A foundational belief must be acquired by the everyday missionary or the disciple of Jesus Christ: YOU ARE THE CHURCH
The church is a spiritual movement of invited participants engaging in the mission of God, saved by the grace and the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The church is not an institution domiciled in and restricted to bricks and mortar, or the ordained clergy of different denominations, although these may be a part and a platform for the church.
The church does not elevate the positional status of clergy above other members of the church in the mission of God, nor does it offer a dichotomy between clergy and laity, the sacred and the secular. All believers are the church, and they are called to join The Lord Jesus Christ in His mission to the world.
The church does not require institutional structures. It does however, require a focus on Jesus Christ, a covenant community and ongoing discipleship. The church is the movement of God’s Spirit and His mission through the disciples of Jesus Christ, and from communities and networks of His people.
The church does not seek to diminish existing Christian structures or institutions, or to judge those branches of the church, nor does it exist to judge the secular. It does exist to join together with Christ-centered communities as a platform to move outward and into the world with demonstrations of the grace and love of Jesus Christ, by actions and in truth.
The church advances the kingdom of God and makes disciples by offering its very life as a living sacrifice and a demonstration of the love of Jesus Christ, just as He offered Himself as a sacrifice for the church. The love of Christ and the love of His people is authentic and true worship, and we are called to be an everyday expression of this worship.
The church worships the Lord Jesus Christ by offering His mission in love and grace to all His people in every area of life, and extends itself far beyond any manmade organizational or appointed boundaries. The church is the Spirit of The Lord Jesus Christ who has made His home with His people, and the Spirit of the Lord cannot be contained.
If we can serve you or your community of faith help carry out the mission that we have been handed, please call 214.415.4313, or write info@lifeismission.org.
