It is the testimony of both the Old and New Testaments and of the Christian Church that God is both One and Triune. The biblical revelation testifies that there is only one God and that He is eternally existent in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God the Father is the creator and sustainer of all things, and He created the universe in love. He created man in His own image for fellowship and called man back to Himself through Christ after the rebellion and fall of man.
Jesus Christ is eternally God. He was together with the Father and the Holy Spirit from the beginning, and through Him all things were made. For man’s redemption, He left heaven and became incarnate by the Holy Spirit through the virgin Mary; henceforth, He is forever one Christ with two natures—God and man—in one person.
The Holy Spirit is God, the Lord and giver of life, who was active in the Old Testament and given to the Church in fullness at Pentecost. He empowers the saints for service and witness, cleanses man from the old nature and conforms us to the image of Christ. The baptism in the Holy Spirit, subsequent to conversion, releases the fullness of the Spirit and is evidenced by the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
We affirm that the Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, is alone the only infallible, inspired Word of God, and that its authority is ultimate, final, and eternal. It cannot be added to, subtracted from, or superseded in any regard. The Bible is the source of all doctrine, instruction, correction, and reproof. It contains all that is needed for guidance in godliness and practical Christian conduct.
Christ’s vicarious death on the cross paid the penalty for the sins of the whole world, but its benefits are only applicable to those who receive Jesus as their personal Savior. Healing—body, soul, and spirit—and all of God’s provisions for His saints, are provided for in the atonement, but these must be appropriated.
We believe that man, in his natural state, is a sinner- lost, undone, without hope, and without God. As God’s most precious creation, God gave his very best for each and every human to ever be born, but it is up to each individual to receive Him.
We believe the baptism in the Holy Spirit, with the primary evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, is for all believers as promised by John the Baptist, Jesus, and Peter. The fulfillment of this promise was witnessed by early disciples of Christ and operates in many present-day disciples of Jesus Christ.
The Word of God declares clearly that salvation is a free gift of God, based on the merits of the death of His Son, and is appropriated by faith. Salvation is effected by personal repentance, belief in the Lord Jesus (justification), and personal acceptance of Him into one’s life as Lord and Savior (regeneration). The new life in Christ includes the privileges of adoption and inheritance in the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. Salvation is an act of free will in response to God’s personal love for mankind. It is predestined only in the sense that God, through His omniscience, foreknew those who would choose Him. It is secure in the eternal, unchanging commitment of God who does not lie and is forever the same. Salvation should produce an active lifestyle of loving obedience and service to Jesus Christ our Savior.
We believe that the Scriptures portray the life of the saint in this world to be one of balance between what is imputed to us as Christians and what is imparted to us according to our faith and maturity. Hence, God’s provision for His children is total, and the promises are final and forever. The shortcomings of the individual and of the Church are because of the still progressing sanctification of the saints. The Christian life is filled with trials, tests, and warfare against a spiritual enemy. For those abiding in Christ until their deaths or His return, the promises of eternal blessing in the presence of God are assured. To remain faithful through all circumstances of life requires dependence upon the Holy Spirit and a willingness to die to personal desires and passions.
The goal of the Church is to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) make disciples of all nations and to present the saints complete in Christ. The five-fold ministry of Ephesians 4 governs the Church, the offices of elder and deacon, as well as other offices mentioned in scripture. Church policy is a balance between congregation and eldership authority, emphasizing the final authority of the Church leadership. It is essential to the life of the Church that scriptural patterns of discipline are practiced and that oversight for Church discipline, individual and corporate, is exercised by the leadership of the Church.
We believe God has used doctors, medicines, and other natural means as channels of healing; however, we also believe divine healing is provided for believers in the atonement made by Jesus’ blood shed on the cross. We believe divine healing may be received by the laying on of hands by the elders, by the prayer of an anointed person gifted by the Holy Spirit for healing the sick, or by a direct act of receiving this provision by faith.
The Word of God enjoins on the Church two perpetual ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ. The first, baptism, is the outward sign of what God has already done in the individual’s life and is a testimony to all that the person now belongs to Jesus. It is identification with Jesus and is effected in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of the death of the Lord and is done in remembrance of Him until He comes again; it is a sign of our participation in Him. Both institutions are restricted to those who are believers.
We affirm the bodily, personal, second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the saints, the millennium, and the final judgment. The final judgment will determine the eternal status of both the saints and the unbelievers, based on their relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We affirm the final state of the new heavens and the new earth.
We believe Scripture clearly speaks on the doctrines of eternal punishment for the unsaved and eternal salvation and complete happiness for the saved — a literal hell for the unsaved and literal Heaven for the saved.
We believe that because God our Creator established marriage as a sacred institution between one man and one woman, the idea that marriage is a covenant only between one man and one woman has been the traditional definition of marriage for all of human history (“Traditional Definition of Marriage”). Because of the longstanding importance of the Traditional Definition of Marriage to humans and their relationships and communities, and, most importantly, the fact that God has ordained that marriage be between one man and one woman, as clearly conveyed in God’s inerrant Scriptures, including for example in Matthew 19:4-6 where in speaking about marriage Jesus referred to the fact that “he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,” the Church hereby creates this policy, which shall be known as the “Marriage Policy.”
The Traditional Definition of Marriage is the only definition of marriage that will be recognized or accepted. No elder, employee or any person, corporation, organization, or entity under the direction or control of this Church shall commit any act or omission, or make any decision whatever, that would be inconsistent with, or that could be perceived by any person to be inconsistent with, full support of this Church’s Marriage Policy and strict adherence to the Traditional Definition of Marriage rather than any alternative to the Traditional Definition of Marriage.
This Church’s Marriage Policy specifically prohibits acts or omissions including but not limited to permitting any Church assets or property, whether real property, personal property, intangible property, or any property or asset of any kind that is subject to the direction or control of the Church, to be used in any manner that would be or could be perceived by any person to be inconsistent with this Church’s Marriage Policy or the Traditional Definition of Marriage, including but not limited to permitting any church facilities to be used by any person, organization, corporation, or group that would or might use such facilities to convey, intentionally or by implication, what might be perceived as a favorable impression about any definition of marriage other than the Traditional Definition of Marriage.
We believe this Church’s Marriage Policy is based upon God’s will for human life as conveyed to us through the Holy Scriptures, upon which this Church has been founded and anchored, and this Marriage Policy shall not be subject to change through popular vote; referendum; prevailing opinion of members or the general public; influence of or interpretation by any government authority, agency, or official action; or legal developments on the local, state, or federal level.
We remain healthy by prioritizing daily personal encounters with God, pursuing purity, putting family first, living in integrity and protecting our sabbath so we can lead others in health.
Matthew 6:33, Proverbs 3:5-8
We love mercy, so we show mercy. Forgiveness is not only for others, but also for us. There is no spiritual growth without forgiveness.
Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 6:14-15, Colossians 3:13
We disciple through real relationships. We create an atmosphere for people to be open and honest by leading in vulnerability and transparency.
2 Corinthians 11:27-30, 2 Corinthians 12:9
We build the trust, character and relationships of tomorrow by engaging in the tough conversations today.
Matthew 18:15-20, Matthew 5:24
We represent the Lord by doing the best we can with what we have.
Colossians 3:23-24, Daniel 6:3, Exodus 31:1-11
We choose to slow down and communicate clearly today, so that we can move forward faster tomorrow.
Romans 14:19, James 1:19
We believe healthy feedback is a 2 way street. We welcome opportunities to hear what is in your heart, and we commit to clarifying what is in ours.
Proverbs 1:5, Proverbs 19:20, James 1:19
If you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong! We make time to celebrate the little wins that create a big victory.
Romans 15:5-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Hebrews 10:24-25
Honor reflects Heaven’s value. Honor protects freedom, creates safe places and reflects a Kingdom identity. Honor is about self-control not control.
1 Samuel 2:30, Romans 12:10, 1 Peter 2:17, Matthew 4:1-11, Isaiah 29:13, Mark 6:1-6, Proverbs 3:9-10
We manage Heaven’s resources for the Father’s business. The heart’s cry of a good steward is, “It will never be mine; it will always be Yours God!” When given the choice between an ownership or employment mentality, we choose the third option—stewardship.
Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Kings 3:16-28, Psalms 24:1
We simply want to be like Jesus—holy, set apart unto God, and fully surrendered to the Refiner’s fire. We know the closer we get to Him, the more we become like Him. Holiness is found in the presence of God. Our heart’s cry is this: “Make me like You, Jesus! Make me holy!”
Romans 6:19, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Hebrews 12:14, Revelations 4:8, 2 Timothy 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
There is only one way to God, and it’s through Jesus — but in Jesus, there are many ways to connect with God. We disciple people by helping them discover how they best connect with God and by teaching them to access the presence of God on a daily basis.
Matthew 6:7-15, Proverbs 8:34, John 15:4, 1 Samuel 3:10
Forgiveness is not optional. When you stop forgiving, you stop spiritually growing. We are never more like Jesus than when we are forgiving!
Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 6:14-15, Colossians 3:13
We are committed to honor the Sabbath. We set apart one day a week and keep it holy unto the Lord. The Sabbath was made for us to rest, heal and hear God.
Hebrews 4:9, Exodus 20:8, Isaiah 56:2, Ezekiel 20:12, Mark 3:1-6
We honor the Lord with the tithe. With joy, we give to God our first and our best!
Malachi 3:8-10, Matthew 23:23-24
The favor of God is found in unity. Our desire is to be in perfect unity with the Holy Spirit, which brings us into unity with one another! We understand that unity pleases the Lord.
Psalm 133, Ephesians 4:2-6
This post was written and originally posted By Dr. Robert Straube, on his blog The Five Fold Ministry. Please visit his website for more information on this topic.
When we look at the Five Fold ministers, we need to understand how they work together for the good of the church, the body of Christ, the Bride of Christ. Let’s look at each of them, their calling, preparation, how the are set in, and how we are to respond to them.
(Note: When I say “he” in the references that follow, it is for writing ease and not for gender designation. Both male and female can be called to the Five Fold Ministry. So, where you read he, see it as “he/she.”)
The Five-Fold Apostle
The word apostle means, “one sent forth.” An apostle is sent forth by God to minister with God-given authority.
He/she is a pioneer who establishes churches and lays foundational truth in people’s lives (Ephesians 2:20). Apostles could be called “spiritual builders” (1Corinthians 3:10). They have oversight of the body (1Corinthians 4:15).
The ministry of apostle is the most neglected of the five-fold ministries in the Church today. There are many pastors, teachers and evangelists, a few prophets, but very few apostles. One reason behind this is that apostles do not fit into denominational hierarchy. They cannot freely function within the structure of committees, elected leadership and denominational red tape. The ministry of apostleship is an area much in need of restoration to the Church by the Holy Spirit.
Few people are familiar with the ministry of the apostle. In fact, most people think that the original twelve disciples are the only real apostles. Although they hold a special place as the original apostles, the Bible mentions many other apostles including Matthias (Acts 1:26), Paul (Acts 14:1, 4,14), Titus (2 Corinthians 8:23), Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25), Silas and Timothy (1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2:6). Also Andronicus and Junia, listed in Romans 16:7 were possibly Apostles. This shows that there were apostles after the original twelve.
The first and foremost apostle is Jesus Christ (Hebrews 3:1).
He was sent forth from heaven on a divine mission for the Father. Jesus chose the original apostles (Luke 6:12-13), trained them (Mark 3:14-15) and commissioned them (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:1-8). The book of Acts reveals how the apostolic ministry functioned in the early Church. As the apostles traveled and evangelized, they saw a need for permanent leadership in the churches they established. As a result, they ordained men to be elders, pastors and overseers in each five-fold ministry, including apostles. The Bible does not teach that apostleship was to cease. Rather, the Word teaches that apostles are much needed in the body of Christ.
The Five-Fold Prophet
A prophet is one who speaks for God to man. He does not necessarily have to foretell the future, although that is a valid prophetic ministry. He does foretell a word from God that reveals God’s plans for the Church. God uses prophets to give direction and correction to the Church. According to 1 Corinthians 14:3, prophecy is given to edify, exhort and comfort the Church. In other words, prophecy should build up, stir up and cheer up. Prophetic words that tear down the body and depress the people are not from God. Prophecy always serves to encourage and strengthen. Sometimes a hard message, a correction, will come forth, such as a call to repentance, but it will always result in building, not destroying. A good example of a New Testament prophet is Barnabas, who is called “son of consolation or exhortation” (Acts 4:36). He exhorted the body to purposefully and steadfastly hold onto the Lord (Acts 11:23-24). Other New Testament prophets are John the Baptist (Luke 1:76) and Agabus (Acts 11:27-28; 21:10-13). John was sent forth to speak as a prophet through the tender mercy of God (Luke1:78). True prophecy will always be tempered with mercy.
The Five-Fold Evangelist
The evangelist is a messenger who proclaims the good news. He brings the lost to salvation and exhorts Christians to witness for Christ. Phillip was a New Testament evangelist who preached the Word with signs following. His preaching and miracles led to revival and great joy in Samaria (Acts 8:5-8).
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul sets forth the work of an evangelist. He is to preach the Word, be ready at all times, reprove, rebuke, exhort with patience, be watchful and endure afflictions (2 Timothy 4:2-5).
The Five-Fold Pastor
The word pastor literally means, “shepherd.” A pastor is the shepherd of a local church flock. He is responsible to teach, exhort, protect, correct, comfort and discipline his flock. He has authority to watch over the flock (Hebrews 13:17) and to be an example (1 Peter 5:2-3). As a good shepherd, the pastor leads the sheep to pasture and water. One of his main duties is to feed the flock (Jeremiah 3:15; 23:4; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2-3). False shepherds feed themselves rather than their flocks (Ezekiel 34:1-6), but true shepherds are under Jesus, the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4) and they follow His example (Psalm 23).
The Five-Fold Teacher
A teacher is one who expounds and interprets the Word of God. He does not just impart knowledge, but living truth, which can be applied to the lives of people. Teachers build on the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets (1 Corinthians 3.10). All those who function in the five-fold ministry must be “able to teach” (1 Timothy 3:2).
Each of these gifted ministries has an important part within the body of Christ in regards to the laying on of hands. I will share more on this later. For now and briefly, it is through the laying on of hands that many who became ministers had their gift imparted or recognized through those who were part of the five-fold ministry before them. We have seen how the laying on of hands separates a person to the call of God. The laying on of hands will help the five-fold ministry continue as anointed leadership recognizes the calling and separates through the laying on of hands those God ordained for ministry. More on the laying on of hands later. Let us examine the calling, preparation and ordination of leadership.
The Calling of the Five Fold Ministers
God divinely calls those whom He has chosen for leadership. Out of His many disciples, Jesus chose only twelve to be apostles (Luke 6:13). At the beginning of the book of Romans, Paul said that he was also “called to be an apostle” (Romans 1:1). This divine call is an absolute prerequisite for leadership. The five-fold ministry is not something that you just volunteer for. There are far too many who were not sent; they just went. These volunteers usually result in much more harm than good, both to the individual and the Church. An example of this can be seen in the life of Moses (Exodus 2). God had divinely saved him from death and was preparing him for leadership. However, Moses took matters into his own hands and ended up causing trouble for himself and all of Israel. It took God forty years to fully prepare him for his call (Acts 7:22-30). Likewise, God desires us to be ready before we are called into leadership.
All believers are called to minister unto the Lord in prayer, worship and giving; to minister to the body in exhortation, comfort and love; and to minister to the world by witnessing of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. We all have enough to do without volunteering for leadership. When God truly calls us we will have a definite “knowing” and so will a praying, seeking church. Acts 13:1-3 “Now in the church that was in Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Mansen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.”
When God calls someone to a work, He will reveal it to the church leadership. We do not have to continually ask to be sent out or try to work our way into a position. Where God guides, He provides! All we must do is obey Him in doing what is set before us, rest in Him and allow Him to open doors for leadership. In doing so, our gift will make room for us (Proverbs 18:16).
The Preparation of the Five Fold Ministers
Those whom God divinely called are also divinely equipped and prepared. God always prepares before He sends out, and this takes time. Jesus called twelve men and then prepared them for the work of the ministry. Their only call was to follow Him (Matthew 4:19). A disciple is simply one who follows another’s teaching. Many times the disciples just sat and listened to Jesus. Likewise, we must sit down before we can be sent out. We must learn before we can teach. We must be disciples before we can be apostles. We must follow before we can lead.
Jesus prepared His twelve disciples in three basic ways. They were called to be with Him, to obey and to follow His example. The disciples were called to “be with Him” (Mark 3:l4) so that He might pour Himself into them. Can you imagine what an education they received by living with Him for three years? They ate together, walked together, worked together, lived together and, by simply being with Him, they were constantly being prepared.
The disciples were also called to obey Jesus. Obedience is a great teacher. In fact, without obedience it is impossible to learn from Jesus (John 7:17). The Lord continually prepares us as we continually obey Him.
Lastly, the disciples were called to follow Jesus’ example. The Lord did not just give a few commands to obey, but He lived His life for all to see. He is our supreme example (John 13:15). To learn to pray we must look to Jesus. To learn to witness we must look to Jesus. Not only is He our example, He also gives us the power to live as He did (Acts 1:8).
One who is fully prepared for leadership will know God and himself. God often prepares us by revealing our weaknesses, as He did with Moses. We must learn to trust fully in Him, not in our own natural strengths and weaknesses. A leader will also have a thorough knowledge of God’s Word. A list of qualifications for leadership is given in the following passages: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous, one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” Titus 1:7-9 “For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and to convict those who contradict.”
The Ordination of the Five Fold Ministers
When a person has been called and fully prepared by God, the Holy Spirit will lead the Church to ordain him into the ministry. He will have proved his faithfulness and ministry in his local church (2 Timothy 4:5). The elders of the church will seek the Lord as to when to ordain him. They will not ordain a novice, or a new Christian (1Timothy 5:22). The Bible gives no technical terms to describe the way to be admitted to the ministry. Ordination involves appointing and “setting in” ministry by the laying on of hands and prayer. This publicly confirms God’s call and approves a ministry. The laying on of hands imparts the spiritual strength and gift to be a leader (1 Timothy 4:1,4; 2 Timothy 1:6).
Our Response to the Five-Fold Ministry
Now that we understand the five-fold ministry, what should our response be?
First, we need to pray for these ministers (1 Timothy 2:1-2; Hebrews 13:18). (Here is a great 30 day guided challenge to help you pray for your pastor.)
Second, we must submit ourselves to their oversight (Hebrews 13:17). Submission is an attitude of yieldedness and love.
Third, we must esteem and respect our leaders (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
Fourth, we should not gossip about leaders, but go directly to the source in the presence of witnesses to straighten gossip out (1 Timothy 5:19-20). We need to be loyal and faithful to the elders.
Lastly, we must financially support the five-fold ministers (Corinthians 9:9-14). The laborer is worthy of his hire (1 Timothy 5:17-18).
The five-fold ministers were given by Jesus for the Church. We need every minister that God has provided. One or two are not enough; we need all of the five-fold ministries. As God restores these ministries to the Church, we must correctly respond to them. God’s purposes will not be fulfilled outside of His divinely appointed leadership.
Worship is a lifestyle and while scripture declares to us worship goes beyond music, scripture certainly teaches us that the Lord adorns worship through music, and saturates the place of praise with His presence. In light of the scriptural significance on music we place high emphasis on this part of our gatherings. We desire to create an atmosphere in worship where everyone participates and encounters the presence of God. WE WERE CREATED FOR WORSHIP
Why does the Lord invite us into a posture of worship? The Lord, in His mercy, designed us to find our fullest expression in life by standing before H im accepted, delighted in, and ministering unto Him in thanksgiving and praise. God always chooses the best. If God, in loving us, chooses to design us as worshippers, then what’s the point? You always become like what you worship.
Please know that Spontaneous praise often erupts in the presence of God. We endeavor to be learners and good stewards of those moments.
Some forms of worship we express and invite our family and visitors into:
Our DNA and Style/Expressions
7 HEBREW WORDS FOR PRAISE
BARAK: This means to kneel down, to bless God as an act of adoration.
YADAH: This means to throw out the hand, to worship with the extended hand.
TOWDAH: This means an extension of the hand in adoration or acceptance.
SHABACH: This means to address in a loud tone, to triumph, glory, shout!
HALAL: This means to be clear, to shine, to boast, celebrate, be clamorously foolish.
ZAMAR: This means to touch the strings, to pluck the strings and sing along.
TEHILLAH: This means to sing, to laud; praise that God inhabits
These forms of worship are not modern, but ancient, practiced by generations long before us, and we say, “yes” in the space of worship, join us in this delightful lifestyle of worship.
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