"A Vision for the Church to
Become Jesus Christ's
Living Presence in 2009"
We are called to be ...Community: The Church is a called out,
called together community of forgiven saints who embody the
gospel of Jesus Christ -- believers living, loving, learning, and
lifting the name of Christ in mutual submission.
(Acts 2: 42-48)
- We are to experience...Brokenness: We embrace and seek
- to be formed by the cross of Jesus Christ. Believers are cruciformed people.
- (Gal 2:20; Rom 12:1-2; 2 Tim 3:12)
We are changed by...Transformation: Faith in Jesus Christ is dynamic, generative, and transformative.
Christians are learners who grow through change.
(Isa 40:28-31; Ezek 36: 26-27; 1Cor 3:6-7; Eph 2:5; 6: 10-20;
Col 2:19; 1Pet 2:2; Rom. 12:1,2)
We will grow through...Discipleship: Learning is a spiritual
discovery process growing in and out of a shared commitment
to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and mutual submission
under God's Word, His Holy Spirit, and His people. [Luke5:1-11, 2 Peter 3:18, Luke 9:23]
Faithful...Available...Teachable... are the three essentials for every
growing Christian to advance in the life of discipleship with
Jesus Christ as Lord!
(Mt 28:19; Luke 14:27)
We are empowered by...Prayer: Intercessory prayer is the
life-line of the Church.
(2Chron 7:14; Luk 6: 28; 18:1; John 17:20; Rom 8:26;
Eph. 6:18; 1Ths. 5:17; James 5:13 ; Jude 20)
We are set free through proper...Authority: Leadership is a call,
gift, and empowering by the Holy Spirit to edify the Body and
to glorify Jesus Christ. It cannot be willed, earned, or manufactured.
(Mt 10:1;28:18; Jhn 15:16; Acts 1:8;13:2; Heb 5:4-10;11:8; 1Pet 4:7-11)
We reveal the body and presence of Christ through...Reconciliation:
Restoring believers to Jesus Christ and brothers and sisters
to one another in His Name is at the heart of the Church's mission.
(Rom 5:11; 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19)
[ I believe the Church of Jesus Christ must convincingly employ
these 'life patterns' to be the Kingdom body God desires us to be.
I have benefitted and grown in my acquaintaince with these convictions
through the writing and ministry of Jim Van Impryen. I am indebted to his
wisdom and service to Christ in sharing insights into the transferrable truths of
Christ's Kingdom. wcw ]
A personal word...
My continuing growth and service as under-shepherd to the body of Christ
at First Baptist Church is in direct response to these God-shaped,
Christ-honoring, Holy Spirit-empowered principles.
God has also shaped my life through insights of friends and
mentors who have helped me to understand our great and awesome God and
Savior, myself, and the calling God has on my life.
Some of those whom I thank for investing their lives and godly insights
into my life and leaving the imprint of Jesus Christ include: Doug Dahlquist,
Jim Dickson, Ervin Smith, Mrs. Anna Larson, Carl Frost,
Robert Featherstone, Lawrence Helander, Rollie Thiel, Don Delich,
Stan Youngberg, Roger Carlson, V.L. Peterson, Ray Martin, Abe & Anne Funk,
Evans & Violet Wahlin, Gust & Gunelia Wahlin, Mrs. Francis Grindahl, Dr. Gordon Johnson,
Mrs. Anna Carlson, Mrs. Astrid SmithJohnson, Delmar Dahl, Dick Turnwall,
J.G.Johnson, Bob Ricker, Bill Arvan, Wilbur Felchle, Rev. Miller, Jake Marvin, Wayne Tweten,
Lowell Lundstrom, Carl & Nancy Lundquist, Herman Tegenfeldt, Milton & Anna Hedlund,
Jim Feldman, Al Travaille, Phil Masters, Dwight Wahlin, Patricia Youngberg,
Gloria Smith, Lois Folkers, Leland & Delores Anderson, Al & Peggy Moyer,
Marge Ohsberg, Warren Wahlin, Russel & Pearl Mitterling, Lester & Rose Mitterling,
Lee Granlund, Gordy Wetterlund Jr., Web Messer, Elmer & Ercyl Grindahl, Rob Boyd,
Truett Lawson, Maurice Lawson, Doc Roy Dalton, Alfred Iverson, John Grindahl, Paul Swanson ....
I Praise God for men and women who model the Lordship of Jesus Christ and
desire all glory be given to God!
In Christ's Service,
Pastor Wendell C. Wahlin
Psalm103:1, Galatians 2:20
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