Culture and Convictions

Our Culture

1. The Bible guides us in all things. Psalm 119:9-18, Matthew 4:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-18.

2. We relentlessly pursue making disciples who become like Jesus. Matthew 28:18-20, John 20:21, Luke 9:23, Mark 8:34, 1 Peter 2:21. 

3. We are quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, abundant in grace and forgiveness. James 1:19-20, Matthew 18:21-35, Galatians 6:1-2, Ephesians 4:29-32.

4. We value God's Kingdom principles over human labels and ideologies. Philippians 3:20, Colossians 2:8, 1 Corinthians 2:1-6.

5. We are Christ’s ambassadors motivated by His love for people, not by human fear. Matthew 9:35-36, John 17:14-18, Ephesians 6:12, 2 Corinthians 5:20.

6. We move at the Holy Spirit’s pace, not rushing into change nor afraid of it. Psalm 27:13-14, Jeremiah 29:11, Galatians 5:16-17, Philippians 1:6. 

7. We come as we are and honor the ways God created us differently. Genesis 1:26-27, Leviticus 19:33-34, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Revelation 7:9-10.

8. We serve Jesus by serving His church. John 13:12-17, Matthew 20:25-28, Philippians 2:5-11.

9. We honor our leaders and one another and refuse to gossip. Leviticus 19:16, Proverbs 16:28, 1 Timothy 5:17-19, Hebrews 13:17, James 1:26. 

10. We meet each other’s needs. Isaiah 58:6-11, Proverbs 31:8-9, Mark 12:30-31, Luke 3:11, Luke 10:25-37, Acts 2:44-47, Galatians 6:2, James 2:15-16.

Our Biblical Convictions

We believe that those who follow Jesus Christ will be saved on account of faith in God's love-motivated sending of Christ for the purposes of his death and resurrection (John 1:12, 3:16, 14:6; Rom 5:8-11; Eph 2:8; Col 2:8-15). This is necessary and sufficient for salvation. Christ did not demand detailed theological treatises, but rather a simple faith that results in following Jesus (Luke 23:42-43; 1 Cor 2:1-2).

God
God is one, unique, and identified simultaneously and separately as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deut 6:4; Isa 46:9; Matt 18:19). The Father is God (John 1:1-2). The Son is God (Isa 9:6; John 1:1-2, 10:30) and man (John 1:14). The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor 2:11) and a conscious being who indwells and directs believers (John 14:16; Acts 13:1-4; Eph 4:30). God is eternal (Gen 2:1-3; Ps 102:25-27; Rev 4:8), omnipresent (Mal 3:6), omnipotent (Gen 18:14; Jer 32:27), and possesses perfect knowledge (Job 37:16; 1 John 3:20). God is good (Ps 100:5; Luke 18:19), holy (Lev 19; Rev 4:8), just (Deut 32:4), and perfectly loving (John 3:16; 1 John 4:8). God created all things (Gen 1:1; John 1:3) for His glory (Eph 1:11-12).

Humanity
People are special creations made in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27), possessing immortal souls (Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59; Rev 6:9) and created for co-rulership with God (Gen 1:26). People are responsible moral agents with free will, held accountable by God (Gen 4:7; Josh 24:14-15; Rev 20:12). Humanity has willfully rebelled against God (Gen 3:1-7; Rom 3:23), making people slaves to sin (John 8:34). Sin results in death (Rom 6:23) and eternal separation from God (Rom 8:8). Christ is the only way of salvation (John 14:6; 1 Tim 2:5).

Salvation
Salvation is by God's grace alone, not human action (Rom 3:20-25; Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). Those saved are justified (Rom 3:24), freed from sin (John 8:34-36; Rom 6:14), regenerated by the Holy Spirit (John 3:5-8; 2 Cor 5:17; Titus 3:5), and made complete in Christ (Col 2:8-15). God knows, chooses, and predestines who will be saved (Eph 1:4-5; Rom 9:18; 2 Tim 1:9). Individuals willingly decide to follow Christ (John 3:16; Rom 10:9) and are held responsible for following or rejecting Him (John 3:36; Acts 2:38; Rom 10:9).

The Church
Individual believers together make up the Church, the body of Christ (Rom 12:4-5; Eph 2:19-22). All people are welcomed into the Church (Rom 3:23-24; Gal 3:28-29). The Spirit gives spiritual gifts to every believer for the edification of the Church (1 Cor 12:11; Eph 4:11-16). The church must be concerned with both doctrine (Eph 4:3-6; 1 Tim 4:1-8) and action (James 1:27).

Church Leadership
Scripture lists qualifications for church leaders (1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9). Women can have meaningful leadership roles in the Church (Rom 16:1-3). Scripture assumes men will be the head of the church (Acts 6:1-3; 1 Tim 3:2).

Baptism and Communion
Baptism by immersion is an act of obedience following belief in Christ (Acts 2:38; Matt 28:19). It does not confer salvation but declares an inward work of God and symbolizes entering God's covenant people (1 Cor 12:13). The Lord's Supper represents Christ's broken body and shed blood (Luke 22:14-19). Communion should be accompanied by self-examination and repentance (1 Cor 11:27-29).

Revelation
Every part of the Bible is inspired by God (2 Tim 3:16-17; 1 Pet 1:21). Jesus held the Old Testament as possessing God's authority (Matt 5:18; John 10:35). The New Testament is the inspired word of God (Luke 1:7; 1 Cor 2:13; 2 Pet 3:16). Creation declares God's glory and should not be frivolously exploited (Ps 19:1-11; Gen 1:1).

Marriage and Sexuality
God created man and woman in His image intentionally to display His image (Gen 1:27; Psalm 139:13-14). Marriage is one man and one woman in a life-long covenant before God (Gen 2:24; Matt 19:4-6; Eph 5:22-33). Sexual activity is reserved for and celebrated in marriage between a man and woman (Gen 2:24; 1 Cor 7:1-5). Divorce is only permissible for sexual unfaithfulness (Matt 5:32) or abandonment by an unbeliever (1 Cor 7:15).

Life and Eternity
Every human life, including the unborn, is sacred and created by God (Gen 1:27; Gen 9:6; Ex 20:13; Ps 139:13-16). God's people are to sacrificially care for the vulnerable (Luke 10:25-37). Satan is a real, personal being under God's ultimate authority (Job 1:6, 12; 1 Pet 5:8) who will face eternal torment (Rev 20:10). Heaven is a literal place where believers will spend eternity in a new Heaven and Earth (Matt 25:31-34; Rev 21:1, 10-11). Hell is an actual place of eternal torment for unbelievers (Matt 25:41-46; Rev 11:5).