We serve God in worship
Our church seeks to serve God in worship according to His Word. The primary objective is God’s glory in sincere worship, not programs of worship. If God’s glory is the primary objective of our worship, it will also be the governing motive of all we do in worship. We believe this to be the general idea expressed in the “regulative principle of worship” (cf. Genesis. 4:3–7; Exodus. 20:2–6; Leviticus. 10; 1 Corinthians 11). Worshiping God’s way allows us to worship with a clear conscience, as we come in the name of Christ who shed His own blood for His church. We, therefore, seek to worship God with all of our hearts, our souls, and with all our minds.
We serve our church body in nurture
Our church seeks to nurture the body in maturity in Jesus Christ with His Word. The Bible describes this as a body in the growth of grace, fruitfulness, and holiness (cf. 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14). God’s Word, therefore, is central to our nurturing efforts, as we seek growth as His disciples (cf. John 13-17). Our church seeks to live out this new life in Christ, knowing that it is the Word working through His Spirit that sanctifies us and conforms us to the righteousness of God (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21). From our growth, the body of believers also nurtures one-another in collaborative and hospitable efforts. As Paul says in Galatians 5:16-24, the fruits enable us to march in unison with the Holy Spirit and this kind of fellowship will bring us into unity with one another.
We serve our local and global communities in witness
Jesus came into the world to fulfill the redemptive plan of God, that is, to bring the Good News to a lost and fallen world (cf. 1 Peter 3:18). Our church seeks to fulfill the mission He gave His church and to take the Good News to our local and global communities. “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). This command of Christ coupled with worshiping God and nurturing His children should motivate us to bring our Savior to the world.
When we serve our church body in nurture, we envision FPC will become a loving church, meaning…
When we serve our local and global communities in witness, we envision FPC will become a witnessing church, meaning…