Read Matthew 16:18
By Sandra Lambert
In August of 1993, Bill and I moved to Hampton, Georgia and began jobs in the Atlanta area. We moved on a Saturday and I still remember how hard that day was. James and Teri Moody had bought our home here and since they were a part of the Young Married Couples Sunday School class we taught at Pleasant Valley, many from the Sunday School class came to help move us out and move them in. When the u-haul was finally loaded; they all lined up single file to hug us and send us on our way. I hugged family and friends and got in the car to follow Bill in the u-haul to Atlanta. I was at City Boulevard before I stopped crying! However God had a plan for us and that plan was for us to become integral members of Liberty Hill Baptist Church. We came to love those folks “almost” as much as we loved Pleasant Valley!
While we were at Liberty Hill, Pastor Jeff Gongwer preached a series of sermons on the guiding values of a church which I want to share with you. I think they are relevant for both Pleasant Valley and Liberty Hill.
GUIDING VALUES OF A CHURCH
- Worshipping Church – We affirm that God deserves worship and people need to worship. (Hebrews 13:15; I Peter 2:5)
- Evangelistic Church – We affirm the real need of every person is to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:1-4)
- Discipling Church – We affirm that growing toward godliness is the goal of our discipleship. (II Timothy 3:16-17)
- Fellowshipping Church – We affirm that we grow and minister best in the context of God’s love; therefore we will enjoy opportunities of wholesome Christian fellowship. (John 13:34-35)
- Ministering Church – We affirm that the New Testament model of ministry is a shared ministry; therefore each member will seek to discover and develop spiritual gifts and talents to minister in and through Christ’s body; the church. (Ephesians 4:11-13)
- Missions Church – We affirm that the mission of the church is global in its scope. (Acts 1:8)
Thank you Sandra! Great devotional.
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