When Jesus walked the earth, He went about doing good and centralized all His teaching around the Kingdom of God. At FUEL, we believe the best “church-growth model” is the Builder of the Church, Himself: Jesus Christ! We centralize our teachings around the Kingdom of God, and go about “doing good.” The following scriptural principles guide our thinking and planning as we continually seek healing for our city and her citizens.

1. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6). Jesus Christ is the only Solution to society’s problems. Jesus Christ is the only Solution to mankind’s sin. Without Him at the center, there is no lasting solution to any problem. We follow Jesus' example of serving one another, and we do so in His name. In spite of what the social agenda of the times dictate, the greatest need of anyone is his need for deliverance from his sin--not even food, shelter, self-esteem, or community qualify as greater needs.

2. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power” (I Corinthians 4:20). Action is the true sense of the word, “power” in this verse. The Kingdom of God should not consist of empty church buildings all except for two days a week. The Kingdom of God is not about sermons and studies, it is about help and healing—putting into practice what is learned. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is the true conduit of power into the Church of Jesus Christ; operating in that power is the duty and responsibility of the Church.

3. “The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1; I Corinthians 10:26). Our only source for anything (life, breath, food, finances, hope, healing, employment, shelter, creativity, et al) is Adonai, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Without His favor, there is no future. While men give offerings out of their abundance, God is the true Source of the abundance.

4. “For I am the LORD, I change not” (Malachi 3:6). And, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Adonai does not change! His promises are as sure today as when He first spoke them. His requirements of faith and repentance are just as quintessential now as in ages past. His gifts are as available now as when they were first given. Jesus Christ does not change! His love for humanity is just as insatiable now as when He hung on a cross. He is just as alive now as the day He rose. His coming is just as eminent now as when He first promised to return.

5. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). God does not make, send, or cause evil to befall mankind. Therefore, if man or his societies end up in hell, it is their choice by their own freedom of will that sends them. God does not tempt people to sin and He does not send anyone to hell. Satan is a defeated foe and hell an unreachable destination in the lives of believers who live for Christ.

6. “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 8:18). We are to remember Adonai at all times. All efforts should be undertaken in His name, to His glory, for His purposes, according to His will. Nothing that the "community" considers important is valid outside the will, purposes, glory, and name of Jesus Christ, who prepares each individual to qualify to participate in the ultimate Community: the Kingdom of God.

7. “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1). And, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). It is not our responsibility to come up with creative ways to attract people to FUEL or to “make Church relevant” to our society. We are to triumph as the Church of Jesus Christ, building up believers and meeting the needs of others in His name, while fulfilling His Great Commission. We are to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Lord, the Builder, in all our endeavors, operating in His gifts and praying constantly.

8. “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished” (Matthew 5:18). The Word of God is the absolute by which every doctrine, idea, philosophy, ideology, operation, concept, strategy, event, activity, or undertaking of FUEL shall be measured. The Bible is total truth, to be taken in its appropriate context, culture, and language at all times. The Bible is immutable, inerrant, and inspired.

9. “Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy” (Psalm 33:3). FUEL will always include new and loud music celebrating the goodness of Adonai, the love of Jesus, and the movement of the Holy Spirit. Music will be sung and played on musical instruments of all kinds, without apology. The “old hymns of the faith” are as welcome at FUEL as those who love them. However, we will constantly endeavor to sing new songs to the Lord and to shout for joy.

10. “Without faith it is impossible to please God . . .” (Hebrews 11:6). And, “For as the human body apart from the spirit is lifeless, so faith apart from its works of obedience is also dead” (James 2:26). Faith is required for a person to be saved, as we are saved by grace through faith. However, faith must be accompanied by its obedience to be considered “living”: namely, repentance. Faith and repentance are inseparable. Faith can certainly be expressed by a “sinner’s prayer,” but mental assent to a decision for Jesus Christ without true repentance is futile. No one can come to Christ except He be first impacted by Adonai’s Prevenient grace expressed in conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit.

11. “Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?’ And then will I profess unto them, ‘I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity’” (Matthew 7:22-23). Just because people say they're Christians doesn’t necessarily mean they are. True conversions cannot be manipulated into existence. No one should expect assurance of his salvation unless he repents of his sin, begins immediately to bear fruit, and the Holy Spirit bears witness inside him. Altar calls are used to promote prayer and repentance, but not to manipulate sinners into “walking down an aisle” or “taking the hand of a preacher,” which are cheap substitutes for true repentance and faith, with eternal hellfire as the consequence.

12. “There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). And, “But I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is minister of the assembly which is in Cenchrea” (Romans 16:1). We believe God can raise up divorcees, former drug addicts, former alcoholics, people with same-sex attractions, and repentant convicts to minister to the lives of people in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, we believe that if someone is adherent to the tenets outlined in 1 Timothy 3, and has the calling of Jesus Christ on his life, he needs to be affirmed, ordained, and sent to do the work of Jesus Christ.

13. “Jesus said, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Luke 10:27). The most important thing in the Kingdom of God is love! There is no greater motivation—no greater end.