The purpose of every church is to glorify God by building up Christ’s body, the church, through the ministry of the Word, exercising spiritual gifts, personal godliness and proclaiming the person and work of Christ at home and abroad.
Biblical Analogies of Christ’s Church
Body of Christ: God appointed Christ to be Head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way. Ephesians 1:19-22
People of God: You are a chosen people… a people belonging to God… now you are the people of God. 1 Peter 2:9,10
Dwelling place of God, the Holy Spirit: You are… members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. You… are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22
Bride of Christ: Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, to make her holy… to present her to Himself as a radiant church… holy and blameless. This is a profound mystery -- but I am talking about Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:25-27,32
Who we are
Believer and seeker: Welcoming those in the faith and those who are not quite sure.
Majority and non-majority: Reflecting God's Kingdom in ethnic variety with 35+ countries represented in the unity of Christ.
Culture of our area: Predominantly university-oriented, with UNC, Duke, and NC Central, meeting people at life-crossroads; medical, with teaching hospitals; and business, with the Research Triangle Park.
Essence of Christian Beliefs
Core Christian teachings: Focusing faith on the central teachings. (see Statement of Faith).
Ordinances: Practicing believer’s baptism yet accepting those baptized as infants.The Lord’s Supper, as a symbol of Christ’s death, is open to all believers.
Conservative/Progressive: Conservative theologically; political/social from a variety of perspectives.
Non-denominational: People from many Christian backgrounds; non-affiliated.
Cooperative: Partnering, not competing, with churches and agencies around similar values.
Meeting place: The church is God’s people; a building helps facilitate meeting together.
Leadership
Governing structure: Elder governed, staff and lay led. Congregational approval on some major decisions—i.e., officers, pastors and ministers, budget and Constitution.
Multiple elders: A group of men oversee the church’s direction. A layman chairs the elders.
Pastors: Pastors join lay elders in guiding the church.
Decision-making: Elders attempt to make major decisions by consensus.
Lead pastor: As team leader, moves the church and staff toward a vision; not a senior pastor.
Professional staff: Staff lead by serving and equipping others to serve for Christ’s kingdom.
Lay ministry: Every believer is spiritually gifted to serve, some in ministry leadership.
Deacons: Men and women as designated servants for budget, facility, Sunday services and prepared for serving.
Finances: Money is managed responsibly with fundraising not a regular emphasis; giving is an act of worship and a demonstration of our reliance on a dependable God.
Style of Ministry
Worship: God is the audience with a variety of styles and tastes from the worshippers.
Prayer: The privilege of conversing with God comes in many expressions.
Spiritual life: Challenging people to trust Jesus, yet it is normal to struggle and hurt.
Biblical teaching: Scripture is taught as authoritative and relevant to daily living.
Lifelong learning: Personal insight and growth is encouraged throughout life’s journey.
Training of children: The church supports parents in raising their children to the Lord.
Community life: Loving one another distinguishes that we belong to God.
Small and mid-sized groups: Gathering regularly fosters close relationships.
Missional living: Living out our faith, in words and actions, by being other-person centered.
Cross cultural missions: Venturing into all parts of our world to proclaim Christ in obedience to the Great Commission - local, regional, and international; partnerships with ministries in Kenya, South Africa, Brazil, and Durham; commitment to cross-racial ventures; 35+ nationalities in the church; along with traditional overseas missionaries, especially in areas where there is no local church yet established.
Church planting: Reproducing churches in Christ’s name…as we were reproduced. New churches: Emmaus Way in Durham, and Chatham Community Church.
Commitments
Involvement: Investigate, belong, serve, lead – sometimes before becoming a member.
Membership: Take part in a prep-class, an interview, commit to Covenant of Fellowship.
Discipline: Accountability in Matthew 18:15,16 is meant to restore and to discipline.
Personal giving: Believers are to give to God with appreciation and compassion, cheerfully.