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Lighthouse Church invites you to Come...as you are ~ Connect...to God & others ~ Change...your world. We pursue this mission with intentionality and in an environment that is accepting of all people, no matter their station in life. Lighthouse's members are its ministers, and each member is afforded the opportunity to be equipped in the area of his or her unique giftedness. Additionally, Lighthouse eagerly accepts those called by God from the marketplace to the ministry. Lighthouse's beliefs, core values, vision and mission are set forth below. If you have further questions, please touch base with us for more information.
Page Contents
Beliefs of Lighthouse Church
Lighthouse Church Core Values
Vision for Lighthouse Church
Mission of Lighthouse Church
Becoming a Christian
Beliefs of Lighthouse Church
The Bible is Our Sole Authority
Since God's Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is, "What does the Bible say?" We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe. The Bible is without error and it does not contradict itself.
Autonomy of Each Local Church
Christ is the recognized head of the church, not any person, group, or religious organization. Lighthouse Church is affiliated with the Charleston Baptist Association, the South Carolina Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. While recognizing the value of associating and cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe every local church should be self-governing and independent from any denominational control.
Priesthood of Every Believer
The Bible teaches that since the time of Christ, every believer is a priest. Every believer has the privilege of a priest, which is direct access to God through Christ. Every believer also has the responsibility of a priest, which is service at God's direction. We believe every believer is a minister called to serve God no matter his or her vocation.
Tithing
At Lighthouse we practice tithing for the support of Christ's Body, the Church, as God commands. We recognize that giving 10 percent of our income is the Biblical standard of living. Tithing is one way we recognize the principle that we are only stewards of the time, talents, and resources God has loaned to us.
Baptism by Immersion
We practice baptism by immersion under water--the way Jesus was baptized and the way the Bible commands.
Spirit-led Living
We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God's power within us. We seek to practice a daily dependence on God's Spirit to enable us to do what is right.
Telling Others About Christ
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those God brings us into contact with. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to church.
About God
God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is coequal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate his power over sin and death . He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:4-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when he or she is saved. As Christians we seek to live under his control daily. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Galatians 5:25)
About the Bible
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. (2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)
About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53: 6a, 59:1-2; Romans 3:23)
About Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord and in God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. (Romans 6:23, 5:1; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26)
About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. (John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will exist either eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 3:16, 2:25; 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8, 2:44, 46)
Lighthouse Church Core Values
Submission to God
We believe that God leads His people to accomplish His work in His ways, in His time. We believe that to love God is to serve God through obedience.
He must become greater; I must become less. - John 3:30
Biblical Community
People were made to know and be known, love and be loved, serve and be served, and celebrate and be celebrated. God designed us to have a personal love relationship with Him that transforms our lives. He intends for us to live together in harmony by expressing this love to one another.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. - Romans 12:10
Personal Spiritual Growth
God's intention is to build into the life of each believer the character of his son Jesus Christ. We believe that as this is God's intention, so it should also be our desire. We believe this personal spiritual growth best occurs when we instill in our lives the habits of prayer, worship, Bible study, discipling others, tithing, service to others, and participation in small groups.
Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. - Hebrews 5:13-14
Biblical Teaching
God has spoken to us in the Bible. We believe the Bible is complete and without error, and it is our trustworthy guide for living. We believe clear teaching of God's Word is essential for spiritual growth.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16
Gift-Based Ministry
God has uniquely designed and gifted all of us for service in His kingdom. We believe that each individual should discover and use his or her gift(s) in ministry to God and to others.
Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. - 1 Peter 4:10
Excellence For God
We believe excellence in all we do honors God and inspires people.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31
Outreach
We believe that Jesus Christ came to seek and save those who are lost. Since lost people matter to God, we are on a mission with God to lead people to Him.
He said to them, "Go into all of the world and preach the good news to all creation." - Mark 16:15
Clear Communication
We believe God has called us to reach this generation with the truth of the Gospel. Our obligation is to communicate God's truth clearly while remaining sensitive to those we are trying to reach.
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. - Colossians 4:5-6
Worship
We believe that the worship of God is an essential part of a believer's life and prepares us to receive God's Word. God-centered worship refocuses our minds, encourages our hearts and restores our souls. It is a reflection of our personal relationship with God.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. - Matthew 22:37
Vision for Lighthouse Church
The Vision for Lighthouse Church is in-line with our beliefs and is built on the foundation of our core values. We feel God's vision for Lighthouse is:
- To reach thousands through ministries of the church
- To present our message in a seeker-sensitive context
- To develop disciples who grow and serve in the Kingdom
- To utilize a contemporary format, with multiple worship styles offered in varied venues as alternatives become needed and available
- To use small groups, called Growth Groups, as our primary fellowship, discipleship and ministry vehicle
- To emphasize discipleship -- practical steps taught on how to become a fully-devoted follower of Christ (how to tithe, etc., and how to practice the spiritual disciplines so that the life of an individual can be fully transformed by Christ)
- To utilize off-site locations for growth purposes and for specified age group programs
- To support church planting in SC and beyond
- To use technology to leverage the impact of church ministries on a weekly basis
- To be active in mission work around the world through professional missionaries as well as through personal involvement by individual church members
- To be supportive of Christian artists and their ministries
- To minister to people of all socioeconomic levels in our community
- To be Southern Baptist in orientation and evangelical in ministry practice and partnerships
- To be a leadership-led church, led by a staff and leadership team, with accountability to the congregation as spelled out in By-Laws
Mission of Lighthouse Church
Come...as you are ~ Connect...to God & others ~ Change...your world. Lighthouse will accomplish its mission with God's blessing and our focus on the following key points:
- Outward Focused - committed to reaching out and connecting with unbelievers...those who don't know Christ
- Growth Focused - intentional in promoting and providing for the spiritual growth of individual believers into mature participants in God's Kingdom
- God Focused - focused on following hard after God with an abandonment that keeps the congregation and the leadership flexible to change
- Relationship Focused - "Relationships are more important than rules" attitude that prevails in church deliberations and in church life
Becoming a Christian
To invite God into your life, have a conversation with him (pray, silently or aloud) and say these things to him just as written, or in your own words.
- I know I've messed up in my life and haven't always done what was right.
- I understand that my wrongdoing, even if it's only little things like telling white lies or having unkind thoughts about people, separates me from having a life in heaven with you.
- I know that Jesus already paid the price for my sin by dying on the cross for me. I understand that by accepting His act of sacrificial love for me as a gift, I am assured of eternal life in Heaven.
- I ask you to forgive me now of my sins. I accept your gift of salvation through Jesus.
- I turn over all the rest of my life, whether it be one day or ten thousand days, to you. I want Jesus to come into my life and be the General Manager, the CEO, the boss, the Lord of my life. Thank you.
If you prayed that prayer, congratulations! The Bible says that angels are rejoicing right now because of your decision. The next thing to do is to find a church where you can start to learn more about God and more about what it's like to live a meaningful, spirit-filled life. We hope you will choose Lighthouse!
If you prayed the prayer today, we'd love to hear your news and pray for you as you begin your new life in Christ. Touch base with us and tell us you made a profession of faith today. Absolutely no one will bother you. It will just be nice to know that Christ has made a difference in your life. Thank you in advance.
Please know that it will take time to learn the new habits of living a Christian life. Do not be discouraged in your effort. Read your Bible every day and you will learn more and more about the love God has for you and all the great expectations.
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