Our Central Practices
To stay focused and unified on our mission, we clarify practical expressions of our beliefs.
Believer’s Baptism
Baptism is a response of faith, symbolizing dying to the old life and rising with Jesus. Baptism is for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord for salvation by grace through faith.
Weekly Communion
Weekly communion is a central act of our worship, remembering Jesus’ sacrifice and celebrating the unity of His followers. It is offered to everyone and sometimes observed alongside a shared meal, following early Christian practice.
Worship Music
While we do not condemn other worship styles, we worship utilizing both contemporary praise songs and some classic hymns in voices-only-style to encourage full congregational participation and reflect the simplicity of early Christian practice. A praise team helps lead and unify the singing while keeping it accessible for everyone.
Worship Expression
Our worship is heartfelt and respectful, allowing diverse expressions such as clapping, raising hands, and vocal affirmations, always balancing freedom with love for others.
Leadership
Men and women are equally valued and gifted by God. Certain roles (namely, elder and preaching ministry), are reserved for qualified men, while women lead, teach, and serve in ministry in many ways (This is what is often called a “moderate complementarian” approach). Leadership is about humility, responsibility, and service, and never superiority.
Spiritual Intervention
We commit to mutual accountability and restoration through loving, biblical processes. Following Jesus’ model, we begin correction privately and broaden involvement only as necessary to restore relationships.
End Times
We affirm Christ’s return, the bodily resurrection, final judgment, eternal destiny of believers in the new heavens and new earth, and unbelievers’ eternal separation from God. Differences in secondary end-times views are respected without causing division.
Spiritual Gifts
We affirm God’s ongoing work through the Spirit and His empowerment in our lives today. While we do not practice speaking in tongues or healings during our gatherings, we celebrate the diverse gifts God gives, focusing on unity and avoiding debates that divide the church.
Political & Social Concerns
Our ultimate allegiance is to God’s kingdom. While some Christians engage in politics as a way to love their neighbors and seek justice, no political party fully represents God’s kingdom. We believe followers of Jesus should remain prayerfully engaged, acting on personal conviction while showing love and grace to all people (especially those with differing views) in order to build bridges for the gospel.
Eternal Security
Salvation comes through faith in Jesus, not our performance. The Holy Spirit guarantees our salvation, and we focus on helping one another stay close to Christ. We will continually reach out to anyone who seems to be losing their way in following Christ.