What are we doing here? Why bother with church? Is it really all that necessary or even helpful? At Westerville Bible Church, we believe it is! That’s why we summarize our ministry this way.
Growing
Church is not something static, boring, or mechanical. It means glorifying God, obeying his Word, and changing into the image of Jesus Christ, one day at a time, one choice at a time.
Together
Spiritual growth is not something we do alone. The church is a body made up of many members, each of whom has a necessary place and function. When one member suffers, we all suffer; when one is glad, we all rejoice (1 Cor 12:12-27).
Christlikeness
The Church is the Body of Jesus Christ. God saved us to become more like Jesus Christ. This is our individual desire as well as the mission of our church. We minister to each other so Jesus Christ can be formed in us (Gal 4:19).
What Does a Christian Do?
Every Christian’s goal in everything he does is to glorify God (1 Cor 10:31). This includes his personal spiritual life, his home life, his work and career, and his ministry in the Body of Christ. He can only glorify God as Lord of all when he submits in obedience to God’s revealed will. He has been commissioned as a disciple of Jesus Christ to make disciples (Matt 28:18-20). This commission was given by Jesus to his disciples even before the church existed.
What Is the Church?
The church is the Body of Christ, all the redeemed in Christ of this age (Pentecost to the Rapture), in heaven and on earth. This spiritual organism is only visible by local churches, geographic manifestations of the Body. A local church is a gathering of believers in a specific location/time.
What Does the Church Do?
The members of a local church meet to edify one another through the ministry of the Word of God (Eph 4:11-16), encouraging each other to obey God’s Word, thus growing into Christlikeness. Their ministry of the Word includes exhorting, encouraging, rebuking, and contending for the truth. They disperse to take the Gospel to the world where they shine as lights (Phil 2:15).
Why Does the Church Meet?
The purpose of a local church as it assembles week by week is for the Body to grow more like Jesus Christ as each member becomes more like Christ. This change takes place as the Holy Spirit ministers the Word of God to regenerate hearts, resulting in Christlike obedience. The church meets so its members can minister the Word of God to each other.