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Lakeside Church (Presbyterian Church in
America), is a little different than the
average American evangelical church. We are not trying to be new or unique in worship or polity, but gladly stand in the long
tradition of classical Protestantism. First, we are unashamedly committed to the
historic Reformed faith as summarized in the Westminster Confession and Catechisms. The same faith that saw our spiritual ancestors harassed, imprisoned,
tortured, and martyred because they proclaimed the crown rights of King Jesus.
The same faith that turned the medieval world upside down as Calvin transformed Geneva into a "city on a hill and a light to
the nations." The same faith that
motivated the Scottish Presbyterians to reform a nation, and the New England Puritans to build one. As a church, we believe that Christians need a sound
theological basis for interpreting every area of life. To get that foundation requires
rooting Christians in a consistent, Biblical world view. No spiritual fluff at Lakeside, no spiritual pap, but a dedication to
understand and obey our Lord and King.
Our worship is simple, dignified, and reverent. It is patterned after the historic church,
meaning the synagogue/presbyterian custom followed by Christ and His apostles. We do not follow the whims and will of men. The acceptable
way of worshipping the true God is instituted by Himself. Therefore our worship is Word-centered, limited according to His own revealed will, not
broadened by the imaginations and inventions of men. Our aim is to please God in worship, not the unregenerate. We sing His Word, pray His
Word, read His Word, and preach His Word: powerfully, expositionally,
practically.
Since we believe that the Word of God has the answers for every area of life, we
don't just critique the problem, we also fully explore God's solutions for personal,
family, church and social issues. We take seriously the Great Commission that we
have a responsibility to disciple the nations and fully expect that in God's providence, His church will be
successful.
But Lakeside Church believes that dominion begins with the family. Therefore we
teach men how to be men, godly men, in the home, in the church and in the world.
We expect husbands to conduct daily family worship, and lovingly and self sacrificially serve their wives and children by being the men God demands they be.
We encourage, admonish and exhort our women to respect their husbands and be a help-meet to them.
We expect the children to be raised believing and confessing Jesus Christ as their Lord
and Saviour; to grow up disciplined, catechized, respectful of their parents and trained to see life from the Bible's perspective. They learn how to
worship with us from a very young age. Since Dad has the primary responsibility to teach his children (cf. Deut 6:4ff) we do not undercut his authority or
responsibility. We seek to assist and help him, not replace him.
As a church we believe most ministry should be an extension of the godly
household. We do not develop programs and then try to find people to staff them.
We think each family has its own, unique call from God. Some of our families picket local
abortuaries, others keep a legislative watch on our local politicians,
some have a ministry helping old folks in their neighborhood, others have a vision
for reaching the inner city, some are involved with home school organizations, others have a heart for personal evangelism. Every household tries to practice
Biblical hospitality, ministering to the saints and adorning the gospel with personal
acts of charity. Our deacons are trained to assist each family in discovering God's
call on their time and resources.
What about Singles, Single Again, or Seniors? Well, basically speaking, they are
either part of a family or if they don't have one, other families often "adopt" them.
We honor our elderly, and if their own families have forsaken them, we have many
young families who need their counsel and the wisdom they've gleaned from a long
life. If young people have moved away from their own families, or have unregenerate ones, we welcome them into a Christian household that will love and
encourage them. If a person has been lawfully divorced, we bind their wounds, help them put their lives back together and raise their children in a godly manner.
What kind of church is Lakeside? We are a congregation that strives to be Biblically and
theologically learned, yet humble before God and each other. A church where the congregation is truly one in spirit and intention. A church where people give
precedence to one another. A church without petty infighting, back-biting or
power trips. A church with strong, growing families making a difference in their
community for Christ. A church which exists to serve God and one another. A church that fully expects, according to God's grace, to play a part in turning the
world upside down for Christ. |
