what we believe

As we see it, there are two ways you can go to adapt to the contemporary context in which we live. You can either 1) change the message, or 2) change the method of communication. You could think of these two dynamics as 1) substance and 2) style, also.

Many churches are opting to change the substance of the message. They become very liberal in terms of their definition of Truth, yet, ironically, are very conservative stylistically. They want to sing the old hymns, wear the robes, chime the hour, meet at the same time and do things the way things have always been done before...

We are just the opposite. Stylistically, we are very liberal– we feel the Truth of Christ has been given for all people in all times in all settings- and that Truth must be communicated in fresh and exciting ways. Our God, the One True God, is the Creator, and we are much like Him (as we are created in His image) when we are creative. Yet the message we share, the Truth we express, is non-negotiable. Truth does not change. It is constant.

What you will see from our beliefs is that we are, in actuality, theologically very conservative. Probably more conservative than many other churches... Our passion is to communicate– and live– the Truth of Christ in a way that intersects with the world in which we live, thereby living and re-telling the ancient story of God's love for us.

We believe this Statement of Faith is an accurate summary of what Scripture teaches...

About the Bible

We believe the Bible is God’s Word to all of humanity. It was written by humanity under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is our source for authority and beliefs. We believe the entire Word of God is truth without error. II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; I Peter 1:25; Psalm 19:7; Psalm 119:11,105,160; Exodus 24:4; Matthew 5:17-18

About God

We believe in one God who created and sustains the universe. He has existed for all eternity in three distinct Persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and are one. He is personal, all knowing, all-powerful, all-present, and all-good. He is both holy and love. Jesus refers to God as Father. God is communal, in and of Himself. As we were created in His image, then, we too were created to live in community. Genesis 1:1, 1:26-27, 3:22; Exodus 3:14; Psalm 90:2; Jeremiah 10:10; Leviticus 22:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14; Deuteronomy 6:4, 32:6

About Jesus Christ

We believe Jesus Christ is the way to the Father. He is the Son of God. He is coequal with God and has always existed. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus lived a sinless life. He died on the cross for our sins. He arose from the dead after three days. He ascended to heaven; and all authority has been given to Him. Our salvation is secure in His power over death and sin. He will return again to reign forever. Isaiah 7:14, 9:6, 53:1-12; Matthew 1:18-23; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13

About the Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit is coequal with God and has always existed. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. He is present in the lives of those who are followers of Christ. He brings salvation and new life. The Holy Spirit dwells in every believer from the moment of salvation. He provides assurance, power, direction, guidance, conviction and service. The Holy Spirit imparts spiritual gifts to believers for the purpose of equipping them to serve one another. We do not believe there are any greater or lesser gifts, nor do some spiritual gifts necessarily display a certain degree of spiritual maturity. Every Christian should seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to yield to daily leadership of the Holy Spirit. Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; John 14:16-17,26; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12,3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18

About Humanity

We believe men and women are created in the image of God to have fellowship with Him forever. Humanity is the supreme and crowning work of God's creation. However, humanity has turned from God toward sin. This sinful disobedience separates us from God and cause problems with other people. The final result of sin is spiritual death and eternal separation from God. Genesis 1:26-30,2:5; Isaiah 6:5; Psalm 32:1-5; Jeremiah 17:5; Matthew 16:20; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; Romans 3:10-18,23; Romans 7:14-25; Romans 8:14-18; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; Ephesians 2:1-22; Colossians 1:21-22,3:9-11

About Salvation

We believe that salvation only comes through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Christ died on the cross for all sins and for all people. Jesus Christ is the only way people can restore their broken relationship with God and receive salvation. If there were another way to obtain salvation, then Jesus Christ would not have come to earth to die on the cross. Salvation is a free gift from God; though it is free, we must accept it. We cannot earn or merit our salvation. When a person repents (turns from sin) and believes (turns to God in Jesus Christ), they convert and receive salvation and a new life. Salvation restores our relationship with God (justification), moves us to become like Christ (sanctification and finalizing of its purpose when we are made like Christ at death or His Second Coming-- glorification). Salvation is only by the grace and power of God, not by our efforts as Christians. Therefore, we can never lose the gift of salvation. Romans 3:23,5:8,6:23,10:9-10,10:13; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; Galatians 3:26; John 10:29; Hebrews 7:25,10:10-14; I Peter 1:3-5; II Timothy 1:12; Titus 3:5

About the Church

We believe that the Head of the church is Jesus Christ. The church is both universal and local. It is universal in the sense that it is composed of "positional members". Scripture is full of references to the once-and-for-all relationship we have with Christ, which happens the instant we give our life to Christ and decide to follow Him. At that moment, we become a "positional member" in the body of Christ. "Positional Membership" is eternal and unchanging. The church is local in the sense that it is composed of "participating members." The Bible urges "positional members" to continue in their spiritual growth journey before becoming "participating members" in a specific local church. During the course of a lifetime a person may be a "participating member" of several different local churches while maintaining a permanent "positional membership" in the Body of Christ. We cannot see the invisible bond of "positional membership" in the Body of Christ, but we can identify those who are the "participating members" here at the Church. Church members are to model the life of Christ. The two ordinances of the church are baptism and the Lord's Supper. The church has pastors, elders, and deacons in servant leadership roles. The leaders of the church are to model the servant leadership of Christ. We believe the local church is autonomous and independent from any external authority or control. The purpose of the church is to glorify God by loving Him and by making Him known to a lost world. Also, we believe the church is ancient-future, in that we are a continuation of the church which, historically, was birthed in Acts. "Positional Membership" in the church, then, links followers of Christ with believer past, present, and future. Matthew 16:15-19; Acts 2:41-47; Acts 5:11-14; Acts 14:23; Acts 14:27; Acts 15:1-30; Romans 1:7:; I Corinthian’s 1:2; I Corinthian's 3:16; I Corinthians 5:4-5; Ephesians 1:22-23; I Timothy 3:1-15; I Peter 5:1-4; Ephesians 3:8-11; John 17:20-21

About Faith and Practice

We believe that Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. This church recognizes that it cannot bind the conscience of "participating members" in areas where Scripture is silent. Rather, each believer is to be led in those areas by the Lord. Each Christian is ultimately responsible to God. However, we must not forget that we are responsible for each other. Romans 14