:16). We are
systematic and proportionate givers of those things that have been given to us
as a trust from God to be used in His service for the benefit of His
Kingdom. The Lord God is the Owner of
all things (see Gen. 14:19-22; Psa. 24:1; 50:1-12; 68:19; 89:11; Hag.
2:8). Men and women are His stewards,
responsible, and accountable to Him (Matt. 25:14-30; Lk. 19:11-26). We can use, abuse, or lose these divine allotments,
these possessions: LIFE from God – what
we have received; TIME from God– what we have been allotted; TALENTS from God –
what we have given to use; POSSESSIONS from God – what has been entrusted to
us; and FINANCES from God – what we have labored for.
6. In this ministry, all that we are and do
is based upon the spiritual laws of God’s Kingdom. The
7. In this ministry, who we are in Christ
is more important than what we do. The
fruit of His divine nature (Gal 5:22-23; 2 Pet 1:4) is more important than our
charismatic giftings (Rom 12:1-8; 1 Cor 12:8-10). The purpose of God is to conform us to the
image and likeness of Jesus Christ (Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 3:18), and the high calling
of God (Phil 3:12-14) is to become a people just like Jesus, brothers of whom
He is not ashamed (Heb 2:6-13).
8. In this ministry, we go forth to
reproduce (take dominion) after our own kind (Gen 1:11-12, 26-28). Evangelism is a way of life more than a given
method. Each one is a soul-winner (Pro
11:30). We have been sent to love
people, to convert and disciple our homes, neighborhoods, communities, and
region. We are commissioned by King
Jesus to take the Good News of His Kingdom to every nation (Mat 28:18-20; Acts
1:8).
9. In this ministry, these dynamics
manifest through each of us being a servant (Mark 10:45), on self-start, not
kick-start (have to be asked). We grow
and serve with passion from His nature within, not a legal obligation (we have
to), but from our love for God and His people (we want to and get to)! We joyfully do our part, our job, and then
look around for extra to do! Our ears,
our eyes, and our hearts are ever open to mature, enlarge, and expand our
capacities for God in this New Day (Hos 6:1-3), and our hands and our feet are
ever ready to do His will and walk in His paths as we grow up into Him (Pro
4:18; Eph 4:13,15).