Our Purposes
We affirm the following purposes of the church as found in God’s word and will seek to fulfill each purpose and maintain a balance between them.
Discipleship
Discipleship is the process of helping people become more like Christ in their thoughts, desires, and actions to develop spiritually mature Christians.
… To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining the whole measure of fullness in Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and be cunning and craftiness … (Ephesians 4:12-14)
Evangelism
The church is commanded to share the message of salvation with the world.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19,20)
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the gospel. Collectively we will reach out to our community and support the spread of the good news around the world.
… you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
Fellowship
As Christians we are called to belong, not just believe. As a church, we will support and encourage each other as we grow together in Christian community.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light, Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; … (I Peter 2:9-10)
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. (I Corinthians 12:26)
Therefore, encourage one another, and build each other up, as you are in the habit of doing. (I Thessalonians 5:11)
Ministry
We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. We are commanded to serve the needs of others.
Come take your inheritance … For when I was hungry you gave me something to eat, when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. … Whatever you did for the least of these my brothers you did for me. (Matthew 25:34-40)
Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, … (Mark 10:43-45)
Worship
In our corporate worship, we will give thanks to God, glorify God, and proclaim His greatness.
Speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18-20)
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. (John 4:23)