About Shepherd's Community United Methodist Church
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At Shepherd's Community United Methodist Church, we know that walking into a church for the first time can be a bit intimidating. We really strive to be a church that meets people where they are, whether you've been following Jesus for many years or are just starting to investigate faith. Our hope is that you will discover Shepherd's Community United Methodist Church in Lakeland, Florida to be a place where you can find community, grow in your relationship with Jesus and discover the mission for your life.
We believe that God reaches out to us in different ways. God is the Creator of the Universe and giver of all that is good. God is the Savior - appearing boldly and intimately in Jesus and His life, death, and resurrection - who shows us how to live, love, and be saved. God is the Spirit who makes a difference in us and enables us to make a difference in our world and in the lives of others.
About Sanctification: Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God's Word and His Spirit in order to complete the development of Christ's character in us. It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
About Separation of Church and State: We believe that each local church is self-governing, and must be free from interference by any external ecclesiastical or political authority; that every human being is ultimately responsible to God in matters of faith and life; and that each person is free to worship God according to the dictates of his/her conscience. We further believe that governments are established by God; that Christians, as good citizens, should be subject to governing authorities insofar as possible, recognizing our greater allegiance to God and His kingdom in matters wherein human authorities conflict with clear, biblical mandates.