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:: FAQs Continued7) What if two people who live together want to come to your church?While two people who live together without benefit of marriage may come to our church, they will not be accepted into membership because their living arrangement would not support the Testimony of the Church and violates not only God's commandment prohibiting adultery, but also the more general lifestyle guidance of Philippians 1:27: "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." We would encourage them to attend our church and be fed by our teaching and ministries and grow in their understanding of the Christian walk. They would not be eligible for membership or leadership before accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, rectifying their lifestyle according to scripture, and attending our new members' sessions. 8) What do you believe about healing by God?We do believe in God's power to heal. We practice, as a church, what the Bible teaches in James chapter 5. James talks about those who need healing in their lives and believe that it should be prayed for; that they should call upon the elders of the church and the elders will come and pray for that person laying hands on them and anointing them with oil. That is exactly what we do and have done many times here at Living Hope. The laying on of hands and the anointing with oil is no sign of special power that we have as leaders in the church, we all have the same power and authority to talk to God about our needs. It is simply a way the Bible reaffirms the presence of the Spirit in each of our lives and the power of God to work in our lives. We need to have the humility to realize that we do not always know what God's answer is going to be on the timing of healing. He has told us to put faith in Him and to trust Him for our heart's desires. We, as leaders in the church and as a church, strongly encourage prayers for God to be at work in healing all physical, emotional, and spiritual hurts that we may have. "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24 "Heal me, O Lord and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." Psalm 30:2 9) How can modern music play a role in true worship?All creativity has God as its source, and contemporary music is no different. If our musical expression is a true reflection of sincere and unpolluted, heartfelt love for God, then the style or fashion of it cannot be wrong in the sight of the Father. Any music that draws us closer to God in worship will be pleasing to Him, because He has created us to worship Him. The traditions, styles and individual tastes of men are extremely minor points for God since He is delighted by the truth of our worship of Him. "..the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:23-24). If we devote ourselves to give our best in worship, that is the heart that God observes, and delights to see. 10) Why do you have deacons and elders? Isn't that archaic?The role of these servants is clearly recommended in the bible. "Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain..They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons" 1 Timothy 3:8, 10 At Living Hope these men serve in varied roles of ministry, in support of both the pastor and our members. Because they are servant-leaders, they help provide balance, wisdom and strength that is essential to our church's healthy functioning as a spiritual organism. Much of what we can accomplish as a church is due to the flexibility and commitment of our elders and deacons. > Previous Page > More About Us > Back to Top |