Mission Statement (Board approved April 2012;. pending amendment to LCC Constitution.)
KNOW Jesus. EQUIP believers. REACH the world.
At Lutheran Church of the Cross our purpose is to challenge people to KNOW Jesus as Lord and Savior; to EQUIP believers for ministry in His name; and to REACH the world for God's Kingdom.
LCC Vision Statement
OUR CORE VALUES
God We believe in one God, infinite in power, wisdom and love, creator of all things and sovereign over all things. We believe God exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each being equal and totally divine. Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; Jeremiah 10:12; | |
Jesus We believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior of the world. Jesus is God made in the flesh who came to live among us, totally man and totally God. Through Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection he alone provides the forgiveness of sin, allowing us to live eternal lives. It is by faith that we enter into his grace, not by any works or human effort. There is no other way to be saved but by this belief in Jesus. John 1:1-3, 14-18; John 8:12; Acts 2:21, 36; |
Spirit We believe the Holy Spirit is a person who has come into the world to reveal and glorify Christ, convict men and women of their sin and to bring new life to all who trust in Christ for their salvation. He lives in all believers and seals them until the day of redemption. The Holy Spirit enables the believer to understand scripture, guides them in doing right and transforms them so they may live lives pleasing to God. He gives spiritual gifts to build up the Church so we may fulfill God's purposes and plans in this generation and for eternity. John 14:26-26; Romans 8:11; | Word We believe the Bible is the only authority and guide for truth, life and faith in Jesus. We accept on faith that the bible is inspired by God and without error, however, not all interpretation is without error. Therefore, we encourage life long study of the scripture as we seek God's wisdom and truth for our lives and circumstances. God's word is always relevant, always true, and always bears witness to saving faith in Christ. Psalm 1; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20- | |
Mission We believe that Jesus commanded the Church to go and make disciples. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to witness to the Lordship of Christ and to participate with God in the building of the Church and the expansion of His kingdom. Our mission is in our neighborhoods, communities and around the world. Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 6:1 | Worship Worship is how we show God we love him, which establishes a right relationship between God and His people. Worship is a life style of praise and thanksgiving to God that is daily, ongoing, and permeates everything we do. Worship is essential for the believer-like breath itself- and central to the life of the church. In it we cast our eyes to the Cross, we come under the instruction of God's Word, we are strengthened by the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, bound together as Christ's body, and united in prayer. Worship involves active participation of the whole person - body, mind, heart, and spirit, with God as our audience. Psalm 98: 4-9; Psalm 105: 1-4; Matthew 22:34-38; | |
Body of Christ We believe God has called us into community with each other just as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit embody and model perfect community. In relationships with other believers we are to learn and practice what it means to follow Jesus, the head of the Church. As believers we have been joined to Christ in our salvation and to each other by the Holy Spirit. Together we seek unity, harmony and understanding as we learn, love, pray, serve, and fellowship together. All who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are members of the Body of Christ. As his disciples we are the physical representation of Jesus in the world today. John 13:24-35; John 17:6-26; Acts 2:42-47; | Spiritual Gifts We believe each believer has been given his or her own spiritual gift(s), chosen by the Holy Spirit, to be used so the Body of Christ may grow and mature. God wants us to know our spiritual gifts. He wants us to know that we are each called to serve Him and we have been given the gifts we need to accomplish what he has called us to do. We believe these gifts should be discerned through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and affirmation of other believers. Spiritual gifts are gifts of grace, given for the common good, and are to be employed and controlled out of love for one another. Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12: 1-11, 27-31; | |
Stewardship. We believe God is the source of all things. Everything we have in this life is a gift of God: our talents, our time, our treasures, our family and our relationships. Stewardship is our response and expression of gratitude, honor and worship to God. We are blessed by God to be a blessing to others by sharing and developing our financial resources, our gifts, and our talents. God provides for our needs and is glorified when we share the abundance of his resources to expand his kingdom and care for others. Exodus 19: 5-6; 1 Chronicles 29:14; Psalm 24:1; |
