Pastor Frank Friedmann has shepherded the flock at Grace Life fellowship since 1991. He was a pastor for eight years before Father opened His eyes to the glories of the New Covenant and what Jesus really secured for us on the cross. At that point the emphasis of Frank’s ministry took a dramatic turn.
In Frank’s own words, “I used to minister knowledge, now I seek to minister Life.”
That is what Jesus is all about. Bringing life to mankind, not just when we get to heaven in the sweet bye and bye, but right now as we walk this earth, we as mankind can have and experience the “Zoe Life” of God, Life as God lives it, right now, flowing in and through us by faith.
In 2003, the congregation which was then known as Quail Ridge Bible Church decided to change its name to reflect the life we experience in Christ.
Frank and his wife, Janet, have been married for twenty-five years. They have four children: Les-Leigh Cargill, Ben, Morgan, and Avery.
Our Distinctives
Every church has its own way of going about God's "kingdom business." While the Bible gives us some very specific commands about WHAT we as a church should be doing, it does not in most cases prescribe exactly HOW we are to go about these tasks. We believe this is in keeping with Christian freedom, the creative purposes of God, cultural and generational changes, and the unique personalities and callings of individual congregations in the larger body of Christ.
Because we don't want people to be disillusioned at GLF, we feel it's important to explain how we try to do things. Some people may see our methods spelled out in black and white and decide they don't like our style. And if so, that's okay. We recognize that the body of Christ is large and diverse. As such, each individual comes with a unique set of expectations. Here is a quick overview of our distinct way of "doing" ministry:
Restful Work
We trust that as believers God delights in us! Nothing we do can make us more acceptable to or loved by Him. As such, we do not work or serve in order to earn acceptance and love. Instead, we work from a position of rest, overflowing with the amazing LIFE we have received.
"Every Member" Ministry
If you are looking for a traditional church where the senior pastor is the minister--the only person competent to counsel you, pray for you, encourage you, visit you when you're sick--you will be disappointed at GLF. We believe and teach that every believer, not just hired staff, is created, saved, called, gifted, authorized, and commanded to minister. We don't believe a single pastor or even a pastoral staff can meet the many needs of a diverse congregation.
Equipping the Saints
Our worship service is primarily a time for believers to be challenged and equipped. We gather on Sunday for worship, teaching, and encouragement; we scatter Monday through Saturday to "go be the church." We are called and equipped to release the Life of Christ 24/7 in all our interactions. We are not simply to soak up knowledge and "place it under a bowl" (Luke 8:16); we are to be a light in the world.
Servanthood Emphasis
The Bible says that serving, rather than being served, is the heart of the Christian life (Matthew 20:28). Those who come to GLF only to get and receive and get tended to and be ministered to are fully loved and accepted here. However, we believe and teach that although we do not earn God's acceptance through works, serving is a natural outpouring of the Grace we have received by faith.
No Guilt!
Subsequently, we don't typically beg, badger, or nag people in an attempt to get them involved. We invite the participation of anyone and everyone who shares our heart for ministry. We will gladly work with anyone who wants to grow and serve, but we don't feel responsible to try to coerce people into involvement when they are not ready for that level of commitment.
A Dependence on the Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit has provided our local body with all the spiritually gifted people need to do everything He wants done. Our task is to discover, train, and support these people in ministry. If we find we are without the necessary resources to fund or "man" a particular ministry, we realize that may be a leading of God to go in a new or different direction. The clear leading of the Spirit of God (not historical precedents or a majority vote) determines what ministries we will engage in and support. We are not an autocratic body that maintains a set-in-stone list of approved ministries; rather, we seek to be a "permission-giving" church, releasing our members into new ministries that are in line with the body's needs, individuals' gifts and desires, and the overall vision of GLF.
For more about our core beliefs and doctrine, please check out the GLF Constitution.