Based on what the Bible teaches and who we are as theCHURCH, we feel very strongly about the following practices:
A Self-Governing and Interdependent Church.
“Christ is the head of his body, the church.” – Colossians 1:18
Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any person, group, or religious denomination. While recognizing the value of associating or cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe that every local church should be self-governing.
We also recognize the value of interdependence among our campus locations. Depending upon one another is necessary for maintaining unity throughout our different locations. Staying true to what we believe and practice, sharing resources and support, making things work in different cultures and contexts, holding each other accountable, and working toward our common vision and mission means we need to depend on one another – while still being able to make our own decisions. This is at the heart of what it means to be a self-governing and interdependent church.
Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any person, group, or religious denomination. While recognizing the value of associating or cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe that every local church should be self-governing.
We also recognize the value of interdependence among our campus locations. Depending upon one another is necessary for maintaining unity throughout our different locations. Staying true to what we believe and practice, sharing resources and support, making things work in different cultures and contexts, holding each other accountable, and working toward our common vision and mission means we need to depend on one another – while still being able to make our own decisions. This is at the heart of what it means to be a self-governing and interdependent church.
Believers Baptism.
“Having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith…” – Colossians 2:12
We practice believers baptism, meaning that baptism is appropriately administered by full immersion and only to those who give a thoughtful profession of faith in Jesus Christ. We believe that baptism comes after faith in Jesus, rather than before.
We practice believers baptism, meaning that baptism is appropriately administered by full immersion and only to those who give a thoughtful profession of faith in Jesus Christ. We believe that baptism comes after faith in Jesus, rather than before.
Monthly Communion.
“...do this in remembrance of me.” – Luke 22:19
We practice communion on the first Sunday of every month. We believe communion is a reminder and a celebration of all that Jesus has done for us in His atoning death. The bread is symbolic of His body broken for us; the wine is symbolic of His blood shed for us.
We practice communion on the first Sunday of every month. We believe communion is a reminder and a celebration of all that Jesus has done for us in His atoning death. The bread is symbolic of His body broken for us; the wine is symbolic of His blood shed for us.
Orderly Worship.
“But all things should be done decently and in order.” – 1 Corinthians 14:40
We practice an orderly worship service that promotes unity in the church. While we see the value and the benefit of using the various spiritual gifts God gives his people, in our worship services we strive to make it easier for people to know Jesus by creating an irresistible environment that the churched, the unchurched and the de-churched all desire to be a part of. We see the work of the Holy Spirit in our planning as much as our meeting together. Our services consist of welcome, music, preaching, prayer, and sharing vision.
We practice an orderly worship service that promotes unity in the church. While we see the value and the benefit of using the various spiritual gifts God gives his people, in our worship services we strive to make it easier for people to know Jesus by creating an irresistible environment that the churched, the unchurched and the de-churched all desire to be a part of. We see the work of the Holy Spirit in our planning as much as our meeting together. Our services consist of welcome, music, preaching, prayer, and sharing vision.
The Unity of Scripture.
“Then [Jesus] said to them, ‘these are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’” – Luke 24:44
We believe that the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is one unified story pointing to Jesus. All of God’s promises are fulfilled in Christ and applied to God’s people, the church. The story ends with Jesus and his church inheriting the new heaven and the new earth. We teach and practice the unity of Scripture.
We believe that the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is one unified story pointing to Jesus. All of God’s promises are fulfilled in Christ and applied to God’s people, the church. The story ends with Jesus and his church inheriting the new heaven and the new earth. We teach and practice the unity of Scripture.
Unique Leadership Roles.
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:27
We believe that both men and women were created in the image of God, to be used and valued in God’s church according to their gifting. While we believe that the role of pastor or overseer is reserved for called and qualified men (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1), we practice unique leadership roles that allow men and women to lead in all other areas of ministry within the church, including the role of bible teaching. Both men and women have unique, God-given roles, and we are committed to living those roles out with humility, honor, and a spirit of teamwork.
We believe that both men and women were created in the image of God, to be used and valued in God’s church according to their gifting. While we believe that the role of pastor or overseer is reserved for called and qualified men (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1), we practice unique leadership roles that allow men and women to lead in all other areas of ministry within the church, including the role of bible teaching. Both men and women have unique, God-given roles, and we are committed to living those roles out with humility, honor, and a spirit of teamwork.
Local Outreach.
“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” – Jeremiah 29:7
While we see the value in, and support, global outreach initiatives, there are people who don’t know that they can know Jesus right in our own backyard. We practice local community outreach first and foremost as our means of making disciples right here at the “end of the earth” (Acts 13:47).
While we see the value in, and support, global outreach initiatives, there are people who don’t know that they can know Jesus right in our own backyard. We practice local community outreach first and foremost as our means of making disciples right here at the “end of the earth” (Acts 13:47).