After nearly 2 years of prayer, study and hard work, we have written a Statement of Faith, which represents the fundamental beliefs and values of our church.  It was approved by a vote of our congregation on Sunday, April 14.   We’ve included it on a post so as to give everyone an opportunity to understand what we hold to as the people of God and what draws us together as a local congregation.   The new Statement will be posted else where on our website with proof texts available. Center Hill Community Church Statement of Faith It has been the practice of Christian churches for centuries to declare fundamental beliefs in creeds, confessionals and statements of faith. We as a local congregation, by virtue of being drawn together by a common purpose and certain beliefs, do set forth the following cornerstones of truth as our Statement of Faith. It is our intention that all who wish to join in membership in this local congregation agree with this statement and thereby place themselves under responsibility to believe and live in accordance with it.  1. One True God – We believe that there is one living and true God, holy, infinitely perfect, eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit; having limitless knowledge, sovereign power and bringing about all things for His glory.  2. Scriptures – We believe that the Scriptures were inspired by God, written by human authors and are without error in their original manuscripts. The Bible is a heavenly treasure of perfect instruction which will never lead us astray, is the ultimate authority for all matters of faith and godliness; and by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. 3. Condition of man – We believe that God created man sinless in His image, but he disobeyed God when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, all human beings are spiritually dead and sinners both by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Being in such state, condemns man to separation from God both now and in eternal torment. Man’s only hope from this condition is for God to provide a way of salvation. 4. Salvation – We believe salvation is the gracious provision of God, according to which He chooses, regenerates, justifies and glorifies sinners. It is the glorious gift and sovereign work of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Man must repent of his sin and believe by placing his trust in the person and the finished work of Jesus Christ who provided the way of salvation by his substitutionary death on the cross. His death satisfied God’s demand of a perfect sacrifice as the only payment for man’s sin. Christ living a sinless life fulfilled the requirements of God’s law thereby providing the only acceptable sacrifice for all who believe. All who truly repent and believe are saved and will endure in their faith and deeds to the end. Salvation is the glorious display of God’s sovereign grace and excludes our boasting and demands our humility. 5. Christian Walk – We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God and the well-being of his fellow men; this walk in holiness is progressive, leading us to ever-increasing Christ-likeness, and can only be accomplished by the work of the Holy Spirit. It is man’s responsibility to study God’s Word and obey it. This obedient walk involves a high commitment to a local body of believers, identification with Christ through believer’s baptism and regular fellowship in the Lord’s Supper.  6. The Church – We believe the Church is comprised of all who have been justified by God’s grace. Its mission is to disciple people from unbelief to spiritual maturity in Jesus Christ. All of the endeavors of the local church, including the administration of the ordinances of believer’s baptism and the Lord’s supper, are to be guided by multiple leadership and supported by the wise stewardship of God’s people.  7. Christ’s return – We believe in the personal and bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ at a time known only to God the Father. God will raise the dead from the grave and bring all to judgment, believers unto eternal jubilation and unbelievers unto eternal torment. His return demands our constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates us to energetic Christ-likeness. As adopted and approved by membership of Center Hill Community Church on April 14, 2013 soli deo gloria

It amazes me as I sit with others, including Pastors, and hear this question, “How many attend your church?”  Or “How big is your ministry?”, “Why are you out in the country so far?”, “Are you planning on staying there long?”  Questions that seem to mask an underlying thought that ministries that do not have hundreds in attendance or is an urban setting with greater “potential” is somehow only a stepping stone to true ministry.  Nothing could be further from the truth and shows a complete misunderstanding of the mission of God’s church. God has truly called Pastors, yours truly included, to full time, gospel centered ministries at smaller rural churches.   I love Pastoring at Center Hill and love the people of this congregation.  It is my prayer that for many years to come God allows me to continue to preach and minister here to His people.  Nothing brings greater joy to a Pastor than to see growth in the gospel, deeper love for God and more intimate appreciation for His glory in those who sit under his shepherding whether that be dozens, hundreds or thousands. A recent article appeared in The Gospel Coalition’s website that states this better than I could. Please read it and know this, God has called this Pastor to the greatest people and truly one of the most exciting ministries possible.  I am truly blessed. Rural Ministry is not second rate soli deo gloria

Holy week is upon us.  Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey on Palm Sunday and was entering his last few days on this earth before his crucifixion and resurrection   If you would like to have a reading guide to focus you in on the events of the days of Holy week please check out the following webpage: http://bethelbiblechurchaz.com/2013/03/23/holy-week-reading-plan-2/ John Piper has also published a free e-book focused on Holy week entitled “Love to the Uttermost” that can be downloaded from this link: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/love-to-the-uttermost-free-ebook-for-holy-week Please check out both of these resources as you focus on the love that God showed us sinners by sending his Son to suffer and die for our sins.  If anyone questions God’s love for his creation all they need to look at is the amount of pain and suffering he allowed his Son to go through in order to pay for our sins.

Amen and amen!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=J_NqWzwDo6o   soli deo gloria

I know that I have not written much of my own thoughts in the past month but time and other constraints have not been my friend.  Soon I will be back to updating with my usual wit, sound theology and world shaking blogs (really …did I just really say that?)  Anyway, in the meantime, read this sound perspective and encouragement to Christians every where but especially to those of us here in Jefferson County who are 2nd amendment supportin’, high capacity carryin’, NRA card wavin’ Christ followers.  Take hope, He is in control not the thugs or the government.  http://thecripplegate.com/what-works-much-better-than-gun-control/ soli deo gloria

Hey Dads, Watch this one! soli deo gloria!  

soli deo gloria