Friends
and Family,
Recently I have been thinking a lot about church. Not just Lakehills Church, but "church"
in and of itself. The church is both a "fellowship of believers (ie. The Body of Christ)" and also a corporate institution.
We also have a facility that is often referred to as "church". With all these ways of looking at it, it's no wonder
confusion exists around what the church is and what it is suppose to be.
From a Biblical perspective, the church is first and foremost tied to the people of God. All other ways of viewing
the church are secondary. The church has always had the distinction of being a gathering of Christ followers. But it is not
simply the gathering of these people at one time and place that makes it church. Christians get together at wedding
and social events, but those don't necessarily mean that it is a true church.
A church is a gathering, of Christ followers, who have a common vision and mutually shared purpose. The shared vision
and purpose are central to what it means to be a true church. And, that vision and purpose are laid out clearly in God's word.
We have expressed much of it in following statements:
Our
Mission: to Represent and Extend the Kingdom of God.
(which means: as we seek to BE like Christ in this world, we
choose to actively DO what Christ has called us to do)
Our Vision: is to see our lives, families, community and world transformed through the power of the Gospel, growing
in intimacy with Jesus.
(which means: that believing and living out the GOSPEL will transform every aspect of our lives)
Our Passion: to make God's love visible by experiencing
God's love together, and expressing God's love to others.
(which
means: we are passionate about responding to God's love with love)
The challenge we face as individuals, families, and as a church, is to not just have good statements, but to actually
live them out. Not simply to have a mission statement, but to fully engage in that mission. To not just have a vision
statement, but to live out God's vision for our lives. To not just have a passion statement, but to become more and more passionate
about living out our lives in response to what God has done for us.
In 2010
we are being challenged to live ON PURPOSE. To live out God's purpose! We can't simply live in our own independent lives or
homes. We must together prayerfully ask ourselves how God would have us engage His purposes for Lakehills. We have a tremendous
opportunity to live like never before. The cost may be great and even difficult, but if God is leading us then all things
truly are possible.
We look forward to seeing what God does
in and through HIS ministry at Lakehills!
Your Pastors,
Ron
and Mark
