| Author | Message | ||
| Gcfrankie Registered user Username: Gcfrankie Post Number: 650 Registered: 1-2007 |
Have any of you ever heard of Lifelink Churches and what they truely teach and believe? Thank-you | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 10696 Registered: 12-2003  |
Here's a statement "Values" from Lifelink International: http://lifelinkinternational.org.uk/Groups/956/Lifelink_International/Lifelink/Values/Values.aspx Here's a statement of belief from a LifeLink church in Arizona: http://lifelinkchurch.com/statementoffaith.php A couple of observations: On the international organization's web page, there was no clear statement of belief. I did find this statement of "values", but I couldn't find "beliefs". One of the cautions Rick Langer mentioned at the FAF weekend two years ago when he spoke on the emergent church was to be wary if a church's website had a hard-to-find or non-existent statement of faith. This "hiddenness" tends to be a way to avoid publicly admitting an organization's beliefs that differ from the historic Christian faith. Second, I noticed on both sites a leaning toward certain expectations of holiness or works such as tithing or behaviors that would mark a Christian's life. I'm not opposed to expecting holiness from a Christ-follower; that is biblical. But I am opposed to a statement of belief or "value" that identifies behaviors as mandatory evidences of Christianity. It's a bit too close to requiring Sabbath-keeping... That all being said, I really haven't spent a lot of time researching it; I just see some cautionary signs... BTW, here's a link Rick Langer's Proclamation! article discussing the emergent church, what the cautions are regarding it, and how to identify "danger" signs: http://www.lifeassuranceministries.org/proclamation/2008/3/emergingchurch.html Colleen | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 5767 Registered: 9-2006  |
Gail, Here is their statement of faith. STATEMENT OF FAITH: We believe and teach: * The Bible to be the only inspired, infallible Word of God (2 Peter 1:21, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). * In One God (Isaiah 43:10). The Godhead consists of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17, 2 Corinthians 13:14), One in Three and Three in One (John 16:13-15, John 20:21-22). * In the sinless Deity of Jesus Christ (John 1:1-14, Hebrews 4:15), in His virgin birth (Matthew 1:25), in His atoning death (Colossians 1:22), in His bodily resurrection (Acts 4:10), in His ascension to the right hand of the Father (1 Peter 3:22), and acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ over all things in heaven and on earth and under the earth (Philippians 2:9-10). * Man was created in a state of righteousness and holiness but fell by transgression into a state of spiritual death in trespasses and sin, and remains in that condition until he is delivered by the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:12-21). * In salvation through the redeeming blood of Christ by repentance toward God, faith in Jesus Christ and confession of His Lordship (Hebrews 9:22, Romans 10:9-10, 13). * In Water Baptism by immersion (identifying with Christ's death, burial and resurrection) for those who have repented, believed in, and confessed Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38), burying the sin nature, which results in freedom from slavery to sin (Romans 6:1-6, Colossians 2:11-13). * In the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues (Acts 2:1-4, 2:38, 10:46, 19:6), in the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-11, Romans 12:6-8) and the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). * In sanctification and holiness of heart and the overcoming life as Scriptural requirements for the Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27). * In evangelistic and missionary fervor and endeavor (Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15-18). * In the practice of observing the Lord's Supper regularly as enjoined in the Scriptures (Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-34). * In the dedication of little children as observed in the Scriptures (Matthew 19:13-15). * In tithing as taught in the Scriptures (Matthew 23:23, Malachi 3:10). * That divine healing is obtained on the basis of Atonement (1 Peter 2:24). * The true church is One body of many members consisting of "born-again" Christians regardless of church affiliation, and that we as individuals become members of that Body through the power of the Spirit; and so, we have fellowship one with another (1 Corinthians 12:14-24, Ephesians 2:13-22, 4:3-6). * In Christ's imminent personal return in power and great glory, in His millennial reign and in His everlasting dominion (Acts 1:11, Revelation 20:4, Daniel 7:14). * In the resurrection of both the saved and the lost - those who are saved unto the resurrection of eternal life, and those who are lost unto the resurrection of eternal punishment (John 5:28-29, Revelation 20:15). (per their website) River | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 5768 Registered: 9-2006 |
Colleen was faster on the draw than I was. Anyhoo, I would agree with Colleen. River | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 5769 Registered: 9-2006 |
Churches I would hate to have to attend are like rain in Western Washington, if there ain't one, wait five minutes and one'll pop up.  River | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 3092 Registered: 10-2004  |
Colleen and River, The Life Link Church in Gilbert, Arizona (which has the statement of faith) does not appear to be affiliated with Lifelink International (the Gilbert church is not listed under "USA Churches" at Lifelink International's website). Jeremy | ||
| Gcfrankie Registered user Username: Gcfrankie Post Number: 651 Registered: 1-2007 |
The reason I asked is because there is a church in town that is affiliated with lifelink out of Idaho. I was impressed to go visit and they are in a mess. They have had to ask their new pastor to leave because he decided he was going to run the church going over the elders heads. They have no board due to the fact of not enough members and some there are trying to split the church. So, I am asking for prayers from all of you as to what God wants me to do. I certainly do not want to get in His way or go ahead of Him and also for this church that the Holy Spirit will guide them. Colleen, this church does have their beliefs listed. I asked for it and also their by-laws which they gave me. Gail |
