Our Vision
Our vision at Abundant Life Church of Christ is to see lives being changed through the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus, bringing hope to the Cambodian community. We believe that God has uniquely placed us in this community to be relevant in this contemporary context in living out our faith so that others can see Christ in us. Abundant Life Church of Christ is to be a community of people with compassionates hearts that brings hope in the message of Jesus, to disciple believers according to the Word of God, which gives life, purpose, and meaning and ultimately changing lives. The believer's allegiance and obedience are to Christ as their Lord and to testify concerning their faith in Him as Saviour and honouring Him by holy living. By manner of conduct and life, all believers must witness to the truths of God's unchanging Word, bringing clarity and meaning to the unbelieving world. "This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world." – 1 John 4:13-14.
Our Mission
Our mission at Abundant Life Church of Christ is twofold; to fulfil Jesus' invitation to participate in the Great Commission. This great commission in which we partake is God's invitation to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every corner of the world. Jesus explicitly gives this command, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 ESV. The Christian life is therefore marked by submission and
obedience to Jesus Christ with the desire to see lost souls being saved through the proclamation of this Good News amongst the Cambodian community and beyond. For Christ Himself have said, "I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' – Acts 26:18. Secondly, our mission at Abundant Life Church of Christ is to become disciples of Jesus and become disciple-makers. Disciples are people who have committed in their hearts and minds to follow the thinking and conduct of the Lord Jesus Christ forever. Discipleship is a lifelong experience and journey. Discipleship is a lifelong experience of learning the mind of Christ and following the will of Christ, submitting ourselves in complete obedience to His lordship.
obedience to Jesus Christ with the desire to see lost souls being saved through the proclamation of this Good News amongst the Cambodian community and beyond. For Christ Himself have said, "I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' – Acts 26:18. Secondly, our mission at Abundant Life Church of Christ is to become disciples of Jesus and become disciple-makers. Disciples are people who have committed in their hearts and minds to follow the thinking and conduct of the Lord Jesus Christ forever. Discipleship is a lifelong experience and journey. Discipleship is a lifelong experience of learning the mind of Christ and following the will of Christ, submitting ourselves in complete obedience to His lordship.
Covenant Partnership/Membership
Joining Abundant Life Church of Christ also means first and foremost partnering with us as a Cambodian community church to furtherance the church's vision and mission which is God's mission to all who follow Jesus in the Cambodian context. At Abundant Life Church of Christ we strongly believe that God has placed each and unique individual in the life of the local church meeting for worship, prayer, encouragement and participation in the mission work of God. We therefore believe that belonging to a local church and being involved is the living organism of Christ’ church. Church membership therefore provides those involved with a number of benefits, such as providing spiritual accountability, connecting you more intimately with the body of Christ, and opening up greater opportunities to serve and be served. But joining a church is not only about what you will gain. As in any relationship, church membership also brings with it a number of important responsibilities and expectations. This list is not exhaustive, but here are 8 important responsibilities that church members have in which we at Abundant Life Church of Christ believe must be freely and willingly adopted by those who desires to be with us as a faithful community church of Jesus Christ, for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
We believe that each member will and should;
I. Attend Regularly
The expectation is not that church members will never miss a Sunday or that they will be a part of every single church function. However, it should be expected that members would prioritize corporate worship with their church family (Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 2:42).
II. Pray Consistently
It is essential that the church be united in prayer, seeking God’s blessing on the work of the church and the Gospel’s impact in your congregation, your community, and beyond (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2).
III. Live Communally
There are many ways to develop relationships with others in the church. Whether you are involved in a ministry team or small group, Bible study, we are called to develop close relationships with others so that you may encourage one another, pray for one another, build one another up, and hold one another accountable as followers of Christ. Don’t run the Christian race alone!
IV. Submit Humbly
Church members are called to submit to the church’s leadership and teaching. Hebrews 13:17 says “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Does this mean that we give blind allegiance even when pastors and elders fail to lead and teach biblically? Of course not! What it does mean is that we are called to support, pray for, and adhere to the spiritual authority of those appointed to positions of church leadership.
V. Preserve Unity
Jesus said “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). All believers are tasked with preserving the peace and unity of the body, overlooking offences when appropriate (Proverbs 19:11), bearing with and forgiving one another (Colossians 3:12-14), and pursue biblical and God-honoring peacemaking when conflicts arise. Quarrelling, gossip, and divisiveness should not mark the life of the believer. We must preserve the unity of the body of Christ in this local context!
VI. Give Generously
While we believe biblically that every believer should tithe their offerings to the Lord; we strongly believe that there will be others who are yet to come to the knowledge of this truth in hearing what God’s purpose and design is for each church in the world. However faithful and obedient giving of tithes is in fact an obedient to God Himself in whom Christ is our Lord. We therefore encourage believers to pray and seek wisdom and guidance in order to better understand God’s design in giving to His local Church in which He has placed us. Our love for the Lord should manifest itself in every area of our lives, including how we make use of the finances He has entrusted to us. Members are to contribute, as the Lord directs, to the financial support of the church and its ministries (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7).
VII. Serve Faithfully
Each of us has been given the ability and the command to serve the Lord in some capacity. Members should eagerly find a place where they can serve and make use of their spiritual gifts for the good of others (Romans 12:1; Ephesians 4:11-13) primarily in the church which God has placed them in. Whatever gifts the Lord has given to you, use it to serve Him faithfully and diligently without compromise and the Lord will surely bless your hands in ways unimagined before.
VIII. Pursue Holiness
The life of the Christian should be marked by an increase in Christlikeness and victory over sin. While we will never be free from sin on this side of eternity, we are called to fight sin and pursue Christ wholeheartedly in this life (Romans 12:2). Regular Bible reading, reflection, prayer, communion, and worship in private should be made an ultimate priority.
While there are a number of responsibilities you as church members have, these are common ways in which you as a member of Abundant Life Church of Christ contribute to the life of this church. Whether an elder, a deacon or a member of this church, we seek to give God all the Glory by being proactive in church life, committed to following and serving the Lord Jesus Christ and to the vision and mission of our church and towards the advancement of God’s Kingdom here on Earth.
We believe that each member will and should;
I. Attend Regularly
The expectation is not that church members will never miss a Sunday or that they will be a part of every single church function. However, it should be expected that members would prioritize corporate worship with their church family (Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 2:42).
II. Pray Consistently
It is essential that the church be united in prayer, seeking God’s blessing on the work of the church and the Gospel’s impact in your congregation, your community, and beyond (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2).
III. Live Communally
There are many ways to develop relationships with others in the church. Whether you are involved in a ministry team or small group, Bible study, we are called to develop close relationships with others so that you may encourage one another, pray for one another, build one another up, and hold one another accountable as followers of Christ. Don’t run the Christian race alone!
IV. Submit Humbly
Church members are called to submit to the church’s leadership and teaching. Hebrews 13:17 says “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Does this mean that we give blind allegiance even when pastors and elders fail to lead and teach biblically? Of course not! What it does mean is that we are called to support, pray for, and adhere to the spiritual authority of those appointed to positions of church leadership.
V. Preserve Unity
Jesus said “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). All believers are tasked with preserving the peace and unity of the body, overlooking offences when appropriate (Proverbs 19:11), bearing with and forgiving one another (Colossians 3:12-14), and pursue biblical and God-honoring peacemaking when conflicts arise. Quarrelling, gossip, and divisiveness should not mark the life of the believer. We must preserve the unity of the body of Christ in this local context!
VI. Give Generously
While we believe biblically that every believer should tithe their offerings to the Lord; we strongly believe that there will be others who are yet to come to the knowledge of this truth in hearing what God’s purpose and design is for each church in the world. However faithful and obedient giving of tithes is in fact an obedient to God Himself in whom Christ is our Lord. We therefore encourage believers to pray and seek wisdom and guidance in order to better understand God’s design in giving to His local Church in which He has placed us. Our love for the Lord should manifest itself in every area of our lives, including how we make use of the finances He has entrusted to us. Members are to contribute, as the Lord directs, to the financial support of the church and its ministries (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7).
VII. Serve Faithfully
Each of us has been given the ability and the command to serve the Lord in some capacity. Members should eagerly find a place where they can serve and make use of their spiritual gifts for the good of others (Romans 12:1; Ephesians 4:11-13) primarily in the church which God has placed them in. Whatever gifts the Lord has given to you, use it to serve Him faithfully and diligently without compromise and the Lord will surely bless your hands in ways unimagined before.
VIII. Pursue Holiness
The life of the Christian should be marked by an increase in Christlikeness and victory over sin. While we will never be free from sin on this side of eternity, we are called to fight sin and pursue Christ wholeheartedly in this life (Romans 12:2). Regular Bible reading, reflection, prayer, communion, and worship in private should be made an ultimate priority.
While there are a number of responsibilities you as church members have, these are common ways in which you as a member of Abundant Life Church of Christ contribute to the life of this church. Whether an elder, a deacon or a member of this church, we seek to give God all the Glory by being proactive in church life, committed to following and serving the Lord Jesus Christ and to the vision and mission of our church and towards the advancement of God’s Kingdom here on Earth.