Doctrinal & Positional Statement
We embrace the classic, orthodox formulations of the Christian faith such as the Apostles and Nicene Creeds. However, our founders have adopted the following statements to briefly highlight some of our unique distinctives and context.
Precept Statement
We believe that the root of all social ills and social evil is spiritual. Therefore, there is no partiality to the person and locality of their presence and power. However, it is Jesus Christ, the Living Lord of the universe, as revealed in the Bible, who when heard and obeyed will change the human heart of any class and status of person and enable a transformation toward righteous living for individual, organization and community.
Doctrinal Statement
We believe in the triune God: that He is the infinite personal Spirit, who has revealed Himself as a unity, existing eternally as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three persons, yet one God.
- We believe that the Bible (Old & New Testament) is the verbally inspired Word of God and the absolute rule in doctrine and life.
- We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and was truly man, manifested in the flesh, being conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary; He died upon the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of the world; He bore our sins on His own body making there, by His one atoning offering, a full satisfaction for all our sins, and that through personal faith in Him, God grants forgiveness of sins and imparts His righteousness.
- We believe that man was made in the image of God, but fell into sin through rebellion and is lost (for all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God, Romans 6:23). All are in need of God's salvation through Jesus Christ and except all are born again, none can see the kingdom of God.
- We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, His ascension into Heaven, His present ministry of intercession for believers, His personal, visible return to each in order to consummate the blessings of His people, and to bring the ungodly to the judgment of eternal condemnation.
- We believe the Church, baptized by the Holy Spirit into One Body, under One Lord, was commissioned to serve as His ambassador of reconciliation. We believe that we are not functioning fully as His commissioned Church until urban/suburban, white/black, rich/poor etc. are recognizing and sharing their strengths and resources in accordance to how our Lord and Savior has endowed us.
- We believe that saving faith will manifest itself in the good works of believers in a way that will contradict the self-centeredness of the world and bring attention to the person of Jesus Christ.
Positional Statement
Since we adhere to a Biblical, orthodox understanding of the Scriptures we will not doctrinally or positionally agree with some of the churches or leaders we seek to serve. We understand that convictions over issues like the role of women in the church, marriage and divorce, homosexuality, abortion, the environment, the extent of the atonement, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, eternal security, church polity, or eschatology will likely need to remain as points of disagreement. However, rather than allowing controversy to divide us we prefer to serve together in the midst of such tensions believing that as iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another (Prov. 27:17). In other words, apart from orthodox Christology (John 1:14, 12:48-49, 14:6, I John 4:2) and the condoning of habitual sin (Matt. 18:17; I Cor. 5:1-9; I John 1:6) there is very little that will move LTM to withdraw from a relationship with members of the Christian community. Any such separation will be the other's choice.
It is our expectation, however, that we will likewise be allowed to serve freely in the manner of our own beliefs, teaching and actions which come out of a literal, historical, and grammatical practice of interpretation of the Bible. We ask to be invited to the table as well bringing our strengths that the whole body might be built up toward Christlikeness.