Reform #1—“Reformed in Doctrine”

We Hold to a High View of Scripture & Rejoice in the Sovereign Grace of God in Our Salvation.

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…” John 6:44

“…no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” John 6:65

“But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.—John 10:26-27

Reform #2—“Charismatic in Ministry”

We Hold to a High View of the Holy Spirit as we endeavor to Speak the Very Oracles of God and Serve Him in the Strength That He Provides Through the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

“Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ,”—1 Pet. 4:11

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. …But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. … the word of wisdom … the word of knowledge … faith …gifts of healing … effecting of miracles, … prophecy, …distinguishing of spirits, …tongues, … interpretation of tongues.  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. …For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, … and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. …—1 Corinthians 12:4-13 & 31

“What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.” —1 Corinthians 14:26-27

Reform #3—“Evangelical in Mission”

We Live Out the Great Commission as a Way of Life Rather than an Organizational or Institutional Program.

This means that fulfilling the Great Commission, Christ’s command to take the Gospel to all those who have yet to hear it, takes priority, not only for those who serve God in vocational ministry, but in the lifestyle decisions of every Christian.  This Great Commission, given by Christ just prior to ascending into heaven, is found in Matt. 28:18-21:

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”

Reform #4—“Spirit & Truth in Worship”

We Express Biblically Faithful Feelings of Spiritual Affection for God Through Biblically Sound Doctrinal Worship

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”   John 4:23-24

Reform #5 — “Household-like in Structure”

We Manage the Local Church as the Age-Integrated Extended Family-Household That God Has Made It to Be.

“But in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”—1 Timothy 3:15

“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”—Galatians 6:10

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”—Proverbs 13:20

Reform #6—“Devoted to Hospitality”

We Manage Each Home as the Embassy of God’s Kingdom Where our Guests May Taste and See that the Lord is Good.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.  All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself   and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.  We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.—2 Corinthians 5:17-20

Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people.—Acts 2:46-47

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; … devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.—Romans 12:10-14

Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint.—1 Peter 4:8-9

For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, …not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, …—Titus 1:7

Reform #7—“Productive in Fellowship”

We Develop More Loving Relationships By Engaging in One Another’s Good Works as Ministry Partnerships.

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.—Galatians 5:13

So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. —Galatians 6:10

Reform #8 —“Exemplary in Leadership”

We Lead Christ’s Church by Means of an Authoritative Example Rather Than By an Authoritarian Office.

“Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that.  Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.”—Luke 22:24-27

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.—1 Peter 5:1-4

Reform #9—“In Full Accord as Christ’s Body”

We Respond as a Church Member to Fellow Member’s Crisis and Ministry Opportunities in Unity of the Spirit.

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.  Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”—Phillipians 2:1-4

Reform #10—“Jurisdictional In Our Obligations”

We Strive to Trust God Enough to Obey Him in All Four Jurisdictions of God’s Kingdom by Doing the Right Things at the Right Times and for the Right Reasons.

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”—Mark 1:15

“For every thing there is a season, And a time for every matter under heaven.”  Ecclesiastes 3:1

“The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away… So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”—Psalm 90:10-12

Reform #11—“Responsible in Liberty”

We Define Our Biblical Convictions Openly and then Live Them Out Freely Before One Another in Love Under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”—Galatians 5:13

“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”—1 Corinthians 6:12

“Who are you to judge the servant of another?  To his own master he stands or falls; One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike.  Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.”—Romans 14:4-5

Reform #12 — “Complimentarian In Gender Roles”

We Honor & Support the Distinct Responsibilities God has Assigned to Each Person as a Man or a Woman.

But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. —1 Corinthians 11:3

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit  in everything to their husbands.   Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and  gave himself up for her,… However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she  respects her husband.—Ephesians 5:22-33

Reform #13—“Faithful In Finances”

We Give Priority to the Biblically Mandated Expenses of Minister Salaries, Member Charity & Missionary Support.

The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.  For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”  1 Timothy 5:17-18

And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. …and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them… Acts 4:32-35

Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren,… You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.  For they went out… accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth. — 3 John 1:5-8

Reform #14 — “Reproductive in Church Growth”

We Guide our Numerical Growth into New Church Plants Rather Than into the Expansion of Existing Churches.

Greet… the church that is in their house. …the church that is in her house.  To Philemon …and to the church in your house.—1 Corinthians16:19, Colossians 4:15, Philemon 1:1

So then those who were scattered …made their way to …Antioch— Acts 11:19

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. 20 … [I was] teaching you publicly and from house to house,— Acts 20:17

Reform #15 — “Consociational in Fellowship”

We Endeavor to Draw Together Reform-minded Elders to Support One Another In Practical Relationships Rooted in Affection.

The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.  — Acts 15:6