BELIEFS AND VALUES
We believe that the Bible, as the Word of God, is the primary
catalyst for transforming the lives of individuals and the Church.
o
We believe the Bible is used as the key reference work and guide
for our life, not as an instrument of guilt.
·
It reveal’s areas of life that are detrimental to us if we do not
follow it.
§
Those detrimental areas are called “sin”.
§
They influence our actions, words, thoughts, or perceptions and
thereby destroy what God has created.
o
We believe in the inerrancy of Scripture.
o
We believe in the infallibility of Scripture.
We believe that people matter to God and therefore ought to matter
to the Church
o
The Church is made of people, it is not a building, but God uses
buildings as a place to form relationships between God and mankind.
o
That Church is a place where loving relationships permeate every
aspect of Church Life.
o
People should feel emotionally comfortable being here.
o
Visitors should feel that we are really happy that they are here
and we want them to become a part of what we are about.
·
It is not a closed social group.
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Opportunities for meeting new people are here.
o
It is a place where people are authentically friendly, not just
friendly on Sunday.
o
That relationship furnishes a secure knowing that there are others
who are available in any time of need.
We believe that the Church should be culturally relevant, while
remaining doctrinally pure.
o
A place where each person can have a meaningful encounter with the
Living God through His Holy Spirit.
o
A place where people meet and experience the true Jesus in a
variety of ways.
o
We want church to be a place you can bring your unsaved friends,
neighbors, and family to experience God with excellence in everything they
experience and see that day.
o
A place where the message does not change even though the methodology may.
o
A place where the teaching has depth
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It should have relevant diversity in how it conducts services and
communicates messages.
We believe that the Church should be led by those God has given
leadership gifts.
o
When we go to the doctor and submit to his recommendations
·
We are not in charge
·
We can go to another doctor
·
We vote with our feet
·
There will be forums where your voice can be heard
o
The pastor is the leader in the church
o
Elders offer wise council and lead in various church programs
o
The five ministry gifts mentioned in Ephesians 4 are to give input
to the church
o
Apostolic leadership is given to the apostolic figure
·
Apostolic figures do not demand authority, though the people will demand
they lead
We believe Jesus commands us to be salt and light in the
Earth. Light, like a laser beam, works best when it is concentrated.
Our
services are concentrations of God’s light and all who enter that light will be
changed.
There are
four very important parts to our services.
o
The first is our worshipping God.
·
We believe we are to be passionate worshippers of God;
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That true worship can come in many forms and styles of music;
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And that true worship can come through dance, art, drama as well
as other creative forms.
o
The second is our being transformed and matured through God’s
word.
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The message can be delivered in many different forms – teaching,
preaching, drama, etc.
o
The third is God's power touching and healing those who need His touch. We believe:
·
God’s power is present to heal us in numerous ways
today;
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That prayer destroys the work of evil and helps those who are
afflicted;
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That prayer releases God’s Justice for the person we are praying
for;
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That the Bible tells us to lay hands on the person being prayed
for.
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No illness exists in Heaven and it should not exist on Earth,
(i.e. The Lord’s Prayer – Mat. 6:1)
o
The fourth is the times of intentional relationship building.
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Nearly equal to the command to love God with all our might, soul
and strength, is the command to love our neighbor as our self.
We believe that life changes happen best in small Group settings.
o
As light works best when it is concentrated, salt works best when
it is evenly distributed.
o
Whether used to de-ice our sidewalks or as a preservative, salt
works best when spread over a large area.
o
Small Groups are like salt, they spread the salt of the Kingdom of
God, in small ways every time they meet.
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They are a means of feeling at home in a large gathering.
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They are a basic vehicle for relationships, accountability,
leadership building, and discipleship.
We believe that followers of Jesus should manifest authenticity in
their belief and yearn for continuous growth.
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We believe that full devotion to Christ and His cause is normal
for every believer.
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We believe that the church should operate as a unified community
of servants stewarding their spiritual gifts.
We believe that excellence honors God and inspires people.
o
There should be a desire for excellence in everything we do.
We believe that people ought to be able to wear the type of
clothing that is comfortable, without feeling they have to meet a fashion
standard.
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Comfort combined with modesty.
We believe our children are the foundation for the Church,
government and the world tomorrow.
o
Our children and youth programs are birthed out of our desire to
provide an extended ministry of training, equipping, prayer and support to
children and their parents.
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The strategies behind our programs are influenced by our ministry
values and priorities.
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We do not want to furnish a baby-sitting service, but train
children to expect God to move through them as He does through their parents.
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We are not surprised when our children encounter the supernatural
power and awe of God at a very early age.
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Programs are high in quality, have good teachers, enough space,
careful supervision, tight security, ample toys and other materials.
We believe that pastoral staff should be available to meet with
people at the time they have a real need, not six weeks from now.
o
We want leadership, at all levels, who take a personal interest in
people and are willing to invest in them.
We believe people give money when they understand the biblical
principle of tithing and giving, not because they feel pressured by the pastor
and the leaders.
o
We believe it is important to teach on giving just as we teach on
any other topic – because it is important to a higher Christian lifestyle.
We believe in having buildings that are modest, but clean and well
maintained.
We believe the Church should have an atmosphere of joy and life,
not sorrow, oppression and guilt.
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Through their attitude, showing they are doing something that makes a difference in others.
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A feeling of celebration and energy are critical to expressing
what Jesus has done for us.
We believe the Apostles Creed. (third or
fourth century)
I believe
in God the Father Almighty
Maker of
heaven and earth.
And in
Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;
Who was
conceived by the Holy Ghost,
Born of
the Virgin Mary,
Suffered
under Pontius Pilate,
Was
crucified, dead, and buried;
He
descended into Hades;
The third
day he rose again from the dead;
He
ascended into heaven,
And
sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
From
thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe
in the Holy Ghost;
The holy
catholic Church;
The
communion of saints;
The
forgiveness of sins;
The
resurrection of the body;
And the
life everlasting. Amen.
We
believe the Nicene Creed. (A. D. 325; revised at
Constantinople in A. D. 381)
We
believe in one God, the Father Almighty;
Maker of heaven
and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in
one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only
begotten Son of God,
Begotten
of the Father before all worlds;
God of
God, Light of Light,
Very God
of Very God,
Begotten,
not made,
Being of
one substance with the Father;
By whom
all things were made;
Who, for
us men and for our salvation,
Came down
from heaven,