The Church

 
We believe that a local church is an organized congregation of immersed believers, associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers are pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures.
 

We believe the true mission of the local church is to glorify God by making disciples through the faithful witnessing of Christ to all people as we have opportunity. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only Superintendent is Christ through the Word of God and the Holy Spirit; that it is Scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel; that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; that on all matters of membership, polity, government, discipline, and benevolence, the will of the local church is final.

We believe in the unity of all New Testament believers and that this universal Body is represented by local churches.

Matthew 28:19–20; 1 Corinthians 12:12–13; Ephesians 1:22– 23; 3:1–6; 4:11; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; Acts 15:13–18; 1 Corinthians 11:2; Acts 20:17–28; 1 Timothy 3:1–13; Acts 2:41–42