There are many things that a church or organization can focus on. Finances, programs, the leader (personality or passions), the latest fads, or even popular opinion can set the church's direction. At Full Gospel, we believe that God has already determined the purpose for the church, and it's our responsibility to ensure that the church is driven by that purpose. In Matthew 22:37-40 and Matthew 28:
19-20, God spells out the five purposes for the church. Worship ... love the Lord with all your heart...
"You must worship the Lord your God; serve only him." Matthew 4:10 "O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together." Psalm 34:3 (NIV)
Fellowship ... baptizing them...
"Now you are no longer strangers to God and foreigners to heaven, but you are members of God's very own family, citizens of God's country, and you belong in God's household with every other Christian." Ephesians 2:19 (LB)
Maturity ... teaching them to obey...
"So we continue to preach Christ to each person, using all wisdom to warn and to teach everyone, in order to bring each one into God's presence as a mature person in Christ." Colossians 1:28 "So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding." Hebrews 6:1
Ministry ... love your neighbors as yourself...
"He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-12
Evangelism ... go and make disciples...
"And then he told them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.'" Mark 16:15 "He spoke to them again and said, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.'" John 20:21
Full Gospel is a purpose-driven church. It will be driven by God’s five purposes for the early church. To ensure proper balance of the purposes (to ensure that there is activity and growth in each of these five areas), we are actively praying for and our church leaders focus on the five purposes to create a purpose driven church. Our Pastor continually works with our leaders to determine the direction of the church in each area. Our Bible studies, help us guide people to a deeper relationship with God, and helps us teach the basics of the Christian’s and Church’s purpose in a logical and practical fashion
