Purpose of the Church:

  • Assembly of a local group of believers as the Body of Christ (Acts 2:42-27). These local bodies make up the Global Body that will be taken up by the Lord to rule and reign during the millennial kingdom.

  • Since Christ Himself gifts/equips and the Holy Spirit empowers, the Body is equipped to live out the roles and good works that He has ordained from the foundation of the world (Eph 4).

    function and activities of the Church:

  • Teach the Bible as a complete work, using verse by verse inductive methods

  • Encourage and exhort believers to live out all the commands of the Great Commission (Matt 28)

  • Welcome and strengthen weak believers that have slipped into sin or apathy to engage fully in the Body of Christ and consistent study and application of His Word. (Heb 12)

  • Provide encouragement through the Word of God and prayer for members to create relationships with non-believers for the purpose of evangelism and eventual participation in the local Body of Christ.

  • Meetings of the fellowship are structured around the equipping believers to go out and spread the Gospel and make disciples (Matt 28, Eph 4)

Structure and Leadership of the Church:

  • The “Full Counsel of God” (Acts 20, 1 Tim 4) as represented in the entirety of Scripture must be the recognized ruler of the church.  Any member or attending person can challenge theology and practice based on the application of Scripture in context.

  • The Pastor/Elders are to be the leaders of the church (Titus 1, 1 Peter 5). This includes a process of qualification, that examines beliefs, actions and level of commitment (1 Tim 3).  This not only includes the time previous to ordination, but also the expectation of growth. These men (and wives by extension) are to be the example to everyone, exhorting all to live as they do (follow me as I follow Christ) so others can live in the same way.  There must be plurality of Pastor/Elders, with one designated as the primary to set the vision for the church.

Note:  If the Pastor/Elder is married, qualifications, as appropriate, must include their wives.  This is NOT for the purpose of leadership, as the Bible designates that position in the church and home for the man.  It IS for the purpose of a consistent message (unity), accountability, ongoing discipleship, and equipping for ministry.

  • The Deacons are to be qualified (1 Tim 3), including beliefs, actions and level of commitment. They are responsible for leading and exhorting the “acts of service” for the Body.  (Acts 6)

  • The Board(s) will provide additional leadership capacity and accountability, but are subject to the Scripture and the Pastor/Elders.

“Right Standing” in the Church:

  • One Body, many members with gifts given according to the Spirit (1 Cor 12)

  • The active participation and engagement of both the leadership and congregation is important in the following areas:

    • Indicates the willingness to mature in Christ and participate in His Kingdom

    • Guards the peace and purity of the church

    • Initiates and solidifies the commitment to the local Body

    • Aids in defining who is the responsibility of the Pastor and Elders