No more barriers.
We want to remove unnecessary barriers.
1. SHAME
Maybe you have messed up or are currently caught in some kind of habitual sin. James 5:13-16 says, “…prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
The best place to overcome sin is inside the church, not outside of it. In the church, you’ll find people who have been freed from the same struggle you’re facing and can support you as you let Jesus change you from the inside out.
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*Here at LCIA you don't have to worry about being judged. We love the fact that you have flaws, so do we. Welcome to the family, we are here to walk with you.
2. OUT OF PLACE
Big or small church, when it feels like no one is reaching out or no one cares, you’re left feeling like, “What’s the point?” Maybe you feel like another lost face in the crowd, or maybe you have not found the right place to get involved. Don’t give up. Because when we find our place in fellowship, we discover what God has called us to do.
Romans 15:1-7 says, “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
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*Here at LCIA you don't have to worry about being overlooked. We are focused on being a fellowship that is all about building a strong sense of community. Your presence will not go unnoticed, we want you to feel you belong here.
3. FEELING UNWELCOME
Visitors can sometimes feel unwelcome in a place of worship for a number of reasons, but it’s a particular danger if a church is rather homogeneous (racially, culturally, or economically).
Here at LCIA we recognize that while part of the beauty of church is its ability to create love between people who don’t have much in common otherwise, it can still feel isolating to attend a church where you stick out like a sore thumb.
*This is why we openly promote diversity. All are welcome here at the Life Center. Frankly, we are all a part of the human race and so there will be no strangers here, only family.
4. STUCK IN A CHAIR
Religious complacency can be a faith killer. We have to actually mobilize God's people for activity and purpose. As an organization we realize how important it is to be on the same page with a vision, but at some point we have to get busy. This should be easier for Christians than anyone because we already have a leader to follow. Jesus was insanely clear about our purpose on earth:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)
*Here at LCIA we don't believe in wasting time getting stuck in the deep. We choose to keep things simple by focusing on the heart of the gospel. Love God. Love people. Make disciples.
5. BACKWARDS RELIGION
When it comes to the church, one of the biggest misunderstandings about it is that many think God asks us to go to it. However, God makes it clear throughout scripture that the church is not a place we go to but a group of people who build each other up in Jesus Christ. In essence, God doesn't ask us to go to church so much as -be the church.
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said, "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Jesus said that He would build the church, but never did we ever see Jesus construct an edifice or set a specific location.
And there's not even any record of Jesus leading what we would consider a conventional church service by modern standards.
*That's because when Jesus said that He would build the church, He was referring to the work of -building up the people- who would become the church.
6. NOT LEARNING ABOUT GOD
It’s amazing to think that there are people who come to church seeking God only to not understand anything they’ve heard. One can only imagine how difficult it can be for some people to venture into a place of worship, only to give up in frustration.
Nowadays there may indeed be fellowships where people are just not being taught sound biblical truths.
Needless to say, the Life Center is not such a place.
We believe the Bible should be taught with care and simplicity.
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*Here at LCIA we worship Jesus. We teach the Bible, it's just that simple.
