Our Mission: Vertical Life Church exists to spread God's glory by multiplying disciples of Jesus Christ and multiplying churches, both here and around the world. This purpose is achieved through the implementation of four core values. The Centrality of the Gospel-- The Gospel is not only necessary for genuine salvation but also for every aspect of our individual lives and the life of the church. A
ll of our core values are developed from a clear understanding of the sufficiency of the Gospel that is central to the everyday life of the believer and the daily functions of the Local Church. (Col. 2:6-3:4; Gal. 1:6-12; Gal. 3:1-14; Phil 2:12-13; 1 Cor 15:1-3)
2. Gospel Centrality leads us to trust in God's Power not in the ability of man.-- Our sufficiency rests in the power of God and His Word to transform lives, not in any personality, program, or philosophy. (1 Thes 1:5-2:8; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 3:4-6; Romans 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18-2:5; Acts 4:31)
a. Belief in the power of God is demonstrated in:
Draft 7.7.15
i. Prayer - Believing firmly in the power of prayer. "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints." Teaching - Proclaiming the authority of God’s Word without apology and with out manipulative tactics that lead to emotional response rather than a Holy Spirit led conviction. "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." 2 Timothy 4:2
iii. Evangelism - Sharing the good news of Jesus with boldness trusting that we have been sent and equipped by the power of God not relying on a method or model, but on God’s power and word to deliver the message. Acts 1:8—“You shall receive power when the Holy Ghost has come upon you, and then you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.” "And also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 6:19-20
3. Gospel Centrality leads us to exist as a Missional Community--The defining mark of our church is our love for one another as we daily live life together. God's mission is then carried out by as we intentional share God's love with others who do not yet believe. a. Gospel centered Missional Community is demonstrated through:
i. Small Missional Communities – Meeting house to house on mission in our neighborhoods and communities. Embracing the Body of Christ in unity and love. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have
fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son
ii. Cooperate Worship - Lifting high the name of Jesus through worship. “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and
truth." John 4:24
iii. Ministry – Organized and specific methods and strategies focused with the
purpose of loving within the Body of Christ and those in our community through meeting the needs of individuals, families, and people groups. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
4. Gospel Centrality Leads us to Family Discipleship--The older generation of believers have the joyful responsibility to mentor the younger generation to love and obey the Lord Jesus beginning in the home and permeating our church family. (Judges 2:10: Deut 6:4-9; Psalm 78;1-8; Psalm 127; James 1:27; Prov. 22:6; Luke 6:40; Ephesians 5:21- 6:4: Col. 3:18-21; 1 Peter 3:1-7; Acts 13:1-2
a. Gospel centered family discipleship is demonstrated through
i. Equipping the Saints for the work of ministry- Training believers to act upon their calling and gifting through Christ Jesus. “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” Ephesians 4:11-13 cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 “And all who believed were together and had all things in common.” Acts 2:44
