"Love God, Love People."

Could it really be that simple?  Well, Jesus said something to that effect in the Gospel of Mark 12:28-34.  Simple?  Yes.  Easy?  Now that's a different story.

Why does Lebanon Foursquare Church exist?  In a nutshell, to love God, and love people.  The funny thing is that not a person here does that perfectly!  And that is perfectly alright. The important thing is that we are learning, and moving in that direction.

When I was considering the position of senior pastor, my Divisional Superintendent asked my wife and I if we felt that God wanted the Foursquare church in Lebanon to continue;  "Did God have a reason for the Foursquare denomination to have a 'presence' in our city?"  We both felt strongly that he did.  What was the reason?  Love.  It has been a dominating drive in my heart from the very beginning.

We have a lot of cheap substitutes for love.  They aren't from God.  And because of that, they don't satisfy.  People are wounded and hard.  Cynical, wary, and worn. I feel that when a person really encounters the love of God, it changes everything. Jesus said loving God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and loving your neighbor as yourself, were the two MOST important commandments.

"A funny thing happened on the way to judgement."

When you encounter the God of love, and the love of God, you don't mind being "crossed" once in a while.  Jesus said to a women caught in adultery ( a sin punishable by death!) "...neither do I condemn you...", but he also told her, "Go and sin no more."  The power of love heals; it also corrects.  My deepest desire is that we would grow in a knowledge of how incredibly God loves us, and in that, God will lead us into a more Christ like lifestyle!  There is no room in the Kingdom of God for sin.  But there is lot's of room for sinners!

Sinners made into Saints.

That's what we are.  We are told that, "He has made perfect forever, those who are being made holy."  Hebrews 10:14.  What does that mean for me?  It means that by Jesus' death on the cross in my place, and by his resurrection from the dead, I am "made perfect" before God.  Holy, spotless, blameless.  It also means that I am in process!  My life, my thoughts, my actions, all that I am, "under construction.

The Bible is my final authority.  Period!

The Holy Spirit is at work, and we are the workers.

I consider myself a player/coach.  We are the project, and the workers on the project.  We are a people learning the sometimes painful work of "being a family." 

Folks nowadays like to leave when it gets tough.  The body of Christ should not live like that.  It's easier to dissolve the relationships that don't work out; marriages, friendships, families, church; than to stick it out with each other.  God wants us whole and healed.  That is one of the reasons I am committed to the greater body of Christ.  I am committed to the other pastors in my life;  Foursquare and non-Foursquare.

I have deep relationships with people outside my denominational "walls" because I know my life with Jesus is deepened as the Lord reveals Himself to me through my brothers and sisters.

Why come to Lebanon Foursquare?

Good question.

If you are mad at someone else, that may not be the best reason.  If you are looking for a place that "does it right", you may be disappointed.

If you want to try a place to see if you "fit" give us a shot!  If you just need a place to seek the Lord the door is open.  If you really aren't sure... that's ok!  If you want a group of people who are real and seeking to be more so, that's us.  I will ask the Lord to show you where He wants you.  That's the only thing that matters!

Worship is upbeat, because God is a god of joy!

I hope to give you courage to seek the Lord and grow in your faith in Jesus.

I want you to know you are loved.  By God absolutely, by us as we grow.

"Love God, Love People."

That's what it's all about for me.  For us.

In Jesus mighty Name,

Mitch

< Back