We choose not to divide over beliefs and practices when the Bible itself seems to allow for a variety of interpretations. However, we hold firm to sound doctrine and do our best to challenge people to make God-honoring choices.
Our Church
What We Believe
We believe in the Triune God
We believe in One God Who has forever existed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Deut. 6:4; John 1:1; Romans 8:9).
We believe the Bible is our authoritative standard for belief and conduct
Ours is a Biblical theology. We believe all 66 Books of the Biblical Canon are God-breathed and are profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (Psalm 119:105; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12).
We believe that God loves people
We believe every person bears God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27), is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14), and is loved by God with a Self-initiating, Self-sacrificing, and remarkably patient love (Romans 5:8; Luke 15). In response, we’re called to demonstrate our love for others as Christ demonstrated His love for us (Ephesians 5:1-2).
We affirm the necessity of God’s salvation
As pastor and counselor Jack Miller states, “Cheer up: You’re a worse sinner than you ever dared imagine, and you’re more loved than you ever dared hope.” All have sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 7:14-25; 1 John 1:8-9) and we can’t atone for our ignorance, weakness, disobedience, and rebellion through personal sacrifice, self-improvement, or good works (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9). God graciously offers to save us through faith in Jesus’ accomplished work on the cross and transform us through the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:16; Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
We are committed to the pursuit of Christ-likeness
It’s possible to be really, really religious and miss the point (Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 22:34-40; Luke 3:8; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 5:1-2; James 1:26; 1 John 2:6).
We are committed to the pursuit of unity in Christ
The Bible warns against two extremes – unnecessary arguments and divisions (reflecting a failure to maintain unity) and unholy compromise and concessions (reflecting a failure to abide in Christ). We purposefully seek to avoid both of these extremes.
God’s Word is profound, rich, textured, and nuanced. We choose not to divide over beliefs and practices where a careful study of Scripture allows for a variety of interpretations. How old you were when you were baptized or the amount of water used won’t keep you from becoming a member. Neither will your beliefs regarding who receives the gift of tongues, the precise nature of the elements during the Lord’s Supper, the exact circumstances surrounding Christ’s return, or the relationship between election and choice.
At the same time, freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:1) is a gift from God that comes with boundaries (Romans 6:1-4). The Bible stresses importance of sound doctrine and God-honoring behavior in no uncertain terms (Romans 12:1-2; Romans 14:1-23; Galatians 5:13-17; Titus 1:9). As ambassadors for Christ, we have a responsibility to hold our members accountable to the Holy Scriptures.
We are committed to the whole mission of the Church through the power of the Holy Spirit
The good news and good deeds are inseparable (Luke 9:2; Acts 10:36-38). We are committed to both the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). This includes great attentiveness to matters of compassion and justice (James 1:27; 1 John 3:17-18).
The Holy Spirit fuels our mission (Acts 1:8) and provides both the desire and ability to become the people God created us to be (2 Thessalonians 2:13). The Spirit helps us (John 14:16-17), guides us (John 6:13; Galatians 5:18), gifts us (1 Corinthians 14:1), and transforms us (Galatians 5:22-23).