What We Believe
The center of gravity of all things at Grace Church is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the center around which we orient our values, our preaching, our songs, our interactions as a community, and our love and care for the world at large.
Many churches have large, complex statements of faith. Tragically, these often serve to divide believers instead of uniting them as Jesus desired [see: John 17:20-23]. As such, the Elders of Grace Church keep our statement of faith simple and ancient, using the most ancient creed of Christianity to unite around - the "Apostles Creed".
Many churches have large, complex statements of faith. Tragically, these often serve to divide believers instead of uniting them as Jesus desired [see: John 17:20-23]. As such, the Elders of Grace Church keep our statement of faith simple and ancient, using the most ancient creed of Christianity to unite around - the "Apostles Creed".
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I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy universal Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. |
This creed has been used for at least 1800 years to train new Christians and clarify what Christianity actually believes; as such we take it as our core central unifying belief.
We also celebrate two ordinances as instituted by the Lord: the Lord’s Supper (aka: communion/eucharist) and baptism. Because of our commitment to unity (see our Core Values), we allow our members to lovingly and respectfully disagree on any non-essential issue, while standing firm to the key essentials of the Gospel. So, we will be unbreaking on the statements in the Apostles’ Creed, but allow loving and respectful disagreements on other issues.
We also celebrate two ordinances as instituted by the Lord: the Lord’s Supper (aka: communion/eucharist) and baptism. Because of our commitment to unity (see our Core Values), we allow our members to lovingly and respectfully disagree on any non-essential issue, while standing firm to the key essentials of the Gospel. So, we will be unbreaking on the statements in the Apostles’ Creed, but allow loving and respectful disagreements on other issues.
What kind of people gather at Grace?
- People who value Gospel-centered preaching more than hearing what we want to hear
- People who value being in a covenant community more than exercising individualism
- People who value unity more than uniformity
- People who value spiritual growth more than comfort
- People who value "real and raw" more than "sanitized and safe"
- People who value living God's glory more than fitting into the culture
- People who value loving all of our neighbors as they are more than expecting unbelievers to act like believers