Monday, February 06, 2012

A People Living and Sharing The Story of God

How We Do It - Prayerfully listen to God's leading and strategically act to reach those in our community and world with the love of Christ.

What Matters Most   

Grace - Understanding and sharing the incredible news that Jesus is Lord, who came to seek and save those who are lost is our passion.

Scripture - Inspired by the Father, the Bible is God's timeless truth. We seek God's biblical wisdom and put it into practice.

Prayer - Through prayer, we will become a people shaped and led by the Sprit of God.

Worship - We connect our hearts and minds to God and cultivate a growing faith, which comples us to live in right relationship with ourselves, our families, our neighbors and the world.

Community - Diverse in sitation and generation, we are one body, connected by God from the youngest to the oldest and from one generation to the next.

Gifts - God gives to us and all Jesus' followers, gifts and resources to be used in the Church and to bless the world.

Missional - The heart of God moves our hearts as well. We serve with compassion as God directs, preparing and sending people from our midst when called.

What Is A Wesleyan?

The following are terms descriptive of who Wesleyans are and why they do what they do. They describe the "soul" of the Church. They are the core values, because they are at the center, as primary motivations for what all Wesleyans believe.

BIBLICAL AUTHORITY: The Bible is the highest source of written authority for God's plan for His people; it reveals how to live out that plan, individually and corporately. Beliefs, practices and priorities are to be anchored in clear biblical teachings.

CHRISTLIKENESS: Jesus Christ is the defining feature of God's will for all humankind. In Christ is found the highest and most practical meaning and clearest example for holy living or godliness. Christ is both example and strength as Wesleyans pursue integrity, excellence, faith, hope and love.

DISCIPLE-MAKING: Making disciples is a clear mandate from Christ. This requires a strong focus on evangelism and training in spiritual growth and holy living. Done effectively, this will produce and promote growth and health in and among churches.

LOCAL CHURCH CENTERED: The denomination exists to serve local congregations. Local churches are the most fundamental and strategic points of evangelism and discipleship. The challenge of the denomination is to keep finding the best ways to serve and strengthen congregations.

SERVANT LEADERSHIP: Wesleyans respect leadership that is placed over them, while realizing that the authority and effectiveness of spiritual leadership is not primarily bestowed, but earned and manifested by a loving and willing heart of obedience that serves God and mankind gladly. Wesleyans desire to be leaders in serving.

UNITY IN DIVERSITY: There is intrinsic value in every person. Unity becomes all the more important and beautiful in light of the wide ranges of difference in personality, culture, race, talents, and perspectives. Loving each other eliminates devaluation and deprivation of life to one another.

CULTURAL RELEVANCE: Wesleyans are called to keep serving the present age. The Church respects and builds on its past without becoming its slave. Wesleyans are "culture informed" for the sake of reaching people for Christ, but not "culture captives", in the sense of surrendering core values, beliefs and behaviors.

P.O. Box 93, Allendale, MI 49401 :: (616) 777-0365 :: team@lifestreamweb.org