Our Mission
LakeRidge UMC is a community of Christians called United Methodists who are:
Accepting - LakeRidge UMC desires to be a friendly church where anyone can feel welcome and included.
We intend to accept all persons as they are and surround them with the love of a Christian community. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) Just as Jesus loves us and accepts
us as we are, we want to be a community which reflects that unconditional love to one another. We want to create a warm atmosphere in our worship and all other activities. Our worship, therefore, must be characterized by enthusiasm, sincerity, variety, and reverence.
Transforming - The church possesses the unique responsibility of developing the spiritual dimension in our
lives. While we attempt to surround each person with love and acceptance, at the same time we want to help each person enter into a transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. As we grow in our relationship in Christ, we will become more like the persons God intended us to be. “Do no conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)
Equipping - Our Christian community needs to provide a place where people can discover the gifts and abilities which God has given to them. Every Christian has a gift, and we want our church to be a place where Christians are encouraged to develop and use their gifts according to the guidelines provided in the scriptures. Our aim as Christians
is to be mature disciples of Jesus Christ. We believe that our gifts are given to the church in order to help us individually and collectively grow toward Christ-likeness. We also believe that a thorough knowledge of God’s Word is essential to Christian maturity. “As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
(I Peter 4:10)
Sending - We gather together as Christians to worship, share, fellowship, and study God’s Word, but we are a community under command to go back into the world and witness to the transforming power of a Risen Christ. Each Christian is called to be a witness daily wherever God may place him/her. We are also given the responsibility to share in the \evangelism of the world. We should become actively involved in local and foreign mission through our monetary support, our prayers, and our sending of our own people to the mission field. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)
Our Vision
To become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. “The Bible encourages us to become mature followers of Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13)
Spiritual maturity is measured by Christ-likeness in character, attitudes and behavior. Spiritually maturing persons love
God with all their heart, love their neighbors as themselves and join with God where He is working in the world.
At LakeRidge UMC we ask God to help us in Loving God, Loving Others and Serving the World. The church provides
the environment, tools and relationships that enable persons to experience spiritual transformation. God alone provides
the power and does the work of spiritual transformation. The process of spiritual transformation occurs as we allow
Jesus Christ to become Lord of every area of our lives. A balanced Christian life is characterized by growth of the areas
indicated in this graph.
We believe that a person can begin to grow spiritually through any of these seven areas. Our life vision is to allow Jesus Christ to empower us to grow in all seven areas. Each of us must determine where we need to grow next in becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ. The Holy Spirit leads each of us on a unique journey of faith.
Click here for a more thorough description of each of the seven areas of a balanced Christian life.
Click here for current opportunities for spiritual growth and to connect with other Christians.
