The Guts of the Church, Part 2

6. Commitment to Grace-Motivated Spiritual Growth
(Gal. 3:1-3; Phil. 2:12-13; 1 John 1:9)

Living a grace-motivated life is not a liberty that allows a believer to choose a lifestyle independent of the Scriptures. Rather, it is a discipline that increasingly teaches a believer to say "no" to ungodliness, and to hunger for righteousness. While the presence of sin will not be absent until we reach heaven, followers of Christ can be confident that if they confess their sin, God is faithful to forgive and restore the parental relationship between Him and His elect ones.
7. Commitment to Authenticity and Accountability
(Heb. 10:24-25; Acts 4:32)

Believers must go beyond superficial relationships and be committed to intimacy in each another's lives, continually stirring up one another to love God and love others. The church must minister to both the physical and spiritual needs of the body. Selfless, sacrificial love is the defining mark of Christ's disciples and the continual requirement for flawed humans to work together demands a sacrificial giving of one's self for another.

8. Commitment to Church Discipline and Restoration
(Matt.18:15-35; I Cor. 5; Gal. 6:1-2)

Even though it is unpopular in today's culture, a church family must be committed to following the complete biblical process when a church member is in unrepentant sin. Restoration, the constant goal of church discipline, patiently returns an erring Christian to complete fellowship with God and the church. Church members must mourn over sinning brothers and sisters and eagerly forgive with joy at their repentance.

9. Commitment to Corporate Ministry
(Eph. 2:10; 4:11-16; James 1:27)

Every believer is made for ministry and has a place of service or outreach. Ministry should never be viewed as the job of the "trained professionals."

10. Commitment to Making Disciples Locally and Globally
(Matt. 28:16-20)

The church should foster disciple-making within its own community through the relational witness of the body as well as in the world through church planting and missions. Both individually and corporately, we will purposefully and aggressively pursue evangelism.