Although there are Biblical concepts, commands and principles that are common to all churches and denominations, each local church must realize that it has its own distinct calling and ministry in the world. We have recognized ours as a Ministry of Reconciliation.
In its basic definition, reconciliation means to bring two or more alienated parties back together which assumes an attitude of change and repentance between one or more of the parties. It is then our goal to restore backsliders, people who are hurting and persons living in sin to full fellowship with God and His church.
This restoration through reconciliation was born out of our goal in 1982 to reconcile members who had been hurt or disillusioned and had left the church. This desire has blossomed into a style of ministry that has influence everything we do and are at Journey Life Center. Its foundational statement is that our purpose is to worship God thus reconciling the world to God and member to member of His body. This ministry can be identified now in three distinct divisions of ministry which actually take on a Trinitarian form of expression.
First of all, we are reconciled to worship the Father. We believe worship to be our first priority and that we are indeed created to worship God. The reason for worship is to be at one with God. To worship Him brings His presence filling the soul and the sanctuary. God living in us and in our church brings spiritual, psychological and physical healing. When we worship we find ourselves in the overlap of two aeons – this present world and the one to come. Whenever and wherever these two intersect the miraculous presence of God is possible. Worship, then, changes us and we become more Christ-Like. It reconciles us to truss humanity and to the true God and restores us to His image. Worship invites the transforming power of God into our midst.
Secondly, reconciliation restores us to the body of Christ. Once empowered through worship we can carry our task that has been assigned to us. We are reconciled for a purpose. Every part of the body should be functional and operational. While worship gives us identity, bring reconciled to the body gives us position and responsibility. There are gifts and talents given to the whole and that this is in reality the only way the whole can effectively contribute to the member. Body life includes everything from teaching to witnessing to community work to stewardship and administration. Everyone should be involved!
Thirdly, through the Spirit we have relationship. Although reconciliation immediately bridges our isolation and unites us to God, there still remains a measure of alienation towards God-likeness. We must grow to trust God and each other. Perfect love casts our fear! This is expressed by one on one caring, developing friendships, support groups and various fellowship groups. We believe that it is important for each member to not only worship and work but to be part of the web of loving relationships that knit us together and provide opportunity for mutual support, exhortation, discipline, and friendship.
Although, there is much overlap between these three divisions of ministry, they could best be described in terms of temple, body and family. We worship in the temple and are indeed ourselves a temple as God lives in us. As members of His body, we are reconciled to His work and to His mission in the world.
Finally, we are reconciled to each other as we work through ”family” relationships. Someone once said, “You can choose your friends, but not your family.” This is true in the church. We can get along only so long as we accept each other just the way we are – just because we’re family!
Our Ministry of Reconciliation is therefore a healing of relationships among ourselves and between us and our God. This healing assumes repentance and change on our part. It is affected during worship and because of intercessory prayer. It is realized in our day-to-day relationship with each other as we involve ourselves in Kingdom work. Reconciliation is both instantaneous and ongoing. We believe we have been given power for the service!
| ESSENTIAL CHRISTIAN BELIEFS |
| God |
There is one God. He is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He eternally exists in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and one. He is perfect in His many attributes of holiness, love, power, knowledge, justice, and mercy.
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Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22
2 Corinthians 13:14
1 Peter 1:2
Matthew 28:19
Psalm 90:2
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| Jesus Christ |
Jesus Christ is God’s Son. He is co-equal with the Father. He is both God and man. He was born of a virgin. He lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of His people by dying on a cross. He died to become a substitutionary atonement for the sins of His people. 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 earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
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Matthew 1:22-23
Romans 1:3-4
Hebrews 4:14-15
Isaiah 9:6
Acts 1:9-11
John 1:1-5; 14:10-30, 14:16-17 |
| Holy Spirit |
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is the divine helper, assistant, counselor and instructor. He is present in the world to make man 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. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
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2 Corinthians 3:17
Acts 1:8
Ephesians 1:13; 5:18
John 16:7-13; 14:16-27
1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16
Galatians 5:25
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| God’s Word |
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. The Bible is inspired by God, and is the truth without any mixture of error. It is the sole authority for life.
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2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16
2 Peter 1:20-21
Psalm 119:105, 160; 12:6
Proverbs 30:5
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| Human Beings |
Human beings are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. As the supreme object of God?s creation, we were designed for dignity. However, Adam?s sin catapulted the creation into a fallen state, and plunged all his descendants into depravity. Thus, all of us are marred by rebellion and disobedience toward God, which is called “sin.” Sin separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
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Genesis 1:27
Psalm 8:3-6
Romans 3:23
Isaiah 53:6a; 59:1-2
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| Salvation |
Salvation is God?s free gift to us. We receive this gift through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone. Repentance means turning away from our sin and turning towards Christ. Faith means trusting in Christ alone for the remission of our sins. When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, His perfect obedience is credited to us so that God sees us as the righteousness of Christ. Every person who truly is saved is eternally secure in the Lord Jesus Christ and will spend eternity in heaven, while those who die in their sins will spend eternity in hell.
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Romans 6:23
Titus 3:5
John 14:6; 1:12
Galatians 3:26
Ephesians 2:8-9
Romans 5:1
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| Eternity |
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
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John 3:16
Romans 6:23
Revelation
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