LIFE CHURCH

TO MAKE MORE AND BETTER DISCIPLES.

"GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND HOLY SPIRIT, AND TEACHING THEM TO OBEY EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED YOU." - MATTHEW 28:19-20

TO PLANT A CHURCH THAT PLANTS CHURCHES THAT PLANTS CHURCHES.

"THE VIGOROUS, CONTINUAL PLANTING OF NEW CONGREGATIONS IS THE SINGLE MOST CRUCIAL STRATEGY FOR (1) THE NUMBERICAL GROWTH OF THE BODY OF CHRIST IN A CITY AND (2) THE CONTINUAL CORPORATE RENEWAL AND REVIAL OF THE EXISTING CHURCHES IN A CITY." - TIMOTHY KELLER

GATHER (THE CHURCH):

TO GATHER TOGETHER AS A SONG-SINGING, SCRIPTURE-SPEAKING, SACRAMENT-STEEPED, SPIRIT-SATURATED PEOPLE OF GOD.

GOD IS HONORED BY OUR GOD-CENTERED, JESUS-GLORIFYING, SPIRIT-EMPOWERED CORPORATE LIFE.

GROW (THE COMMUNITY):

TO GROW TOGETHER AS A PRAISING-FOR-EVERYTHING, PETITIONING-FOR-EVERYTHING, AND PLAYING-THROUGH-EVERYTHING PEOPLE OF GOD.

GOD IS HONORED BY OUR PERSISTENT, BOLD, FUN COMMUNAL LIFE.

GIVE (THE CITY):

TO GIVE TOGETHER AS A TIME-RICH, TALENT-RICH, AND TREASURE-RICH PEOPLE OF GOD.

GOD IS HONORED BY OUR MINUTES-GIVEN, MUSCLES-GALVANIZED, AND MONEY-GENEROUS CHARITABLE LIFE.

GO (THE COMMISSION):

TO GO TOGETHER AS A INSTATE-MANDATED, INTERSTATE-MINDED, INTERNATIONAL-MOBILIZED PEOPLE OF GOD.

GOD IS HONORED BY OUR CHURCH-PLACING, CHURCH-PLANTING, CHURCH-PROSPERING CHARGED LIFE.

THE GOSPEL: IS OUR PROCLAMATION

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE CHURCH IS TO SHARE THE GOSPEL MESSAGE THROUGH THE LOCAL CHURCH: JESUS IS LORD.

THIS HAS TRICKLE DOWN IMPLICATIONS FOR EVERY AREA OF LIFE.

PEOPLE: ARE OUR PASSION

OUR HEART IS FOR PEOPLE TO TURN BACK TO GOD.

WE MAKE NO APOLOGIES FOR INVITING ALL PEOPLE TO REPEENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL. 

GENEROSITY: IS OUR PRIVILEGE

WE GIVE BECAUSE GOD HAS GIVEN RICHLY GIVEN TOWARDS US.

IT'S OUR PRIVILEGE TO GIVE MORE THAN IS REQUIRED BACK TO HIM.

EXCELLENCE: IS OUR PURSUIT

IF WE’RE GOING TO DO IT, IT’S GOING TO BE TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY.

WE WANT TO PUT FORWARD AND UNDISTRACTING EXCELLENCE.

SERVANT LEADERSHIP: IS OUR POSITION

IF YOU ARE TOO BIG TO SERVE THEN YOU ARE TOO SMALL TO LEAD.

FROM THE PARKING LOT TO THE PULPIT, EVERYONE SERVES DOING ANYTHING, EVERYTHING, AND (SOMETIMES) NOTHING.

HONOR: IS OUR POSTURE

WE HONOR UP, HONOR DOWN, AND HONOR ALL AROUND.

WE JOYFULLY SUBMIT TO THOSE THAT GOD HAS PLACED OVER US AND WE CARE FOR THOSE THAT GOD HAS PLACED UNDER US.

LEGACY: IS OUR PERSPECTIVE

WE HAVE A MULTI-GENERATIONAL MINDSET.

IF YOU WANT TO GO QUICK, GO BY YOURSELF. IF YOU WANT TO GO FAR, GO AS A FAMILY.

THE OLD AND NEW TESTMENTS ARE OUR PRIMARY AND FINAL AUTHORITY FOR THE FAITH, LIFE, AND TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH.

HOWEVER, WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT RECORDED CONFESSIONS, CREEDS, AND CATECHISMS THROUGHOUT CHURCH HISTORY HAVE CONTRIBUTED A GREAT DEAL TO THE COMMUNITY OF FAITH AND HAVE HELPED STEER THE CHURCH GLOBALLY.

SO WHILE WE SUBSCRIBE ROBUSTLY TO THE BELOW (WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS) - THE SCRIPTURES THEMSELVES ARE OUR FINAL AND INFALLIBLE AUTHORITY FOR BOTH FAITH AND PRACTICE.

YOU'LL FIND SOME OF THOSE BELOW.

WE BELIEVE IN ONE GOD, THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, OF ALL THINGS VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE.

WE BELIEVE IN ONE LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD, BEGOTTEN OF HIS FATHER BEFORE ALL WORLDS; GOD OF GOD, LIGHT OF LIGHT, VERY GOD OF VERY GOD; BEGOTTEN, NOT MADE, BEING OF ONE SUBSTANCE WITH THE FATHER, BY WHOM ALL THINGS WERE MADE; WHO, FOR US MEN AND FOR OUR SALVATION, CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, AND WAS INCARNATE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT OF THE VIRGIN MARY, AND WAS MADE MAN; AND WAS CRUCIFIED ALSO FOR US UNDER PONTIUS PILATE; HE SUFFERED AND WAS BURIED; HE DESCENDED INTO HELL AND THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE AGAIN, ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES; AND ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, AND IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER; AND HE SHALL COME AGAIN, WITH GLORY, TO JUDGE BOTH THE LIVING AND THE DEAD; WHOSE KINGDOM SHALL HAVE NO END.

WE BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE LORD AND GIVER OF LIFE; WHO PROCEEDS FROM THE FATHER AND THE SON; WHO WITH THE FATHER AND THE SON TOGETHER IS WORSHIPED AND GLORIFIED; WHO SPOKE BY THE PROPHETS.

WE BELIEVE IN ONE HOLY CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH.

WE ACKNOWLEDGE ONE BAPTISM FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS; AND WE LOOK FOR THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, AND THE LIFE OF THE WORLD TO COME.

AMEN.

WE, THEN, FOLLOWING THE HOLY FATHERS, ALL WITH ONE CONSENT TEACH MEN TO CONFESS ONE AND THE SAME SON, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE SAME PERFECT IN GODHEAD AND ALSO PERFECT IN MANHOOD; TRULY GOD AND TRULY MAN, OF A RATIONAL SOUL AND BODY; COESSENTIAL WITH THE FATHER ACCORDING TO THE GODHEAD, AND CONSUBSTANTIAL WITH US ACCORDING TO THE MANHOOD; IN ALL THINGS LIKE UNTO US, WITHOUT SIN; BEGOTTEN BEFORE ALL AGES OF THE FATHER ACCORDING TO THE GODHEAD, AND IN THESE LATTER DAYS, FOR US AND FOR OUR SALVATION, BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD, ACCORDING TO THE MANHOOD; ONE AND THE SAME CHRIST, SON, LORD, ONLY-BEGOTTEN, TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED IN TWO NATURES, WITHOUT CONFUSION, WITHOUT CHANGE, WITHOUT DIVISION, WITHOUT SEPARATION; THE DISTINCTION OF NATURES BEING BY NO MEANS TAKEN AWAY BY THE UNION, BUT RATHER THE PROPERTY OF EACH NATURE BEING PRESERVED, AND CONCURRING IN ONE PERSON AND ONE SUBSISTENCE, NOT PARTED OR DIVIDED INTO TWO PERSONS, BUT ONE AND THE SAME SON, AND ONLY BEGOTTEN, GOD THE WORD, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST; AS THE PROPHETS FROM THE BEGINNING HAVE DECLARED CONCERNING HIM, AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF HAS TAUGHT US, AND THE CREED OF THE HOLY FATHERS HAS HANDED DOWN TO US.

WHOEVER WANTS TO BE SAVED SHOULD ABOVE ALL CLING TO THE CATHOLIC FAITH.

WHOEVER DOES NOT GUARD IT WHOLE AND INVIOLABLE WILL DOUBTLESS PERISH ETERNALLY.

NOW THIS IS THE CATHOLIC FAITH: WE WORSHIP ONE GOD IN TRINITY AND THE TRINITY IN UNITY, NEITHER CONFUSING THE PERSONS NOR DIVIDING THE DIVINE BEING.

FOR THE FATHER IS ONE PERSON, THE SON IS ANOTHER, AND THE SPIRIT IS STILL ANOTHER.

BUT THE DEITY OF THE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT IS ONE, EQUAL IN GLORY, COETERNAL IN MAJESTY.

WHAT THE FATHER IS, THE SON IS, AND SO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT.

UNCREATED IS THE FATHER; UNCREATED IS THE SON; UNCREATED IS THE SPIRIT.

THE FATHER IS INFINITE; THE SON IS INFINITE; THE HOLY SPIRIT IS INFINITE.

ETERNAL IS THE FATHER; ETERNAL IS THE SON; ETERNAL IS THE SPIRIT: AND YET THERE ARE NOT THREE ETERNAL BEINGS, BUT ONE WHO IS ETERNAL; AS THERE ARE NOT THREE UNCREATED AND UNLIMITED BEINGS, BUT ONE WHO IS UNCREATED AND UNLIMITED.

ALMIGHTY IS THE FATHER; ALMIGHTY IS THE SON; ALMIGHTY IS THE SPIRIT: AND YET THERE ARE NOT THREE ALMIGHTY BEINGS, BUT ONE WHO IS ALMIGHTY.

THUS THE FATHER IS GOD; THE SON IS GOD; THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD: AND YET THERE ARE NOT THREE GODS, BUT ONE GOD.

THUS THE FATHER IS LORD; THE SON IS LORD; THE HOLY SPIRIT IS LORD: AND YET THERE ARE NOT THREE LORDS, BUT ONE LORD.

AS CHRISTIAN TRUTH COMPELS US TO ACKNOWLEDGE EACH DISTINCT PERSON AS GOD AND LORD, SO CATHOLIC RELIGION FORBIDS US TO SAY THAT THERE ARE THREE GODS OR LORDS.

THE FATHER WAS NEITHER MADE NOR CREATED NOR BEGOTTEN; THE SON WAS NEITHER MADE NOR CREATED, BUT WAS ALONE BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER; THE SPIRIT WAS NEITHER MADE NOR CREATED, BUT IS PROCEEDING FROM THE FATHER AND THE SON.

THUS THERE IS ONE FATHER, NOT THREE FATHERS; ONE SON, NOT THREE SONS; ONE HOLY SPIRIT, NOT THREE SPIRITS.

AND IN THIS TRINITY, NO ONE IS BEFORE OR AFTER, GREATER OR LESS THAN THE OTHER; BUT ALL THREE PERSONS ARE IN THEMSELVES, COETERNAL AND COEQUAL; AND SO WE MUST WORSHIP THE TRINITY IN UNITY AND THE ONE GOD IN THREE PERSONS.

WHOEVER WANTS TO BE SAVED SHOULD THINK THUS ABOUT THE TRINITY.

IT IS NECESSARY FOR ETERNAL SALVATION THAT ONE ALSO FAITHFULLY BELIEVE THAT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BECAME FLESH.

FOR THIS IS THE TRUE FAITH THAT WE BELIEVE AND CONFESS: THAT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, GOD’S SON, IS BOTH GOD AND MAN.

HE IS GOD, BEGOTTEN BEFORE ALL WORLDS FROM THE BEING OF THE FATHER, AND HE IS MAN, BORN IN THE WORLD FROM THE BEING OF HIS MOTHER — EXISTING FULLY AS GOD, AND FULLY AS MAN WITH A RATIONAL SOUL AND A HUMAN BODY; EQUAL TO THE FATHER IN DIVINITY, SUBORDINATE TO THE FATHER IN HUMANITY.

ALTHOUGH HE IS GOD AND MAN, HE IS NOT DIVIDED, BUT IS ONE CHRIST.

HE IS UNITED BECAUSE GOD HAS TAKEN HUMANITY INTO HIMSELF; HE DOES NOT TRANSFORM DEITY INTO HUMANITY.

HE IS COMPLETELY ONE IN THE UNITY OF HIS PERSON, WITHOUT CONFUSING HIS NATURES.

FOR AS THE RATIONAL SOUL AND BODY ARE ONE PERSON, SO THE ONE CHRIST IS GOD AND MAN.

HE SUFFERED DEATH FOR OUR SALVATION. HE DESCENDED INTO HELL AND ROSE AGAIN FROM THE DEAD.

HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER.

HE WILL COME AGAIN TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD.

AT HIS COMING ALL PEOPLE SHALL RISE BODILY TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR OWN DEEDS.

THOSE WHO HAVE DONE GOOD WILL ENTER ETERNAL LIFE, THOSE WHO HAVE DONE EVIL WILL ENTER ETERNAL FIRE.

THIS IS THE CATHOLIC FAITH.

ONE CANNOT BE SAVED WITHOUT BELIEVING THIS FIRMLY AND FAITHFULLY.

MINUS A FEW EXCEPTIONS, WE HAVE FOUND THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION + CATECHISM TO BE HELPFUL.

YOU CAN FIND THOSE RESOURCES HERE.

HTTPS://THEWESTMINSTERSTANDARD.ORG

RATIONALE

WE HAVE BEEN MOVED IN OUR PURPOSE BY THE FOLLOWING CONTEMPORARY DEVELOPMENTS WHICH WE OBSERVE WITH DEEP CONCERN:

1. 1. THE WIDESPREAD UNCERTAINTY AND CONFUSION IN OUR CULTURE REGARDING THE COMPLEMENTARY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MASCULINITY AND FEMININITY;
   2. THE TRAGIC EFFECTS OF THIS CONFUSION IN UNRAVELING THE FABRIC OF MARRIAGE WOVEN BY GOD OUT OF THE BEAUTIFUL AND DIVERSE STRANDS OF MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD;
   3. THE INCREASING PROMOTION GIVEN TO FEMINIST EGALITARIANISM WITH ACCOMPANYING DISTORTIONS OR NEGLECT OF THE GLAD HARMONY PORTRAYED IN SCRIPTURE BETWEEN THE LOVING, HUMBLE LEADERSHIP OF REDEEMED HUSBANDS AND THE INTELLIGENT, WILLING SUPPORT OF THAT LEADERSHIP BY REDEEMED WIVES;
   4. THE WIDESPREAD AMBIVALENCE REGARDING THE VALUES OF MOTHERHOOD, VOCATIONAL HOMEMAKING, AND THE MANY MINISTRIES HISTORICALLY PERFORMED BY WOMEN;
   5. THE GROWING CLAIMS OF LEGITIMACY FOR SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS WHICH HAVE BIBLICALLY AND HISTORICALLY BEEN CONSIDERED ILLICIT OR PERVERSE, AND THE INCREASE IN PORNOGRAPHIC PORTRAYAL OF HUMAN SEXUALITY;
   6. THE UPSURGE OF PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL ABUSE IN THE FAMILY;
   7. THE EMERGENCE OF ROLES FOR MEN AND WOMEN IN CHURCH LEADERSHIP THAT DO NOT CONFORM TO BIBLICAL TEACHING BUT BACKFIRE IN THE CRIPPLING OF BIBLICALLY FAITHFUL WITNESS;
   8. THE INCREASING PREVALENCE AND ACCEPTANCE OF HERMENEUTICAL ODDITIES DEVISED TO REINTERPRET APPARENTLY PLAIN MEANINGS OF BIBLICAL TEXTS;
   9. THE CONSEQUENT THREAT TO BIBLICAL AUTHORITY AS THE CLARITY OF SCRIPTURE IS JEOPARDIZED AND THE ACCESSIBILITY OF ITS MEANING TO ORDINARY PEOPLE IS WITHDRAWN INTO THE RESTRICTED REALM OF TECHNICAL INGENUITY;
   10. AND BEHIND ALL THIS THE APPARENT ACCOMMODATION OF SOME WITHIN THE CHURCH TO THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE AT THE EXPENSE OF WINSOME, RADICAL BIBLICAL AUTHENTICITY WHICH IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MAY REFORM RATHER THAN REFLECT OUR AILING CULTURE.

PURPOSES

RECOGNIZING OUR OWN ABIDING SINFULNESS AND FALLIBILITY, AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE GENUINE EVANGELICAL STANDING OF MANY WHO DO NOT AGREE WITH ALL OF OUR CONVICTIONS, NEVERTHELESS, MOVED BY THE PRECEDING OBSERVATIONS AND BY THE HOPE THAT THE NOBLE BIBLICAL VISION OF SEXUAL COMPLEMENTARITY MAY YET WIN THE MIND AND HEART OF CHRIST’S CHURCH, WE ENGAGE TO PURSUE THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:

1. 1. TO STUDY AND SET FORTH THE BIBLICAL VIEW OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN,ESPECIALLY IN THE HOME AND IN THE CHURCH.
   2. TO PROMOTE THE PUBLICATION OF SCHOLARLY AND POPULAR MATERIALS REPRESENTING THIS VIEW.
   3. TO ENCOURAGE THE CONFIDENCE OF LAY PEOPLE TO STUDY AND UNDERSTAND FOR THEMSELVES THE TEACHING OF SCRIPTURE, ESPECIALLY ON THE ISSUE OF RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN.
   4. TO ENCOURAGE THE CONSIDERED AND SENSITIVE APPLICATION OF THIS BIBLICAL VIEW IN THE APPROPRIATE SPHERES OF LIFE.
   5. AND THEREBY

—TO BRING HEALING TO PERSONS AND RELATIONSHIPS INJURED BY AN INADEQUATE GRASP OF GOD’S WILL CONCERNING MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD,

—TO HELP BOTH MEN AND WOMEN REALIZE THEIR FULL MINISTRY POTENTIAL THROUGH A TRUE UNDERSTANDING AND PRACTICE OF THEIR GOD-GIVEN ROLES,

—AND TO PROMOTE THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL AMONG ALL PEOPLES BY FOSTERING A BIBLICAL WHOLENESS IN RELATIONSHIPS THAT WILL ATTRACT A FRACTURED WORLD.

AFFIRMATIONS

BASED ON OUR UNDERSTANDING OF BIBLICAL TEACHINGS, WE AFFIRM THE FOLLOWING:

1. 1. BOTH ADAM AND EVE WERE CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE, EQUAL BEFORE GOD AS PERSONS AND DISTINCT IN THEIR MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD (GEN 1:26-27, 2:18).
   2. DISTINCTIONS IN MASCULINE AND FEMININE ROLES ARE ORDAINED BY GOD AS PART OF THE CREATED ORDER, AND SHOULD FIND AN ECHO IN EVERY HUMAN HEART (GEN 2:18, 21-24; 1 COR 11:7-9; 1 TIM 2:12-14).
   3. ADAM’S HEADSHIP IN MARRIAGE WAS ESTABLISHED BY GOD BEFORE THE FALL, AND WAS NOT A RESULT OF SIN (GEN 2:16-18, 21-24, 3:1-13; 1 COR 11:7-9).
   4. THE FALL INTRODUCED DISTORTIONS INTO THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN (GEN 3:1-7, 12, 16).
      1. IN THE HOME, THE HUSBAND’S LOVING, HUMBLE HEADSHIP TENDS TO BE REPLACED BY DOMINATION OR PASSIVITY; THE WIFE’S INTELLIGENT, WILLING SUBMISSION TENDS TO BE REPLACED BY USURPATION OR SERVILITY.
      2. IN THE CHURCH, SIN INCLINES MEN TOWARD A WORLDLY LOVE OF POWER OR AN ABDICATION OF SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND INCLINES WOMEN TO RESIST LIMITATIONS ON THEIR ROLES OR TO NEGLECT THE USE OF THEIR GIFTS IN APPROPRIATE MINISTRIES.
   5. THE OLD TESTAMENT, AS WELL AS THE NEW TESTAMENT, MANIFESTS THE EQUALLY HIGH VALUE AND DIGNITY WHICH GOD ATTACHED TO THE ROLES OF BOTH MEN AND WOMEN (GEN 1:26-27, 2:18; GAL 3:28). BOTH OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS ALSO AFFIRM THE PRINCIPLE OF MALE HEADSHIP IN THE FAMILY AND IN THE COVENANT COMMUNITY (GEN 2:18; EPH 5:21-33; COL 3:18-19; 1 TIM 2:11-15).
   6. REDEMPTION IN CHRIST AIMS AT REMOVING THE DISTORTIONS INTRODUCED BY THE CURSE.
      1. IN THE FAMILY, HUSBANDS SHOULD FORSAKE HARSH OR SELFISH LEADERSHIP AND GROW IN LOVE AND CARE FOR THEIR WIVES; WIVES SHOULD FORSAKE RESISTANCE TO THEIR HUSBANDS’ AUTHORITY AND GROW IN WILLING, JOYFUL SUBMISSION TO THEIR HUSBANDS’ LEADERSHIP (EPH 5:21-33; COL 3:18-19; TIT 2:3-5; 1 PET 3:1-7).
      2. IN THE CHURCH, REDEMPTION IN CHRIST GIVES MEN AND WOMEN AN EQUAL SHARE IN THE BLESSINGS OF SALVATION; NEVERTHELESS, SOME GOVERNING AND TEACHING ROLES WITHIN THE CHURCH ARE RESTRICTED TO MEN (GAL 3:28; 1 COR 11:2-16; 1 TIM 2:11-15).
   7. IN ALL OF LIFE CHRIST IS THE SUPREME AUTHORITY AND GUIDE FOR MEN AND WOMEN, SO THAT NO EARTHLY SUBMISSION—DOMESTIC, RELIGIOUS, OR CIVIL—EVER IMPLIES A MANDATE TO FOLLOW A HUMAN AUTHORITY INTO SIN (DAN 3:10-18; ACTS 4:19-20, 5:27-29; 1 PET 3:1-2).
   8. IN BOTH MEN AND WOMEN A HEARTFELT SENSE OF CALL TO MINISTRY SHOULD NEVER BE USED TO SET ASIDE BIBLICAL CRITERIA FOR PARTICULAR MINISTRIES (1 TIM 2:11-15, 3:1-13; TIT 1:5-9). RATHER, BIBLICAL TEACHING SHOULD REMAIN THE AUTHORITY FOR TESTING OUR SUBJECTIVE DISCERNMENT OF GOD’S WILL.
   9. WITH HALF THE WORLD’S POPULATION OUTSIDE THE REACH OF INDIGENOUS EVANGELISM; WITH COUNTLESS OTHER LOST PEOPLE IN THOSE SOCIETIES THAT HAVE HEARD THE GOSPEL; WITH THE STRESSES AND MISERIES OF SICKNESS, MALNUTRITION, HOMELESSNESS, ILLITERACY, IGNORANCE, AGING, ADDICTION, CRIME, INCARCERATION, NEUROSES, AND LONELINESS, NO MAN OR WOMAN WHO FEELS A PASSION FROM GOD TO MAKE HIS GRACE KNOWN IN WORD AND DEED NEED EVER LIVE WITHOUT A FULFILLING MINISTRY FOR THE GLORY OF CHRIST AND THE GOOD OF THIS FALLEN WORLD (1 COR 12:7-21).
   10. WE ARE CONVINCED THAT A DENIAL OR NEGLECT OF THESE PRINCIPLES WILL LEAD TO INCREASINGLY DESTRUCTIVE CONSEQUENCES IN OUR FAMILIES, OUR CHURCHES, AND THE CULTURE AT LARGE.

A FAMILY SERVICE IS A SERVICE IN WHICH THE WHOLE FAMILY WORSHIPS TOGETHER FROM BEGINNING TO END.

THEY SING TOGETHER, HEAR GOD'S WORD TOGETHER, AND RESPOND TOGETHER.

(THINK CHRISTMAS-EVE SERVICE BUT 52 WEEKS OUT OF THE YEAR.)

WE THINK THIS IS AN INVALUABLE TIME FOR PARENTS TO MODEL TO THEIR CHILDREN HOW TO WORSHIP, LISTEN, AND RESPOND.

A FAMILY SERVICE IS JUST ANOTHER WAY WE ARE TRYING TO BE AN ANCIENT CHURCH FOR A MODERN PEOPLE FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD (AND YOUR FAMILY!)

SEE A FEW OF THE REASON BELOW.

YES - ALL THROUGHOUT SCRIPTURE, WHEN GOD'S PEOPLE ARE ADDRESSED, THE PRESENCE OF CHILDREN ALONGSIDE THEIR PARENTS IS ASSUMED IN THE CONGREGATION.

• • "ASSEMBLE THE PEOPLE, MEN, WOMEN, AND LITTLE ONES, AND THE SOJOURNER WITHIN YOUR TOWNS, THAT THEY MAY HEAR AND LEARN TO FEAR THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND BE CAREFUL TO DO ALL THE WORDS OF THIS LAW." - DEUTERONOMY 31:12
  • "AND AFTERWARD, I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT ON ALL PEOPLE. YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS WILL PROPHESY, YOUR OLD MEN WILL DREAM DREAMS, YOUR YOUNG MEN WILL SEE VISIONS." - JOEL 2:28
  • "JESUS SAID, 'LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN COME TO ME AND DO NOT HINDER THEM, FOR TO SUCH BELONGS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN." - MATTHEW 19:14
  • "CHILDREN, OBEY YOUR PARENTS IN THE LORD, FOR THIS IS RIGHT." - EPHESIANS 6:1

YES - HISTORICALLY (AND CURRENTLY!), FAMILY SERVICES HAVE BEEN A STAPLE OF THE GLOBAL CHURCH.

• • HISTORICALLY, THE GLOBAL CHURCH PRACTICED FAMILY SERVICES EXCLUSIVELY (IT WASN'T UNTIL C. 1920-1940 THAT YOUTH GROUPS BEGIN TO POP-UP).
  • CURRENTLY, THE MAJORITY OF THE GLOABL CHURCH (65%) STILL PRACTICE FAMILY SERVICES (IE - CATHOLIC, ORTHODOX, ANGLICAN/EPISCOPLEAN, AND SOME TRADITIONAL REFORMED CHURCHES).

IT'S NEITHER RIGHT OR WRONG - THERE ARE LOTS OF GREAT WAYS TO DO CHURCH.

THIS IS JUST ANOTHER WAY WE ARE LOOKING TO BE AN ANCIENT CHURCH FOR A MODERN PEOPLE FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD (AND YOUR FAMILY!)

A CHURCH WITH COOS, CRYS, GIGGLES, GAGGLES AND THE SHIFTING OF CHILDREN IS A CHURCH WITH A BRIGHT FUTURE.

OUR CHURCH KNOWS TO WELCOME CHILDREN INTO THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH AND GIVE A GESTURE OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO PARENTS.

IN ADDITION, WE HAVE A WIGGLE SPACE IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM.

FINALLY, IF IT'S AN ESPECIALLY TOUGH MORNING, WE HAVE PLENTY OF SPACE OUTSIDE WITH A DEDICATED ONSITE LIVESTREAM.

WE ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO MODEL FOR THEIR KIDS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO WORSHIP, LISTEN, AND RESPOND.

PARENTS CAN ALSO WHISPER TO THEIR KIDS WHAT WE ARE DOING IN THE SERVICE AND EVEN WHY WE ARE DOING IT.

IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDE BOXES FOR STUDENTS THAT CONTAIN A FILL-IN-THE-BLANK, SOME PROPS THAT RELATE TO THE MESSAGE, AS WELL AS SOMETHING TO PLAY WITH (OFTEN TIMES SOMETHING LIKE PLAYDOUGH).

HERE ARE A FEW ADDITIONAL (SHORT) RESOURCES THAT SPEAK TO THE TOPIC:

• • "PARENTS, BRING YOUR CHILDREN TO WORSHIP"
  • "WHY WE EMBRACE CHILDREN IN OUR WORSHIP SERVICE"
  • "A BRIEF HISTORY OF YOUTH MINISTRY"

THE YEAR ONE COMMUNITY IS A GROUP COMMITTED TO HELPING ESTABLISH LIFE CHURCH DURING ITS FIRST YEAR.

NO. THE COMMITMENT IS INTENTIONALLY FINITE. MEMBERS ARE FREE TO CONTINUE WITH THE CHURCH OR MOVE ON AFTER THE YEAR.

NO. JOINING THE YEAR ONE COMMUNITY IS NOT A COMMITMENT TO LEADERSHIP.

WE GET THAT SEASONS CHANGE. THIS COMMITMENT IS DESIGNED TO BE FLEXIBLE - NOT COERCIVE.

THIS IS FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO EXPERIENCE A CHURCH LAUNCH FROM THE GROUND UP AND FEEL LIKE THEY CAN COMMIT TO ONE YEAR OF SHARED LIFE IN A NEW LOCAL CHURCH.

IT MAY NOT BE A GOOD FIT FOR THOSE SEEKING:

• • HYPER-SHORT-TERM INVOLVEMENT
  • FORMAL LEADERSHIP, OR
  • A FULLY ESTABLISHED CHURCH WITH LOTS OF PROGRAMMING

AFTER ONE YEAR, FOLKS ARE FREE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOME CHURCH, KNOWING THEY HELPED LAUNCH A NEW CHURCH FOR NEW PEOPLE, OR TO REMAIN WITH LIFE CHURCH FOR AS LONG AS IT MAKES SENSE FOR THEIR FAMILY.

THIS IS FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO GET TO KNOW SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO MAY FORM THE YEAR ONE COMMUNITY AND TO DISCERN WHETHER THIS IS A GROUP THEY COULD SHARE LIFE WITH FOR A ONE YEAR.

PRE-LAUNCH CHURCH WILL BE SUNDAY EVENINGS FROM 5-7P.

WILL BE BOUNCING FROM HOUSE-TO-HOUSE WEEK-TO-WEEK.

JOIN THE TEAM TO STAY IN THE LOOP.

THERE SHOULD BE PLENTY OF STREET PARKING.

WE HAVE A SOFT-LANDING FROM 5-530P.

WE'LL BE GATHERING FROM 5-7P, ROTATING BETWEEN HOMES - AND ONCE A MONTH, WE'LL STEP OUT INTO THE CITY FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

THESE SUNDAY EVENINGS ARE DESIGNED TO BE CAUSAL, FAMILY-FRIENDLY, AND ROOTED IN RHYTHMS OF SHARED WORSHIP. SPECIFICALLY, WE'LL BE PRACTICING FAMILY WORSHIP - WHICH MEANS THE FAMILY WILL STAY TOGETHER AND THE TIME WILL BE PRIMARILY GEARED TOWARDS KIDS AND STUDENTS.

HERE'S THE BASIC RHYTHM WE'LL BE WORKING FROM:

• • 5-530P - SOFT LANDING (ARRIVE)
  • 530-6P - START EATING (BRING YOUR OWN MEAL)
  • 6-615P - FAMILY WORSHIP (WORSHIP TOGETHER)

SONG (A HYMN)

SCRIPTURE (A BIBLE STORY)

SACRAMENT (COMMUNION)

SONG (A HYMN)

NEXT STEPS****

*WE PLAN ON SINGING HYMNS ANCIENT AND MODERN

**WE PLAN ON A 10-MINUTE STORY FOR THE KIDS.

***WE PLAN ON COMMUNION EVERY WEEK

****WHAT'S COMING NEXT

• • 615-7P - STICK AROUND (HANG OUT)

FAMILY WORSHIP IS THE PRACTICE OF A HOUSEHOLD WORSHIPING GOD TOGETHER THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

FAMILIES (FROM THE YOUNGEST TO THE OLDEST) BRIEFLY PRAY TOGETHER, READ SCRIPTURE TOGETHER, SING TOGETHER, AND FORM HABITS OF FAITH TOGETHER.

(THINK OF THE HOME AS A SMALL HOUSE CHURCH, AND THE DINNER TABLE AS A REGULAR PLACE OF FORMATION.)

THIS RHYTHM ACTIVATES PARENTS TO TAKE THE LEAD ROLE IN THE DISCIPLESHIP OF THEIR KIDS, RATHER THAN DELEGATING IT TO THE SUNDAY GATHERING.

FOR MORE ON HOW FAMILY WORSHIP CONNECTS TO OUR SUNDAY FAMILY SERVICES, SEE THE “FAMILIES” SECTION ABOVE.

DINNER FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, A BIBLE, WHATEVER YOU NEED TO HAVE ON HAND FOR YOUR CHILDREN (THIS CAN INCLUDE BRINGING ALONG THEIR GRANDPARENTS!), AND A FRIEND.