A&M Church of Christ’s
Four Spiritual Imperatives
The A & M Church of Christ is a Christ-centered family living in the welcoming oasis of God’s love and grace. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we support one another with gentleness and patience as we strive towards maturity in the fullness of Christ. We actively seek to share with others the hope we have found in the truth of Jesus and His Word.
Click here to download a copy of the vision statement and imperatives.
1. Building a Sense of Family
As a large congregation, we have the advantage of having a strong teaching program, and the ability to offer numerous opportunities for children, youth, and families to grow in their faith. However, it is easy to get lost in the crowd.
This imperative challenges us to build stronger families where we treat one another with gentleness and patience. This is to be true in all our family relationships—between spouses, parents, children, siblings, or even extended family. Whatever storms or adversity life might bring our way, we remain committed to treating each other with the grace and commitment of Jesus. We honor these relationships and take them seriously.
As a congregation, we look for opportunities where we can put the needs of others ahead of our own personal interests. We see ourselves as the family of God and the body of Christ. We can never say, “I don’t need you.” Every part of the body should rejoice, suffer, and work together in harmony.
2. Welcoming and Inviting Strangers and Newcomers
Texas A&M University prides itself in its ability to create a sense of friendship and camaraderie among students and alumni. However, the calling of Jesus is far greater. Truly, “no one is a stranger here. Everyone belongs.”
Jesus spent his ministry on earth welcoming strangers and inviting newcomers. He repeatedly offended the sensibilities of the religious class by eating with outsiders. Though he had a special group of followers, he made time for the masses that were like “sheep without a shepherd.” He addressed people in personal ways and physically touched even the lepers. In a memorable phrase, “he had to go through Samaria” (John 4:4) as the Word states.
In all our ministries, we need to raise our sensitivity to strangers and newcomers. Do we invite them in? Is there a place for them in our ministry? Can they clearly understand what we are doing and why we are doing it? Do we have places where we can serve them and include them in what we do? How are we combating the natural tendency to withdraw and remain at arms length?
3. Discovering God in Everyday Life
Our God has not spun the world into motion and then stepped away. He is present, and we can seek Him and have fellowship with Him even in the most mundane of activities. While there are mountaintop and desperate experiences where God seems more real to us, it is important to develop a daily experience of the divine. With every passing hour, as we take each breath of life, God sustains and holds together everything that He has created.
Unfortunately, we drift from this reality. This initiative calls us to be more aware of God’s guiding and sustaining presence—especially as we conduct our ministries. In our business affairs, our planning, our recreation, our family time, our work—in all that we do—we can discover God and live life in ways that are pleasing to Him.
4. Actively Sharing Jesus
There is a big difference between sharing Jesus and actively sharing Jesus. Rather than simply trying to be good, this initiative challenges us to confess and be transparent about our love for Jesus. We do not want to be overbearing or to trample on others, but we seek to honor our Savior in all that we do. We look forward to opportunities where we can give the reason for the hope of our lives.
Our ministries need to reflect intentional sharing of Jesus—His love, His teachings, His way of life. As His followers, we are looking for open doors and fully expect that God will give us exactly what we need to say in every situation.
