Doctrine and Values

  [Jump to: Values]

About Scripture…

That the scriptures, both the old and new testaments, were verbally inspired by God, inerrant in the original writings, and that they are supreme and final in authority, faith, and life. (2 timothy 3:16-17, 2 peter 1:20-21

About God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit…

That there is one God eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-equal in power and glory, identical in their essential nature, attributes, and perfection. (Matthew 28:19, Genesis 1:1, Hebrews 1:1-3, Acts 5:3-4, John 10:30) That the Lord Jesus Christ was begotten in the flesh by the Holy Spirit through the Virgin Mary, being thus true God and true man and the only Mediator between God and man. (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18-25, John 1:14, 1 Timothy 2:5, Philippians 2:5-8) That the Holy Spirit is that person of the Triune Godhead who convicts men of sin and indwells believers for a life of victory and seals them unto the “Day of Redemption.” John 14:16-17, 16:7-12, Ephesians 1:3-14

About mankind’s dire situation…

That man was created by God in His image, not a product of evolution; but that man fell into sin and thereby incurred to himself and his posterity not only physical death, but also that spiritual death which is separation from God, and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature and are totally depraved, having no spark of divine life. Genesis 1:26-27, Romans 3:10 & 23, 5:12, Ephesians 2:1-3 That Satan is a personality, that he is the archenemy of God and man, that he seeks to discredit and dishonor God and to deceive those whom God would save. Job 1:6-7, Ephesians 6:11-12

About salvation…

That the Lord Jesus Christ voluntarily died as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins, and that all who believe in Him are justified by His death, burial, and resurrection. Romans 5:8, 3:23-26 That salvation is not of works, but by grace alone, and that all who receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith as their personal Savior are born again of the Holy Spirit and baptized by Him into that spiritual body (the Church) of which Christ is the Head. Ephesians 2:8-10, John 1:11-13, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Colossians 1:18

About the church…

That the Church is the living Body of Christ on earth; He is its head and the source of its life. The body is composed of those who have received Him as Savior and Lord. Ephesians 1:20-22, Acts 2:41-42 That the Church exists to celebrate the life of God (worship), cultivate personal growth in Christ (discipleship), care about one another in Christ (fellowship & ministry), and communicate Christ to the world (evangelism). Colossians 3:21, Ephesians 4:11-13, Romans 12:3-16, Acts 1:8

About baptism…

That water baptism by immersion and the Lord’s supper are the only ordinances of the church in this age. Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 11:26 About the Christian life… About Jesus’ return… That our Lord is personally coming again, first to receive His own to Himself and later to set up His earthly kingdom according to His promises. We believe that this blessed hope has a vital bearing on our personal life and service. John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Titus 2:13-14, 1 John 3:1-3

 

Values . . .

1. We value spiritual growth.

We seek to help people grow spiritually so that each person can become a fully devoted follower of Christ, not only in word but in deed.

2. We value biblically centered preaching and teaching.

We strive to teach God’s word with integrity so that the unsaved will find Christ and believers will mature in their faith. (2 Timothy 3:16)

3. We value relationships.

We desire to be a compassionate body of believers where people listen to, support and forgive one another in an atmosphere of honesty and transparency.

4. We value harmonious ministry.

We encourage all people to use their unique gifts while understanding that we honor God best in a spirit of unity, meaning the good of the whole supersedes the desires of the individual.

5. We value biblical community.

We encourage believers to draw strength and wisdom from one another in small group and discipleship settings.

6. We value humility and grace.

We believe that grace is the reason we’ve been granted new life in Christ, that God is the God of second chances and that our love for Him and each other is served best through an attitude of brokenness before Him.

7. We value reaching out to others with the good news of Christ.

We are called to be salt and light and therefore must learn to relate to, share our faith with and love people in our community unconditionally, no matter how different from us they might be.

8. We value people-friendliness.

We want visitors to feel our church is a place where they are welcome, where they are accepted and where their spiritual growth is encouraged.

9. We value Godly leadership.

We desire to have leaders who speak and model Christ’s values to the congregation, and who boldly guide the church through changing times and circumstances.

10. We value families and children.

We believe that children learn and grow best in a family setting, and we strive to support husbands and wives in raising their children for God’s glory and in growing closer to one another.

11. We value excellence in all that we do.

We believe God is honored when we give Him our “first fruits” and, thus, encourage people to honor him through the best of our time, talents and treasures.

12. We value contemporary praise and worship.

While respecting the traditions of the past, we want to be a flexible church that offers Christ’s never-changing message of redemption in a worship setting that’s relevant to our changing times.

13. We value prayer.

We want to seek God on bended knees, knowing that prayer must gird all that we do.

14. We value humor.

We want to be a church leavened with humor, which draws us nearer to one another and helps us celebrate our joy in Christ.

---