STATEMENT OF FAITH

Scripture

We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, inerrant in its original form and infallible as the standard for life. It is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. When interpreted in context and according to purpose, the Word of God gives life to those who are willingly obedient to its message. (Psalm 19:7-10, 119:105; Matthew 5:17-18; Luke 24:44-45; John 17:17; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1-2; 1 Peter 1:24-25; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 3:16)

God

We believe there is one true God, eternally existing in three distinct persons – the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Triune God is all knowing, all powerful, present in all places at all times, and unchanging. He is perfectly holy, wise, faithful, loving, patient, merciful and grace giving toward all that has been created. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 103:8; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 1:1-2, 14:6-7; Acts 5:3-4, Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:8; 1 John 5:7)

Jesus Christ

We believe in Jesus Christ as the only Son of God and the only way to heaven. He lived in heaven pre-existent with the Father and chose to come to earth, born of the Virgin Mary, fully God and fully man. He is the perfect reflection of God the Father to mankind. Having lived a sinless life, He died for the redemption of sinners, rose from the dead, giving mankind victory over sin and death, and ascended into heaven to intercede for His people. (Matthew 1:20; Mark 10:45; Luke 24:46; John 1:1-2, 14, 3:16, 14:6; Colossians 1:13-15, 2:13-15; Hebrews 2:17, 7:24-25; 1 John 3:5, 4:9-10)

Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit who draws people to God through conviction of sin, persuading them to repent and confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  The Holy Spirit reveals the truth of God’s nature, purpose, and Word.  He also indwells the believer, gives spiritual gifts to fulfill ministry, manifests Christ through the fruit of the Spirit, and unifies God’s people as a witness in the world. (John 16:7-11, 16:13-15, 17:20-23; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 2:14, 6:19; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 4:1-6)

Creation

We believe that God created all things. We believe mankind was created in the image of God. Because of the introduction of sin into the world by the rebellion of man, all of creation looks to the final day of redemption wherein history is fulfilled in Jesus Christ and a new creation is realized.  (Genesis 1:1, 1:27; Isaiah 45:12; Romans 8:18-23; Colossians 1:16; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-2)

Sin

We believe all human beings have sinned and are sinful in nature. Sin is offensive to God and has separated man from fellowship with Him. Because sin tramples on God's glory and offends His infinitely holy character, it merits a holy, infinite response of God's wrath towards sinners. (Isaiah 59:1-2; Matthew 25:46; Romans 3:10-12, 3:23, 5:12; Colossians 1:21)

Salvation

We believe a person is saved from God's wrath and receives eternal life at the time of his or her repentance and faith in Christ. Repentance involves confession of and turning from sin. Faith is personal confidence and trust in the saving work of Jesus on behalf of mankind through His sacrificial death and resurrection. Salvation cannot be achieved by kind deeds or good works, but only by grace, through faith, which is the gift of God. (Matthew 1:21; John 1:11–14; 3:18, 36; 5:24; Acts 17:30-31; Romans 3: 23-25, 4:3–25, 5:8-10; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 1:7, 2:1-9; Hebrews 2:17; 11:1)

Church

We believe in the universal church of Jesus Christ and the local expression of its nature, which is called by Him to make disciples and to love one another, and so promote grace that will cause the world to see and know the only true God. (Matthew 28:18-20; John 13:35; Acts 14:23; Romans 13:10; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 1:22–23, 2:19–22; Revelation 5:9)

Christian Life

We believe that the Christian life begins with salvation and continues as a lifelong journey of gradual spiritual growth and transformation into the likeness of Jesus through obedience to the teachings of the Word of God, beginning with baptism as a first step of obedience. This lifelong journey of spiritual growth also includes cooperating with the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit, discovering and using spiritual gifts, and listening to the counsel of other believers in the Body of Christ – the Church. (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 9:9, 12:15, 13:10, 19:20; John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:3)

Return of Christ

We believe in the personal second coming of Jesus Christ as Lord of Lords and King of Kings to consummate history and establish a new heaven and new earth. We believe in the final judgment wherein the wicked will be separated from the righteous, the wicked to eternal damnation and the righteous to the fullness of eternal life. Also, the righteous will reap rewards according to their deeds done on earth. (Matthew 16:27; Matthew 25:31; 1 Timothy 6:14b-15; 2 Peter 3:7-9; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-2, 22:12)

Values

Values consist of principles we believe and follow as Christians.  Here are some we emphasize at LCF.

BIBLE-BASED

We value the scriptures as the objective Word of God.  It is the standard for all facets of church life and personal life, including purpose, teaching, and direction. We need a renewal of biblical truth applied to every area of life as the subtle influences of society attempt to replace the Divine Creator with the human creation.

SPIRIT-LED

We depend on the Holy Spirit as leader of church decisions and direction. This dependence includes listening for guidance through prayer and remaining open to the utilization of spiritual gifts.  We make every effort not to resort to mere human strategies and methodologies.  The leadership of the Holy Spirit will never take us outside the boundaries of scripture.

FAMILY-CENTERED

Marriages need encouragement,  children need nurture, and the family needs unity.  Therefore, we encourage families to spend quality and quantity time together.  As a result, we minimize church gatherings to enable healthy families spiritually and otherwise. Singles are highly valued and highly involved at LCF, as part of the LCF family.  A singles group meets consistently for Bible study and fellowship.

RELATIONALLY-ORIENTED

We value loving and trusting relationships, which most often form through small groups. LCF maintains a variety of small groups from which to choose.  Each one is unique in its constituency and its emphasis.  Some concentrate on Bible study, some on worship, some on fellowship, and so on.  Most groups do a combination of these things that honor God, help each other grow, and deepen relationships.

TEAM-BUILT

Ministry occurs most often through unified teams which form primarily based on spiritual gifts and ministry passions.  Ministry teams at LCF include the Leadership Team, Worship Team, Kids Point Leadership Team, Youth Ministry Team, Small Group Ministry Team, Missions Team, etc.

EVANGELISTICALLY-FOCUSED

Someone once said, “The church is the only institution founded for the benefit of its non-members.”  Obviously we benefit from fellowship with one another.  But the purpose of the church stands larger than fellowship. We must permeate the world with the knowledge of Jesus Christ and His kingdom.  If the church fails to maintain vision beyond itself, then the church fails to be the church. 

UNCONDITIONALLY-ACCEPTED

God loved us in our sinfulness.  Despite our condition, He gave Himself in Christ to be our Savior and Lord.  We are accepted and even forgiven of our sins, with no strings attached.  God’s love reflects amazing grace.  Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34).  As we have been accepted, so we must accept others. At LCF we do not endorse pride or elitism of any kind.  We are all sinners loved by God.  We are all in the process of maturing in Christ.  We teach and encourage humility that gives away the same acceptance we have freely received from God.

INTEGRITY-DRIVEN

Jesus said and did only what the Father in heaven showed Him.  He did not grasp after anything for Himself or try to influence people on His own initiative.  Jesus simply pleased God.  Such integrity needs to motivate us as well.  Whatever we say or do should not spring from manipulation or ulterior motives, but rather sincerity, respect, and an ultimate desire to please God.

UNITY-BALANCED

We value unity because it represents the nature of God (united as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).  In day-to-day life we esteem unity for it is the chosen locale of God’s blessing. When people come together as one in spirit and purpose, God ministers His will and way.  Jesus said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand” (Matthew 12:25).  Conversely, a church unified will discover all things are possible!  Therefore, our goal is to protect the unity of the church at all costs.  This entails honoring others above ourselves, submitting to our leaders, and resolving any conflict in a gentle, loving, and timely fashion.

GENEROSITY-MINDED

The nature of God reveals generosity from every angle, providing all the spiritual and material resources we need. Our perspective changes from receiving to giving, from accumulating to sharing, from self-absorption to self-sacrifice.   We simply aim to manage the blessings God has granted.  Therefore, we freely give.

History

The vision for LCF began in September of 1985, when Kim May, our founder pastor, prayed, "God, I'll do anything you want me to do."  He took Kim up on his offer and impressed these words on his heart, "Start a church."  Over the next 8 months Kim and his wife, joined by 4 friends and their children, planned a move to Liberty, Missouri.  The first gatherings of this LCF church plant occurred in the May's home on June 1, 1986, as a Sunday night Bible Study.  Within a few months it switched to a Sunday morning worship service as attendance increased.  In 1989 LCF bought three acres (with a small church building on it) at the corner of Liberty Drive and Conistor. Subsequently, we've added a variety of facilities to accommodate the continued growth and ministries of our church.  In January of 2016, Kim retired after leading LCF for 29 years and leadership was transitioned to Tim Fritson, our current Lead Pastor.