What We Believe

Doctrinal statements like this are limited in expressing the fullness of Christian beliefs. The entire Bible really contains our doctrinal statement. In reality, you could have dozens of pages about specific beliefs. This short statement is a good representation of our central beliefs, and our culture.

Simply "knowing" doctrine is not what changes hearts or actions—ours or anyone else’s. Jesus criticized the religious leaders of his day for being hypocrites and legalists. They were very familiar with the Bible and knew a lot of doctrine, but they didn't let that doctrine seep into their hearts or affect their lives as the Scriptures intended. We can know doctrine intellectually but if it doesn't change us on a deeper level the knowledge is almost useless.

We believe that the entire Bible is fully inspired by God, that it is entirely trustworthy and is our guide for truth, faith and life. We hold dear and highly value Scripture, and its authority in our lives.

We believe that there is one God who is the loving Creator of all that exists, both seen and unseen. God is eternal and completely good, knowing all things, having all power and majesty. We believe God exists eternally in a perfect co-equal community as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe that eternal Jesus mysteriously and wonderfully became God in the flesh, walked among us, and ushered in the now and coming Kingdom of God. He lived a sinless life and offered Himself as the only perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. Through faith in Jesus we have been forgiven and brought into a right relationship with God. Jesus bodily rose again from the dead, ascended to heaven and one day will return to judge the world and bring an end to injustice as He restores all things to God's original intent. He is the perfect reflection of God's heart, character, beauty and love for people. 

We believe that Holy Spirit was lovingly sent from God to live in all who let Jesus be their Lord. Holy Spirit teaches, comforts, convicts and empowers us, giving each person diverse gifts for serving in the church and serving others in the world on the mission of God. We believe that it is through Holy Spirit that we have the power to change and develop a holy life and Jesus-like character. We believe Holy Spirit lovingly offers gifts to empower believers to minister to others and expand the Kingdom of God.

We believe that all people have dignity and great value, created in the image of God. We believe that all people were created to live in a thriving relationship with God. However, through our sin (failing to live by God's ways and standards), we break our intended relationship with God and we experience the sad consequences of that broken relationship, both spiritually and socially.

However, because of God's love for us, He sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from those consequences. Our broken relationship with God is fully restored through Jesus' death on the cross, a perfect act of redemption for each of us. We receive the free gift of forgiveness and are spiritually reborn into the Kingdom of God through repenting (changing our mind and heart) of our sin and placing faith in Jesus alone.

We believe that the church is comprised of any person, anywhere in the world, who puts faith in Jesus and submits to His Lordship. The church itself is people who are empowered by God's Spirit to be part of the mission of God here on earth. The church is one global community, but has smaller, local expressions or faith communities, called churches. Each local church expression has a unique personality. We see beauty in that diversity. We believe that the church does not exist for itself but exists as a community of worshipers who are here to serve others and be change agents, as Jesus told us to be His light, love, compassion, kindness and hope to the world around us.

We believe in the servant form of church government as set forth in the Bible.

We do believe that life continues after physical death and there is a heaven and a hell. We do believe that Jesus will one day return and bring justice and judgment to all things. We approach with great humility, wonder and faith the many metaphors and the apocalyptic language in the Scriptures about events, timing, etc.

We believe conformity and Kingdom unity are two very different things. We believe God takes great pains to prescribe and demonstrate the Way, Truth and Life. Jesus is good theology.

We carefully determined our set of core beliefs so that we can hold onto unity and so that we can embrace liberty in issues that aren't as essential. This means that across churches, and even among the people within a given church—including among staff and leadership—we welcome a variety of beliefs on what we hold as non-core beliefs and doctrines.

The foregoing is a sincere expression of what we believe. Of course, for legal and other purposes, we chartered a formal, full and detailed Statement of Faith within our Constitution and Bylaws. You are welcome to see that. Just let us know.