Style
-
Come just as you are… You can feel comfortable to dress informally (a tie is not a requirement for admission).
-
…but don’t expect to leave the same way. Each Week a relevant service is designed so people will leave better equipped for life than when they arrived.
Purpose Statement
The Purpose of Discovery Church is to encourage people to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ, which includes discovery of an commitment to the great commandment in Matthew, Chapter 22, verses 36-40 and to the Great Commission found in Matthew, Chapter 28, verses 18-20. For more information about living a purpose driven life, please see the section of this website devoted to Discover Purpose
Beliefs
Since the following statement of beliefs is an accurate summary of basic spiritual truths, all members of Discovery Church are to refrain from advocating beliefs which are contrary. In areas where the Bible is silent, each believer is to seek guidance from God, to whom ultimate account must be given.
GOD:
- God is the creator and ruler of the universe. God exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God continues to sustain creation and God continues to operate throughout history to fulfill redemptive purposes.
- (Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3:22; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2)
JESUS CHRIST:
- Jesus Christ is the Son of God, coequal with God. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect once and for all sacrifice for the sins of people by dying on a cross. Jesus arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate his power over sin and death. Jesus ascended to heaven and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
- (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 4:14-15)
HOLY SPIRIT:
- The Holy Spirit is equal with God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation, providing the power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. It is the calling of the follower of Jesus Christ to live under the control of the Holy Spirit every day.
- (John 14:16-17; John 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Galatians 5:25)
PEOPLE:
- People are made in the image of God and are the supreme object of God?s love. Although people have tremendous potential for good, people also are marred by disobedience toward God, (commonly referred to as ?sin?), which causes separation in relationship with God.
- (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23)
SALVATION:
- Salvation is a gift from God to people, who can never make up for sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God?s offer for forgiveness can people be saved from the penalty of sin.
- (John14:6; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:8-9)
ETERNAL DESTINY:
- People will exist eternally in union with God through forgiveness and salvation or eternally separated from God by sin. To be eternally in union with God is eternal life. To be eternally separated from God is hell. Heaven and hell are places of eternal existence.
- (Matthew 8:11; Matthew 24:44; John2:25; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15)
BIBLE:
- The Bible is Gods word to all people, written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Bible is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.
- (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 3:16)
Core Values
CREATIVITY AND EFFECTIVENESS
- It is essential for the church to be creative and effective in everything that is done.
RELEVANCE WITHOUT COMPROMISE
- While there is strong commitment to being relevant in an ever-changing culture, there also is a strong commitment to never-changing truth.
RELATIONSHIPS
- Relationship with God and relationships with people matter more than tasks and things.
PROCESS
- It is a process for most people to decide to become a Christian and it is a process for all Christians to discover how to follow Jesus Christ more closely. Church is not about manufacturing products.? Church is about enabling and encouraging people to make a spiritual journey, which is a life-long process.
GIFT-BASED TEAM MINISTRY
- The best and most biblical way to do ministry is for believers to discover, develop, and use their spiritual gift with a team of people.??
OUTWARD FOCUS
- The church should reflect God’s concern for all people by maintaining a high priority on reaching out to people who are non-believers and non-churched.
AffiliationDiscovery Church is autonomous and maintains the right to govern its own affairs independent of any denominational control. However, with recognition that cooperation with other churches yields benefits for the kingdom of God, Discovery Church will affiliate with associational, regional, and national expressions of American Baptist Churches/U.S.A. In addition, Discovery Church will associate itself with organizations and participate with organizations in keeping with the character set forth in the purpose statement of the church.