Our mission as a church is to love God, love others, and reach the world for Christ.
Mission & Beliefs
Mission & Beliefs
Our mission as a church is to love God, love others, and reach the world for Christ.
statement of faith
a. Statement of Basic Beliefs
The following Statement of Basic Beliefs consists of the most foundational and biblical doctrines of the Christian Faith. While church members are not required to fully explain all aspects of these doctrines, the explicit rejection of any of these basic beliefs will disqualify one from membership at SGC.
B. Doctrinal Positions
The following are doctrinal affirmations we believe to be clearly taught in Scripture and therefore will be taught at SGC. Though this list is not comprehensive, it serves to summarize some of the more prominent points of distinction that may distinguish our teaching and affirmations from other groups.
Observances of Water Baptism and Communion - Water baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and through immersion is a commandment given to all Christians. Water baptism is a visual demonstration of a person’s union with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection. As with water baptism, the Lord’s Supper or communion is to be observed only by those who have become genuine believers in Christ. Communion symbolizes the breaking of Christ’s body and shedding of His blood on our behalf and should be observed repeatedly throughout the Christian life.
Commitment to Evangelism - All believers in Christ are called to evangelize by spreading the Gospel message, and teaching His commandments. SGC is committed to fulfilling this command both personally and corporately.
The Church - The Church universal is made up of those who have become followers of Jesus Christ and exists to worship and glorify God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Church also exists to serve Jesus by faithfully doing His will on earth, and by loving God and neighbors. Upon conversion, newly redeemed men and women should be added to a local church in which they can devote themselves to teaching, fellowship, the Lord’s Supper and prayer.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit - All believers in Jesus Christ are indwelt by the Holy Spirit upon conversion. The Holy Spirit desires to fill each believer continually with increased power for Christian life and witness, and imparts His supernatural gifts for the edification of the Church and for various works of ministry. God has not ceased in displaying His goodness and power through spiritual gifts. No genuine outpouring of the Spirit will ever add to or contradict Scripture in any way.
God’s Sovereignty in Man’s Salvation - Though man is responsible to believe the Gospel message of Christ to be saved, God is the author, initiator, and finisher of this salvation.
Pursuit of Practical Righteousness - Practical righteousness, or walking in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is to be pursued by every believer. The primary means of this pursuit should come through growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, loving God and others with a selfless and sacrificial love, and biblical repentance (the process of transforming one’s thinking into alignment with God’s word). Believers pursuing this lifestyle will not be perfect, but must strive to walk in the same way that Jesus walked, knowing that they will one day have to give an account to Him.
Sanctity of Life - Humans are a creation of God alone and shall be honored as such. Aborting embryos or fetuses at any age or stage is considered murder in the eyes of the Lord. God created each human being with a unique body, soul, and purpose. He alone is the initiator and is also the finisher of life.
Church Discipline - Church discipline is a process of correcting sin and fostering righteousness in the life of the congregation and its members. The New Testament speaks of both formative and corrective discipline. In the broad sense, discipline in the church includes everything the church does to help its members pursue holiness and fight sin. This would involve such disciplines as preaching, teaching, prayer, corporate worship, accountability relationships, and godly oversight by elders. In the narrower sense, church discipline is any biblical method of correcting sin in the life of the body, including the possible final step of disassociating an unrepentant member from fellowship or membership in the local church. Church discipline may be carried out in various biblical ways, but the goal is always to correct sin and foster righteousness in the life of the congregation and its members.
Qualified Male Eldership - Scripture is clear that the position of elder shall be held by men of a high moral character and gifting as described in I Timothy 2:12; 3:1-7; and Titus 1:6-9.
Complementarian Understanding of Male and Female Roles - Scripture reveals a pattern of complementary order between men and women and their roles. This order is rooted in God’s creation and is a testimony to the relationship between Christ and His bride, the Church.
Marriage between One Man and One Woman - It is the biblical position that marriage involves the union of one man and one woman in permanent sacred fidelity. Though various customs and cultures have evolving definitions of marriage, it is God alone who has the ultimate authority to prescribe and describe the marital relationship. Any other definition of marriage is regarded as sin.
Sexual Morality - Any sexual activity outside of the boundaries of the sacred marital relationship between one man and one woman is clearly and expressly prohibited by the Lord. Consequently, we regard any and all forms of sexual immorality as sinful. This includes adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pedophilia, pornography, or even lustful intent toward such.