What You Will NOT Find At Life Church

I just had to create this note. It has nagged at me for days since hearing more than once the stories of how Father God is too often presented as only being a 'has been' God or as a 'will be' God when, in reality, He IS (everything He says He is) . . . was . . . and will be.

I like every church and am for every church that is for the Bible and I am for their success. As I see it, we are all on the very same team. I want them to 'win.' I 'like' every television minister too. They all present Jesus differently from one another but somehow in the sovereign design of God, I believe He can use each word to touch a heart somewhere, somehow.

Part of my calling is to be a bridge between people and God - specifically, people who have been hurt, wounded or turned off to God in the house of God. Though I have weathered a lot of church storms, I believe God has helped me and my family to remain free from hurts and wounds that could have dabilitated our faith in God and in people. I also realize that we are to help heal God's distorted image presented by well-meaning churches and voices but really does not reflect, accurately, Who He really is.

The Bible says that Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were sick and oppressed of the Devil. Later, Jesus said that if you have seen Him, you have seen the Father. He was/is a perfect reflection of Father God and has not mutated into something less generous, liberal and giving or less willing than what Jesus presented Him as being. The logical and reasoning faculties of man cannot grasp, contain or imagine One Who resides outside those limits. It takes the Holy Spirit breathing life into the Word of God to enlighten our spiritual understanding to even begin to grasp His grandeur and immensity.

At Life Church, you will NOT find church politics running and ruining everything overtly or covertly. Far too many have been hurt and disconnected from a church due to church politics and the strife it can gender. We have determined to model New Testament church government that genders trust, vulnerability and unity.

At Life Church, you will NOT find us presenting a God Who 'was' or Who 'will be.' We present God Who was, will be and 'is.' In other words, He is all and everything His Word says He is and His Promises have no expiration dates. If He showed Himself to be a healer of disease and brokenness, He remains to be that same healer and restorer. Our messages and doctrine does not teach a God Who has diminished capacity or willingness to be all that His Word describes Him to be.

At Life Church, you will NOT find 'membership' in the traditional sense. You cannot just join a church like you join an organization because the church 'has' organization but is an 'organism' - not simply an institution. The Bible says that it is like a family, the Father's family in Heaven and the Earth. Therefore, rather than presenting the traditional membership, we offer 'Mutual Adoption.' It's a family thing and families are 'organically' connected for life.

At Life Church, you will NOT find that we are more concerned about your dollars than we are about your discipleship. In other words, the Word we preach will probably offend you but not just for the sake of offending. We will not adapt or water-down the Word of God so the Truth doesn't upset you.

At Life Church, you will NOT find exclusion but you will find inclusion. Our doors are open to anyone and everyone. Our love is color-blind, unconcerned about social barriers and is the true test of our spirituality.

At Life Church, you will NOT find us competing with or disregarding any other church or minister. We are all on the same 'team' fighting a common 'enemy.' When another church prospers, we prosper and our community benefits. We are a part of the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) , but our affiliation carries no restrictions with how we view people in need and carry out our mission.

To learn more about Life Church and our mission, visit www.lifeinchicago.org .