4. Encourage all to serve -
We seek to mobilize every member to take part
in the work God has given the church. Recognizing that the church, like a living
organism, needs all its parts actively and properly working for the whole or any
part to prosper, we encourage all to participate in ministry according to the
abilities, gifts, and direction God has given to each.
...Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man
did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
—Matthew 20:26-28
5. Support families - We seek to affirm, strengthen, and empower families
that they might realize all the potential of God's wonderful and unique design
for them. Called to be light in a world where family failure has become almost
the norm, we strive to apply God's principles to family life, offer models of
strong, happy marriages and families, and provide an environment that fosters
love, unity, order, and joy in the families in our midst.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave
Himself up for her... —Ephesians 5:25
6. Nurture friendships - We seek to connect with one another in genuine,
caring relationships that build on our spiritual unity in Christ. We eagerly
embrace Christ's command to love one another and seek for opportunities to obey
that command in our lives together.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one
another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. —John 13:34
7. Reach the lost - We seek to extend ourselves to those around us who do
not yet know Christ. Realizing God's love for these lost people, we make
ourselves available to love them, serve them, and win them. We are challenged by
Christ's charge to proclaim to the world the life-giving message of His death
for men's sins. We seek for ways to impart that message to our friends, our
community, and people around the world.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.
—Matthew 28:19-20
