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610.681.CELL (2355) |
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Our Philosophy The
5-2-1 Principle
We believe that for ministry to be effective it must
be done out of a growing relationship with God and with one another.
Through cells, the equipping track, corporate worship, and servant
community, we carry out five pursuits: sharing,
prayer, fellowship, worship, and
Bible teaching. *
Sharing
A lifestyle of sharing is evident in the New
Testament churches. They shared in such a way that no one had a need
that went unmet. Whenever anyone had a need, those in the body shared
their material possessions, time, and abilities to meet that need. In
the same way, Grace Community Fellowship encourages every member to live
a lifestyle of sharing, so we can help each other physically,
spiritually, emotionally, and financially, whenever a need arises. *
Prayer
Prayer is not only encouraged as a private discipline, but also
as one that we practice whatever the circumstance. We want to be fully
dependent on God for everything in our lives. If we are going to be an
obedient church, then we must be a praying church.
For more on what the Bible says about prayer, click here. * Fellowship
True fellowship is based on God's
truth, and ultimately, on God's
presence. It is more than just doing things together. It is
togetherness, with the purpose of building one another into mature
disciples who are prepared for God's
work. We want to pursue a lifestyle of communing with one another;
and together, communing with God. *
Worship
Our worship extends far beyond the Sunday morning
experience. In fact, our corporate worship is only an overflow of a
lifestyle of worship. Every aspect of our commitment to God is an act of
worship. However, we also want to be intentional about praising God in
all facets of our lives: on the personal level, on the cell level, on
the corporate level, and everywhere in between.
To learn more about our Celebration Service, click here. *
Bible Teaching
We are committed to the truth of the Bible, and we are committed
to teaching the Word of God to everyone. It is our firm conviction that
the Bible is our basis for right living and for understanding the
revealed will of God. Bible teaching takes many different formats in
Grace Community Fellowship, including corporate teaching and preaching,
Bible studies in homes, personal Bible teaching through written
materials, and counseling. Every member must be devoted to the
Scriptures for growth and ministry.
As we faithfully devote ourselves to these five
pursuits, we will see two recurring results: We will become more Edified
and Equipped. *
Edification
The word "edification"
refers to the process of "building
up"
that happens in the life of the Christian as believers live in community
together. It is also used to mean "strengthening"
one another. As we share our lives together, we build up and strengthen
one another in the Lord. Edification is one of the signs of maturity in
the church (Eph. 4:11-16). Just as living the five pursuits produces
edification, neglecting one or more of these pursuits results in a
weakness in the church. *
Equipping
The second result of living the five pursuits
mentioned above is equipping. It is training and preparation for the
work of ministry. The need for every believer to be equipped is
mentioned often in the Bible. With the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Word
of God, and the community of believers, we have been given everything we
need to be prepared for ministry. We are not "automatically"
equipped, but we live in a continual process of being equipped. That
process depends on the pursuits of sharing, prayer, fellowship, worship,
and a devotion to the Word.
As we become stronger through edification, and better prepared
for ministry through equipping, we become more effective in our mission:
Evangelism.
To check out our Equipping Tracks, click here. *
Evangelism
Evangelism is
not something we do-it's
our lifestyle. As we draw near to the heart of God, we inevitably catch
His passion for those who have not yet come to know Him. It is His
desire to bring the lost to Himself. He has chosen to use us in that
work. Through a
devotion to a lifestyle of sharing and fellowship, we develop an
atmosphere of loving commitment to one another. Through a devotion to
prayer and worship, we commit ourselves to Jesus Christ's
Lordship, exalt Him, and become sensitive to His Spirit. Through a
devotion to the Word of God, we catch His vision and passion, and are
guided by His truth. Through edification we are strengthened in all of
these pursuits. And through being equipped, we are prepared to reach out
to the lost and offer them the abundant life we experience in Christ.
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Copyright |
2005- 2007 | Grace
Community Fellowship | All Rights Reserved