ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

Transcription

1 CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTER ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING Sunday, January 25, 2015 Building strong, dedicated followers of Christ. Ephesians 4:16...from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Christian Life Center, A Foursquare Church 9085 California Avenue, Riverside, CA RestoringTouch.org DiscipleshipDevelopment.org Christian Life Center Annual Business Meeting

2 ABOUT THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH Christian Life Center is part of a worldwide movement called The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel (ICFG) founded by the early 20th century evangelist, Aimee Semple McPherson who opened the historic Angelus Temple in The Foursquare Church is a Pentecostal Denomination that resulted from Aimee s dynamic evangelistic ministry. Foursquare s founder, Aimee Semple McPherson, was a pioneer of women in religion. Having experienced a profound conversion at age 17, Aimee began preaching across the United States and later, the world. In 1918, she established her base in Los Angeles, California, where in 1923, the 5,300 seat Angelus Temple was dedicated and became the center of her revival, healing and benevolent ministries. From Angelus Temple she performed an extensive social ministry, providing hot meals for more than 1.5 million people during the Great Depression. She summarized her message into the four major points known as The Foursquare Gospel, and founded a denomination called Foursquare Church. The term Foursquare Gospel was given in the inspiration of revival to the denomination s founder, Aimee Semple McPherson, during an evangelistic campaign in Oakland, CA, in It represents that which is equally balanced on all sides, established and enduring. Such confidence in the power of the Gospel is also expressed by the verse, Hebrews 13:8, displayed in Foursquare churches proclaiming, Jesus Christ the Same, Yesterday and Today and Forever. The Foursquare Gospel is Jesus our Savior (Isaiah 53:5), Jesus the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit (John 1:29-34; Acts 1:5, 8); Jesus the Great Burden-Bearer, who carried our sicknesses (Matthew 8:17); Jesus the Soon Coming King, who will return in power and victory for the church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Today there are more than 1,865 Foursquare churches in the U.S., with 6,835 credentialed ministers serving at churches and in the field. The Foursquare family may have started in the U.S., but we have grown far beyond the U.S. border. Around the world there are over 98,810 ministers in over 68,085 churches and meeting places serving more than 7,527,180 members in over 135 countries. In addition, we have over 100 missionaries serving local people, not to mention thousands of people joining them on short-term missions trips each year. We can definitely say that the sun never sets on the Foursquare flag! For more information on the Foursquare Church visit their website at Christian Life Center Annual Business Meeting

3 OUR VISION... od s Word states that without a vision people depart from a fruitful, God given purpose. To G be effective, we must have a clear understanding of our mission and what it is we are called to do. (Proverbs 29:18; Habakkuk 2:2-3) We are called to: 1. REACH the lost (John 3:16, 4:35; Acts 1:8; 2 Peter 3:9) Each of us is sent by our Lord to be a living witness of Christ s Love and Salvation in our homes, neighborhoods and beyond. 2. RESTORE broken lives (Luke 4:18, 15:11-24) Because of what Christ has done in us, we can create an environment of love and acceptance by connecting people to nurturing friendships within the Church. 3. EQUIP believers (Ephesians 4:11-16; 2 Timothy 2:2) God s desire is for each of us to have a meaningful place in the Body of Christ. Therefore, we assist others in discovering and developing God s purpose for their lives. 4. EXTEND God s Kingdom (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8) As a church we expand His Kingdom by uniting our efforts in planting churches, reaching unreached people groups, funding and sending missionaries. A PEOPLE OF HIS PRESENCE Below is a portion of the prophetic word delivered to Christian Life Center several years ago through Dr. Leslie Keegle, National Foursquare Leader of Sri Lanka. I have caused a spring to break forth in you. You have tapped them and they are beginning to flow like a river of cleansing and refreshing. Vegetation will grow, health and prosperity will come. The river will flow out of you and out of your sanctuary and into your community. There will be a move of my Spirit. Life will gush out in the mightiest of dreams and innumerable people will come and fall on their faces before me. This place shall be known for My glory. This place will be known for my attendance. This place shall be known for my river, for I will pour out My Spirit says the Lord. And you shall be known as a people of my presence. And that, I believe, is our highest purpose: to be a people of His Presence. God will undoubtedly present us with supernatural opportunities in 2015 and it is my prayer that we will respond with faith to those opportunities. As we faithfully obey His Voice, we can expect Him to lead us into the greatest adventure of our lives, to see Him touch people locally and globally! May God open the windows of heaven and pour out on you in abundance all kinds of good things in 2015 (Malachi 3:10). Pastors Jack & Jane Lankhorst Christian Life Center Annual Business Meeting

4 š WHAT WE VALUE 1. We exalt Jesus as Lord and give Him a dominant place in the life of our church. 2. We are a Spirit-filled Foursquare Church balanced in doctrine, passionate in worship, prophetic in preaching, contending for the supernatural and exercising gifts of the Holy Spirit. 3. We are inclusive of cultures, genders, and generations. 4. We provide an environment where others are loved and accepted. We provide training and opportunities to serve God and people in ways that fulfill God s unique calling for the individual. 5. We believe that children and youth are to grow in the knowledge of the Lord and become a generation who will seek after God. 6. We have a team perspective of leadership where future leaders are mentored and empowered. 7. We have a passion for local evangelism and world missions and endeavor to train disciples, release ministries, and reproduce churches. OUR MINISTRIES Thank you for serving so faithfully as unto the Lord! The ministry would not be possible if it were not for your dedication to the Lord and to His people. Following are most of our ministries in alphabetical order Children s Ministry and Nurseries Communion Connections Cookie Ministry for Visitors CLC Financial Council Discipleship & Leadership Institute ( Holy Grounds Café Hospital Visitation LIFE Groups Maintenance Men s Ministry (Joshua s Men, Men s Camp) Prayer Ministry & Prayer Chain Royal Rangers Softball (Seasonal) Ushers & Greeters Women s Ministry (Young Moms Bible Study, Ladies Night Out, Women s Renewal) Websites ( Worship Ministries (Sunday & Wednesday Services, Sound, PowerPoint, etc.) Young Adults Missions (Hopi, Zuni & Tibet) Youth - Jr. & Sr. High Christian Life Center Annual Business Meeting

5 Effective Discipleship through academics, service and missions. DISCIPLESHIP DEVELOPMENT is an Institute Ministry of Christian Life Center, a Foursquare Church. It is designed to provide training for anyone desiring to follow Christ as His disciple and especially those whose calling includes fulltime ministry. The Institute is made up of four major sessions (modules) of varying lengths. Those who complete the modules through Leadership Development will receive a Certificate of Ministry. Foundations of Christianity (4 weeks) Discipleship Development 1. The Foundation of Discipleship (4 weeks) The Fourfold Ministry of Jesus Christ From salvation to participation 2. The Discipleship Decision (6 weeks) What is a disciple? The discipline of devotions The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus teaching to His disciples Building personal convictions 3. The Disciple and God s Word (6 weeks) Book: How to Study the Bible The Old Testament in chronological order Learning to read the Bible in context Using Bible study tools and worksheets 4. The Disciple s Spiritual Life (6 weeks) Spiritual disciplines Prayer, praise and worship Personal revival Spiritual warfare and Prayerwalking 5. God s Design for Our Life (6 weeks) The foundation of servanthood Our spiritual gifts, passion, personal style of ministry and strengths (Various surveys are used) Fruitful ministry in the Body of Christ 6. Discipling, God s Plan for Kingdom Growth (6 weeks) Christ s Great Commission The book of Acts, a Biblical pattern Becoming a Spirit-led witness Mentoring styles A Lifestyle of mentoring Transformational discipleship Leadership Development 1. This is an 8 week course covering: Knowing God Servant Leadership Integrity of a Leader Leaders Reproducing Leaders Dynamic Teams Ministry Training 1. This course covers: Ministry in the World Ministry Within the Church Preparation For Full Time Ministry (Local pastor or missionary) Licensing With the Foursquare Church For information go to the website at Christian Life Center Annual Business Meeting

6 Touching our world with practical acts of God s love as we pray, give and go. Some of the things we have accomplished in the past include the following. Traditional Hopi & Zuni Native American Tribes Rebuilt a portion of the Bear Clan House in Sipaulovi. Assisted with restoring village community buildings, a visitor center and other clan houses in several traditional Hopi villages. Restored a basketball court for two villages. Improvements to several homes for elderly and widowed. All-tribe Family Fun Night and other village events in Hopi and Zuni. Provided for the needs of many elderly through our Adopt an Elder program. Partnered with the Hopi Mobile Library in many projects, the Hopi Special Needs Department and the Hopi Elderly Services. Cambodia Monthly sponsorship of one of the many orphanages through Foursquare Children of Promise for eight years. Assisted in providing clothing, school supplies, bicycles, motorbikes and much more for several orphanages. Partnered in purchasing land and a rice mill in northwestern Cambodia. Since then rice fields, silos and columbines have been purchased by other organizations. The rice mill provides rice for several thousand children and adults daily. Bali, Indonesia Purchased 200 radios for Balinese missionaries going into the interior of Borneo. We also broadcasted seven programs throughout Southeast Asia with the gospel. Ethiopia Met with and assisted a group of Foursquare churches in Addis Ababa with much needed funds. Haiti Purchased a 12-acre parcel for a church in Lascahobas, Haiti. The plans are to build a meeting hall, medical clinic, school and more. Christian Life Center Annual Business Meeting

7 AND NOW IN TIBET Tibet is located in southeastern China bordered by India, Nepal and Bhutan. Tibetan Buddhism is the life blood of the Tibetan people. It was placed over the powerful Tibetan religion of Bon, a mixture of magic, divination, demon worship, and sacrifices. Tibet has long been one of the greatest challenges for Christianity. In 1892 Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, said, To make converts in Tibet is similar to going into a cave and trying to rob a lioness of her cubs. Now, complicated by Chinese domination, bringing the Gospel is extremely sensitive and will require creative ways to show God s love in practical ways. God has given us the great privilege to be His ambassadors in this extremely difficult and unreached country. Our upcoming trip In 2014 we brought LifeStraws and distributed them in Chengdu, China and in Lhasa, Tibet. In Lhasa they were given to a school for special needs children. Our 3rd trip to Tibet is on April 1-11, We will stay in Chengdu, China for a few days to receive our entry papers for Tibet. Then, the first day in the capital city of Lhasa, Tibet will be Easter Sunday, April 5. On the return trip we will again pray at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. The team includes Pastor Jack Lankhorst (Jane), David Valadez (Anna-Marie), Travis Anderson (Andrea) and Jess Anderson (Sally) We will continue to pray for Tibet in Tibet, to identify the Person of Peace, to connect with an orphanage/school in Lhasa and to distribute water purifiers. Pray for Our team and families, the church, safety, Divine appointments in Tibet and finances. The Buddhists in Tibet, that God would bring them into contact with compassionate Christians. Any Christians in Tibet to be given safety, courage, strength, wisdom and vision. A peaceful resolution to the Tibetans struggle for independence. Pray for those in positions of power, that they would truly desire the best for those they lead. See for more information. Christian Life Center Annual Business Meeting

8 Teamwork is a coordinated effort directed toward a common goal MEMBERSHIP The importance of membership - Ephesians 2: Membership provides the care of shepherds, the pastors and others, who help in the shepherding oversight of the flock. 2. There is strength in fellowship and unity of purpose. 3. It provides additional power in prayer. As a local church there is strength against the opposing forces of the enemy. 4. As a church body we bring blessing and healing to a needy world. 5. A member of a Foursquare church may expect that the pulpit will be filled by a trained Foursquare minister adhering to the doctrines of the Declaration of Faith and the Bylaws of the Foursquare Movement. 6. Programs (camps, etc.), speakers and supplies are made available to the local church through the International and District offices. Becoming a member 1. Evidence of a genuine born again experience (John 3:3) and a godly Christian life style. 2. Baptized in water or planning to do so at the next baptismal service. 3. Be at least nine years old. 4. Agree with our Creed (what we believe) (See more at what_we_believe/salvation). 5. You may withdraw or transfer your membership at any time in written form to the office. Responsibilities of a member Wherever we go we are a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Foursquare Church, and Christian Life Center. Therefore, as a member of Christian Life Center we are responsible for the following: 1. We are to guard the unity of the church. Romans 14:19; Ephesians 4:29; 1 John 4:7; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 1:22 2. We are to take on the spiritual and financial responsibilities of the church. Romans 15:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2; 1 John 4:7; Malachi 3: We are to be active in the church. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Ephesians 4:11-12; Philippians 2:3-4, 7 4. We are to properly represent Christ. Hebrews 10:25; Philippians 2:14-15 Membership form If you desire to become a member of Christian Life Center (Arlington Foursquare Church), please fill out the form on the last page and hand it to one of the Pastors or designated personnel. Christian Life Center Annual Business Meeting

9 PRAYER TARGETS FOR 2015 UpReach Colossians 1:9-10 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;... To grow in our love for God individually and as a church family (1 Thessalonians 3:12). To be known as a people of His Presence (2 Kings 5:3-8). To be a church who loves to praise and worship the Lord in Spirit and in a genuine way (John 4:23-24). To respond in faithful action to God s opportunities (Isaiah 6:8) InReach Ephesians 4: for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. To see a genuine move of God s Spirit in our relationships with one another resulting in the growth of Christian Life Center (Acts 2:46-47). To continue the expansion of the Institute as many respond to a deeper call of discipleship to the Lord (2 Timothy 3:17). To develop more servant leaders who have the vision of the house so that ministry may be effectively facilitated (Acts 6:3-7). OutReach Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. To be the church as a force in the world (Matthew 16:18-19). To be an active and effective witness at home and abroad (Acts 1:8). To be Spirit led in our work with the traditional Native Americans (Hopi and Zuni) and in the unreached nation of Tibet (Acts 13:1-3). Christian Life Center Annual Business Meeting

10 CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTER MEMBERSHIP Please print clearly Name Male Female Address City State Zip Phone Put me on the church s list Married Single Ages of children living at home I want to receive Christ I m a new believer I have rededicated my life to Jesus I believe in doctrines of the Foursquare Church and in the vision God has given the Pastors and the leadership of Christian Life Center. I will do my part to enhance that vision and to be a responsible and active member of the church. Signature Date Notes, comments Christian Life Center Annual Business Meeting