1) The Eternal Triune God
We believe that there is only one eternal and true living God who has revealed Himself as
existing in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Luke 3:21-22)

2) Father
Creator God, Creator of the whole universe. Father of all things. It was on the Father’s
initiative because of His Love for us, that He sent His Son to pay the penalty for our sins.
(Gen 1:1, John 3:16, Matt 6:9, Eph 4:6, 1 John 4:14, John 14:6.)

3) Jesus
We believe:
Jesus is the Son of God, born of a virgin.(Matt1:18, Isaiah 7:14)
He lived a sinless life and that He performed miracles as a testimony of His deity.
(John 14:11, 2Cor 5:21)
His death upon the cross was for the forgiveness of our sins. (Col 2:13-15)
He was raised from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of God. (Eph 1:20-22)
He will return for the Church who will remain with Him throughout eternity.
(John 3:16, 36)

4) Holy Spirit
We believe:
The Holy Spirit produces new life through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and that He dwells
in the lives of believers. (John 3:3-5, 14:26, 16:13)
The Holy Spirit empowers those who receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, either at the
time of conversion or subsequent to it, to be witnesses to the life of Jesus. (Acts 1:4-8,
8:15-17, 19:1-6)
The Holy Spirit manifests Himself in the gifts of the Spirit through believers, irrespective of
race, gender or age, primarily for the Church's corporate life and witness, and in the fruit of
the Spirit for the believer’s walk and witness. His ministry has not changed from the
beginning and is just as relevant and powerful today. (Acts 5:32, 1 Cor 12, Gal 5:22-25, Heb
13:8)

5) The Bible
We believe the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God and is our authority for belief
and behaviour. (2 Tim 3:16-17).

6) The Fall of Humankind
We believe that all humankind has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory and that we can
only be saved from the consequences of our sin by accepting the finished work of Jesus
Christ as Lord and Saviour. (Rom 3:23, 6:23)

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7) Sin
We believe we are a fallen race, inherited from the fall in the Garden of Eden through the sin
of Adam and Eve and that Christ came to redeem us through His sacrificial life and death on
the cross. (Gen 3:8, Rom 5:12)

8) Satan
We believe in the reality and personality of Satan, yet affirm the victory Christ won at Calvary
over Satan’s influence and authority. (Eph 1:20-22, John 10:10, 1 John1:8)

9) Water Baptism
We believe that water baptism (by full immersion, of a believer) is an act of obedience to the
commands of Jesus. Baptism identifies the believer with the death, burial and resurrection of
Jesus, dying to oneself and rising to new life in Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:38)

10) Dedication Service
Parents are encouraged to present their children for dedication to the Lord. This service of
Dedication reminds the parents and the Church family of the privileges and responsibilities of
nurturing young lives in the faith in the hope that one day they too will believe and follow
through the waters of Baptism
(Matt 19:13-15)

11) The Lord’s Supper / Communion
We are commanded to practice remembrance of the Lord’s Supper, for our participation in it
reminds us of the death, resurrection and return of our Lord. All are welcome at the Lord’s
Supper.
(1 Cor 11:23-25, Heb 9:25-28)

12) Healing
We believe that God heals spirit, soul and body, through prayer, faith, laying on of hands and
His use of health practitioners. In most services opportunity will be given for people in need
of healing to receive prayer. (Luke 4:18-21, James 5:14)

13) Eternity
We believe that God offers eternal life for everyone who believes in Jesus the Christ and
eternal separation from God for those that reject Him. (John 3:16, 11:25, Rom 10:9-13)

14) Worship
We believe that God’s people should worship Him in spirit and in truth with freedom and
liberty. Our praise and worship is contemporary and can be seen expressed in a variety of
ways; Lifting of hands, singing in the spirit, dancing, joyful celebration, people weeping,
others sharing visions, some speaking out prophecies and sometimes people fall under the
power and anointing of the Holy Spirit’s presence. Worship is not just singing but glorifying
Christ in all we do. (Ps 51:10-11,17, 63:4, 126, 134;2,149;3, Joel 2:28, John 4:24, Acts 2;37,
8;17, 10:46, 19:6, Rom 12:6, Rev 1:17)

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15) Forgiveness
We believe forgiveness is a Gift of God through Jesus Christ and that we should not only live
in the reality of that forgiveness but offer and express forgiveness to one another as we are
commanded to do.
(Matt 5;24, 18:15-17, Acts 2:38, 1 John1:9, James 5;16)

16) Love
The Christian life is to be one full of love, love for God, love for ourselves and love for our
neighbour. It is the greatest of the gifts and commandments given to us. It should be the
motivation and desire behind all we do. (Lev 19:18, Matt 5:43-44, Mark 12:28-31, John
13:34,14:15, 1 Cor 13:1-13, 1 John 3:14-18, 4:8)

17) Tithing
We believe that tithing whilst an Old testament principle is still the foundational bench mark
for all giving. It is the principle of putting Christ first in all things, in our finances, in our time
and in offering our talents and abilities, all for the extension and building up of God’s
kingdom. (Malachi 3:10-12, Matt 6:33, 2 Cor 9:6-11)

18) Women in Leadership
We believe in the equality of women, the anointing and empowering of God’s Holy Spirit
upon each one without prejudice. Women may serve within any capacity that God should
call and anoint.
(Joel 2:28-29, Rom 16:1-16, Gal 3:28, 1 Tim 3:11)

19) The Church
Our understanding of the Church is a local growing body of believers empowered by the
Holy Spirit to continue the ministry of Jesus Christ. (Matt 16:18, Eph 4:11-16)

20) Aspects of the Church
The name of the Church shall be: Lifeway Christian Church Lara (“Church”)
 

Affiliation -The Church is a member Church of the Baptist Union of Victoria - (BUV). The
BUV is incorporated under the “Baptist Union Incorporation Act”, 1930– approved by the
Parliament of Victoria on 24th December 1930—number 3903. 

The Church aims to provide ….

• Contemporary Praise & Worship

• Relevant teaching and preaching of the Word of God

• Evangelistic - reaching out to our community and surrounding areas with the good news of Jesus Christ.

• Care for all people

• Holistic approach to Healing of the body, mind and spirit, both within the Church and in the community

• Celebration of the Lord's Supper

• Proclaiming the Kingdom of God both in Lara, surrounding areas and beyond

• Discipleship - growing in maturity in Christ

• Financial giving - through tithes and offerings

• Fellowship - the unique relationship we have together in Christ, through the unity of the spirit

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21) Objectives
The Senior Pastor along with the Governing Elders develop and formulate specific Vision
and Mission statements, which are updated and referred to regularly, as a means of focusing
the Church on its objectives. The following objectives are a general statement of the
continuing goals of the Church, notwithstanding the specific goals as outlined within the
Vision and Mission statements from time to time.
 
Through the guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit, the Church seeks to:
a) Proclaim the truth of the Bible. Lead people into salvation. Encourage people to grow
in spiritual maturity becoming Partners of a local Church.
b) Encourage its Partners to assemble regularly for the public worship of God.
c) Live out Christian love and show goodwill toward all people.
d) Proclaim the sole Lordship of Jesus Christ in the lives of His people.
e) Practically display the love of Christ through evangelistic outreaches and meeting
needs of those within our community.
f) Encourage people to discover their gifts, equip them through training, empower them
to exercise their gifts within the Body of Christ and outreach to others in their
community.

22) Missionary Giving
The Church shall aim to annually give at least 10% of its general offering to various
missionary outreaches as recommended by the Governing Elders. This will then be
communicated to the Partners of the Church.