Core Passions

The term “passions” is used instead of the traditional term “values” because a passion is something that you not only value or think is important but it is something that truly drives you. The seven passions below really drive us. And they become the standard by which all of our ministries will be measured. The term “passion”, is defined by Webster’s as “intense or violent emotion.” While we would remove ourselves from the idea of violent emotion we would embrace the idea of an intensity of emotion. In other words we want to have our hearts in what we do. We want our whole person engaged in these seven passions.

They are set up on the acrostic PASSION so as to be mnemonic. We want these to be on the front burner of each person’s mind and heart at Lifeline Community.

Passionate Worship

We are driven by the worship of God and believe it is our job as His community to express how much we love Him with passion. We want to worship him with all aspects of our lives both individually and as a community. And we want that worship to be from the depths of our heart and with our whole person engaged in proclaiming His goodness. “My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul.” (Ps. 108:1)

Authentic Spirituality

We think it is important that we be real. Jesus abhorred hypocrisy and we do as well. We want our lives to be filled with integrity. We are not interested in putting on facades of pseudo-spirituality. We want our lives to match what we say. “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” (Pr. 11:3)

Sufficiency of the Bible

We believe that the Bible alone is God’s written word for humanity. It is completely true and we know that it is our guide for what we are to believe and how we are to live. It addresses all of life, so we will go to it for the answers to all of life’s dilemmas. “Sanctify them by the truth, your word is truth.” (Jn. 17:17)

Sharing the Gospel

We know that the most valuable message for the world is that salvation from judgment comes only by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. God continues to give us breath to share this message. Sharing it with others is a priority in the life of our church. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. “ (2 Cor. 5:20a)

Importance of the Family

We treasure the gift of family and see it as the primary sphere of influence in each of our lives. We believe that strong families will make for a strong church. We want to equip families to glorify God in all of life. “These commands that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Dt. 6:6-7)

Oneness of the Community

We believe that God wants our church to be unified. This doesn’t mean that we are all the same, but it does mean that our hearts are knit together and committed to a common vision and a common mission. It means that we appreciate the diversity in our church enough to let it be expressed without trying to make everyone else look just like us. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (Jn 13:35)

Nobility of Humanity

We are committed to recognizing the worth of every individual. We are all made in God’s image. He loved each individual enough that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for them. Therefore He expects us to treat everyone with dignity and honor. “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. (Ps. 8:5)