A Life and Ministry of Obedience

by Conference Minister Ron Hamilton

The leadership of our Conference has encouraged our membership to join in a CCCC way of life that is based on a passionate obedience to Jesus as we “love God, love others, and as we go, make disciples.” This passion flows from Jesus’ teaching in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. (Matthew 22:37–40 NIV)

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 28:18–20 NIV)

The CCCC Statement of Polity begins with the statement, “We believe that Jesus Christ is the Head of His body, the Church universal, and of each local church.” As Biblical Congregationalists, we confess that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God and shape our lives under His Lordship. We are convinced that individual and corporate faith in Jesus is expressed in daily obedience to Him and His will as revealed in Scripture.

The CCCC Statement of Purpose reflects our desire to live in obedience to Jesus:

1.    To promote the worship of God in our churches. (Love God)
2.    To deepen and extend the fellowship of our churches. (Love others)
3.    To encourage a steadfast, Biblical witness by our churches. (Make disciples)

Every one of us faces many pressures to conform to the image of the world. These pressures not only influence our lives as followers of Jesus but also affect our views of the church and as a fellowship of churches. The world wants us to be an organization that promotes love and good deeds. People expect our churches to operate as businesses. We are challenged to accommodate the expectations of people. While there are good things in all of these expectations, our life together should be nothing less than complete obedience to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It is true that there can be more to faith than “loving God, loving others, and making disciples.” But there can be nothing less. This is the Irreducible Core of the Christian faith and we are called to live in passionate obedience to Jesus in every aspect of our lives. We invite you to join in a CCCC Way of Life that is directed and driven by passionate obedience.