"Growing Into Perfection"
There's never been a perfect church... but we are [and should be] committed to following the Biblical principles of order and love that will establish within us the ability to mature into the fullness of Christ. Here are four principles that are vital to [a church's] growth [and health]:
Hunger for the Word [should] never violate the truth.
Gatherings are [should be!] designed with great emphasis upon the teaching of God's Word. It's easy to preach what's popular or convenient by leaving some truths out or by exploiting one truth at the exclusion of another. But Paul said, 'I have not shunned to declare unto you all the whole counsel of God' (Acts 20:27). It's our desire to learn and live the whole truth and nothing but the truth (John 8:32).
Liberty will [should] never give place to fanatiscim.
We are [should be!] serious about worshipping the Lord, and we are learning the difference between the sound of praise and the noise of people. We resist the possibilities that in time we would become formal, fanatical, or foolish. We seek divine direction in our worship, and we look to the Scripture for our patterns of praise (John 4:32).
Belief in fellowship will [should] never deteriorate into mere social events.
True fellowship is impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit. We believe those who would move in fellowship and love must understand that God's love is unconditional - it doesn't scheme, it never manipulates. It's a love that covers mistakes and sin with forgiveness and acceptance (Proverbs 17:9). True fellowship is much more than pies, picnics, and socials (although I'm all for that), it's all about growing in care, concern, and commitment.
Call to evangelism will never allow for passivity.
Our Lord doesn't want us to become stagnant and call it stability; He wants us to become a movement wish a mission (Acts 1:8). E.M. Bounds wrote, 'Men are looking for better methods. God is looking for better men.' Against God's will, man lost control of creation. By God's will, man is the instrument God will use to recover it. That's why he gave us the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). That's why we are committed to reaching out to a lost world that's searching for answers. That's why we unapologetically raise our hands in praise to our Lord and why we seek to extend those same hands to deliever His message of forgiveness and grace.
Still growing,
Ron Mehl"