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Our Purpose: To see the lost found, the
                        found grow, and the growing sent.

EXPLAINING OUR PURPOSE

THE FOUNDATION OF OUR PURPOSE
The foundations of this purpose are found in three key passages:

To see the lost found,

                "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
                Luke 19:10

the found grow,

                Jesus replied, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
                your soul and with all your mind.'…'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the
                 Prophets hang on these two commandments."
                Matt. 22:37-40

and the growing sent.

                "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
                Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have
                commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
                Matt. 28:18-20

ACCOMPLISHING OUR PURPOSE
The first church, described in Acts 2, provides the model of how to accomplish our purpose. This passage contains six functions the church must pursue (with equal importance) in order to fulfill our purpose statement. These are necessary for individuals (and ultimately the church) to successfully mature in their spiritual journey, from no relationship with God, to an intimate, contagious relationship.

THE SIX PURPOSES OF THE CHURCH

        1. PRAYER

        2. WORSHIP

        3. COMMUNITY

        4. DISCIPLESHIP

        5. SERVICE

        6. EVANGELISM

PUTTING IT TOGETHER: THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

To see the lost found,

        Our spiritual journey begins with a prayer. Through prayer we invite Christ into our hearts, asking
        him to forgive us for our wrongdoing, understanding that he paid the price for our shortcomings on
        the cross. After we are forgiven we make a commitment to follow Christ as the leader of our lives.

the found grow,

        The next steps in our journey let us grow in our faith. Each step gives us better understanding of
        how God works, how he loves us, and how he desires to use us. Our intimacy grows through
        continued prayer, worship, fellowship with the church community, discipleship and service.

and the growing sent.

        As we grow in our relationship with Christ, love compels us to help others start their own spiritual
        journey. This process is called evangelism. We will only be successful if we pray through this
        entire process.

Each purpose (prayer, worship, community, discipleship, service, and evangelism) should be present in the life of a growing believer. Missing elements will undermine the growth process. For example, discipleship is less effective apart from community and the joy of service may be lost without worship. By putting it all together our purpose can accomplished, to see the lost found, the found grow, and the growing sent.

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the good favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

ACTS 2:42-47