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The Mission:
Connecting people to Christ, His community, and His calling
The Process:
“Developing disciples through SCMD.”
SCMD Process:
S-- We will SHARE Christ with a dying world, making disciples of all nations – 1 Peter 2:9
C--We will CONNECT disciples into a leader directed small group – 2 Timothy 2:2
M--In small groups we will train disciples to MINISTER in the church, and in the world - Ephesians 4:11-12
D--We will release those who have been developed to DISCIPLE others – Matthew 28:19
The LHCC tries
to glorify Christ in everything we do. Our church has sought to be unified in
the “major” things and have allowed for differing opinions in the “minor”
things. Jesus said that the world would know that we are His because we love one
another and because we are one. John 13:35; John 17:21-22
This church has people with many different backgrounds, but we are a team. We
are more interested in glorifying God than arguing over non-salvation issues.
“How can we agree rather than disagree?” is a very important question we seek to
answer. “How can we apply the truth of scripture in a way that shows love for
our Father and love for one another so that Jesus is glorified in all we do?”
Therefore, these are our non-negotiable Statements of Faith.
THE
BIBLE
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the
supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for
Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth
without any mixture or error. The Bible is infallible, inerrant, and absolute
truth. Where it speaks we listen and strive to obey. Psalm 12:6, 119:105,160;
Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21
GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three
persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and
are one God. Genesis 1:1,26-27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19;
2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2
JESUS
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is coequal with the Father. Jesus lived a
sinless human life. He taught and lived the kingdom of God where the poor will
find justice and peace will prevail. He offered himself as the perfect sacrifice
for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after
three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s
glory and will return again someday to claim His own and take them to Heaven.
Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; 1
Corinthians 15:3-4;1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15; Matt 4:17
THE HOLY
SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in
the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in
every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with
power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what
is right. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily. John 14:16-17,
John 16:7-13;
Acts 1:8; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians
5:25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18
SALVATION
Salvation is a multi-dimensional truth revealed in God’s Word. The root of the English word comes from the Latin, which means “wholeness” or “healing.” Salve (the root of “salvation”), for example, is a substance that is a healing agent. In its broadest sense, salvation means becoming whole and being healed.
Salvation is about forgiveness of sins and acceptance. Salvation is about liberation from being in exile from God. Salvation is homecoming. It is about “The Way” of return to God as embodied in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. This is evidenced by repentance, confession, baptism by immersion, and a life committed to His service. John 1:12, 14:6; Romans 5:1, 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5
BAPTISM
Baptism is a positive command. On the authority, subject, action, and design, the Scripture is plain.
We do not believe baptism is any more important than faith, repentance, or good works. Neither do we believe there is any virtue in the water. But we do believe that baptism is an act of obedience commanded by Christ. Matt 3:13-17; Acts 2:38, 10:47-48.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
God has designed the local church like a physical body, with Jesus Christ as the
head. God gifts each of His children in unique and special ways to serve and
build up the body. Therefore, spiritual gifts are not for personal benefit or
glory, but to bring glory to God, as well as to encourage and build up the
church.
1 Corinthians 14:4
No one individual can have all the gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:17-30. We are interdependent; we depend on each other; together we are the body of Christ which is a clear demonstration of true diversity. There is no division as we all have equal concern and need for each other. One is an eye, another is a hand, another is a foot; and some are presentable while other parts are un-presentable.
We all must be the part God has designed us to be, if we are not, the body suffers and becomes ill. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:6-9 NRSV
Unfortunately, some division can come with reference to the use of tongues. God gives rules in His word for the use of tongues. If someone speaks in a tongue it will be one at a time. 1 Corinthians 14:27. There must be an interpreter. 1 Corinthians 14:28. There must be one who discerns whether it comes from God. 1 John 4:1. It is noteworthy that 1 Corinthians was written to house churches. To preserve unity in the body of the LHCC, we ask that the gift of speaking in tongues not be exercised in public meetings (services/small groups).
PEOPLE
All people are made in the image of God, which means all people have value given
by God. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are
marred by an attitude of self-centeredness and of disobedience toward God called
“sin.” This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; 59:1-2; Romans 3:23
ETERNITY
People will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or exist eternally
with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God
is eternal death in Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life in
Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. John 3:16, 14:17;
Romans 6:23; 8:17-18; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9; Revelation 20:15
ETERNAL
SECURITY
This has been a long
standing argument between scholars from two different theological camps. Most
Arminians believe salvation can be gained and lost. Most Calvinists believe once
a person is saved he or she can never be lost again. There are
great scholars who stand on both sides of this debate and there is scriptural
support for both perspectives. Both believe that a person can be identified as a
Christian if there is a change in behavior—fruit. The Holy Spirit produces a
changed character over time. In our church we will encourage those who have
given their lives to Christ to grow. If they fall down in their faith we will
help them to get back up and continue on with Christ. We believe that Christians
can have great confidence in their salvation. Generally the Arminian believes
that only a person who has denied their faith in Christ is lost. Generally the
Calvinist believes that a person who has denied faith in Christ was never saved
to begin with. Again, either way, faith in Christ saves us. The LHCC
believes and teaches that salvation can be gained and lost.
THE END
TIMES
We believe there will be a literal return of Christ and a judgment day. How and
when this will happen has been a source of great debate. We believe the details
are in God’s hands and this is not a salvation issue. Matthew 12:36; John 5:22,
16:8; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 2 Peter 3:7; Jude 6
THE
LEADERSHIP MODEL OF THE CHURCH
LHCC is an Independent Christian church. While recognizing the value of
associating and cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe the
local church should be elder-governed. Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 5:17
THE
PRIESTHOOD OF EVERY BELIEVER
“Christ loves us, and by His death He has freed us from our sins and made us a
kingdom of priests to
serve God” - Revelation 1:6. “You are ...
the King’s priests, God’s own
people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God.” 1 Peter 2:9. The Bible
teaches that every Christian is called to “full-time” Christian service,
regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is
a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry.
Every believer has direct access to God through Bible reading/study, prayer, and
the leading of the Holy Spirit. Every Christian is to be a disciple developing
relational environments in which they share their faith with those around them
by word and by action.
COMMUNION
Communion at LHCC is defined as
Scripture defines it. "For I received from the Lord what I also
passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and
when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for
you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after supper he took the
cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you
drink it, in remembrance of me.'" 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
Communion is a memorial, a new covenant, and a proclamation. It is a sacred event for those who have a vital, biblical relationship with Jesus. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died." 1 Corinthians 11:26-30. The LHCC takes communion every week in our services.
STEWARDSHIP
We practice tithing to support the church, the body of Christ, as God's Word
commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the biblical standard of
giving to the local church. Everything over 10% is an "offering of gratitude"
for the great things God does for us everyday. A tithe of everything a person
produces belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. Leviticus 27:30; Malachi
3:7-12. The offering is a privilege to give and is in addition to the tithe.
Jesus taught about tithing: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you
hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices mint, dill, and cumin. But you have
neglected the more important matters of the law justice, mercy, and
faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the
former." Matthew 23:23. We also recognize that we must be good stewards of our
time and our talents, as the Lord has blessed us with these things as well.
THE CHRISTIAN WALK
We believe the Christian walk is a journey. A journey is a quest, an ordeal, a difficult search for a distant goal of enormous significance. In a journey, the way is uncertain and the road is full of dangers. We respect and affirm that every believer is at a different place in his or her journey; therefore, we encourage, provoke, and challenge one another to continue the journey toward a fuller and deeper relationship with Christ and His church. Luke 24:13-56; Acts 9:2
