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Small Groups. We believe that life change happens
best in the context of a small group of people (Hebrews 10:24-25, Luke 6:12-13,
Acts 2:44-46). In these communities we are to be the church to one another and
demonstrate the church to a watching world as we live out the "one another"
commands of scripture. We must be a church of small groups rather than a church
with small groups, committed to the value of every member being cared for in a
community that will love and prompt him/her to grow.
Authenticity. We believe authenticity, acceptance
and truth-telling create the atmosphere where people can become whole (Romans
12:3, Ephesians 4:11-16, 25-26). There is no need to pretend we are better or
worse than we really are, but as we accept each other and speak the truth in
love to one another, we can help each other grow into whole people.
Prayer. We believe that apart from Christ, we can
do nothing of eternal value; therefore, everything we do will be undergirded
and surrounded by fervent prayer (John 15:5-16, I Thessalonians 5:17, Matthew
18:19).
Compassion. We believe the church is to be an
active agent of change in society by caring for and serving those who are
poor, oppressed or marginalized (Deut. 10:17-19, Deut. 15:7-11, Prov. 19:17,
Micah 6:8, I John 3:17, Matthew 25).
Culturally-Relevant Communication. We believe
the church should be culturally relevant while remaining doctrinally pure
(II Corinthians 5:14-21, I Corinthians 9:19-23). We will use the arts,
progressive music, video, multimedia, drama, poetry, dance and any other
medium to communicate effectively about God's love.
Excellence. We believe in doing our best when
we do something in the name of Christ (Colossians 3:23-24, Malachi 1:6-14).
It might not appear slick or seamless, but it will be an authentic expression
of the best of ourselves given as an act of worship.
God's Word. We believe that people are transformed
when they understand and apply Biblical truths (II Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12,
Romans 10:17, Psalm 1:1-3). The Bible is the living, active word of God which
the Holy Spirit can use to transform a life. Therefore, we will seek to help
every person understand and apply God's word. It will be the authority for all
that we do.
Spiritual Multiplication. We believe God's kingdom
grows by multiplication: people developing people, groups birthing new groups,
and churches planting new churches so that there is room for everyone to
experience Christian community (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, II Timothy 2:2,
I Thessalonians 1:6-8, Matthew 13:31-32, Matthew 9:36-10:1).
Spiritual Formation. We believe that the measure
of fully following Christ is a more loving person, displaying the fruit of
the Spirit of God (Matthew 22:37-40, Galatians 5:22-23). Love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control are
the indicators of spiritual maturity, and we believe it is normative for
Christ followers to be growing in all of these areas.
Spiritual Gifts. We believe in being a community
of servants who use their spiritual gifts to build up one another as the
church (I Corinthians 12, Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 4:11-12). Every believer
has been given spiritual gifts through which to serve and build up the body.
We believe that every Christian should discover and use his/her spiritual
gifts in service to one another in the church.
Engaging Worship. We believe the corporate
celebration and worship of God should be practiced regularly as a sign of
our unity in the exaltation of God (Acts 2:46-47, John 4:19-24, Colossians
3:16). Every believer needs to regularly join in the corporate worship of
God to be drawn into His presence and reminded of His position. Worship can
take many forms and expressions as it is primarily an attitude of reverence
and love resulting in acts of service.
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The Bible. We believe the Scriptures, both Old
and New Testaments, are given by God's inspiration, and in the original
writings they are without error. We believe the Scriptures originated with
God but were written by the instrumentality of people and thus speak with
the authority of God while reflecting the backgrounds, styles, and vocabularies
of the human authors. They are the unique and final authority on all matters
of Christian faith and practice.
God. We believe in one God, creator of all
things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons, Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus Christ is
true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of
the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins according
to the Scriptures. We believe he was raised from the dead, ascended into
heaven, and now acts as the only mediator between God and people.
The Holy Spirit. We believe that the ministry
of the Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Trinity, is to apply to people
the saving work of Christ. He does this by bringing conviction of a person's
need for the forgiveness of Christ. He regenerates their heart and then
permanently indwells them when they believe. His ongoing work is to guide,
instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service.
Humanity. We believe that people were created
in the image of God for a loving relationship with God. However, people have
rebelled against God, actively or passively choosing to go their own
independent way. Thus we are alienated from God and suffer the corruption
of our nature because of our sin. The effects of this fall from our intended
relationship with God can be reversed through faith in Jesus Christ for the
forgiveness of our sins.
Salvation. We believe that Jesus Christ died
as the substitution for the death penalty we owed. No amount of good works
or human effort can restore us from our state of eternal alienation from God.
It is only by God's free grace that we are saved from this state of
alienation, and this grace is appropriated by a change of heart toward God's
leadership in our lives and by faith in Jesus to forgive our sins.
The Church. We believe that there is only one
true Church universal composed of all people who have asked Jesus Christ for
forgiveness and made Him leader of their lives. The diversity of all
believers working together, using their gifts to build up one another, form
the parts of the body of Christ, the Church. The scripture commands believers
to gather together to devote themselves to worship, prayer, the teaching of
God's Word, using our gifts to build up one another, outreach, communion,
and baptism. Wherever God's people meet in obedience to this command, there
is the local expression of the church. We believe that Jesus Christ is the
Lord and Head of the Church, and that every local church has the right under
Christ to decide and govern its own affairs.
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