| MINISTRY PHILOSOPHY
1 Peter 2:9-10
“But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling
of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments
to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day
difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from
rejected to accepted.” (The Message)
Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Lakeland, Florida, aspires to be
a church that presents the Gospel in a relevant way to produce a
multicultural, multigenerational congregation that is able to disciple
those that the Lord brings. We worship the Triune God in Spirit
and in truth, which compels us to love one another and witness to
all men, women, and children.
APPLICATION OF MINISTRY FUNDAMENTALS
Visible Outworking of Service
Redeemer Presbyterian Church is called to serve God in worship,
edification; and in witness with worship the primary of the three.
WORSHIP
As humankind was created to worship God. Worship is the highlight
of the life of the church and its centrality is what unites us as
a community. Everything we do in the church flows out from worship.
Worship is at the center of the life of Redeemer Presbyterian Church.
As God's people saved by grace, our Creator and Redeemer is the
object of our deepest and highest affections. Since God has called
us out of darkness to be his worshipers (1 Pet 2:9), we desire to
worship God sincerely, eagerly and biblically. Our aim is that Jesus
Christ and his gospel always stand at the heart of our worship.
Consequently, we desire that all the elements of worship be in accord
with Scripture and that our hearts be well prepared for worship
so that Christ and his gospel will be glorified.
EDIFICATION
All ministries exist in the church so that we might grow in grace
and be equipped to be better worshipers. We desire to nurture all
believers "to know the Lord, to do the Lord's will, and to
be like the Lord." [E. Clowney: The Church]
Holiness of Life
The Scriptures teach us that the believer is to be holy as God is
holy (1 Pet. 1:15-16). We believe that the only power in the Church
is the Holy Spirit who works in humbling us, resulting in lives
that pursue God in worship, prayer, and service.
Gospel Community
Believers are called to care for one another in the church by bearing
one another's burdens (Gal. 6: 1 - 2), and living with one another
in a loving and forgiving way (Rom. 12:9ff.). We are called to edify
and build one another up by living for Christ through the enabling
power of the gospel message.
Cultural Transformation
We believe that God would have each Christian live as salt and light
in society (Matt. 5: 13-16). We are called to fulfill the cultural
mandate by living consciously for Christ in our homes and employments
(Eph. 5:21-6:9) and as Christian citizens (Rom. 13:1ff.). We are
committed to help God's people develop a world-view that addresses
cultural concerns in a distinctly Christian manner. Our goal is
to show the world biblical alternatives of being human as we serve
through the home, the arts, business, government, academy, and all
of life.
WITNESS
By the example of a godly life, exercising hospitality, showing
compassion and genuine interest in the lives of others, we aim to
share Christ and His Gospel with others. Therefore all ministries
of Redeemer Presbyterian Church exist to bring people into the Church
and to make them true worshipers of God. We are committed to using
the resources of the church to advance the kingdom of God and to
bring sinners to Christ both at home and abroad through specific
outreach - ministries of the church and denomination.
The Gospel
Jesus Christ is presented in the gospel as the only hope for sinners.
Redeemer Presbyterian Church desires that the cross be at the center
of all we do. It is through Jesus Christ who was crucified, raised,
and ascended that sinners are justified, sanctified, and will be
glorified. The message of Christ crucified is all we wish to know
(1 Cor 2:2) because all knowledge has significance as it is related
to Christ at the center of all things.
Seeing the Lost Come to Jesus
Christ has commanded his Church to be his instruments in the conversion
and discipling of the nations (Matt. 28: 16-20). The Church does
not exist for itself but for God's glory, discipleship of believers,
and the salvation of the lost. This demands an intelligent, earnest
presentation of the gospel through preaching and witness that leads
men, women, and children to understand their true condition and
to see their need of the Savior. We are resolved to involve our
congregation in witness for Christ in Lakeland, and throughout the
world.
FUNCTIONAL STRUCTURE
Reformed Theology
The theology of Redeemer Presbyterian Church is summarized in the
Westminster Confession of Faith which is the most faithful summary
of biblical doctrine and from which we make our commitment to reformed
theology and our commitment to the gospel. We endeavor to order
the entire life of the congregation around biblical truths and to
work out the implications of our confession in all of life. The
doctrinal system of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, then, is the foundation
for our vision, values, and ministry strategies.
Presbyterian Church Government
Christ the Head and King of His redeemed Church has established
the Presbyterian form of government (that is, government by elders)
until He returns as found and described in the Book of Church Order
of the Presbyterian Church in America.
SUMMARY
Through affirming our faithfulness to the Holy Scriptures as the
Word of God, we, the people of Redeemer Presbyterian Church of Lakeland,
Florida, endeavor to make worship of the Triune God the center of
our lives, with faithful proclamation of His Word, with music as
an integral component of the worship services, educating the people
of God, praying to Him in a manner characteristic of His people,
serving Him faithfully as we go into a lost world, through programs
of ministry which also edify His people.
We are a distinctive church of the Presbyterian Church in America,
affirming the creeds and summaries of what we believe the Bible
teaches about God, humanity, salvation, the Bible, the Church, the
world, and all of life as found in the Apostles' Creed and the Westminster
Confession of Faith and Catechisms. It is from these creeds and
teachings that the doctrinal commitments are used to form the "core
values" and "theological vision" of the congregation.
|
