ALC Distinctives
Body participation
Body participation is in keeping with I Cor 14:23, "Whenever you come together, each of you has...". In modern day parlance it might be called 'crowd sourcing'. What a rich tool God gave the Early Church... and we’re rediscovering this treasure in our gatherings! Our ability to flow together in unity is increasing in coherence and effectiveness. With a seasoned facilitator in charge, we begin to find our way into Father's mind and heart until the whole body is activated and the earth and heavenly realms around us are impacted with the co-governing of God's maturing saints.
Heaven is here, heaven is now
Our narratives and dialog are becoming confident hope-filled Heaven-based prayers, confessions, and declarations. We are moving away from plaintiff and beggar postures and into the 'finished work of the Cross' mindsets. We're exchanging perspectives of 'not yet and not me'... and moving AWAY from any 'distance and delay' of God's promises... TO... a more Biblical 'it is finished' persuasion and "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness" (II Pet 1:3).
What is Father doing now?
We're moving away from programmed agenda in our gatherings to responding to what Father is doing among us in the moment, in keeping with “These are the sons of God, they which are led by the Spirit of God” (Rms 8:14). This dynamic creates lots of freedom... and also requires a lot more responsibility to hear on the Spirit level and respond in ‘real time’. Our objective is partially enhanced with activations and body participation until "we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ" (Eph 4:15).
Activations
This is where we put into practice what we've just seen, heard, or learned... where knowledge becomes experiential... where we move from hearers to doers, in keeping with, "... be doers of the word, and not hearers only..." (Jms 1:22). The inarguable premise that 'exercise fosters growth', is Father's rich invitation to us all (Heb 5:14 – “… solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”)
House of abundance
We're moving away from the mindset of lack and need, to a more Biblical perspective, "but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing" (Ps 34:10). With this in mind we don't make appeals for our own causes... although we may recommend other honorable causes. This of course, requires much greater responsibility to know that we're embracing what's on God's heart, because we know that 'God's will is God's bill!'
Family fellowship meal
In the Early Church, "... they broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts..." (Acts 2:46). Our family meals foster heart bonding and sharing of desires and testimonies. These times of fellowship also create a potential for relationships to continue to grow. We almost always have a shared meal where everyone is invited to contribute a portion of food for all.
Transitioning from mind to spirit
Since our greater realities in the Spirit realm are not limited by the norms of the earthly realm and they do not operate by earth modes, we must begin to untether from past earthly mindsets of our natural mind and aspire to a 'renewed mind' status. This is where we invite our spirit to be our leader (under Holy Spirit, of course) and require our soul and body to serve our spirit. A great incentive and invitation is knowing that mature sons and daughters are defined by; "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God" (Rms 8:14).
Relocate from earth to Heaven
For 2000 years we've tried to be good earth-based Christians. Now we're inspired to fully manifest as Heaven-based sons! Earthly mindsets have kept us from experiencing many Biblical truths. But as we become Bible believing believers, we begin to eagerly relocate to our Heavenly identity and location and explore all the ramifications that this reality holds. This opens up exhilarating vistas and frontiers of discovery that will inspire us for millennia, "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:6). Happy growing ahead!
Shared in common
As individuals discover inspiring and relevant videos, books, testimonies, etc., they are shared throughout ALC. This yields a greater growth progress... enjoyed by the finder and by the receiver. Revelation, rhema and trophies are contagious and inspire even more sincere desire for personal growth. This sharing is in keeping with, "And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul...", "and shared all things in common" (Act 4:32, 2:44).
Equipped for a new age
Powerful scriptures and the signs of the times have motivated us to align ourselves with the values and mindsets that are commensurate with the current changing of ages. Knowing that each age has a different set of values, prescribed policies, and mode of operation, we’re beginning to exercise in areas that are biblical, but not necessarily common to traditional Christianity. Although we highly honor and bless our heritage and all that God has done in His larger body, we realize that just like moving from BC to AD, we must be willing and eager to move with Him into His new emphasis. It is our understanding that living in the Heavenly realities is part of His new emphasis. With that in mind we are inspired to exercise in the above values and practices so that like Joshua and Caleb we can say with full faith, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (Num 13:30).
Mentoring and discipleship
Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt 10:8). With this in mind… and because of the fresh inspiration that ascended life has created in our hearts and lives… we have a monthly in-person meeting and several regular zooms – including an ALC School. Mentoring and mutual encouragement are freely exchanged. As this new age emerges, it’s our desire that Father will find a great company of sincere sons of God fulfilling Isa 2:3; “Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths… .’”
Ascended Life Community
Email: alc.one@email.com – Web: www.ALC.one
Kansas City, MO USA