IDENTITIES
In order for us to stay on mission we strive to live by what we call our identities at Open Door. We use the term identity for a reason. An identity is a state of being, it’s who you are. We believe that if we will be who God has called us to be that He will enable us to do what He’s called us to do. Doing flows out of being. God has called us to be disciples. We believe that these four identities are a picture of what a disciple is.
WE ARE FAMILY
This identity emphasizes the relational aspect of discipleship. Ephesians 2:19 says, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” The grace of Jesus has taken strangers from every walk of life and united them as family under the roof of God’s household.
WE ARE WORSHIPERS
This identity emphasizes that the life of a disciple is worship. Romans 12:1 makes it clear that God isn’t simply interested in the songs of worship we sing to him. He wants our lives to be a song of worship that points to His glory and goodness in our lives. Paul wrote, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
WE ARE LEARNERS
This identity emphasizes the centrality of God’s Word in discipleship. Matthew 28:20 says that as we make disciples we are to teach them to observe (or obey) all that Jesus commanded. How do we do that? Through learning what Jesus taught in the Bible.
WE ARE MISSIONARIES
This identity emphasizes a disciple’s love based motivation to reach all people with the Gospel. Could there be any better work than making disciples? Matthew 28:19 gives us the clear directive to go and make disciples. This means wherever I go (or as I am going) I am a missionary making disciples through my words, attitudes, and actions.