The Light of the Palm Beaches

Proclaiming the truth in love

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“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

 

-2 Tim 4:7

 


Mission Statement

Our MISSION is to shine “the light” of Jesus Christ into the Palm Beaches and the world. We will endeavor to accomplish this mission through the following “common” purposes:

Purpose #1: Communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ

The Bible tells us that “God so loved the world that He gave us His one and only Son”, which is Jesus Christ. (John 3:16) The primary purpose of Jesus Christ was to provide a plan of redemption and salvation for a lost and dying world. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life! (John 14:6) We are resolved that there is more to redemption than "fire insurance" (i.e. just being born again). We are redeemed from death and born into "life", for today not just for eternity! (John 10:10) As disciples of Jesus Christ, it should be a fundamental purpose for each of us to communicate this plan of redemption and life to our community and the world. (Matt 28:18-20) In everything, “speaking the truth in love”!

Purpose #2: Make disciples

Jesus commissioned us to "go and make disciples" by “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded”. (Matt. 28:18-20) The Great Commission was Jesus' "model" for church growth. The first century believers impacted the whole world by following this simple plan. We are resolved to reach our community by following His leading in making disciples.

Jesus said that His disciples would be known by their love for each other, radical commitment, willingness and desire to "holding to his word" (His teaching), and their fruitfulness. (John 13:35; John 15:8; John 8:31-32) Our objective is that everyone would be a disciple and would be actively involved in making disciples. Being a “disciple” is synonymous with “spiritual maturity” or attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph. 4:13) We understand that “spiritual maturity” is the result of the “internalization” of truth! (Ps. 1:1-2; Eph 1:17-20; Col 3:16 ) Again, we see the importance of “speaking the truth in love”!

Purpose #3: Equip Christians for the work of the Ministry

We are resolved that every Christian is called to the “work” of the Ministry and that it is the responsibility of the Church to train and equip each willing Christian for this work. (Eph 4) We are not only committed to equipping but also to being equipped. The Bible tells us that we should be “useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work”. (2 Tim 2:21) This occurs as the individual “presses in” to the teaching of the church and the fellowship. (Acts 2:42)

Purpose#4: Understand the workings of the Holy Spirit

We understand that any act of true ministry or Christian experience and the whole of Christianity is a function of the Holy Spirit. One cannot be born again, have the fruit of the spirit or of righteousness, or have any measure of victory over the flesh without the help of Holy Spirit. (John 3:5-8; Eph 1:13-14; Gal 5:16, 22,26) There can be no "ministry" without Him. We will strive to be in complete alignment with his leading and to be in intimate relationship with him. We will endeavor to allow him to manifest himself in us as He wills and not to place him in a "box"! We will, however, passionately pursue Him - the Spirit of Truth - and not any particular manifestation of Him, and then allow Him to manifest Himself as He wills. (John 16:13; 1 Cor 12:7)

Purpose #5: Develop "Body Life" or “Spiritual Family”

Jesus described the Church as his "body"; many parts "joined" together in life giving and receiving relationships - “healing” relationships. (Eph 4:16, 5:23; 1 Cor 1:10, 12:1-31) We purpose and endeavor to promote the close-knit types of relationships that Christ envisioned through the use of home-based small groups – Life Groups. We understand that “family” is central to God’s “Master plan” for the development and well-being of mankind in general and specifically Christians. (Ps. 68:6; Eph 4:11-16) We understand that it is the Holy Spirit’s “will” that each Christian be joined to a specific, local “spiritual family” (local church), in long term relationship, where they will hear and receive training in “the way they should go”. (Prov 22:6; Eph 2:19-22, 4:16; 1 Tim 3:14-15) We understand that there are to be no “lone rangers” in Christ! We understand the importance of UNITY and AGREEMENT within the church and the devastation of division. We understand that there is more to “church” than the traditional church has revealed and we will endeavor to experience it and share it by choosing ourselves to PRESS IN and “compelling” others to come in! (Acts 2:42; Luke 14:23)

Purpose #6: Worship

The Scriptures teach us that God inhabits our praise. They also teach us that if we do not lift the name of the Father that the "rocks" will cry out in our place. (Luke 19:40) We will endeavor to gather for "corporate" praise and worship and to worship individually. We understand that we are all called to be “worshipers” and that true worship is to assign “true worth” to God. (Psalms)

Purpose #7: Know the schemes of the enemy

The Scriptures teach us to be sober minded because our enemy, Satan or the Devil, is as a roaring lion who wants to destroy us and our families. (1 Peter 5:8) That is his mission and purpose. We will endeavor to do spiritual warfare and to know the enemies specific schemes (i.e. lies; he is a liar and a murderer from the very beginning!) against us.

Purpose #8: Financial commitment

We understand that ministry costs money. We know that in order to accomplish the mission that God has given to us we will each have to make a substantial financial commitment. We will endeavor at all times to handle our financial affairs with the utmost of integrity. We will not allow the enemy to cause us to be afraid to talk about the financing of the ministry (money). We understand that it is the responsibility of each Christian "joined" to this church to live a financially prudent and responsible life that will enable them to return to God a portion that He has given them! It is our desire to be “rivers” that God can flow His blessings and resources through, as opposed to reservoirs that “dam” up the resources that He has flowed into our lives. We will endeavor to sacrificially give for the sake of advancing His name, His vision and His kingdom! (Mal 3:8-10; Luke 14:33; 1 Tim 5:17-18)

Purpose #9: Implement the Biblical pattern of spiritual authority and government

We understand that if this Church is to accomplish its mission we must do it God’s way. This includes His pattern of spiritual authority and government. God has always used his "appointed and anointed" leadership to provide direction and instruction to his people. We will not be conformed to the "pattern of the world" in matters of ecclesiastical government. We understand that God “resists the proud but gives grace to the humble”. (1 Peter 5:5) We will endeavor at all times to “yield” to the authority that He has placed in our lives by “HEARING”, “RECEIVING”, “INTERNALIZING” and “WALKING IN” TRUTH, and the teaching of the house because it means LIFE! (Acts 2:42; Heb 13:17; 1 Tim 5:17)

Purpose #10: Commitment to God’s Word

We will endeavor in all things to protect, follow, obey and communicate God’s Word! We understand that the "internalization of the Word of God” is the key to spiritual maturity. It is God’s desire that we all be in the process of being “transformed” into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. This transformation is a function of the “internalization” of truth or God’s word. We acknowledge that the church is the “pillar and foundation of truth”. (1 Tim 3:14-15) Therefore, we are committed to “speaking the truth in love” (Eph 4:15) - not truth without love or love without truth; neither, without the other, will produce transformation!

 

 

The Light of the Palm Beaches, 2005.