First, it helps LHAC to be a biblically accountable community. That word “accountable” is almost a dirty word today. But since early in Church history, there has always been a sort of formal “church membership” in which those early believers eagerly involved themselves, to be able to show their accountability and partnership in the Gospel. In the Book of Hebrews, the writer expresses the importance of an active participation in the local church and everything that is involved: support, accountability, authority and correction (Hebrews 10:23-25 also see – 1Corinthians 5; 2Corinthians 2:5-11). We also find biblical precedent in Paul’s instruction to Timothy on church governance and his writings to the church in Rome. The Great Commission was their mission. The Great Command was their means of accomplishing it.
Second, a Ministry Partnership clarifies shared values and expectations. A covenant is a contract that supports and obligates both parties to values and actions that uphold the shared goal of the Great Command and the Great Commission of Christ. In a world where that goal is not the priority, it is even more necessary that believers today find a church that they can commit to for the fulfillment of this goal. So, just as much as you commit to your covenant, so LHAC commits to you our ministry partner.
Third, Ministry Partnerships are critical to discipleship. We are committed to making disciples. Only disciples will accomplish the mission of Christ. It is a co-mission after all. Our context for developing disciples is in our 1-2-3 Strategy. A shared commitment to that strategy is vital for spiritual growth; it moves fuzzy intentions to a clear, intentional focus and defining steps in our discipleship journey..
THE PURPOSE FOR THE CHURCH
1. Our Biblical Mandate (non-negotible)
The purpose of the church is represented clearly by Jesus’ two greatest statements in the Bible:
The Great Commandment (found in Matthew 22:37-40)
“`Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: `Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
And the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
In other words…
The Board of Elders of LHAC has acknowledged these two great statements as the basis for our ministry within our congregation and our city. We have accepted God’s mandate/mission for us and have adopted the following purpose statement to follow after.
Being the church, in fact, being a Christian, is all about doing what is most important to Jesus, living by His kingdom values!
2. Our Biblical Values (non-negotiable)
To be truly Christian we must hold the same values that Jesus lived by and commanded of us. Our ultimate goal then, as individuals and as a church, should be to live lives that conform to the image of Christ, so that we are like Christ in our character and conduct.
As a result we believe there are numerous benefits to ministry partnership:
1. It identifies me as a genuine believer (Eph. 2:19, Rom. 12:5);
2. It provides a spiritual family to support and encourage me in my walk with Christ (Gal. 6:1-2, Heb. 10:24-25),
3. It gives me a place to discover and use my gifts in ministry (1 Cor. 12:4-27);
4. It places me under the spiritual protection of godly leaders (Heb.13:17, Acts 20:28-29);
5. It gives me the accountability I need to grow (Eph. 5:21).
We hope you will consider and commit to our Ministry Partnership. We literally cannot do what Christ commissioned and commanded us to do without you.