The Church – The church should be viewed as a people separated to God in His service and unto Him in relationship. The church is Christ’s. We follow Him in obedience and faith. The Great Commission gives the church its function, its purpose. Jesus tells us to teach, baptize, make, go, and obey. In other words, the church is to foster ministry, fellowship, discipleship, evangelism, and worship. Or, to use our words: Meaning, Encouragement, Stability, Significance, and Yielding. The church is at once a local body (this church), a global body (all Christians world-wide), and a universal body (all Christians everywhere throughout time).
Ordinances – Divinely ordained rituals that carry special significant for Christians. They offer us the opportunity to symbolically participate in the events of our redemption. We count baptism and the Lord’s Supper as ordinances. The meaning of these rituals, not the method, is of utmost importance. Both baptism and communion relate to the work Jesus did for us at His Passion. Baptism is a physical demonstration of His death and resurrection, and the placing of our faith in Him for salvation. Communion is a reflective act on our part that allows us to experience His suffering for us.
Worship – True worship incorporates both adoration of God and service to Him. Our service to Him is to be accompanied by reverence and adoration. Worship is our response to God’s revealing of Himself. And while corporate worship with other believers is important, so to is individual worship. In fact, individual worship is the foundational component of the truest corporate worship.
Proclamation – Every believer has the mandate from God to proclaim (or preach) the Gospel. The purpose of this is to introduce the unbeliever to Christ and inspire a change of life, and to instruct believers in how to best live out their faith. We must do this “in season and out of season”. When we feel like it and when we don’t. When it is expedient and when it is difficult.
Prayer – Prayer is our method of communicating with God. It is our fellowship with Him. As with any other important relationship in our life, communication is key to it being a vibrant and live one. Prayer should be heartfelt, rooted in humility, and recognizing of God’s preeminent place in our life. While formal prayers have their place, prayer should also be like a free and easy conversation between friends. And as with any other conversation, both parties should alternately talk, and listen.
Church Leaders – Jesus is the Leader of the Church. All the offices described in the New Testament were first ascribed to Him: Shepherd/Pastor, Overseer/Bishop, Apostle (sent One), Prophet, Teacher, and Deacon (servant). Church leaders are an extension of Jesus, and should exercise rule and authority in a manner such as He did. To be ordained is to be acknowledged as having a call to peculiar service for God. With ordination one also accepts the responsibility that comes with the office of church leadership. All church leaders have responsibility to God and to the church to be high examples of Christian love and morality as they serve God and His church.
Education – Christianity is a teaching religion, God a teaching God. Jesus’ prime identity was “Teacher”. Part of the Great Commission is to teach and make disciples. An effective Christian is one who seeks to understand the meaning of Scripture and have an intelligent comprehension of the Gospel.
Family – Marriage and family are God’s idea. Husbands are called to model the sacrificial love of Christ as they provide leadership in the home. Wives are called to model the church’s response to Christ. It is important to build healthy, strong families. This is accomplished through shared times of Bible reading and prayer, study, family worship (both at church and at home), and service to the church and community.