The Next Chapter isn't about the leaders of tomorrow, or even the next generation of the church. We want our youth to understand that God desires to have a close, intimate relationship with them right now, a relationship that only comes about when we obey the Scriptures. The Bible never instructs us to wait until we are more mature, or knowledgeable, or even skilled, before we begin to take God's Word seriously and consider what plans and purposes the Lord has for our lives. According to God's Word, we are to be leaders, even today, who earnestly desire to honor and serve our Lord in all our thoughts and actions. In Titus 2: 7-8 Paul addresses a young man, Titus, and tells him in all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. As a young man, Titus was to be an example, a pattern, to all other believers in many areas of his life including in his doctrine, his speech and his sincerity.

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In the world, our youth hears "You're only young once, live it up!"  In turn we, as adults, often excuse such immorality and worldly living by saying, "They're just kids." Certainly young Christians come up short more frequently, than say... a seasoned Christian. However, to excuse this would be a disservice to them. Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, tells us in Ecclesiastes 12:1 ...remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth. Notice he didn't say to "Live it up now and when you're older you can serve God." If anything, he said just the opposite. RIGHT NOW is the time to focus on your relationship with God. 

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Our vision for The Next Chapter is to raise up leaders. In order to be a true leader, you must have people that are willing to follow you. If your life is the same as everyone else’s, then what do you have to offer that's unique? We want to grow the church, and ultimately, the kingdom of God. We are going to do that by living a life that attracts others and offers an element that cannot be found outside of the LOVE of Jesus Christ. We draw this vision from another young man in the Bible, Timothy. In 1 Tim. 4:12 Paul told Timothy, a younger man in the faith, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity". God specifically commands us, as young people, to be leaders…to LEAD by example. We are to understand God's instructions to us, and then let the world watch us grow in our spiritual walk with the Lord.

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Under the banner of the Lincoln Church of God…City On A Hill, our Pastor’s desire is that our church be a beacon of light to this community. That the wanderers know our doors are open for them to escape the elements and find a comforting place to call HOME. So, to be a beacon of light requires that we emit light, and to emit light we must Glow.

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The Next Chapter G.L.O.W.S. by:

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G     -Growing in our maturity with Christ.

L      -Loving like Christ.

O     -Obeying the Word of God and all persons of authority.

W     -Witnessing to the lost.

S      -Serving our church, family, and community.