what we believe

SUMMARY

SUMMARY

  • All scripture is inspired by God, and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.
  • That God, Himself, is revealed as ONE God, existing in THREE persons: Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
  • We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of men, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, very God and very man.
  • We believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day.
  • We believe in the salvation of sinners by grace, through repentance and faith in the perfect and sufficient work of the cross of Calvary, by which we obtain remission of sins.
  • We believe in the necessity of water baptism by immersion in the name of the Eternal God-head, in order to fulfill the command of Christ.
WHAT WE BELIEVE

WHAT WE BELIEVE

SCRIPTURE

We believe in the plenary-verbal inspiration of the accepted canon of the Scriptures as originally given and that they are infallibly and uniquely authoritative, and free from eror of any sort in all matters with which they deal, including scientific and historical as well as moral and theological.
​
1 Timothy 3:16  //  1 Corinthians 2:13

GOD, HIMSELF

We believe in the Eternal Godhead, Who has revealed Himself as ONE God existing in THREE persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; distinguishable, but indivisible.

Matthew 28:19  //  2 Corinthians 13-14

BIBLICAL HISTORY

We believe in the full historicity and perspicuity of the Biblical record of primeval history, including the literal existence of Adam and Eve as the progenitors of all people, the literall fall and resultant divine curse on the creation, the worldwide cataclysmic deluge, and the origin of nations and languages at the tower of Babel. 

Genesis 1-11

CREATION

We believe in the creation, test, and fall of man as recorded in Genesis; His total spiritual depravity and inability to attain to divine righteousness.

Romans 3:10-18

THE LORD, JESUS CHRIST

We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of men, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, very God, and very man.

Luke 1:26-35  //  John 1:18  //  Isaiah 7:14; 9:16

CHRIST'S DEATH AND RESURRECTION

We believe Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day, and personally appeared to His disciples.

1 Corinthians 15:14  //  Romans 4:25

CHRIST'S BODILY ASCENSION

We believe in the bodily ascension of Jesus to heaven, His exaltation and personal, literal, and bodily coming again the second time for the Church.
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John 13:2-3  //  1 Thes 4:13-18

SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

We believe in the salvation of sinners by grace, through repentance and faith in the perfect and sufficient work of the cross of Calvary by which we obtain remission of sins.
​
Ephesians 2:8-9  //  Hebrews 9:12, 22  //  Romans 5:11

WATER BAPTISM

We believe in the necessity of water baptism by immersion in the name of the Eternal Godhead in order to fulfill the command of Christ.
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Matthew 28:19  //  Acts 2:37-39  //  19:1-6

BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as an experience subsequent to salvation.
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Acts 2:1-4, 8:14-17, 10:44-46  //  Galatians 3:14-15

THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

We believe in the operation of the gifts of the Spirit as enumerated in 1 Corinthians 12-14  and as manifested in the Early Church.

SPIRIT-FILLED LIVING

We believe in the Spirit-filled life, a life of separation from the world and perfecting holiness in the fear of God as an expression of Christian faith.

Ephesians 5:18  //  1 Corinthians 6:14, 7:1

MARRIAGE

We believe in the sanctity of marriage as established by the Holy Scriptures, and that God created marriage, and that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. 

Genesis 2:24  //  Romans 7:2-3  //  1 Corinthians 7:10-11  //  Ephesians 5:22-33

HEALING

We believe in the healing of the body by Divine Power or Divine healing in its varied aspects as practiced in the Early Church.
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Acts 4:30  //  Romans 8:11  //  1 Corinthians 12:9  //  James 5:1

COMMUNION

We believe in the Table of the Lord, commonly called Communion, or the Lord's Supper, for believers.
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1 Corinthians 11:28-32

ETERNAL LIFE

We believe in eternal life for believers.

John 5:24, John 3:16

And eternal punishment for unbelievers.

Mark 9:43-58  //  2 Thessalonians 1:9  //  Revelation 20:10-15

SATAN AND HIS JUDGEMENT

We believe in the reality and personality of Satan and eternal judgement of Satan and his angels.

Matthew 25:41  //  Revelation 20:10-15
CORE VALUES

Core Values

Value #1
The Word of God

We value the Holy Scripture as the inerrant Word of God, that is absolute and supreme in all authority, and is proven profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in all righteousness; adequately equipping all believers for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17  //  Psalm 119:161-162, Psalm 138:2, 2 Peter 1:19-21

Value #2
Worship

We value worship as the ultimate expression of holiness; communicating, in essence, the heart of passion in sincere pursuit of God, shedding off the idols of this life to join the Heart of God in spirit and truth.

John 4:23-24  //  Romans 12:1  //  1 Corinthians 2:10-12  //  ​Luke 4:8

Value #3
Prayer

We value prayer as the personal and corporate invasion of heaven; accessing the power and authority of faith by applying in confession and receiving our trust and dependency on the Father through Christ the Son.

James 5:16  //  Psalm 55:17  //  Matthew 17;21  //  Matthew 21:22  //  1 Thessalonians 5:17  //  ​Matthew 18:18

Value #4
Tithes/Offerings

We value tithes and offerings as our willful compliance to the will of God and evidence of His generous nature in the cheerful and liberal giving of our resources as a principle of divine prosperity; spiritually, physically, and financially.

Malachi 3:10-12  //  2 Corinthians 9:6-13  //  Leviticus 27:30-32  //  Deuteronomy 14:22  //  Luke 6:38

Value #5
Discipleship

We value discipleship as the means by which we are developed as devoted students to the Holy Spirit of Christ in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of truth, righteousness, and holiness; qualifying us to be partakers of His glory, power, and life.

John 8:31-32  //  Luke 14:27  //  John 13:35  //  John 16:13-15  //  Matthew 28:19

Value #6
Fellowship

We value fellowship as the means of relating to the Father and the Son and one another in purpose, life, and love.

1 John 1:3  //  1 John 1:7  //  Acts 2:42-47

Value #7
Evangelism/Outreach

We value evangelism and outreach as the active means by which we pursue, communicate, and demonstrate to our families, friends, communities, nation, and the world the love, grace, mercy, and life of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Isaiah 6:8  //  Isaiah 61:1-3  //  1 Corinthians 3:6-9  //  2 Timothy 4:5  //  Luke 4:43  //  Acts 1:8

Value #8
World Missions

We value world missions as the vehicle in which the gospel of Jesus Christ is sent into the entire world demonstrating in power and service the resurrected eternal life of Christ by preaching, serving, and living that life in every tribe and nation.

Mark 16:15-18  //  Psalm 2:8  //  Acts 1:8  //  2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Value #9
Biblical Stewardship

We value biblical stewardship as the ability to faithfully manage, invest, and apply all spiritual, natural, and financial gifts and resources to the progressive advancement of God's kingdom in the earth.

Luke 16:1-12  //  Matthew 25:14-29  //  Romans 12:6-8  //  Matthew 10:8  //  ​1 Peter 4:10

Value #10
Family

We value family as a sacred union of one man and one woman, joined together for the purpose of exercising God's dominion in all the earth; producing sons and daughters that will carry the divine heritage from one generation to the next.

Genesis 1:26-28  //  Matthew 19:4-6  //  Ephesians 6:1-3  //  Psalm 144:12  //  Psalm 145:4  //   Psalm 78:5-7

Value #11
Small Groups

We value small groups as the means by which true body ministry of edifying, encouraging, serving, and praying for one another may be exercised by faith for the building up of every believer through the teaching of the word, personal testimony, intimate relationships, personal accountability, and personal prayer.

Acts 2:42  //  Acts 2:46-47  //  Galatians 6:1  //  1 Corinthians 14:26  //  1 Peter 4:7-11

Value #12
Laughter

We value laughter as an open expression of a cheerful or joyful heart by which strength, health, and vitality are renewed or restored to the soul and spirit; relieving it of stress, worry, fear, and sorrow.

Proverbs 15:13  //  2 Corinthians 9:7  //  Psalm 4:7  //  Psalm 30:11-12  //  Proverbs 17:22  //   James 1:2

Value #13
​excellence

We value excellence as a standard of quality in all aspects of life and ministry that demonstrates the worthiness of Jesus Christ as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Philippians 1:9-10  //  Hebrews 11:4  //  Proverbs 8:6  //  Hebrews 8:6
PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY

Philosophy of Ministry

What we believe about...

Ministry

  • Salvation in Jesus Christ automatically includes a call to ministry.  Every believer is created, saved, called, gifted, authorized, and commanded to minister.
  • Ministry is the heart of the Christian life.  (Matt. 20:28)
  • Function follows form in ministry.  How God made me determines what He intends for me to do. God has uniquely shaped each individual for a specific ministry.
  • God has given all his children gifts that can be developed and used in ministry.  Everyone is a “ten” in some area.  Everyone has something to offer.  Developing and using your gifts is an act of good stewardship and of worship.
  • You discover your gifts through ministry, instead of discovering your ministry by identifying your gifts.  
  • The evidence of the right match between my “shape” and my ministry is fruitfulness and fulfillment.
  • Membership and maturity are prerequisites to ministry.  Therefore, we require class attendance and commitment to these two areas before serving through Gateway City Church.​

The Body of Christ

  • God intends for ministry to be performed through the context of the local Church.  Membership includes a commitment to ministry.
  • The Holy Spirit has provided our church body with all the spiritually-gifted people needed to do everything He wants done.  Our task is to discover, enlist, train, and support these people in ministry.  
  • The Church is to operate on the basis of spiritual gifts, rather than elected offices.  We do not elect people to ministries.  “A man’s gift makes room for him...” — Prov. 18:16 (NASB)
  • The Church is a Body, not merely a business; an organism, not just an organization.  Therefore, we streamline the structure in order to maximize ministry and minimize maintenance.  We do not bury ministries under procedures.  
  • The mobilization of every member as a minister is the key to balanced growth of the Church.
  • The greater good of the whole Body must always take priority over the needs of any single ministry.  There is no place for “turfism” in God’s Family.

The Role of Pastors

  • The equipping of the members for ministry is the number one priority of the pastoral staff.  The people are the ministers and the pastors are the administrators.  (Eph. 4:11-12)
  • It is our objective to mobilize an army of ministers who are maximizing their unique gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences in a meaningful place of service through our Church.
  • Every member deserves personal assistance in discovering a meaningful place of ministry.  We value the individual more than the ministry.
  • Those involved in ministry are entitled to competent leadership from the staff and eldership.  Therefore, every ministry is assigned a staff supervisor who is committed to success of that ministry.  
  • Each staff supervisor is to provide training, encouragement, guidance, feedback, and resources to the ministers under his or her care.

Accountability

  • We become what we are committed to.  Therefore, we encourage growth in commitment to Christ and the Church.  
  • Everything rises or falls on leadership.  No ministry can exceed the commitment of those leading it.
  • One mark of a maturing Church is that the standards for leadership are raised every year.  
  • There must be periodic reviews of all ministries.  We do what is inspected, not just expected.  Best intentions are not enough.  ​

Training

  • Every leader is a learner.  The moment you stop learning, you stop leading.  
  • We emphasize on-the-job training more than pre-service training.  We learn best by doing.  We delegate to develop people.  ​

Diversity of Ministry

  • We have unity without uniformity.  We believe diversity in ministries simply illustrates the unique giftedness of individuals.  
  • Any member who has completed Church 301 may start a new ministry with the assistance of the Staff and Eldership.  
  • Every ministry must fulfill all three of the basic purposes of the Church or we don’t do it.  (See Church 101.)
  • Ministries have life-cycles.  If a ministry isn’t meeting a need anymore, we will give it a decent burial.  There are no sacred cows!
  • Most ministries require a one-year commitment but we allow people to change ministries gracefully, without guilt.  We don’t lock people in permanently.
  • Only ministries under staff or eldership approval will be given space in the church bulletin.  
  • Your primary ministry commitment should be in the area where you are gifted.  Your secondary ministry includes serving in any other area of the Body where you are needed.
  • You are not ready for ministry, until you are willing to serve anywhere.​​

Performance

  • We expect excellence in ministry, not perfection.  Excellence is doing your best.  God deserves our best.
  • We encourage creativity and innovation in ministry, which assumes mistakes will be made.  “No mistakes” means you’re not growing or trying anything new.  We have no “failures” in ministry at Gateway City Church, only “experiments that didn’t work!”
  • A failed project does not mean a failed person.  There are no “wrong” people...only “right” people in wrong ministry.
MISSION

mission

god has a specific mission for gateway city church

God gives each local church its own specific part to play in His eternal purpose.  We are to be faithful to obey God’s calling and prophetic emphasis to us.  As the Lord directs us by His Holy Spirit, we are to discern His strategy and obey His voice.

the gateway city church purpose statement

To reach, teach and release people of every race, age and background through worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism.

the gateway city church mission statement

To reach people of every nation, age, gender, and background; to teach people to be ministers, champions, and leaders; to release people to reach, teach and lead others through worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism.
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