What We Believe

We believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God. The Bible is God’s unfolding story of life and redemption for all humanity. It is life-giving, culturally relevant, and wholly true. We value practical life application teaching of the Bible and believe it calls us to action. We aim to learn, love, and live the Word. All authority is foundationally based in God. There is no human being, law, or personal vision that supersedes the truth found in the Bible. Leaders function as true vessels of authority if their actions correspond with the truth taught in the Bible. We are called to respect authorities as God has instituted those that exist, but this does not mean they have the power to teach what contradicts the Bible. The Holy Spirit will be our guide toward discovering the authority and truth found in the Bible, and He will never contradict the teaching of the Scriptures. (2 Timothy 3:16; Titus 2:15; Daniel 4:17,25; 1 Peter 5:3; 1 Timothy 5:19-20, Romans 13:1) 

We believe there is one God who is the creator and ruler of the universe; eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Son of God. He is fully man and fully God. He is co-equal with the Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15) and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all mankind (John 3:16). He rose from the grave three days later demonstrating His power over death, hell, and the grave (Mark 16:6). He ascended to the Father where He prays for us (Hebrews 7:25, 1 Timothy 2:5), he is preparing an eternal place for us (John 14:1-4) and he will come again for us (1 Thessalonians 4:11). (Genesis 1:1,26, 27, 3:22, Matthew 28:19, 1 Peter 1:2, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 John 5:7-8)

We believe God has revealed himself both through specific acts throughout history and that God continues to reveal Himself through His Word and creation. His existence is made known through His creation and His plan is made known through the events that are chronicled in the Bible. The Bible is an account of God’s revelation to humanity through history and allows us to be instructed in the way we are to live. The Holy Spirit guides us daily to live out what God has revealed to us. (Exodus 6:1-3; Revelation 1:1-3; Matthew 11:25-27; Romans 1:18-20)

 We believe that all people fall short of God’s design of a sinless life in perfect communion with Him.  Therefore, all people need a way to be reconciled to a perfect and sinless God.  We believe this comes through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ alone.  Salvation comes through a genuine belief, and life transformation, in Jesus alone. In Jesus’s death he gave us a perfect example of sacrifice and dedication to God, demonstrated the depth of God’s love, and displayed the seriousness of sin and God’s righteousness. Most importantly, Jesus triumphed over the forces of sin and death and took on the punishment we deserved.  Jesus paid the full price for our sins. (1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 John 2:2; 1 Timothy 2:6)

Baptism is practiced differently in many Christian traditions. Baptism is not an act of bringing someone salvation; therefore, we embrace the diversity of those expressions at Family Church.  That means you could see some infants dedicated and others baptized.  You could see young children baptized by immersion as well as adults. The act of baptism and the use of water in baptism has no saving power.  This sacrament illustrates Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection and is commanded by Jesus Christ.  Our goal is to not create stumbling blocks for people when it comes to taking their commitment to Jesus to another level; instead, we want to be a trampoline to spring them to new heights! (Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:3-4; Acts 8:38-39; Colossians 2:12; Matthew 3:16)

Communion is practiced differently in many Christian traditions. Communion is not an act of bringing someone salvation; therefore we embrace the diversity of those expressions at Family Church.  Communion is a Christian rite that is taken in community with other believers as a form of proclamation pointing towards what Christ’s death accomplished. It is a commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice and the elements taken are symbols of the body that was broken and the blood of Christ that was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. (1 Corinthians 1:24-25; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:26-29; 1 Corinthians 10:15-17)

We believe in a universe that is a unique creation and that the source of creation is the God who is revealed in the Bible as the "maker of heaven and earth." While there are varied views about the "how" of creation, leading to different portraits or models of creation, we must agree on certain essential beliefs or doctrines about creation.  These are beliefs that we find anchored in the revelation of Holy Scripture. We believe that God created the universe including a literal Adam and Eve and that through Adam and Eve sin entered humanity.  (Genesis 1-2:1; Genesis 2; Hebrews 11:3; Colossians 1:16; Romans 1:20)

We believe that God gifts every believer with spiritual endowments for the edification of the church and for reaching the world with the Gospel. We affirm that all spiritual gifts are active and honoring to God when they are used to build up the church and bless the world. We are also aware that when the Spiritual Gifts are forced or misused, they often become a source of division in the church. We encourage believers to discover their gift, develop it, and use it for the Lord.  We also call believers to exercise humility, wisdom, and discernment to make sure the gifts do not become a point of dissension and conflict in the church. (Romans 12:3-13; 1 Corinthians 13-14; Ephesians 4:1-16)

We believe every Christian is a disciple (follower) of Jesus. Our Savior has called each of us to enter a process of deepening in faith and maturity. This process lasts a lifetime. At Family we focus on eight biblical markers of maturity that help guide our spiritual journey: 1) Holy Fasting, 2) Abundant Prayer, 3) Bible Learning 4) Intentional Giving, 5) Transformational Gathering 6) Sacrificial Service 7) Fruitful Multiplying 8) Continual Coaching. This process of spiritual growth happens in many ways in the flow of life and through the ministry of the local church.  Spiritual growth (Discipleship) happens when we worship, gather in small groups, engage in Bible studies (both personal and corporate), attend classes, serve in the church and world, do outreach, share life together, and in many other ways. Every Christian should be growing as a disciple and also helping others grow in spiritual maturity. (Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 4:14-16; 2 Timothy 2:2; John 8:31-32)

We live to demonstrate a GRACE that is extended to people wherever they are in life’s journey. Specifically, Grace for those who are broken, forgiveness for those who stumble, and restoration for those who fall. We want those with ruin and wreckage in their lives to find grace and wholeness. We receive grace. We give grace.

We live to demonstrate a TRUTH that is kind, liberating, and charitable. We recognize our words can be life-giving or death-dealing. We will speak the truth in love so that Christ is exalted; the church is unified and matured, and the dignity of all people is honored and preserved.

We live to demonstrate a FAITH by living in dependence on God. We trust that God is who He says He is and that God does what He promises to do.

We live to demonstrate a FAITH by living in dependence on God. We trust that God is who He says He is and that God does what He promises to do.