Visions & Values
April 12th, 2008
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Our vision at Lifeline Church is to make a lasting impact upon the secular Metro Detroit area with the gospel message of Jesus Christ. At Lifeline Church we desire to honor Jesus Christ, we are committed to the divine inspiration, accuracy, inerrancy, integrity, trustworthiness, truth, relevance and authority of the Scriptures. And we are dependent upon the enabling power of the Holy Spirit to understand and apply them.
The vision of Lifeline Church incorporates 10 cores values:
1. People matter to God and to us.
Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:1–7
2. The Gospel message transforms peoples’ lives.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
3. The goal of our ministry is to transform people into fully devoted followers of Christ.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with your always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18–20″It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infacts, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:11–16
4. Ministry and evangelism must be carried out in a relevant way.
“I have become all things to all men so that by all possible mean I might save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22b
5. People must be treated gently and respectfully.
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” 1 Pete 3:15
6. People need to be connected to a caring community.
“There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.” Acts 4:34–35″Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.” 1 Thessalonians 4:9–10
7. Every Christian has a God-given ministry.
“…to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…” Ephesians 4:12
8. Everything we do for Christ must be done with excellence.
“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.” Colossians 3:23–24
9. Our church must have an evangelistic impact on our community.
“So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a larger number of priests became obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:7″The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefor we do not need to say anything about it…” 1 Thessalonians 1:8
10. To accomplish our missions we must be willing to step out in visionary faith and take risks for God.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
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