Mission Statement
“We seek to reach out and faithfully share the good news about Jesus Christ, and to nurture the responsive into fully committed followers of Christ.”
Statement of Faith:
This Statement of Faith expresses our theological convictions and firmly places Stonebridge Christian Church within the evangelical tradition.
1. We believe that the Bible is the inspired written Word of God, that it is inerrant in all that it teaches in its original writing, and that it is authoritative, applicable, and profitable for instruction in our daily lives. (Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16)
2. We believe that there is one God, existing eternally in the three persons of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Luke 3:21-22; 1 Peter 1:2)
3. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His pre-incarnate existence and glory, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His death and atonement for our sins through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension, and in His personal future return in power and glory. (John 1:1-2, 14, 20:30-31)
4. We believe that the Holy Spirit, through the proclamation of the gospel, renews our hearts, persuading us to repent of our sins and confess Jesus as Lord, and it is by His power that we are reconciled to God and able to live a godly life.
5. We believe that Christ will return to raise the dead, to establish His kingdom, to separate the wicked from God's presence, and the righteous, in glorious bodies, shall live and reign with him forever.
6. We believe that humans are sinful, that our sins separate us from God, and that we are unable to save ourselves. Salvation comes only by Jesus Christ and His grace, which we have access to by faith and not by works. This salvation is the process of God transforming us into the people He wants us to be, and so salvation will be fully realized in the future, when God welcomes His people into everlasting life with Himself. (Romans 3:21-24, Ephesians 2:8-10)
7. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers who comprise the church of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is summoned by Him to offer worship to God and to serve Him by preaching the gospel and making disciples of all nations.
Core Values:
These are important values that are core to the way we do things at Stonebridge.
1. We value each and every person, Christian or non-Christian, adult or child, because they matter to God. We value a church culture where people are actively “bringing and including” others, “inviting and enfolding.”
2. We value prayer because our reliance is on God to transform lives, and to guide and grow our ministries. We believe Christ is the Head of the church. We want to be led and empowered by Him.
3. We value the truth and the transforming dynamic of God’s Word, the Bible. We believe that every Christian should be committed to regularly attending church, and faithfully studying the Bible for spiritual growth and ministry fruitfulness.
4. We believe that every Christian is uniquely gifted by God to build up the church. We believe that we must equip, empower and encourage people to faithfully use their gifts in God-glorifying ways. Ministry must first and foremost be a commitment to serve God, rather than a commitment to serve people or an institution.
5. We value teams. The work of ministry is most effectively accomplished through teams of people working together. Through teamwork, believers’ lives are joined together, the church is strengthened, more effective ministry is possible, and the work of ministry is shared and sustainable.
6. We value families and believe a healthy family life is an essential foundation for healthy ministry. Ministry should not be detrimental to a person’s relationship with his/her spouse, children or parents.
7. We value relationships, and believe that authenticity in our relationships with God and with other believers, and accountability to other Christians is essential to growing deeper and stronger in faith. We can’t do it alone.
8. We value excellence in ministry. We believe excellence glorifies God, and as He is glorified, He will draw people to Himself.
9. We value personal and corporate integrity in everything we do and feel that our character should be a witness to the transforming power of Christ in our lives. We desire to be “salt” and “light” within the community He has placed us.
10. We value worshipping God—through our praise, our service and the way we live our lives—for He is worthy.