As archaic and parochial as this may sound, we take Christian doctrine seriously. Much of the unity we enjoy in our fellowship comes from the fact that we are like-minded on the essential beliefs of the Christian faith. God has given us clarity in the Scriptures concerning the foundational elements of right belief. As a member church of the Evangelical Free Church of America, we hold to the following instruction regarding our doctrinal firmness:
"In essentials unity, in non-essentials charity, in all things Jesus Christ." -John Chrysostom
Secondary issues of faith need to be dealt with graciously, as there may be some differences among us. The members of Providence Church, along with the members of other Evangelical Free Church of America congregations, hold to the following Statement of Faith.
1. God We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.
2. The Bible We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.
3. The Human Condition We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled, and renewed.
4. Jesus Christ We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus, Israel’s promised Messiah, was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.
5. The Work of Christ We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.
6. The Holy Spirit We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips, and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
7. The Church We believe that the true Church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true Church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.
8. Christian Living We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor, and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.
9. Christ’s Return We believe in the personal, bodily, and premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service, and energetic mission.
10. Response and Eternal Destiny We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.
We Affirm: 1. The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Believer Every believer possesses the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from salvation on and it is God's intent for those who are born again to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is sovereign in bestowing gifts to the Church for the perfecting of the saints, not to manifestly glorify Himself or the gifts. Therefore, it is requested that the gift of tongues not be exercised or promoted at any function associated with this church.
2. The Sanctity of Human Life Human life is a gift from God to be cherished from the time of conception until natural death. All humans have the God-given right and responsibility to enjoy the length of life willed by their Creator. God is sovereign over the giving and taking of life. Human life begins at conception, each soul an immediate creation of God, and continues until the soul is separated from the body in death.
3. Human Sexuality All humans are created by God as either male or female. Sexual relations between husbands and wives are commended by God, solely to be enjoyed within the married estate. Premarital, extramarital, and homosexual relations are prohibited in Holy Scripture.
4. Marriage and Family God has ordained that the family is an agent by which He has set forth to accomplish His purpose in Christ, and the foundation of the family is marriage. The blessings and obligations of marriage are permanent. They are legitimately terminated by death, adultery, or desertion. Husbands and wives have joint responsibility for the physical and spiritual well-being of one another and their children in marriage. However, God has appointed men to exercise loving corporeal and spiritual leadership within their homes and to be the primary agents for the furtherance of the Christian faith within their own families and throughout the world.
5. Teaching and Leadership Roles Both men and women should utilize their spiritual giftedness within the parameters outlined in Holy Scripture. However, the general oversight and teaching ministries within the local church are limited by Scripture to men who meet the Biblical requirements. Women have vital oversight and teaching ministries within the Church to women and children.
6. The Use and Validity of Christian Counseling As a result of living in a fallen world, the effects of sin upon men and women are often painful, complex, and debilitating. Progress in the Christian life is best promoted by loving relationships within the local church. Christian counseling, where psychological theory and practice is conformed to Biblical truth, is a legitimate means to dismantle sinful patterns of thought and behavior, and to foster maturity and usefulness in Christ.
We Commend: The Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) as a confirmation in faith, as assistance in controversy, and a means of edification in righteousness.
A copy of The Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) is available by calling the church office at 440.937.5001.
Mission & Values
Providence Church's purpose is to
glorify God
by encouraging people to decide to follow Jesus Christ,
by guiding them to grow in Christ-likeness,
and by equipping them to multiply their faith in others.
Providence Church's VISION
By God's grace, Providence will be characterized by...
Individual Transformation
An increasing number of devoted followers of Christ who:
-Are being transformed into Christ-likeness
-Think Biblically about God and the world
-Respond genuinely to God's Word, Spirit and Grace
-Relate relevantly to our culture
-Give generously of their time, talent and treasure for God's glory
Meaningful Relationships
A growing family of believers who joyfully live out their faith together through:
-Loving and transparent relationships
-Small group prayer and Bible study
-Sharing one another's burdens and encouraging one another's walk with God
Outreach
Reaching people beyond our walls by:
-Building redemptive relationships with individuals and families
-Corporately providing ministries and events which address the needs of young families and individuals
-Strategically reaching out to and engaging children, teens, and young adults
A Growing Capable Leaders
An increasing number of godly and skilled leaders who:
-Model Biblical maturity and priorities in their personal and family lives
-Give themselves to proactively shepherd and lead others
-Promote spiritual reproduction in our small group and discipleship ministries
-Multiply themselves by building the next generation of leaders for Christ's Kingdom
Advancing God's Kingdom
Contributing to the world-wide expansion of God's kingdom by:
-Planting new churches which, in turn, will plant new churches
-Establishing strategic partnerships with domestic and international missions
-Encouraging, equipping and sending Christian workers
Our purpose forms the basis of each decision we make at Providence, and it keeps us FOCUSed on the things that are really important:
Founded On Truth
The only source of ultimate truth is God's Word to mankind, the Bible. All decisions we make and things we do are based on the truth of the Bible.
Opportunity For Impact
At Providence, we want to develop each person's gifts and talents so they can make a powerful impact for Christ in their circle of influence.
Connected To One Another
We make a point to invite people into relationships and knit individuals into a network of genuine friendships centered on Christ.
Unified In Worship
We learn about Christ together, speak to Christ together in prayer, and respond to Him together in collective worship.
Sharing God's Story
As a church, we will create opportunities for our friends to hear about God's story. We'll give you the tools you need to share His story wherever you might be.
FCT Statement
Providence Church's mission is Following Christ Together
Evangelical Free Church of America
The Evangelical Free Church of America is an association of some 1,350 autonomous churches united by a mutual commitment to serve our Lord Jesus Christ with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and obedience to the Word of God. We are committed to cooperate with one another in ministry and fellowship as we seek to fulfill the Great Commission which Christ has entrusted to His Church. The growing ministry of the EFCA currently extends to some 45 countries of the world. The Evangelical Free Church of America movement exists to glorify God by multiplying healthy churches among all people.
What Does Evangelical Mean? The term Evangelical refers to our commitment to the proclamation of the Gospel and to the authority of Scriptures as being inerrant in the original autographs and the only safe and sufficient guide to faith and practice.
What Does Free Mean? The term Free refers to our form of church government as being congregational. Evangelical Free Churches depend upon the active participation of lay people in the decisions and direction of the church.
Distinctives of the Evangelical Free Church of America
1. The Evangelical Free Church of America is inclusive not exclusive. The great heritage of the Evangelical Free Church people around the world includes the fact that fellowship and ministry opportunities in the local church are based solely on one's personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, trusting in Him alone for salvation. Membership requires commitment to sound doctrine as expressed in our Statement of Faith. However, a person is not excluded from membership because he or she does not agree on every fine point of doctrine. Within the Evangelical Free Church, there is allowance for legitimate differences of understanding in some areas of doctrine.
2. The Evangelical Free Church is evangelical but not separatistic. The Evangelical Free Church was born out of a heritage of commitment to the authority and inerrancy of Scripture. We have deep convictions based on the authority of God's Word, but we do not draw battle lines over minor points. Nor do we make minor issues of doctrine a test of fellowship in the local church. We are evangelical. We believe in separated living and personal holiness. But we are not separatistic.
3. The Evangelical Free Church of America is ecumenical in spirit though not in structure. We believe in the spiritual unity of the church, though not necessarily in structural union. We join with other Christians and other denominations of like precious faith in common goals and ministries to accomplish the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. But we believe that there is strength in diversity and that it is important to preserve our distinctives. We recognize that union in structure does not guarantee unity of spirit. Our foremost concern is unity of spirit with our Lord, with each other, and with other Christians.
4. The Evangelical Free Church of America believes in liberty with responsibility and accountability. We believe in Christian liberty, but freedom always has its limitations. Responsible Christians do not abuse freedom. The Apostle Paul wrote forcefully about Christian liberty in the book of Galatians. He shattered the legalists with the doctrine of grace. But in I & II Corinthians and Romans, the apostle also rebuked believers when liberty was abused. He declared boldly the principles of Christian liberty but spoke with equal forcefulness about Christian accountability. The Evangelical Free Church desires to preserve our freedom in Christ and encourage our people to be responsible, godly men, women, and young people who desire to live under the control of the Holy Spirit, in obedience to the principles and precepts of God's Word, and in harmony with God's will for life as revealed in the Scriptures.
5. The Evangelical Free Church of America believes in both the rational and relational dimensions of Christianity. We believe the Scriptures must be applied to our individual lives with warmth of heart, warmth of message, and warmth of concern. We believe it is essential to have solid Biblical content in our doctrinal understanding of faith, but it is equally important to have a dynamic, vital relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son, and to live by the power of the Holy Spirit. Sound Christian doctrine must be coupled with dynamic Christian experience. Ours is a ministry of love and reconciliation.
6. The Evangelical Free Church of America affirms the right of each local church to govern its own affairs. The Evangelical Free Church is committed to a congregational form of government as stated in Article 10 of our Confession of Faith: "We believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Head of the Church and that every local church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern its own affairs." Strong pastoral leadership coupled with discerning and well-equipped Christian lay people can produce spiritual growth as well as significant church growth. The New Testament emphasizes the importance of the Body of Christ ministering through the spiritual gifts that have been given to each believer. "Congregational in government" means that each local church governs its own affairs. Within the local church, the highest human authority rests in the congregation.
EFCA Allegheny District
Providence Church is a member of the Allegheny District of the EFCA. The Allegheny District is comprised of 28 churches and 10 church plants in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, and West Virgina that support the EFCA and work to encourage one another.
To learn more about Providence's association with the Allegheny District, visit www.alleghenydistrict.com. There are many resources for the church and a variety of ways that you can support the District.
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