life celebration institute
We believe in the following values and
practices at Life Celebration Institute, and seek to build them into
the heart of all we do. Each member of LCI must adhere to these
values and practices at all times.
PEOPLE
We value all people, and believe that all people, including those
who have not embraced the Christian faith, matter to God, and therefore,
ought to matter to the Church and its ministries. This value includes
the concepts of relational evangelism and evangelism as a process.
Luke 5:30-32; Luke 15; Matthew 18:14
CULTURAL RELEVANCE
We value cultural
relevance, and believe that all ministries of the church should be
culturally relevant while remaining doctrinally pure. This value
includes the concept of sensitively relating to our culture through
various media formats. We believe that excellence honours God and
inspires people, and so we also value the concepts of evaluation, review
and intensity.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23; Colossians
3:17; Malachi 1:6-14; Proverbs 27:17
THE CHURCH
We value God’s Church, and believe it is a way of life, not an
activity, event, building, or something we ‘go to’. It is a commitment
each person makes to a seven day a week, twenty-four hour a day
lifestyle. We will not 'go' to church; we will seek to ‘be’ the church at all
times, everywhere. At LCI, we value calling each member to this
lifestyle. We find support and encouragement for this lifestyle in small
groups.
We believe that Christ-followers should
manifest authenticity and yearn for continuous growth. This value
includes personal authenticity, character and wholeness. We believe in
the equal value and worth of all people regardless of gender, or
economic, racial or ethnic status.
Ephesians
4:25-26, 32; Hebrews 12:1; Philippians 1:6
We
believe that the pursuit of full devotion to Christ and His cause is
normal for every believer. This value includes the concepts of
stewardship, servant hood, downward mobility, and the pursuit of kingdom
goals.
1 Kings 11:4; Philippians 2:1-11; 2
Corinthians 8:7
We value all aspects of the church,
including Christian ministry and its missional expression, and believe
that the church should operate as a unified community of servants, with
men and women stewarding their spiritual gifts. This value includes the
concepts of unity, servant hood, spiritual gifts, and ministry callings.
1 Corinthians 12 & 14; Romans 12; Ephesians 4; Psalm 133
We believe ministry is defined as such outreach and or service
to individuals or groups of people, motivated by the love of God, in
order to show God’s love in a practical way as modeled by the practical
ministry of Jesus Christ. Pastors/clergy are defined as those who have
such outreach and or service as the major focus of their passion, time
and activity.
We believe the church and all its
ministries should be led by men and women with leadership gifts. This
value includes the concepts of empowerment, servant leadership,
strategic focus, and intentionality. We believe all believers in Christ
are created to invest somewhere in the disciple-making process.
Nehemiah 1-2; Romans 12:8; Acts 6:2-5
COMMUNITY
We believe that life transformation happens
best in small groups. This value includes the concepts of discipleship,
vulnerability, and accountability.
Luke 6:12-13;
Acts 2:44-47
We believe that loving relationships
should permeate every aspect of church life. This value includes the
concepts of love-driven ministry accomplished in teams, and relationship
building.
1 Corinthians 13; Nehemiah 3; Luke 10:1;
John 13:34-35
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
Our primary focus is to build relationships with those to whom we
minister. We believe if we can build relationships, we will then have a
greater means of impact on their lives as trust will be created.
EXCELLENCE
We do all things with
excellence at LCI. Remember to always give of yourself with nothing less
than 100%.
PROMPTNESS
Returning
phone calls and getting back to inquiries and messages within 24 hours is
imperative. A greater sense of confidence will be created if promptness
is upheld.
OPENNESS
Don't be
hard to get to know! If you are open, people will also be more open,
which will enhance effectiveness of ministry.
INTEGRITY
With so much skepticism regarding clergy,
people need to know that those in our ministry are trustworthy and will
not be pushy or rude. We need to demonstrate an amazing amount of
integrity.
PUNCTUALITY
Always be
on time!
HONESTY
Always tell the
truth, never embellish your story!
BIBLICAL
INTEGRITY
In all we do and say, we strive to adhere to
biblical truth and principles. All of our decisions are to be run
through the grid of biblical truth. This will enable us to make right
choices regarding all aspects of ministry.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
One of the hall marks of LCI
is our ability to impact peoples lives through the words we speak. We
need to always be sharp, focused and inspired with the words we share.
PERSONAL PRESENTATION
How we present
physically is just as important as how we present by way of our
personality. We require maintenance of a high standard of personal
hygiene, neatness, and deportment, behaving at all times ‘decently and
in order’ in all relationships connected with LCI.