Vision

 

 

The Calling, Vision, and Dreams of the Lake Orion Church of Christ

 

“The Calling to Which We Have Been Called”:

Discerning the Intentions of God for the Lake Orion Church of Christ

Believing that we have been called to bear witness to the reign of God, we commit ourselves to commune with God in worship, to grow in Christ through discipleship, to encourage one another in loving fellowship, and to minister to the world through evangelistic service.

Worship: Disciples of Jesus honor God by worshipping Him in spirit and truth. Worship is the central act by which the church celebrates both God's presence and God's promised future. Worship draws the church closer together and closer to the Lord. This closeness allows the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and direct our activities and relationships. (Psalm 145; Isaiah 2:2-4; 52:7-10; Ezekiel 11:17-20; John 4:23-24; Hebrews 10:19-25; Revelation 21:1-5)

Discipleship: The call of discipleship is a call to follow Jesus daily as our Lord and Master Teacher. Growth in discipleship is a life-long journey that takes place both individually and as a body of believers. We open ourselves to God’s work by practicing the spiritual disciplines and cultivating the fruit of the Spirit. (Luke 9:23; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Galatians 2:19-21, 4:19; Ephesians 5:1-2, 21; Philippians 2:1-11; 3:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13)

Fellowship: We believe God has called us to be a unified church through a diversity of gifts so that we may fulfill God’s plan. Our unity allows us to share our spiritually-focused lives in an open and honest manner with a desire to be held accountable by our spiritual family, a forgiven and forgiving community. (Matthew 5; 18; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 12; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Galatians 3:26-29, 6:2; Colossians 3:11-17; James 5:16; 1 John 1:5-10)

Ministry: In covenant partnership with God who reconciles, redeems, and reclaims His creation, we serve human needs, reveal God’s love, and prepare hearts to receive the good news about salvation through Jesus Christ. (Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 49:5-6; 58; Matthew 4:23-24; 5:13-16; 25:34-36; 28:18-20; Luke 4:17-21; Romans 12:1-2, 21; 2 Corinthians 4-5; Colossians 1:24; Hebrews 13:12-16)

 

Let us, as the body of Christ, move toward

living out God’s purpose for the world.

 

Affirming Today What We Hope to Be Tomorrow

As the body of Christ in north Oakland County we willingly submit to living under the reign of God for the sake of the world. We choose to live intentionally, committing to work with God in and through the church, to open our lives to the transforming work of God through the Spirit, and to walk the way of Jesus in our community.

 

Missional Outreach:

We believe that God’s kingdom is a present reality. As a people who have submitted to the lordship of Christ through baptism, we proclaim the gospel, the good news of the reign of God, through missional outreach. Through our participation in the mission of God we both strengthen the unity of the body and individually grow in discipleship by imitating Christ’s life of compassionate and sacrificial service to our local community. We serve expecting nothing in return, willingly taking risks for the sake of the kingdom of God.

Biblical Education & Formation:

We believe that the Bible is the narrative of the God who creates and interacts with humanity. The biblical story is our story. In order to better understand our place in God’s continuing action in the world and to grow as disciples, we pursue a greater understanding of faith and discipleship by engaging in the study of Scripture, listening to the proclaimed Word, and participating in classes and discussions with others. As we dwell in the Word of God both individually and communally, the Spirit continually shapes us to embody the mind of Christ in the world.

Loving Family:

We believe that the journey of faith is a shared journey. The church is the family of those who live in relationship with God and one another, a fellowship in and through Jesus Christ. We are a sincere, committed, loving family of Christians who work together to help those who are in need, whether or not they are a part of the Lake Orion Church family. We acknowledge, embrace, and accept diversity as a vital aspect of our life together, and we choose to extend grace in the freedom of Christ instead of judgment, breaking down the dividing walls that separate people, so that we might have a deep and real sense of connection and belonging with one another in the fellowship of the Spirit.

Worship:

We believe that worship is vital to the life of faith and the future of God’s people and all of creation. When we gather in worship, we commune with God and with each other and we re-enthrone God over our own lives and over the church. In worship we praise God for the mighty works God has done in our own lives and on behalf of a world that does not yet know how to praise.

·       Singing & Praise:

We believe that God is enthroned on the praises of God’s people. The singing at the Lake Orion Church enhances the congregation’s corporate worship and individual spirituality. In our praise, we retrain ourselves for life in the world, recommitting ourselves to the way of Jesus and God’s mission. Song services are intentional, though open to spontaneity, and dip into the deep well of resources in the Christian tradition, including a blend of older and newer songs. The sincerity, energy, and passion of our worship leaders are a source of the vibrancy of the worship in song.

·       Communal Prayer:

We believe that God hears and responds to our prayer. Communal prayer is a vital part of our corporate worship at Lake Orion. We regularly surround individuals and families to hold them up in prayer and bring their physical, spiritual, emotional, and relational needs to God. We also join together in times of celebration, giving thanks for God’s faithfulness. As we come together through prayer, we are strengthened and knit together as a church; we lay aside our differences and unite as one people in the presence of God.

·       Preaching:

We believe that God continues to speak to the church through the proclaimed Word. The preaching at the Lake Orion Church of Christ anchors both the worship service and the overall health of the congregation in the Word of God. By intention, the sermon is united with the other elements of worship. In his sermons, the preacher connects with the members as individuals and as a body. His sermons are clear, practical, thoughtful, and edifying. His humility and genuineness are revealed through his openness to share both the strengths and weaknesses of his spiritual journey with the congregation.

Small Groups:

We believe that small groups are vital to the formation of people on the journey of faith. Small groups provide a unique avenue to experiencing a deeper connection with other individuals and with the greater church family. By consistently gathering together with a small group of other disciples, we create and cultivate an intimate, non-judgmental atmosphere that fosters growth in the Spirit through relationships of trust and accountability. Together we share our dreams and our fears, we celebrate our successes and strengths, we confess our failures and weaknesses, and we learn to address and resolve conflict, while seeking the counsel and support of others through conversation, prayer, and the exploration of the Scriptures.

Youth Faith Formation:

We believe that children are an integral part of the life and future of the church. As a congregation we recognize the importance of maintaining an active and welcoming youth program to nurture the growing faith of our children and teens and to empower them to follow Jesus. Through Bible study and discussion groups, we foster an environment that encourages enduring friendships and develops leadership within the group. We invite our youth to join us on the transformative journey of discipleship through shared experiences in missional outreach, fellowship, and worship.

 

As members of the family of God at the Lake Orion Church of Christ, we covenant with one another and with God to embrace and live into this vision in our life together with God for the sake of the world.