FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS
Throughout the New Testament, the body of Christ - the Church - is described as a building made of various parts that are jointly fit together with Jesus Christ as its foundation. The word of God provides key principles, we call “pillars,” which promote the strength and impact of our local church community. These pillars are love, unity, covenant and spiritual community.
LOVE
To say love is an important concept in the word of God is an understatement. In fact, scripture says God is love (1 John 4:8). Scripture also emphasizes the significance of love to building or edifying the community of faith (1 Corinthians 8:1).
COVENANT
In His great love for us, God has promised salvation by grace through faith in Jesus. (Acts 2:21). This New Covenant extends also to us and our relationships with other believers. As members of God’s family, we are to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). When we say “yes” to Jesus, we are saying “yes” to faithfully walking with those God has placed us in relationship with.
UNITY
On the day of Pentecost, the disciples were together in one place (Acts 2:1). It’s possible for people to be in the same room, group or organization, but have different agendas. Unity requires more than close proximity. It requires singleness of heart and mind. Being together and on one accord allows the church to experience the power and blessings of God in wondrous ways!
SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY
Love, unity and covenant are expressed through the spiritual community of LCI-East. A spiritual community is a local body of believers who edify one another. At LCI-East we: love one another (John 13:34-35); serve one another (Galatians 5:13); are kind to one another (1 Thessalonians 5:15); have fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7); offer hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9); confess sins to and pray for one another (James 5:16); carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2); and encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18).