AboutUs - The Word of Truth Fellowship

The Word of Truth Fellowship is a body of believers that have one thing in mind -- to forget the things that are behind them, from which they have been delivered, and to press zealously forward to obtain the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:12-13). For us, this is serious business, and we are not casual in our pursuit. We know that we cannot attain to this goal without being separate from this world and all that defiles. Therefore, we have no interest in any approach to religion that makes this world the primary one, and personal preferences the dominant ones. We have been persuaded from Scripture, and by the Spirit of our God, that the "eternal inheritance" that is realized in Christ Jesus cannot be obtained while one holds on to this world, allowing one's presence here, in this world, to dictate both the substance and focus of life. It is not possible for Jesus to give Himself to "deliver us from this present evil world" (Gal 1:4), and then bless those who willingly remain inordinately attached to it. For this reason, we do not emphasize relationships belonging to life in this world -- whether it is marriage, family, government, employment, success, or other such things. It is not that these are not lawful or legitimate. Rather, they cannot be our focus or emphasis, for all of them must eventually be given up. They can only be sanctified, or God-honoring, when they are made subject to the higher calling of God, and participation in "the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" -- which are to be sought "first," or foremost (Matt 6:33). This is what we are about, and all of our activities reflect that priority. For this reason, we purposefully avoid any theological emphasis, fad, or body of teaching that emphasizes life in this world. We perceive the purpose of life to be driven by the anticipation of the revelation of Jesus Christ at His appearing, and participation with Him in the world to come. We entertain absoluterly no interest in the promotion of programs or methodologies that have been created by men. We do not perceive body of Christ as a place primarily designed for recovery from debilitating habits and lifestyes. Rather we see it as a place in which spiritual growth is promoted, and preparation made for death, the coming of the Lord, the day of judgment, and an ultimate eternity with Christ. We know by experience that such a quest fully and adequatety addresses all the requirements necessary for recovery. We know this is the result of thorough completeness in Christ, as affirmed in Colossians 2:10. Knowing this, we can give no honor or allegiance to the purported recovery programs that are being marketed in many churches. We see them as encroachments, and a practical denial of the affirmation that we are complete in Christ. Our approach to this world is to reject the desires that it promotes, knowing that God has not given us "the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is of God" (1 Cor 2:12). We take quite seriously the admonition to "love not the world, neither the things that are in the world" (1 John 2:15a). We see, and agree with it, that "if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" -- a profession notwithstanding (1 John 2:15b).
ABOUT OUR SINGING We are acutely aware of the current trends associated with, what is called, "praise and worship." We are also aware that these two words are not joined together in all of Scripture. They reflect a human perception, not a Divine revelation. Neither are we attracted to froth and repetitive odes that do not build up the faith of the people of God. God has made clear what our singing is to accomplish. "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Eph 5:18-19). We do not sit in judgment on the preferences of others, but we have found most of the modern "praise and worship" choruses to be lacking in this area. Therefore, when we sing, we use hymnals that contain songs that fit the revealed criteria: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Col 3:16). We have five hymnals, and we love to sing. We seek to sing skillfully, which is befitting of our God. We make no apologies for our preferences, nor will we exchange them for something popular, yet leaves our souls impoverished.		ABOUT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE We approach our young people as members of the body of Christ, and not as a separate group. We feel strongly about NOT being here to entertain them and cater to desires that are peculiar to their generation. We are persuaded that it is disgraceful for a young person in the church to be fundamentally ignorant of God, Christ, salvation, and the hope of glory. We also feel that our Lord Jesus was, at the age of twelve, a pattern of an acceptable young person. At that age, He felt He should be about His Father's business (Luke 2:49). Our young people -- and we have a number of them -- range in age from 1-23. They all sit with the assembly, learning from the environment as well as from the words that are spoken. Once a month, all ages of understanding youth (six and up) meet to hear and discuss the Word of God. No special youth lessons are provided, because there is no special Gospel or book of the Bible for young people. As members of the body of Christ, they bring to the assembly youthful zeal and interest, and the assembly brings to them spiritual intelligence and perspective that will assist them in properly channeling their youthful traits. Our young people speak in the assembly, sharing their faith, and learning to express themselves in a way that honors God and blesses His people.
OUR PURPOSE We feel that there is an overriding reason for having a church -- for meeting together in the name of Christ Jesus. That purpose must be in harmony with God's revealed intention for His people. Briefly summarized, that purpose is to deliver us "from this present evil world" (Gal 1:4), separating us from both is control and its contaminating effects. It is to prepare the people of God for involvement with the Living God here, becoming sensitive to Him and His will, and becoming a part of what He is doing in the world. This is referred to as being conformed to the image of Christ -- and that is the predetermined will of God (Rom 8:29-30). The Lord has revealed that the world is going to pass away, together with everything in it (2 Pet 3:10-12). Salvation, in fact, is preparing us for that event -- a time when we will also stand before the Lord, face to face, and give an account of our lives. The aim is to come boldly into the day of judgment, confident and glad to be standing before the One who purchased us. Such a posture will glorify God and Christ, and be richly rewarding to us as well. The purpose of our fellowship is to get people ready for these inevitabilities:- dying, the end of the world, and standing before the judgment seat of Christ. We know that any soul who is not prepared for those things has, in fact, wasted their lives.