About Lakewood Church
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People often visit churches based on their preferences (similar taste in music or style of teaching), but they stay at a church because of its missional principles. Here at Lakewood Church, we refer to these principles as our DNA Statements. These statements paint the picture of the kind of values and church we are striving to be, and prayerfully, you will see them demonstrated through our mission, vision, and ministry at every level of Lakewood Church at Reeds Spring. We are a mission-driven church. Everything we do is to help people find and follow God. We are a kingdom-first church. We are here to build God's kingdom, first and foremost. We are an everyone's welcome church. Lakewood Church, Reeds Spring, Missouri is a place where you can belong before you believe. We are a better together church. Life was never meant to be lived alone. An authentic biblical community is experienced best when you get connected. We are an all in church. We are a church built on the sacrifices of many, not the talents of a few. We are a nobody's perfect church. God meets us right where we are at and loves us enough never to leave us there. We create safe places for people to process their faith with grace and truth. We are a generous church. We strive to always go beyond the minimum. We are a life-giving church.We will be known more for what we are for than what we are against. We are a next steps church. No matter where you were at in your spiritual journey, God has the right next step for you! We are a gospel-driven church. We will lift high and proclaim the name of Jesus. The only name by which we are saved, rescued, and redeemed.
We believe that the true church is composed of all those who have been saved by God's grace through faith and regeneration by the Holy Spirit and are thereby united together in the body of Christ of which He is the Head. This church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of members of the true church. The two biblically-mandated ordinances of the church, baptism and the Lord's Supper, visibly and tangibly express this gospel, strengthening our faith. They are to be celebrated by the church in obedience to Christ, but are not a means of salvation.
About Jesus Christ: We believe in Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, Light from Light, God from God. He became incarnate by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary, fully God and fully man. He lived a sinless life. He was crucified as an atonement for sin and He bodily rose again on the third day. He ascended to the right hand of the Father where He reigns over all. He will bodily and visibly come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
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.