Knoxboro Declaration of Purpose

 

We endeavor to be attentive to God the Father, who speaks and acts and calls us to experience true life in His Son.  God alone is the fountain of life and supplier of joy, and there is ultimately no meaningful existence to be found outside of a right relationship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

 

We endeavor to fix our eyes on Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us.  Christ crucified is the only place where one finds the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with the Father.   He is the way, the truth and the life, and there is no other way to true life.  Jesus is the Savior who rescues us, the Teacher who trains us, the Shepherd who leads us, and the Friend who sticks closer than a brother.

 

We endeavor to be transformed by the Holy Spirit into the likeness of Christ.  God wants to mend our broken and sinful hearts, and make us a new kind of people with holy desires and passions.  The Father’s goal is to conform us to the image of His beautiful and perfect Son. 

 

We endeavor to be attentive to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.  We are created for community and are members of the same body.  We endeavor to love one another in practical ways and with sincere hearts, and to pursue peace with one another, support one another and work together for the gospel. 

 

We endeavor to encourage and empower one another to use our gifts and skills to build up the body of Christ.  Each one of us has a vital contribution to make to this community, and only when each part of the body is working properly will the whole body flourish.

 

We endeavor to embody the character of God in our relationships and work.  Our God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, and righteous and just in all that He does.  We endeavor to imitate our Creator in our everyday conversations and tasks by delighting to show mercy and do what is right.

 

We endeavor to build bridges to people who are disconnected from the life of God.  Jesus laid down His life for a broken world and we are called to do the same.  We endeavor to help others taste and see that the Lord is good, and to share the life and joy of Christ-centered, Spirit-led community.

 

We endeavor to do all of these things for the glory of God.  All things are from Him and through Him and for Him. 

 

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all.