*Click on the references to read the Scripture passages.*

We believe the church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer born of the Spirit is an integral part of the general assembly and church of the firstborn whose names are written in heaven (Ephesians 1:22Ephesians 1:22

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,; 2:22Ephesians 2:22

in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.; Hebrews 12:23Hebrews 12:23

to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,).

The Church was established by Jesus himself, and it is He who leads it, nourishes it, protects it, and is at work perfecting it ( Matthew 16:16-18Matthew 16:16-18

16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.; Ephesians 1:22-23Ephesians 1:22-23

22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.; Ephesians 5:25-27Ephesians 5:25-27

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might [a]sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.; Colossians 1:18Colossians 1:18

And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.).

• We understand the word “church” to refer both to the “universal” church (the “Church”) (Ephesians 1:22-23Ephesians 1:22-23
  
  22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.) and to local congregations (1 Corinthians 1:2I Corinthians 1:2
  
  To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:).
• The Church is not a building – it is made up of all people throughout history who have believed in Jesus and it is not to be divided or segregated by race, gender, social class or status, political inclinations, or anything else. In Christ, all of the believers are one and, because faith is not limited to any particular group, the Church should reflect the full diversity of God’s creation. We as individual members of the Church should intentionally welcome others into the fold (Galatians 3:25-28Galatians 3:25-28
  
  25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.; Ephesians 3:6Ephesians 3:6
  
  6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,).
• We are all members of the body of Christ and each of us has an important function to play in accomplishing the work of the Church – being part of a Church is not a spectator sport! God has placed each of us in the Church to contribute to the work of the Church and we are all depending on each other to play our God-given roles (Romans 12:4-6Romans 12:4-6
  
  4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;; Ephesians 4:16Ephesians 4:16
  
  from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.).
• The purpose of the Church:
  • • Worship – the Church proclaims who God is and what He has done, with thankfulness (Psalms 22:3Psalms 22:3
      
      But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.; Romans 12:1Romans 12:1
      
      I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.; Ephesians 5:19-20Ephesians 5:19-20
      
      19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,; Colossians 3:14-17Colossians 3:14-17
      
      14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.; Hebrews 13:13-16Hebrews 13:13-16
      
      13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.; 1 Peter 2:9-10I Peter 2:9-10
      
      9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.).
    • Instruction/Discipleship – the Church devotes itself to the teaching of the word of God and to stirring one another to good works.  It is the duty of every believer to care for the other members of the Church – not just the duty of the church leaders: we are “our brother’s keepers” (Genesis 4:9Genesis 4:9
      
      Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”; Acts 2:42Acts 2:42
      
      And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.; Hebrews 10:24-25Hebrews 10:24-25
      
      24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.; 2 Timothy 2:1-2II Timothy 2:1-2
      
      1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.; Romans 15:1-2Romans 15:1-2
      
      1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.).
    • Community – the Church is united in Christ (Romans 15:5-7Romans 15:5-7
      
      5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.) and its members are inextricably linked to one another through Christ.  God calls Christians to love one another in word and action (Psalms 133Psalms 133
      
      1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.; John 13:34-35John 13:34-35
      
      34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”; Ephesians 4:1-3Ephesians 4:1-3
      
      I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.; 1 John 4:20-21I John 4:20-21
      
      20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.).The Church should therefore share together in various aspects of life such as suffering (Acts 4:29Acts 4:29
      
      Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,; Hebrews 13:3,13-14Hebrews 13:3, 13-14
      
      3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.), prayer (Acts 4:24Acts 4:24
      
      So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,, 12:12Acts 12:12
      
      So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.), worship (1 Corinthians 14:26I Corinthians 14:26
      
      How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.), meals (Acts 2:46Acts 2:46
      
      So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,; Hebrews 13:16Hebrews 13:16
      
      But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.), and service to each other (Galatians 5:13-14Galatians 5:13-14
      
      13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”; Hebrews 13:16Hebrews 13:16
      
      But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.; 1 Peter 4:9-10I Peter 4:9-10
      
      9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.).
    • Outreach – each member of the Church (not just the leaders) strives to proclaim the Gospel to all people in word and action. This is the mission of the Church (Matthew 28:18-20Matthew 28:18-20
      
      18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.; Acts 8:4Acts 8:4
      
      Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.).
• Church Leadership: Christ is the sole head of the Church and all of us, His disciples, are on equal footing before Him, with direct access to Him and responsibility for the work of the Church (Matthew 23:8-11Matthew 23:8-11
  
  8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.; Ephesians 4:15Ephesians 4:15
  
  but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—; Hebrews 13:20-21Hebrews 13:20-21
  
  20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.). Without overriding this equality, God has appointed officers in the Church, some of whom are charged with the leadership of the Church (1 Timothy 5:17I Timothy 5:17
  
  Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.; 1 Thessalonians 5:12I Thessalonians 5:12
  
  And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,; Hebrews 13:7,17Hebrews 13:7, 17
  
  7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.; Acts 20:28Acts 20:28
  
  Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.). Structures of Church governance are not the main focus of the ministry of the Church, but are necessary for equipping the saints (the Church) for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12Ephesians 4:11-12
  
  11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,; Hebrews 13:17Hebrews 13:17
  
  Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.).