Beliefs & Core Values
Beliefs
SCRIPTURE.
We believe the Bible is God’s Holy Word. It is as fresh and relevant today as ever. It is unlike any other document recorded in history because it was uniquely inspired by Him. We embrace its authority as both our foundation and filter for living as followers of Jesus. We trust it and it alone to be our compass in a culture of shifting morals and ethics.
GOD.
We believe in the trinity, which is God existing and revealing Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As our Creator and Redeemer, He is to be the most important part of our lives. To place anything above God is idolatry and causes us to miss our primary purpose for living.
MAN.
We believe men and women were created in the image of God. We were made to live in relationship with Him and bring Him glory, but through the disobedience of the first two created humans, Adam and Eve, we all became sinners by nature and in need of salvation. We have great potential but are broken and need to be made whole.
JESUS CHRIST.
We believe Jesus has always existed with the Father and Holy Spirit as the second person of the trinity. When He came to this world, He was both God and man and fully revealed God to us. He lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and was raised on the third day for our eternal salvation. Jesus is our hope and our hero and the Savior of all mankind.
HOLY SPIRIT.
We believe the Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity, not a mysterious force or “thing.” We refer to the Holy Spirit as “He,” not “it.” He leads us to faith in Jesus and helps us become more like Him. He represents the presence of God on earth and lives permanently within all true believers. He empowers us with gifts to establish and strengthen His church.
SALVATION.
We believe we are saved by grace, through faith in Jesus alone. Only the finished work of Jesus can save us from our sins. No other acts, such as confession, baptism, prayer, walking an aisle, or serving in the church, can be added to believing as a condition for our salvation. God longs for all people to be saved.
SANCTIFICATION.
We believe sanctification is the gradual process of becoming more like Jesus in our daily lives, from Monday to Sunday. Every believer is to grow in their relationship with, and resemblance to, Jesus. Sanctification is evidence of being a true believer.
ASSURANCE.
We believe God keeps those whom He saves. Once we become His child, He never kicks us out or abandons us. The best inward indication that we are children of God is the indwelling presence and influence of the Holy Spirit. The best outward indication that we are children of God is a transformed life that looks more like Jesus.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS.
We believe the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to every true believer in Jesus. The primary purpose of these gifts is to serve and strengthen the local church.
THE CHURCH.
We believe the church consists of all true believers who have joined together under a common leadership to fulfill Jesus’ mission in the world.
MISSIONS.
We believe the mission of the church is to make lifelong followers of Jesus in every part of the world. As a church, we are a mission to Douglas County and the furthest reaches of the world. This means missions is who we are and what we do, not just something we support.
ORDINANCES.
We believe that ordinances are outward physical practices that help us understand inward spiritual realities. Jesus gave us ordinances to help us remember Him and the work He is doing in us. We practice the ordinances of communion and baptism by immersion for those who have professed faith in Jesus.
ANGELS, DEMONS, AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE.
We believe that there is an unseen world of angelic and demonic beings that have a direct impact on the world around us. We are to engage in spiritual warfare through the weapons given to us in scripture.
ETERNITY.
We believe that all people will stand before God and face judgment. All those who have confessed their sins and placed their faith in Jesus will receive eternal life in heaven. All those who have rejected Jesus will receive eternal separation in hell. There is no in between.
Core Values
STRONG IN WORD AND SPIRIT.
Grace Chapel is grounded in the Word and guided by the Spirit. We believe a healthy church has the Bible as their foundation and filter and the Spirit as their source of power. (Acts 4:29-31)
SECURE IN THE GOSPEL.
Grace Chapel finds our core identity in the gospel of Jesus, which tells us we are fully known and fully loved children of God. The gospel informs our entire understanding of who we are and why we are here. (Col. 2:9-10; Romans 5:18-19)
EXCEPTIONAL HOSTS TO THE HURTING.
Grace Chapel offers a spiritual home for all people. We know that everyone is fighting a battle. We extend grace instead of judgment, freedom instead of condemnation, hope instead of despair, and relationship instead of religion. We will be known as a place of healing and restoration. (Mark 2:14-18)
UNASHAMED WITNESSES.
Grace Chapel is not afraid to share the hope of Jesus with all the world. In an age of shifting values and morals, we remain confidently committed to the reality that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave to give us eternal life. From this we will never stray. (John 3:16-17)
SERVANT LEADERS.
Normal people are necessary. Grace Chapel embraces Jesus’ model of selfless servanthood. We are all equals under the cross. Therefore, we are all called to serve the body as we focus on the needs of others above our own. (Php. 2:1-11; Mark 10:45)
COMMITTED TO ONE ANOTHER.
Grace Chapel calls one another to meaningful biblical community. We need the support and help of others to reach our God-given potential. Because of that, we are committed to practicing the “one anothers” of scripture. (Acts 2:42-47)
STRATEGIC RISK TAKERS.
Grace Chapel chooses to walk in faith, not fear. We make our decisions mindful that Jesus calls His followers to a life of risk and uncertainty over a life of caution and safety. (Luke 9:57-62)
ETERNALLY FOCUSED.
Grace Chapel operates with a sense of urgency because eternity matters. In the big picture, nothing is more important than a person’s soul. We use our time and money to make an eternal difference in people’s lives. (2 Cor. 4:16-18)
AUTHENTIC.
Grace Chapel is an imperfect church filled with imperfect people. We are jars of clay. Jesus is our treasure. Our weaknesses and imperfections highlight His greatness. We refuse to pretend to be something we’re not. (2 Cor. 4:6-7)
MULTI-GENERATIONAL.
Grace Chapel encourages people of all ages to connect with one another in meaningful relationships. In God’s family, we’re all brothers and sisters. We believe a healthy church consists of healthy relationships that span all generations. (Romans 8:14-17)