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Our Purpose...
We Exist to...
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Celebrate God and all He has done with all that we are. (Worship) |
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Cultivate effective growth toward complete maturity in Christ. (Discipleship) |
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Care for the family of God (Fellowship) |
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Communicate the good news of Jesus Christ to the lost (Evangelism) |
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CELEBRATE
Celebrate God and all He has done with all that we are. (Worship)
Romans 12:1
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship."
CULTIVATE
Cultivate effective growth toward complete maturity in Christ. (Discipleship)
Ephesians 4:13
"...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."
Hebrews 5:14
"But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."
CARE
Care for the family of God (Fellowship)
1 Peter 1:22-23
"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God."
COMMUNICATE
Communicate the good news of Jesus Christ to the lost (Evangelism)
Colossians 4:4-5
"Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity."
COMMIT
Commit everything with which we've been entrusted to accomplish His work (Ministry)
Commitment of our time, talent and treasure.
Colossians 3:23
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
People...
People matter deeply to God. Christ died for people. The Church is people, not buildings, political structures or programs. Through Living Oaks Community Church we hope to reach lost people with the gospel of Christ and help people of faith cultivate effective growth toward complete maturity in Christ. However, our concern for people—no matter how noble—will never supercede our commitment to our purpose as a church.
Programs...
In order to carry out our purpose and minister effectively to people, we will put a high premium on quality programs. Living Oaks Community Church will seek to offer programs for outreach and growth geared to all ages. Programs must always reflect our purpose and meet the needs of people. When a program ceases to support those two priorities, it will be altered, replaced or discontinued.
Property...
Whether it is borrowed, leased or purchased, property—a place for the Body of Christ to gather—is essential to carrying out the first three priorities: purpose, people and programs. Property and facilities cannot take priority over those things. In the life of a church there are occasional times when property becomes—and should become—the primary focus. This will no doubt be true of Living Oaks as well—especially as we launch and grow this new work. However, it is a mistake to see the building as "the church." Property should always return to it proper place, behind the other priorities.
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
- PROVERBS 16:9 |