Purpose
Statement of Faith
Last Updated on Thursday, 12 March 2009 15:48 Written by Admin Tuesday, 10 February 2009 18:42
Statement of Faith | Pathways to Grow | |
Section 1 - The Word of GodWe believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority authority in all matters of faith and practice. Section 2 - The TrinityWe believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons; that these are equal in every divine perfection; and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption. Section 3 - God the FatherWe believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal, spirit perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayers; and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. Section 4 - Jesus ChristWe believe in Jesus Christ , God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, and ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth. Section 5 - The Holy SpiritWe believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide. Section 6 - SalvationWe believe that all men are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that those who put their trust in Jesus Christ alone are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and receive God's free gift of salvation. Section 7 - The ChurchWe believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body, of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible confession of faith, and associated for worship, work, and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the member of the local church the primary task of giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. Section 8 - Religious LibertyWe believe that every human being has direct relations with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority. Section 9 - The Last ThingsWe believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal blessing of the righteous, and the eternal suffering of the wicked. | EvangelismI see burning hearts that are broken and weeping for the lost people; hearts that are consumed and compelled to tell the most incredible news story of all time; You matter to God ... so much that God personally took a sledge hammer and beat down the wall of sin between you and Him by making His Son pay the sin penalty instead of you. Inspiring WorshipI hear a church where the music melts the hardest of hearts; where worship is a witness, winning the minds of disbelief and drawing believers ever closer to God. ServanthoodI see a people with the heart of Mother Theresa; with weathered and worn hands eager to serve rather than be served; impassioned servants who clearly see the bigger picture ... that exchanging eighty years of temporary pleasure for the opportunity to make a difference in the life of people, is no loss but only of great gain. Marriage and FamilyI see husbands and wives who value their marriage and their families above their careers; who crucify "self" in order to sacrificially love their life-mate; husbands and wives who see their spouse as their primary ministry. FellowshipI see a family that intentionally loves, aggressively protects, and mindfully builds up one another; a place where encouragement and forgiveness are practiced and gossip and slander are not tolerated. ChurchI see excited people who have redefined "Church"... not as a one-hour, once-a-week quota to be met ... but as a twenty-four hour, seven day a week lifestyle to be experienced; where nurture and accountability combine to produce unparalleled spiritual growth in the life of the believer; from gatherings around a Thanksgiving turkey dinner to gatherings on a green golf course, real friends... giving to one another out of their poverty, confronting one another in spite of their fears. God's GuestsI see anxious hearts, walking cautiously in through closed doors, wondering "Why did I let him/her drag me here this morning ?" Hearts that long for belonging but wonder "What are these people going to be like ?" These people willingly become uncomfortable for Christ. They don't hide in their circle of friends or in the back row, but instead they befriend guests, take them by the hand, sit with them, sing with them, laugh with them, learn with them, and lovingly enfold them into their church family. They understand that each guest that walks through those doors has been drawn here by God himself and entrusted to them to love into His family. YouthI see a church that empowers, trains, and entrusts youth to become the leaders of today. PrayerLastly, I see a church that is empowered, protected, and provided for through prayer; a church wher eon every day of every month of every year, someone is on the ground kneeling before his King praying and fasting for His mission ... people. |