We Believe

I get a lot of letters from church leaders wanting to know what me and my
church believe in. Some of them are critical and even hateful saying things
like "After reading this column, I just can't picture you as a Pastor".

Well to you Madam I say me neither, as I sip my amazing cup of Costa Rican
coffee.  You see I lost my job as a whiskey runner and my unemployment
office suggested I put in an application at Open Door. Just kidding, but
then of course religious folk think its righteousness to be a stick in the
mud and a sin to have any kind of laugh at all. I hate religion.       

So it occurred to me I have never printed any form of statement of faith for
what want we go after as a church.  If you are a Christian you may find some
things you don't agree with, but I encourage you to look at it as a holy
buffet. Swallow what you can and pass by the rest that's not for you. If you
are a church elder you may want to use some of this language to map out your
own defining statements of faith.  If you're not a Christian you may still
find it a little intriguing that we really are this crazy.

Statement of Faith

One of the few ways Open Door is traditional is, we adhere to common beliefs
and practices of the Christian church throughout the world and throughout
the centuries. We are Jesus loving people first and foremost, and it's for
this reason we have gathered together as a community. With that said, this
body of believers is a unique group that gives emphasis to things we think
are important that others may not.   

WE BELIEVE the greatest of all commandments is not the great commission, but
rather to Love God and then to love those around us.

WE BELIEVE a church should not only preach about the Love of God but fully
demonstrate God's love and nature to each other and the people we are
preaching to. We also believe that we are not always going to be successful
at this but we will constantly press forward towards that mark.

WE BELIEVE that a churches first priority should be relational before we
attempt to be functional. God doesn't move through our church agenda, but
through our relationships as a body.

WE BELIEVE that while the great commission is not the greatest priority it
should still be a very high priority and because of that, we will not wait
for millions of dollars before we make a million dollar difference here and
throughout the world.

WE BELIEVE the word of God never changes but we as individual Christians and
as a corporate church should progressively grow and change from season to
season.  Our mission statement is, "We are going to transform in order to
change the world."

WE BELIEVE that unity makes us a conduit for God's power.

WE BELIEVE that a church service should be all about an encounter with God
and equipping and edifying the saints. Sometimes there will be more of an
emphasis on worship and sometimes more on teaching, We should be Spirit led
in determining what that priority should be from season to season.

WE BELIEVE that Open Door Ministries is a valuable part of One Church , One
Bride and one Body of Christ that transcends social, economical, racial,
geographical and even generational barriers. The Body of Christ is not an
organization but a living organism that extends from and belongs to Jesus
himself.  We believe a lot of churches do things better than us, but we have
something to offer that is unique and needed within the body.

WE BELIEVE in the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit and in the practical
application and responsibility of the Saints.

WE BELIEVE that to preach life without loving life is hypocrisy. To preach
the Power of God without demonstrating the Power of God is ludicrous. To say
that God is giving and loving without we as a church being giving and loving
is unthinkable and to teach and study about God without personally knowing
God in intimacy is tragedy and a life wasted.

None of this is a criticism of anyone else. It is just a statement of what
we believe and who we as a church, have to be. The Brewer encourages you to
go after your own decisions that define you and let it be a constant work in
progress.

You can reach Troy at  <http://www.freshfromthebrewer.com/>
www.freshfromthebrewer.com