STANDING UNITED:
AN EXPRESSION OF CHRISTIAN SOLIDARITY
LET’S STAND UNITED
LEVEL 1: STATEMENT OF CHRISTIAN SOLIDARITY
WHY ARE WE HERE? To introduce you to a level 1 partnership that
leads to making a statement of Christian solidarity with other churches
and ministries, acknowledging that while we have differences, we are still
one body in Christ. Our ultimate goal in expressing solidarity is to further
the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (John 17:21, Phil. 1:27, Acts 2:46)
6 KEY QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
(1) Who is Standing United? I’d like to introduce you to everyone
in Standing United, but we are not all here. It is not me, it is you, it
is all of us, it is the pastors and leaders and their churches representing
the body of Christ who are standing united in Christian solidarity in the
name of Jesus Christ. It is a community of individuals, who have a faith
in Jesus Christ, declaring to the world that although we are represented
in many denominations and expressions of faith, we are still one body of
Christ.
(2) Are biblical principles of loving one another and growing together
meant only to be expessed in individual churches or are they also applicable
for the larger Body of Christ? Is it true that individual giftings
can be used in the larger body of Christ? (John 13:35; Col. 4:17; Eph. 4:4-6,
16; Acts 1:14: 2:46; 4:24; 12:20; Acts 15:24-26; Rom. 12:4-8; 15:6; 2 Tim.
1:8; Acts 19:19; Matt. 18:20; Luke 15:9; Acts 2:46)
(3) What is
the body of Christ? Individual Christian, fellowship of believers,
local church, group of local churches in an area, denominations & non-denominations,
universal church? (I Cor. 12:12-26; Eph. 4:3-4)
(4) Should our differences hinder us from Standing United?
Identify things about people’s differences without compromising the scriptures
(Teaching and worship styles, women’s role ministry, baptism of Holy Spirit.
(5) what basic beliefs define churches that are standing united?
(6) Why Should we Stand United? To spread the gospel (John
17:21, Phil. 1:27, Acts 2:46) Love one another (They will know we are Christians
by our love.)
AN OPPORTUNITY
Would you and your church like to participate in Making a Statement
of Christian solidarity?
Jesus Christ is Lord of all.
The Bible alone is God’s Holy Word
The Bible alone is God’s Holy Word
Human nature is fallen and sinful
Salvation by grace alone
Would you consider yourself a church or ministry connected to the larger body of Christ? The Shared Statement of Christian Solidarity… (The option of a certificate, a banner, or a sign can be provided to express your church’s statement of Christian solidarity with other evangelical churches and ministries.)
Jesus Christ
Worship Him here
The five dynamics of Standing United:
Dynamic 1 UNITING THROUGH CHRISTIAN SOLIDARITY
An invitation to express solidarity with the larger body of Christ
Dynamic 2 UNITING THROUGH RELATIONAL INVESTMENT
Encouraging events and opportunities for pastoral fellowship
Dynamic 3 UNITING THROUGH SPIRITUAL PARTNERSHIPS
Supporting venues of prayer and spiritual connection
Dynamic 4 UNITING THROUGH SHARED STRENGTHS
Bringing together expertise and resources of local leaders to empower one another
Dynamic 5 UNITING THROUGH STRATEGIC MOBILIZATION
Mobilizing local church leaders toward a unified vision, intentional planning,
and strategic implementation to win the larger community for Jesus Christ