Our Beliefs

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It’s important for all Christ followers to grasp that God has called us to conform to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). However we have little understanding of what that looks like and how we can move towards it on our spiritual journey. In our core competencies we have 10 Core Beliefs, 10 Core Practices, and 10 Core Characteristics that we believe lay the foundation to moving closer to the very image of Christ.

10 Core Beliefs

1. Authority of the Bible: I believe the Bible is the infallible Word of God and has the right to command my beliefs and actions.

2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-3; 1 Cor 15:3-8

2. Church: I believe the church is God's primary way to accomplish His purposes on earth today. Ephesians 4:11–16; Heb 10:24-25; Acts 2:42-44; Josh 6:1-5, 20-22; John 13:34-35

3. Trinity: I believe in the one eternal triune God who reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Is. 45:14-25; Deut. 6:4; John 1; John 16:13-15; 2 Cor. 13:14; Gen 12:1-3

4. Salvation by Grace: I believe a person comes into a right eternal relationship with God by His grace, through a repentant faith in Jesus Christ alone. Ephesians 2:1–9; 2 Tim 2:11-13; Rom 3:23-24

5. Humanity: I believe in the depraved nature of all people and our need for Jesus Christ as Savior. Romans 3:23; James 1:14-15; James 2:10; Acts 17:30-31; Eccl. 7:29; Rom 3:10-18; Gen 3:1-13

6. God’s Will: I believe in the power of God’s presence that allows man the opportunity to know the perfect will of God. Job 42:1-6; Eccl. 3:14; 1 Chron. 29:11; Phil 4:19; Is. 66:3-4; Joshua 24:15; Romans 9:18-20; 1 John 3: 18-22; John 9:1-5

7. Eternity: I believe there is a heaven and a hell and that Jesus Christ is returning to judge the earth and to establish His eternal kingdom. John 14:1–3; 1 Cor 15:24-28; Luke 16:19-3; Rev 20:11-15, 5:1-14, 4:1-6; 2 Cor 5:10; 1 Cor 4:5; Matt 22:1-13

8. Christian Life: I believe man’s greatest pursuit is the glory of God. Gen 6:9; Is 26:8, Matt 5:16; 2 Timothy 4:6-7; Ps 126:5; James 4:4-5; Is 42:8; Ps 86: 11-12

9. Eternal Purpose: I believe God has an eternal purpose for my life. Prov. 16:9; 20:24; Jer. 10:23; Eph 1:11-12; Col 1:16; Ex 3:1-11; 2 Chron 29:14-15; Acts 22:8-10; Jonah 4:1-3; 2 Cor 12:9-10

10. Family: I believe the home is the primary place of spiritual education. Deut 6:4-9; Hebrews 10:24-25; Det. 4:6-11; Eph 5:15-17; James 4:15, 17; Psalms 26:8

10 Core Practices

1. Compassion: I believe God calls all Christians to show compassion to those in need. Luke 10:25-37; Joshua 6:26

2. Stewardship: I believe that everything I am or own belongs to God and that He has called me to joyfully offer a portion of it back to Him. Mark 12:38-44; 2 Cor. 9:7; Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 4:10-11

3. Worship: I worship God for who He is and what He has done. Psalm 63:1-5; Proverbs 26:12; Isaiah 5:21; 1 Corinthians 3:18-19; Luke 18:9-14; Nehemiah 9:6; Jeremiah 24:7; Ezekiel 11:19-20

4. Prayer: I pray to know God, to lay my request before Him, and to find direction for my daily life. Phil 4:6-7; Eph 3:20-21; Matthew 26:39; Luke 22:31-32; Isaiah 59:1-2; 1 John 5:14-15; Psalms 34: 17-18

5. Bible Study: I meditate on the Bible to know God, His truth, and to find direction for my daily life. John 14:15; 2 Kings 23: 1-3; 2 Chron 34:3-7; 2 Kings 23: 21-23; 1 Kings 12:33

6. Ordinances: I declare my faith through the Biblical ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.1 Cor. 11:26-34; Romans 6:3-4; Phil 2:5-11;

7. Spiritual Gifts: I know and use my spiritual gifts to accomplish God’s purposes. Romans 12:4–5; 1 Cor. 12; Eph 4:7-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11

8. Accountable Biblical Community: I invest in a Biblical community to accomplish God's purposes in my life, other’s lives, and in the world. Romans 14:11-12; Luke 19:13; Luke 17:3; Galatians 5:14-15; Proverbs 9:8-9

9. Giving Away My Faith: I give away my faith to fulfill God's purposes. Ephesians 6:19–20

10. Daily Surrender: I continually surrender my life to fulfill God’s purposes. Romans 12:1; Colossians 3:17; Matthew 6:33

10 Core Characteristics

1. Joy: I have inner contentment and sustained purpose in spite of my circumstances.

Ps. 16:11; 30:1-5; John 15:11; 16:20-24; Romans 8:28

2. Peace: I am free from anxiety because things are right between God, others, and myself. Philippians 4:6–7

3. Faithfulness: I am faithful to fulfill God's will for my life. Proverbs 3:3–4

4. Self - Control: I have the power, through Christ, to control my thoughts, actions, and reactions. 1 Thessalonians 5:6

5. Humility: I choose to esteem others above myself. Philippians 2:3–4

6. Love: I unconditionally love God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength and others as myself. Mark 12:29-31; 1 John 4:10–12

7. Patience: I am patient with others and thankful for God’s patience with me. James 5:7-11; Gal 6:9; Eph 4:1-6; Jer 28:8-9; Job 42:2-6

8. Goodness / Integrity: I choose to live by the righteousness of Christ, in my public and private life. 1 Thessalonians 5:15

9. Kindness / Gentleness: I am thoughtful, considerate and calm in dealing with others.

Titus 3:4-7

10. Hope: I can cope with the hardships of life and with death because of the hope I have in Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:3-5, Luke 8:42-48