MISSION
God has given every church a mission - to make disciples of all nations (see Matthew 28:19-20). Every church exists to glorify Christ by proclaiming the excellencies of his gospel, calling people to repent and trust in him, and to grow through daily obedience and worship. In this sense, every true, biblical church, all around the world, is the same. Yet every church will pursue that mission in unique ways. Here at Life Church, our mission progresses through three core values: gospel-centered worship, gospel-centered community, and gospel-centered service. These are the realities we hope to sow into the lives of our people as they grow as disciples of Jesus.
Our 2024 Proposed Statement of Faith
Life Church is a Pillar Network Church
Life Church is a member of the Rowan Baptist Association
Our Values
The principles and commitments that both shape our behaviors as a church and fuel and support our mission.
We treasure Christ above all things.
Jesus alone is worthy of our worship, and we worship him in all of life. Philippians 2:9-11
We believe God’s Word is powerful.
Scripture is sufficient to mature us and mobilize us. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
We depend upon the Holy Spirit.
God is God and we are not, therefore anything that we accomplish for his kingdom, we will accomplish according to his will and by his power.
John 15:5
We make disciples, not converts.
We hope not only for decisions for Christ but maturity in Christ. Colossians 1:28
We belong together.
Discipleship happens best in a community that is formed and transformed by the gospel. Hebrews 3:12-14
We will leave a gospel legacy.
We treasure Christ by instilling his gospel in those who will come after us. 2 Timothy 2:2
We are co-laborers, not consumers.
Every Christian is called to ministry. Every member is sent on mission. Ephesians 4:11-16
We will pursue justice and and mercy.
Our love for Christ will be revealed in our love for others. Matthew 25:31-46
We are united in Christ.
Unity in diversity displays the gospel and proclaims the gospel, making Jesus impossible to ignore. Ephesians 3:8-10
Our Leaders
The elders of Life Church and paid and unpaid leaders who provide spiritual oversight to our church by teaching the Word, guarding sound doctrine, providing leadership and direction, and caring for our people. We affirm men who meet the biblical qualifications for elder (described in 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; and 1 Peter 5:1-4), and our elders lead our church as a team.
James Sharp
Teaching and Vision Pastor
STAFF
Brittney Wagner
Connections Director
Claire Crabb
Childrens Ministry Director
Mark Etheridge
Student Ministry Director
Aaron Bucy
Worship Arts Director
Hannah Hardee
Childrens Ministry Assistant
Tricia McLeod
Office Manager
TREASURE CHRIST
The gospel, the good news of all God has done to redeem and restore our fallen world, is a message to be treasured. It is neither good advice, nor a list of steps to accomplish or things to do in the hope of a better life. It is good news about what God has done to give us “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). The gospel is not about what we must strive to do for Jesus. It is about all that Christ has already accomplished for us. And its implications are staggering. The gospel brings new life to non-believers and transforms believers. It invites our obedience and fuels our repentance. The gospel brings joy and peace, stirring our hearts to worship God.
In our worship gatherings, we desire for our hearts to be formed around the truth of the gospel, so that the gospel might “bear fruit and increase” in us just as it grows into the whole world (see Colossians 1:6).
GROW TOGETHER
The power of the gospel is best revealed to the world and experienced by believers in the community it forms and transforms.. The church is not a place but a people, a living fellowship of God’s adopted sons and daughters. Through this fellowship, God intends to reveal the message of his gospel to the world. Ephesians 3 says that “rulers and authorities in the heavenly places” will take note of God’s wisdom and power when they witness the community of people formed by the grace of God in the gospel.
In our fellowship, we are committed to living as people created and shaped by the gospel. This happens best when diverse people from all generations gather in community to study the Word, pray together, and encourage one another, all for the glory of Christ. This is the heartbeat of all of our small group environments - from Life Groups to FORGE to Coffee Break to EKO, as well as the aim of countless one-on-one relationships in our church family.
LIVE ON MISSION
The gospel moves us outward, to share what has been received. God’s incredible love for us will move us, not merely to deeper love for him, but to deeper love for our neighbors and for one another. Jesus said that the surest way the world will know we belong to him is through our love for one another (see John 13:34-35).
As a church, we are committed to sharing the love of Christ with others in our church body, as well as with our unbelieving family members, friends, and neighbors. We yearn to see our city - indeed, all nations - filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (see Habakkuk 2:14). In our church body, and in everyday life, we seek to live on mission, sent by the Lord to accomplish his work through us for the praise of his glorious grace.
