As a church our purpose is to build up the Body of Christ through worship, teaching, training, fellowship, service and evangelism.
The above statement of purpose says a number of things about who we are and why we exist. First of all it says that we are a WORSHIPING CHURCH. Worship, as a corporate experience, is fundamental for the growth of a Christian and is basic to our reason for existence. We believe that God calls His people to come together in a sense of praise, celebration and thanksgiving in response to God’s action in their lives. As a local church we seek to provide the place and the means whereby this corporate act of worship can take place. Secondly, we are a TEACHING CHURCH. Again, we believe that fundamental to a Christian’s growth is the teaching/learning process. In Acts 2:42 we are told that the early church gave themselves regularly to the teaching of God’s Word. This commitment grew out of Christ’s command to go into all the world and teach “Whatsoever things I have commanded you.” Therefore, as a local church we sense a deep obligation to teach the Word of God for the building and maturing of the Body of Christ. Thirdly, we are a SERVING CHURCH. We believe in the need for Christians to have avenues through which they may share the talents and abilities with which God has equipped them. This is an imperative if the Body is to be built. We believe that the local church can and should provide for a variety of service opportunities through which this growth can be accomplished. Fourthly, we are a TRAINING CHURCH. If service is basic to a Christian’s growth and commitment to Christ, it would seem obvious that the Christian should be trained for that service. As a local church we are obligated to provide quality training by which the Christian gains both competence and confidence for ministry. Fifthly, we are a FELLOWSHIPPING CHURCH. In the context of a very hectic and impersonal 20th century society, the necessity for fellowship is urgent. Christian fellowship involves a number of areas. First, it involves friendships; people with whom our social needs for companionship and enjoyment can be met. Secondly, fellowship involves the sharing of burdens. The burdens of life are awesome at times and we need a means by which we can be heard and encouraged. Thirdly, fellowship involves the sharing of God’s action in our lives. The uniqueness of Christian fellowship is that God is working in our lives. The sharing of that activity provides for a genuine bond and unique encouragement through other Christians. Fourthly, fellowship involves prayer. To pray with and for each other produces a loving bond which is deeply desired and needed by the people of God. As a local church it is our purpose to provide opportunities for this kind of fellowship to occur. Sixthly, we are an EVANGELIZING CHURCH. Far and above any other means of building His church, Jesus called His followers to evangelize the world. We believe that Christ’s commission to go into all the world and preach the Gospel lays upon us a massive responsibility. His words in Acts 1:8 tell us the extent of that responsibility. “You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the world.” Obviously, a global strategy is indicated. Therefore, as a local church, we purpose to be involved in a ministry of evangelism, which would include our community, state, nation, and world. To accomplish this global strategy we not only accept our responsibility for evangelism on the local level, but we also acknowledge the need for an extended ministry through world mission and denominational support. God’s people are called to build the Body through winning the lost and we are committed to this end.
