Bridge
of Life Christian Center
Bridge of Life Christian Center is
affiliated with the Assemblies of God with national headquarters
in Springfield, Missouri. We are a church that is reaching
out to every member of the family with ministries and activities
that will be a blessing to each person. In our services, our
worship is blended and filled with contemporary choruses,
as well as traditional choruses and hymns.
What
to expect and Why
“ We’ve never done church this way before!”
If this is your first time at Bridge
of Life Christian Center, you may find our worship service
unlike any you’ve been in before. The format will include
several different aspects. Although we leave opportunity for
the Holy Spirit and God to fully take control of the “order
of service”, the following describes what will ususally
happen during our services. Don’t let a traditional
“hang-up” keep you from something new. We’re
not a traditional church for good reason. Jesus warned that
some religious traditions could actually hinder God’s
work. Matt. 15:6. So we have endeavored to let the scripture,
rather than tradition be our guide. Stick around, observe
and feel free to participate with us today.
Jubilant
Worship
We usually begin ‘church’
with a time of congregational singing. Although this is a
common practice in most churches, there may be a few surprises
awaiting you. First of all our worship is enthusiastic. To
someone who comes from a more traditional background, this
may be a bit of a shock. Often church is pictured as a place
only of quiet contemplation. Nothing could be farther from
what the Bible teaches. We do have periods of stillness, but
also times of loud rejoicing. Heaven’s like that. The
apostle John describes heaven as a place of thunderous praise
and loud music. Rev 5:11,12. When Jesus came to Jerusalem
on Palm Sunday, loud praise greeted Him. John 12:13. In the
temple He was surrounded by children shouting their praise.
Matt. 21:15. Worship is something to be enjoyed. Once you
really get into it, 20 minutes seems less then adequate. God
invites us to rise above our earthly environment and commune
with Him. This can require longer than we might think, but
once you’ve laid aside distractions and “pressed”
through, you will find yourself arriving at a place of “High
Praise” Ps. 149:6 and the language of the heart overrides
the clutter of the ordinary. I encourage you; since you’ve
come to church to “find out” more about God, don’t
waste your visit by shutting down before you’ve really
arrived.
Spiritual
Gifts 
Usually during our worship times, there will be the demonstration
of “spiritual gifts”. If you’re used to
hearing only the pastor or some other leader speak in church,
this will also be different for you. As different as it may
appear, it is clear from the Bible that God intends for different
members of the church to minister. We believe in the “Priesthood
of the believer”. I Peter 2:9. In other words all of
God’s people with proper training and faith can express
“gifts” from God if they do it at the proper time
and place. One of those “gifts” you may observe
today could be the gift of prophecy. This is a vocal gift
that involves the person speaking out to the congregation
a message they believe they’ve received from God. The
message can be uplifting, comforting and challenging. I Cor.
14:3. Scripture teaches that those who hear it must analyze
its value for them with a sincere heart. Another gift that
may be expressed is the gift of tongues. This involves the
speaker giving an utterance that is in a language unknown
to the speaker and the listener. After it’s given, it
will be followed by an “interpretation” in English.
As with prophecy this message must be evaluated by the listener
with a sincere but discerning heart.
You may also hear individuals speaking to themselves in tongues.
The apostle Paul taught that this expression is for personal
building up and not something for the entire congregation.
I Cor. 14:28.
Other gifts that may be in operation
today can be gifts of healing, words of wisdom and knowledge.
1 Cor. 12:9,10. All of these gifts are for the exalting of
God and for the building up of those who are in attendance.
Offering
and Announcements
If you’ve ever been in a church
service, you know there’s almost always an offering.
Those who attend here regularly support the church with their
tithes, (one-tenth of their income) as well as offerings to
special projects such as relief of the poor and support of
missionaries.
As for our guest, we only ask that you fill out and turn in
a welcome card.
Sermon
 "The
preaching of the Word of God is lively and soul-stirring in
most Assemblies of God churches. A great deal of time is spent
seeking the Lord for each individual message. The spiritual
diet is "balanced" and the ultimate goal is for
every believer to be edified and drawn closer to Christ with
messages that are anointed, relevant, challenging, powerful,
and life changing. To assist each attendee in making the most
of their worship experience at Bridge of Life, notes and sermon
helps are usually displayed through the church's powerpoint
system, thus enhancing the effectiveness of communication
and assisting the listener in note-taking. Join us soon at
Bridge of Life.....where the Holy Spirit has a fresh word
from the Lord for you!"
Prayer
Times and Altar Services
 These
are parts of the church meeting where individuals are invited
to receive special attention for spiritual needs ie. prayer
for sickness or spiritual direction. The pastor may invite
people to come forward for prayer. Jesus said that a public
acknowledgement of Him would result in his special blessing.
He called all his apostles publicly. He publicly prayed for
the sick and hurting. When Jesus ministered to people at times
“great emotion” was expressed. Luke 17:15. Although
people crying publicly and struggling with deep issues of
the heart may appear out of place in our sanitized 21st century
American culture, it was a serious part of all Bible life.
God’s people wept, shouted, knelt, shook and even fell
down when overcome by the deep emotion of an encounter with
God. Rev. 1:17. From Moses to the apostle John, the scriptures
are full of accounts where people did the unusual when confronted
with the reality of a God who knows all things and requires
complete honesty and openness when we approach Him.
Questions
Should you have questions or concerns about any part of our
service , please feel free to ask any of our hosts or hostesses
to introduce you to one of our pastoral staff. Any of them
will be more then willing to address your questions.
How We Worship
Why do we stand and sing?
"Then some levites...Stood Up and praised the Lord, the
God of Israel with a very loud voice.: (2 Chron. 20:19). "After
this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that
no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language,
Standing before the throne in front of the Lamb." (Rev.
7:9)
Why do we lift our hands?
"I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name
will Lift Up My Hands." (Psalm 63.4). "Lift Up your
Hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord." (Psalm 134:2).
"I want men everywhere to Lift Up Holy Hands in prayer
without anger or disputing." (I Tim. 2:8).
Why do we dance?
"Let them praise His name in the Dance." (Psalm
149.3). "David Danced before the Lord with all his might."
(2 Samuel 6:14)
Why do we shout?
"Come let us sing for joy to the Lord, let us Shout Aloud
to the rock of our salvation." (Psalm 95:1). "Shout
for Joy to the Lord all the earth, burst into jubilant song
with music." (Psalm 98:4)
Why do we pray in tongues and in English?
"For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind
is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my
spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with
my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind." (1 Cor
14:14-15).
Why do we Prophesy?
"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual
gifts, especially the gift of prophecy." (1 Cor 14:1).
"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given
for the common good....to another miraculous powers, to another
prophecy" (1 Cor 12:7, 10).
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