Lakewood Church of Christ

Christ alone is the head of the Church and we are led only by God’s Word and His Spirit. A group of God-called Shepherds are charged with our well being in God’s Kingdom and will stand before God to give an accounting of their leadership. Our Shepherds make decisions based upon scripture, not upon the traditions of men (Acts 17:22-28, and Isaiah 29:13-15).

The Family of God at Lakewoodwill be a body that minister to hurting people. Individuals come from all walks of life. Some have mental, physical, and spiritual circumstances that have caused great pain in their lives. We want to be a place where they can come and find Jesus the Great Physician, in an environment of love, healing, understanding and nurturing. They must feel the spirit of love present in our fellowship. (Matthew 9:12, Mark 2:17, and Matthew 6:1-4).

Jesus is our example in prayer. It is significant to note that before he began his public ministry, Jesus spent an extended time in prayer and fasting. This Family, and its’ individual members are challenged to be like Jesus in this regard—to seek His will and guidance before commencing on any course of communion with God. We should “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” We should pray persistently and devote ourselves to prayer. To pray is to change. One cannot truly come into the presence of God and not be changed. We desire a continual conversation with God because of the Spirit who resides within us (Matthew 7:7-11 and Mark 11:17).

The Family at Lakewoodwill make no judgment about where people came from and what they have done. Judgment does not belong to any earthly individual or body. Judgment is reserved for the personal meeting between the individual and God in the Day of Judgment (John 12:47-50).

The salvation of children will always be one of this Family’s top priorities. God gave some very clear commandments about what parents and the body should do to prepare our children to face the world, become followers of Christ and mature into spiritual leaders for Christ (Deuteronomy 6:4-8).

We have been set free from sin and death by the mercy and grace of God through Jesus. We are set free from the law, rules, regulations and traditions of men, and are governed by the love of God. True freedom edifies, teaches a partnership with Christ and to be subservient to Christ, causes no hindrance to the gospel of Christ, seeks the good of others, and glorifies God and Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 11:3, I John 3:14, I Corinthians 10:28-33, I Corinthians 9:12-22).

Every member, both men and women, must be encouraged to discover and use the spiritual gifts they have been given. At our spiritual birth, we are given spiritual gifts that must be discovered and encouraged for our use in the Lord’s Kingdom. These gifts are poured out on all believers, men and women, young and old, and must be used to glorify Him (Joel 2:28-32, Acts @:17-21, Romans 12:609, I Corinthians 12:4-31, I Peter 4:10, Ephesians 4:7-11, II Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 3:28, and Galatians 6:15).

Our service and worship to God is for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and not just a few specified hours on particular days (Isaiah 29:13-15, Matthew 15:8-9, Mark 7:5-9).