What We Believe:            

 The centrality of the Scriptures, the Old and  New Testaments, as the authoritative Word of God and the only  perfect  rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct. We believe it is essential  to the  life of the Church that it be a company of people who want,  above all else, that  their lives be shaped by the powerful and  living Word of God. The alternative is  clear. Not to be shaped  by the Word of God is to be shaped by the world.

 The necessity of the new birth for  entrance  into God's kingdom, and the importance of continuing growth in the  grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ for sound spiritual health.  Jesus said,  "Unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom  of God" (John 3:3). He also  said, "If you continue in my word,  you are truly my disciples, and you will know  the truth, and the  truth will make you free" (John 8:31-32).

 The Church as a  fellowship of believers, characterized by mutual participation in and  sharing of the new  life in Christ. Membership is by confession of personal faith  in  Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. It is open to all believers. Considerations  of class or race, education or pedigree, wealth or prestige do  not enter.  Uniformity in creedal details is not expected. What  is required is that one be  "born anew to a living hope through  the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the  dead" (1 Peter 1:3).  "The doors of the church are wide enough to admit all who  believe  and narrow enough to exclude those who do not," said our forebears.  We  affirm no less today.

 The ministry of the Holy  Spirit, who  with the Father and the Son calls the church into being,  empowers  its witness, guides its mission, and supplies the gifts needed by  the  Church and its members to exalt Christ.

 The reality of freedom in  Christ, who delivers us from the power of sin and moves us by his  grace  into a whole new experience of obedience and life. This freedom  creates an  climate which allows for differences  of opinion in matters of  interpretation, doctrine, and practice  within the context of biblical guidelines  and historical Christianity.  Such freedom "is to be distinguished from the  individualism that  disregards the centrality of the Word of God and the mutual  responsibilities  and disciplines of the spiritual community".

Affirmations  like these  are not to be taken as creedal statements. They are  rather to be understood as  true and valid descriptions of what  we believe and cherish as they  continue to grow in the  grace and knowledge of God, awaiting that day when "the  kingdom  of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,  and  he shall reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:15).