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Freedom in Christ Ministries

FICM-USA

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The Vision of FICM-USA / (REAP -Liberia)

Every Believer Living Free and Fruitful in Christ 

The Mission of FICM-USA / (REAP -Liberia)

To establish and nurture a growing network of Community Freedom Ministries across the nation. 

 

A Community Freedom Ministry is an environment of grace and truth, started by an individual, couple or group of individuals under church authority, seeking to establish and coordinate a “freedom presence” in their home church or hometown.  This “freedom presence” involves teaching the biblical message of freedom (as taught in Dr. Neil Anderson’s books); taking people through The Steps to Freedom in Christ; training individuals to use The Steps to Freedom in Christ. 

Core Values

1. We believe in the authority of Scripture. (2 Timothy 3: 16,17) 

The basis for the message and methods of ministry of FICM-USA/ (REAP -Liberia) is the Word of God, the written Word and the Living Word, which should be seen as inseparable. Jesus is the Truth and so is His Word. FICM-USA/ (REAP -Liberia) appreciates the contribution of empirical research, and scientific investigation when the results are interpreted through the grid of Scripture. Science is mankind’s attempt to understand natural law. Theology is the Christian’s attempt to systematize divine revelation. Science and theology are fallible, but God’s Word isn’t. FICM-USA / (REAP -Liberia) is committed to Truth and sound doctrine, but not to any one particular systematic theology and does not see any Incongruity between natural law and divine revelation, since both originate in God. All those under the spiritual authority of FICM-USA/ (REAP-Liberia) are to be subject to God’s Word and all governing authorities established by God (Romans 13:1-5). 
 
2. We worship God and believe that prayer Is our greatest work. (John 4:23) 

Worship is to ascribe and embrace the true attributes of God, both corporately and individually, and then live accordingly. We strive to practice the presence of God and consider prayer our first priority, seeking to know Him and to do His will. We don’t try to manipulate God or persuade Him to our point of view. We desire to be on the path that He has chosen for us, and choose to identify with Jesus when He said, “Not my will be done, but Your will be done.”  We try to bathe everything we do in prayer, not asking God to bless our plans, but submitting to His plans as discerned in prayer.  Paul’s instruction in Ephesians 6 on the armor of God concludes with the admonition for all believers to pray at all times in the Spirit. We believe that the prayers that God the Holy Spirit prompts us to pray are the prayers that God answers. God uses such prayers to accomplish His work through us.  


3. We believe in the centrality of Christ. (Hebrews 12:1-3) 

Our identity, acceptance, security, and significance are all found in Christ, who is the ultimate revelation of God. Therefore, our purpose is to help Christians, their marriages, and their ministries to be established alive and free in Christ. God has given the Church, and consequently FICM-USA / (REAP -Liberia), the ministry of reconciliation, which removes the barriers to having an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father through repentance and faith in God.   
 
4. We believe in the unity of all true believers in Christ.  (John 17:20-23) 
 
We serve the one true God who manifests Himself as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The unity of the Godhead serves as the model for all relationships. We work to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). This unity is found in our common heritage as children of God. Where Satan works to divide our minds, marriages, and ministries, FICM-USA/ (REAP- Liberia) works for the oneness of mind, marriage, and ministry as peacemakers (Matthew 5:9).  
 
5. We base our identity in Christ. (John 1:12) 
 
Those who put their trust in Christ are children of God. They are no longer “in Adam,” they are spiritually alive “in Christ.” Spiritual life means union with God, which was how the early Church Fathers described salvation (i.e. union with God). Christians are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), and they are no longer “in the flesh,” though they can still choose to walk after or according to the flesh (Romans 8:11). Those who are not yet Christians have neither the presence of God in their lives nor the knowledge of His ways; consequently, their minds have been programmed to live independently of God. Salvation doesn’t bring instant renewal of our minds, which is why the Apostle Paul warns us not to be conformed any longer to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). We believe that Scripture identifies all believers as saints rather than sinners; this does not necessarily reflect our behavior or maturity, however. Being a saint refers to our position in Christ. All Christians are identified with Christ in His death (Romans 6:3; Galatians 2:20), in His burial (Romans 6:4), in His resurrection (Romans 6:5,8,11), in His ascension (Ephesians 2:6), in His life (Romans 5:10,11), in His power (Ephesians 1:19,20), and in His inheritance (Romans 8:16,17; Ephesians 1:11,12).  
 
6. We minister with grace and truth. (John 1:17) 
 
The law came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Since all men and women are created in the image of God, ministry in Christ must afford every person dignity, as we serve them with compassion, love, kindness, and respect, no matter where they stand in relation to Christ and His Word. God offers redemption, restoration and freedom to all who truly turn to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith, and so we offer that hope of salvation without reservation to all to whom we minister. However, we will not compromise what the Bible teaches as our standard of truth and practice, and we will not condone, engage in or agree to assist others in any actions, ceremonies or lifestyles that are not in accordance with our Statement of Faith.      
 
7. We strive for a balanced biblical worldview that includes the reality of the spiritual world. (Ephesians 6:10-20)      
 
We understand that the enemies of our sanctification are the world, the flesh, and the devil. There is a present spiritual battle between good and evil, between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness, between the Spirit of truth, and the father of lies, and between the true prophets and the false prophets, which calls for Christians to have a solid biblical foundation, exercise discernment and keep their focus on Christ. We wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with spiritual rulers and authorities of this present darkness with the understanding that they have been disarmed (Colossians 2:15). We understand this battle to be primarily a truth encounter rather than a power encounter, since the devil is already defeated. The reality of the spiritual world includes the present work of the Holy Spirit, and we seek His filling and guidance.  

8. We seek a wholistic answer to the problems of life. (Matthew 6:19-34) 
 
We try to avoid simplistic answers that address only one dimension of life and try to consider the proper functioning of our spirits, souls, and bodies.  First, we take into account that all problems have spiritual components, including the need to be rightly connected to God; the necessity to walk by faith in the truth according to the power of the Holy Spirit; and the need to escape from the snares of the devil.  Second, we acknowledge psychosomatic illnesses and believe that emotional needs can be met in Christ, and we seek to resolve the problems of fear, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and addictions in Him.  Third, we teach the need for a balance of diet, rest and exercise and respect the role that medications play in healing and maintaining the body.  We believe in a whole God, who deals with a whole humanity, who takes into account all reality, all the time, and we seek Him and His kingdom first.  

9. We seek a biblical balance between God’s sovereignty and mankind’s responsibility.  (1Corinthians 3:4-9)

We cannot ask God to do for us what He has revealed to be our responsibility, and we cannot do for ourselves what only God can do. Any attempt by one person to help another should be done with the understanding that God is present, and there is a role that He and only He can play in each of our lives. Only God can set a captive free and bind up the broken-hearted person, so, we seek to establish our methods of ministry with the awareness of God’s omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipotence. We also seek to understand the sensitive relationship that exists between the encourager and the inquirer helping them to realize their responsibility. As reconcilers and encouragers, we depend upon God and avoid being enablers, co-dependents, or rescuers, ensuring that inquirers remain responsible for their own attitudes and actions.  

10. We strive to be in the center of God’s will. (1 Thessalonians 4:3)

We believe that God will lead all His children who seek to follow Him.  God’s overall will for all our lives is our sanctification, i.e. that we conform to His image. The goal of our instruction is love (1 Timothy 1:5), which is the character of God (1 John 4:16), and not knowledge that makes one arrogant (1 Corinthians 8:1). God is not trying to enlarge our minds (though He is seeking to renew them); He is trying to enlarge our hearts so that we may be like Him. We can have knowledge and be arrogant, but we cannot know God and be arrogant. Our goal is to know God and become like Him (Philippians 3:8-14), so that others will know that we are servants of God, because of His love shining through us.

11. We live under the new covenant, ministering new life by the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:5,6)

We believe that we are servants of a new covenant, for the law kills, but the Spirit gives life. Grace is neither legalism nor license. We could not live up to the law by the law, but we can live a righteous life if we do so by faith, according to what God says is true and by doing so in the power of the Holy Spirit, rather than by our own strength and resources. Part of our purpose is to help Christians and their ministries to move from a works and program orientation to a grace and faith orientation. Biblical strategies and programs will not work unless they are empowered by the life of God, because apart from Christ we cannot do anything of lasting consequence (John 15:5).  Bearing fruit should not be our focus; abiding in Christ should be our focus.  When we abide in Christ, we will bear fruit. Ministering grace also means that we don’t put a price tag on our ministry, and we will not compromise ourselves, our message, or our ministry for money.

12. We strive to be servant leaders. (Matthew 20:20-28)

We don’t get our significance from titles, degrees, gifts, or ecclesiastical positions. We strive to be significant and secure in Christ, and not lord it over others (1 Peter 5:1-11). The qualifications to be a spiritual leader (1Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9) are all related to godly character. As servant leaders we choose to walk in the light and speak the truth in love. We want all Christians to reach their highest potential and use their talents and gifts to glorify God and edify others. It is the purpose of FICM-USA/ (REAP - Liberia) to empower God’s people by helping them to understand who they are in Christ, enabling them to be all that God intended them to be, so they will be able to do all things through Christ who strengthens them (Philippians 4:13).

13. We desire our Ministry to be one of integrity and authenticity. (Matthew 5: 13-16)
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Spiritual integrity and authenticity are more important than recognition, and perceived impact. We believe the proper order is to have maturity before ministry, character before career, and being before doing. Who we are is more important than what we do, and we should never compromise ourselves or our message to gain the approval of others? God’s work done God’s way will never lack His support; therefore, we don’t subscribe to worldly methods of fund raising, exaggeration of accomplishments, hype, false pretenses, exploitation, or self-promotion. Our focus is to grow in our maturity, bring clarity, correctness, and balance to our message, and let God expand our ministry.

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