We believe "by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). We further believe the emphasis for a continuous walk in grace should be the emphasis of heart righteousness and purity, trusting in the keeping power of God and walking after the Spirit and not after the flesh in a lifestyle that demonstrates the character, standards and convictions of Jesus Christ, not being conformed to the world (Jude 24; Romans 8:25; Galatians 5:16-25; Romans 4:1-5; 12:1-2).

This church is intentionally structured as an "autonomous" and "indigenous" entity, with no other church or organization having authority or control over it. We purposely avoid the use of the term "independent," as we believe the Lord Jesus Christ desires every believer and leader to be in relation and accountable to other believers.

Elders shall be men of intellectual and spiritual maturity, with proven Christian character and sound judgment, exemplary in their conduct, effective leaders and teachers. Elders shall be qualified in accordance with the guidelines of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 and be willing to be servants of the church. Additionally, Elders shall be members in good standing of the church and shall have proven themselves before the membership in other capacities of service.

Elders shall be responsible to:

a. Seek the Lord and find delight in Him

b. Labor and strive after godliness (1 Timothy 4:6-10)

c. Be an example to other believers (1 Peter 5:1-3)

d. Pray for the whole church program and for individual members (Acts 6:4)

e. Be involved in the teaching of the Word of God (Acts 6:4; Ephesians 4:11; Titus 1:9)

f. Assist the Senior Pastor-Teacher in the spiritual oversight and ministries of the church, working in close support with him and following his direction.

Elders will be chosen by the Senior Pastor-Teacher and mutually affirmed by the other church Elders and the Board of Trustees.

We believe the church is the Body of Christ expressed as the church individual and local, and the church universal and invisible (all true believers of all places and all times united together under one Lord), and that the basis of our fellowship is in Jesus Christ, in the power of the Spirit (Ephesians 2:13-22; 4:3-6; I John 1:6-7). As such, we believe the church to be more than merely a building or a gathering of people. It is a body living in relationship and harmony under the direction of the Head, Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:15; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Romans 16:5; 1 Peter 2:4-5; Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 4:11-16). The local church is an expression of the community of God.

The church is a membership organization. The local church is the manifestation within our society of THE church. All believers are members of THE church. Individual members of the Body of Christ will wish to associate with our congregation as members. Each local church exists for an express purpose in God's plan. The Lord will set some of those members of THE church into this local congregation as members as it pleases Him. As members of this local congregation they are given into the care and oversight of the Senior Pastor-Teacher and other leadership, which must give an account to God for their souls (Hebrews 13:17).

This church is owned by the Lord Jesus Christ who has entrusted the care of the flock to the leadership He has raised up here. It is not a place of public accommodation, nor is it a public institution. It is private property belonging to this church (Acts 20:28-31; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 1:20; 6:5; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; 2 John 9-11; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; Titus 3:10-11; Romans 16:17).

Old and New Testament Scriptures teach tithing and proportional giving as a model of God's financial plan for the support of His work. Responsible giving to the work of God ought to be practiced continually, cheerfully and with heartfelt motives by all believers according to their ability as an outward expression of the unity of the church, the Body of Christ, as it joins together in support of the work of the Lord (Genesis 14:18-20; 28:20-22; Proverbs 11:24-25; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; 1 Corinthians 16:22; 2 Corinthians 8:7-8; 9:6-9).

We believe the Scriptures are clear about helping those in need. We are commanded to do good to all people as we have opportunity, with a special emphasis upon caring for those who profess to be fellow Christians, especially those of our own fellowship of believers. We are commanded to be generous and willing to share. This is true for the church as an organization as well as for the individual members of the church. Therefore, in accordance with the biblical commands, as a fundamental aspect of the practice of our faith, we will share of our material goods with those in need and will minister to them to the best of our abilities (Proverbs 25:21; Isaiah 58:10; Galatians 6:10; 1 Timothy 6:18-19; Hebrews 13:16).

We believe the Scriptures clearly define that members of a congregation can seek out advice, consultation, direction, purpose, resolution, and guidance from amongst the shepherds, elders, and mature men and women within the Body of Christ (1 Kings 1:12; Proverbs 11:14; 27:9; Psalms 55:13-14). We believe instruction in righteousness is applicable by such activities as expounding the Scriptures through preaching, Bible classes, and Biblical counsel. This provides safety, defense, rescue and freedom from trouble (Psalms 55:13-14; Proverbs 1:11-14; 12:15). The personal care of the saints is the sanctification of the whole person, body, soul and spirit (1 Thessalonians 3:13; 5:23), through the love that flows from faith, patience and hope, and redemptive power of the Cross of Christ (Romans 3:25; Luke 9:23). The atoning blood of Jesus (Ephesians 2:13-16; 1 Peter 1:18-19), the transformation of the soul through the Word of God (Romans 12:1-2), the denying of the old nature (Galatians 2:20; 5:24; I Peter 1:13-15), salvation through grace and not works (Ephesians 2:1-8) and the promise of the resurrection (John 3:16, 10:25-26) are effective working mechanisms which characterize pastoral care ministry. Such ministry is foundational to the practice of our faith.

We believe in the creation and God as the Creator. We believe God created humankind and that he created them male and female. As such He created them different so as to complement and complete each other. God instituted monogamous marriage between male and female as the foundation of the family, the basic structure of human society. We believe is in families who choose to love and honor God and pattern their lives according to His holy Bible that He would enable healthy relationships of purity and protection to be developed
(Genesis 2:24; 12:3; 28:14).

We believe in church discipline administered within the church in a spirit of meekness and confidentiality. The purpose of such discipline is the restoration of the one subject to the discipline and/or the purification of the church (Matthew 18:15-20; Galatians 6:1; Romans 16:17; 2 John 9-11; 2 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2:6-8; 1 Timothy 5:20).