VISION

Family Worship Center is dedicated to establishing a New Testament church that is biblical in its teaching, Christ-centered in its worship and people oriented in ministry We are building a center where families can come to worship.

Fundamental to the development of a theology of ministry is the underlying philosophy of the ministry of the church. Basically, the church is the body of Christ on earth functioning to continue the message and ministry of Jesus Christ and, thereby, advance the kingdom of God. Philosophy of ministry forms the vision of the church which, in turn, shapes its total program.

The question for us is, "What should our philosophy of ministry be?" In response, the Apostle Paul gives a three-dimensional plan for developing a philosophy of ministry in Colossians 1:25-29.

First, a church should be Biblical in its teaching. Paul states, "I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness - the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." The ultimate source of authority in the teaching and preaching of the church must be the written Word of God.

Second, a church should be Christ-centered in its worship. Paul goes on to say, "We proclaim him." This statement lets us know that the very central focus of our worship is to be the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself. We worship Him as the prophet of God who declared God in His fullness, as the priest of God who died and rose again for our sins and lives to make intercession for us and as the King of God’s kingdom who reigns with all authority in heaven and on earth.

Third, a church should be people-oriented in its ministry. Finally Paul says, "...admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me." This is to say that the very heartbeat of our ministry should be reaching people where they are and helping them get to where they can be in Christ. Ministry is looking beyond people’s faults to their needs and communicating to them the reality of their potential in Jesus Christ. The acid test of any church program must be its effectiveness of helping people grow in Christ.

When we put all of this together, we can summarize our vision as a local church in the following statement: We commit ourselves to the establishment of a New Testament local church that is Biblical in its teaching, Christ-centered in its worship and people-oriented in its ministry. This philosophy of ministry underlines all that we do as a local church.

 

Our Purpose Statement--(Why We Exist As A Church)

The purpose of our church is summarized in a single sentence: "Family Worship Center exists to enlarge heaven's population by being a church that ministers healing to a hurting world through the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit."

OUR CORE VALUES

This statement of Core Values clarifies the attitudes and approaches which will be encouraged in the ministries of Family Worship Center. Some of these are not biblical absolutes, but represent our understanding of how to most effectively accomplish our purpose.

*We value

* PRAISE AND WORSHIP

* RELEVANT BIBLE EXPOSITION

* PEOPLE

* EXCELLENCE

* CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION

* UNITY

* PRAYER

CORE VALUES DEFINED

We value PRAISE AND WORSHIP.

Worship is the most important service in the Kingdom of God. "Jesus said, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart...soul...and mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.'" Mt. 22:36-40

Family Worship Center is committed to utilizing praise and worship music as a means of reaching the generation of our day. Ac. 13:36, Lk. 5:33-39

Worshipping the Lord may take many scriptural forms:

--Words--Ps. 9:1

--Shouts--Ps. 95:1

--Bowing--Ps. 95:6

--Music--Ps. 104:33, Eph. 5:19-20

--Dance--Ps. 150:4, Ps. 149:3

--Raised Hands--Ps. 134:2

An inescapable key in true worship is that it be authentic, straight from the heart, and focused on the living God, who calls us to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23)--not hypocritically playing a religious game within ourselves or critically watching and judging the worship motives of others. Hands raised or lowered, voices loud or soft, feet standing or dancing--all are possible postures of worship, but it is the condition of the heart that remains the most essential, and it is only the Spirit who can enable us to worship the Father in spirit and in truth.

 

We value RELEVANT BIBLE EXPOSITION

We are committed to the clear and accurate communication of God's Word in a way that ministers grace and urges obedience. 2 Tim. 3:16-17

We believe that anointed preaching and teaching of the Word of God is the means for transformation in people's lives. Heb. 4:12

 

We value PEOPLE

We believe that lost people matter to God, and therefore, ought to matter to the church. Mt. 18:11

We believe that all men were created by God, and therefore, we are to reach out to all men regardless of race, color, ethnic background or socioeconomic status. Mt. 28:18-20

It is our goal to become an interracial church with a diversity of people (people of all nations), as we believe it is God's heart and His Master plan for all men to worship the Father together. "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb." Rev. 7:9

 

We value EXCELLENCE

We believe that the God of our salvation deserved the best we have to offer. The Lord Himself is a God of excellence, as shown by the beauty of creation; further, He gave the best that He had, His only Son, for us (Rom. 8.32). Paul exhorts servants, in whatever they do to "work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" (Col. 3:23). Therefore, in the ministries and activities of Family Worship Center we will seek to maintain a high standard of excellence to the glory of God. This will be achieved when every person is exercising his or her God-given spiritual gift to the best of his or her ability (1 Cor. 12).

 

We value CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION

In today's rapidly changing world, forms and methods must be continually evaluated, and if necessary, altered to fit new conditions (what you are reading, especially if you are far from our geographical location, is an excellent example). We are more concerned with effectiveness in ministry than with adherence to tradition.

 

We value UNITY

Few things are more wonderful at FWC than to be a congregation that is of the same heart and mind, accomplishing together in gladness and joy the will of the Father. Our unity is a key to our spiritual power, and is a treasure worth protecting at all costs. We cannot and will not, with the power of God, allow for any disunity or division to take place among this body of believers. Jn 17:21, Phil. 2:1-4, 1 Cor. 13, Eph. 4:32, Mt. 5:23-24, 1Pt. 3:7

 

We value PRAYER

We believe that God desires His people to pray and that He hears and answers prayer (Mt. 7:7-11, Jam 5:13-18). Therefore, the ministries and activities of this church well be characterized by a reliance on prayer in the conception, planning, and execution.

We believe that when we pray, we participate in the unseen spiritual world. Ministry is a battleground that needs to be constantly reinforced through prayer.

We believe that the laying on of hands and praying over individuals through the power of God can break the stronghold of the enemy. Therefore, Family Worship Center believes in and practices this form of ministry. The Ministry Prayer Team, appointed by the Pastor(s) of FWC will also be available to pray over individuals in need of prayer.

 

VISION STATEMENT

Family Worship Center is dedicated to establishing a New Testament church that is biblical in its teaching, Christ-centered in its worship and people oriented in ministry We are building a center where families can come to worship.

The vision of FWC is not a new idea or concept, but a passionate desire to be a church that truly emulates the heart of Jesus Christ. Jesus said of Himself, "...for the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost" (Lk. 19:10). He also said, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." We believe that being a "Healing Place for a Hurting World" best describes who our Lord Jesus Christ was. For in Him there is spiritual healing (Jn 3:16), emotional healing (Lk 4:18, Gal 5:1), physical healing (Mk 16:18). We, therefore, have made our choice to follow Him and carry out the ministry He started.

 

COMMITMENT  STATEMENT

Family Worship Center is committed to being a church that has a passion for God and a passion for people (Mt 22:37). We believe we are living in the last days and, therefore, make a conscious choice to give our very best to the Kingdom of God and for the Kingdom of God. We are not interested in pleasing ourselves and refuse to be held back by those who do. We no longer seek pre-eminence, position, or popularity. Because we believe that Jesus Christ is coming back soon, we commit ourselves to do the work of the Kingdom. Our lives are spent to please Him, to spread the good news about Him and to partner with Him in seeing the world come to know Him as Savior and Lord.

THE MISSION

1. Loose the chains of injustice (wickedness) and untie the cords of the yoke (heavy burdens).

2. Let the oppressed go free.

3. Break every yoke.

4. Share our food with the hungry

5. Provide the poor with shelter.

6. Cover the naked

7. Repair the broken walls.

8. Raise the standard of holy living.

 

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT MINISTRY--What Do I Bring to the Table?

What is ministry--definition: Ministry is using whatever God has given me to serve Him and the needs of others.

We minister in three directions: to God ( Ac. 13:2), to other believers (Heb. 6:10), to unbelievers (Mt. 5:13).

We minister to three areas of need: to people's physical needs (Mt. 25:35,36,40; Mt. 10:42), to people's emotional needs (1 Thess. 5:14), to people's spiritual needs (2 Cor. 5:18). "We proclaim Christ, counseling and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ." Col. 1:28,29.

THE PURPOSE OF MINISTRY

God wants to use me to strengthen the body of Christ.

l. I have been created for ministry. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Eph. 2:10

2. I have been called into ministry. "God, in His grace, chose me even before I was born, and called me to serve Him." Gal. 1:15 (GN) "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Eph. 4:1. "...you have been chosen by God Himself, you are priests of the King..you are God's very own--all this so that you may show to others how God called you out of darkness into His wonderful light! Once you were less than nothing; now you are God's own!" 1 Pt. 2:9 (LB) "...you will serve as holy priests..." 1 Pt 2:5 (LB). I am not who I think I am, I am not who you think I am, but I really am who God says I am. A life changing truth is my primary identity--I AM A MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST.

3. I have been gifted for ministry. "God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings." 1 Pt. 4:10 (LB)

4. I have been authorized for ministry. "(Jesus said) All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples..." Mt. 28:18-19 "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors..." 2 Cor. 5:20

5. I am commanded to minister. "(Jesus) Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve..." Mt. 20:28(LB) "(Paul, to Archippus) Take heed to the ministry you've received from the Lord and fulfill it." Col. 4:17 (KJV)

6. I am to be prepared for ministry. "God gave...pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of ministry, so that the Body of Christ may be built up..." Eph. 4:11-12

7. The Body of Christ needs my ministry. "All of you together are the one Body of Christ and each of you is a necessary part of it." 1 Cor. 12:27 (LB) "When Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said, 'The harvest is great but the workers are few. Ask the Lord to send out workers into His harvest field.'" Mt. 9:36-37

8. I am accountable for my ministry. "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." Rom. 14:12 See the parable of the talents, Mt. 25:14-30

9. I will be rewarded for my ministry. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward." Col. 3:23,24 "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's happiness!" Mt. 25:23

THE PROCEDURE--HOW TO DISCOVER MY MINISTRY (Rom. 12:1-8)

1. Dedicate your body. "I urge you, to offer yourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual worship (v. 1)

2. Eliminate competing distraction. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (v. 2)

3. Evaluate your strength. "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." (v. 3, NIV)

4. Cooperate with other believers. "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one Body, and each member belongs to all the others." (v. 4-5)

Implications of Paul's anatomy lesson, above (see also 1 Cor. 12:1-31) *Every member is a minister in Christ's body. *Every member has a different function. *Every member's ministry is important. *Every member belongs to the other." Each of us is a part of the one Body of Christ...The eye can never say to the hand, 'I don't need you!' The head cannot say to the feet, 'I don't need you.' And some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary!...So God put the body together in such a way that extra honor and care are given to those parts that might otherwise seem less important." 1 Cor. 12:31, 21-22, 24b (LB)

5. Activate your gifts. "We have different gifts, according to the grace God has given us...prophecy. serving...teaching... encouraging...contributing...leadership...showing mercy.." (v. 6-8)