Primary, Secondary, Tertiary

Some things are more important than others. They just are. Unfortunately, we all seem to have different ideas about what those important things are. So, we defer to Scripture at TDC. Makes sense, right? We hold tightly to the things Scripture says we should. Other things are open to discussion...Confused yet?

We see several things within the Church (Universal, not just ours locally), doctrinally and in its expression, that define it and could potentially cause dissention within it. We want to avoid that here and only fight for the things that desrve our time and attention, so we have put a system in place by which we "grade" theological and/or practical issues according to their Biblical importance. We have labeled them Primary, Secondary, and Tertiarry issues. Refer to the chart below for a bit further information...and to Acts 15 for an idea of what we are talking about...

Primary issues would be things like the Divinity of Christ, Salvation in Him alone, and the authority of Scripture (the things listed on the "what we believe" page). These things we hold tightly to and will fight for- they are the foundation on which we build all that we are and do. Secondary issues would be things like spiritual gifting and end-time doctrine. These are not foundational to the Gospel, and therefore there is wiggle room, as long as people are holding Biblically defensible views. Tertiary issues historically are the place where most of our arguing and bickering in the church arises, yet strangely they are the thinigs that Scripture teaches we should give the most freedom on. This may include the type of music you play in worship, the instruments we use, the way we dress, or even the colors on the walls and carpet. Culrture dictates much of this, and we hold it very loosely, with much room for interpretation, growth, and change.