Core Convictions

These briefly describe some of our values as a church body, explaining who we are, what we care about, and what our goals are.

We will rely fully on Scripture.

We are banking everything on the conviction that the Word of God is infallible, inerrant, and totally sufficient for all of life (2 Pet. 1:3, Ps. 19:7-8). Not only is it true in every part, it is God’s ordained means to bring life to his people (1 Pet. 1:23). This means we preach expositional sermons (2 Tim. 4:2), disciple people toward obedience to Scripture (Matt. 28:18-20), and firmly commit to biblical counseling (Col 1:27-28).

We will believe and teach the whole gospel.

The gospel is the good news about what God has done to save sinners. It is the message that a perfectly holy God (Is. 6:3) created people in his own image to worship him (Ps. 111:1-3), fell into sin and rebellion against God (Gen. 3:1-7, Rom. 3:10-18, Eph. 2:1-3). Although God would be perfectly right and just to condemn humanity, in his amazing love he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to bear the guilt  of everyone who repents of their sin and trusts him (John 1:29; Rom 3:23-26; 5:8-10; 2 Cor. 5:16-21). Jesus lived a perfect life (Heb. 4:15), died on the cross (1 Cor. 15:3-4), rose again (1 Cor. 15:20), and now lives forever saving everyone who trusts in him (Heb. 7:25). When a person repents of their sin and believes in Jesus Christ, Christ’s righteousness is given as a gift (2 Cor. 5:21), all their sins are forgiven (Heb. 10:15-16), and they are fully adopted into God’s family as his child (1 Jn. 3:1). 

The gospel is for everyone -- believers and unbelievers. For unbelievers, it’s the message they need to hear and believe for salvation. For believers, it’s the fuel needed for our mission. All aspects of life in the church ought to promote clarity regarding who God is, who we are, what Christ has done, and how we ought to respond. 

We will proclaim the absolute sovereignty of God.

The sovereignty of God is not merely a point of doctrine we affirm, it’s a beautiful reality we rejoice in. We believe that God is completely sovereign -- over the molecules, the supernovae, and the hearts of men (Ps. 29, Prov. 21:1). He is sovereign over our suffering (Job 1) and our salvation (Jonah 2:9, Rom. 9:14-16). It’s because of his absolute sovereignty we are absolutely certain he will keep his promises.

We will equip the saints for the work of ministry.

Every believer is called to ministry (1 Pet. 2:10-11). Jesus was a disciple-maker who taught his disciples to make disciples (Matt. 4:19). Part of following Jesus, then, is helping others follow him. We believe every Christian is commissioned to use their gifts and abilities for the maturation and multiplication of the saints (1 Pet. 4:10-11).

We will train men to be shepherding leaders.

Men are called to be the primary leaders in the church and in the home (1 Tim. 3:1-7, Eph. 5:25-33). Their leadership is not to be tyrannical or domineering, but sacrificial, gentle, humble, and strong (1 Pet 5:1-5). A frequent image in Scripture for a leader in Scripture is one of a shepherd (Ps. 23:1, 1 Chron. 11:2, Jer. 23:4, Jn. 10:11, Eph. 4:11, 1 Pet. 5:2). We want our men to be trained and equipped as shepherding leaders who care for others. 

We will seek the holiness of the church.

The church makes invisible realities about God visible (1 Jn. 4:12), as his people experience the life of fellowship he intends his people to enjoy. It is therefore imperative that churches work to maintain purity and holiness (1 Tim. 3:14-16, Matt. 18:15-18). This happens as believers regularly encourage, challenge, correct, care, and pray for one another (Col. 3:12-17).

We will pursue the multiplication of healthy churches.

The world is in need of healthy churches that uphold the biblical gospel. Since the Great Commission is is to make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20), which results in flourishing churches (Acts 2:37-41, 13:1-3, 14:22-23) we will always labor to reproduce healthy churches, whether by church revitalization or church planting.