What we believe...
You probably are wondering what a CONGREGATIONAL church believes. The following points will help.
THE CONGREGATIONAL WAY
We believe in direct and immediate access to God. We believe that Jesus alone is the head of His Church. God's Spirit can speak directly to each member or to the congregation without the benefit of hierarchies or intermediaries.
We believe in the "gathered" church. Ther church exists based on Matthew 18:20 for where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them. This is the covenantal relationship of Christians bound together freely in the mutual bond of their common love for Christ.
We believe in "congregational polity". The congregation is a self-governing unit where duties and responsibilities are shared by all the members. As an autonomous church are free from external control.
We believe in the "universal" church. All believers are one under God, regardless of their denominational background.
We believe in God. God's unity is expressed in the Trinitarian view of God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit.
We believe in being Christ centered. We focus on the life and teachings of Jesus. In following the teachings and will of Christ, we believe we are to live as if character and conduct matter.
We believe in a free and simply way of salvation. Salvation is the gift of God's grace accepted by faith resulting in the forgiveness of sins, strength for life's journey and the assurance of a destiny worth living for. It is to know oneself as a child of God with the opportunity to be the kind of person God desires us to be.
We believe in the open Bible. As we read, study and meditate upon the Bible the spiritual guidance it contains will direct the faith and practice of individuals and the church.
We believe in being a church of thinking and seeking minds. We value the principle of freedom of conscience. We have no one statement of faith or canon law that is binding on all. For one to have sincere convictions they must be given the opportunity for intellectual freedom and personal experience.
OUR COVENANT - WE PROMISE:
To be a loving, caring and sharing people;
To fulfill God's will in our lives as best we are able to understand it;
To proclaim and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ;
To respect each other with love and concern;
To minister to all people in need as best we are able;
To constantly promote peace, justice and equality;
To encourage spiritual growth within and without our church community;
To seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all we do;
To this end, we ask God's blessing and Grace.
