Affirmation of Faith of Lakeside Church

Transcription

1 Affirmation of Faith of Lakeside Church I. The Word of God We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:21; John 17:17 II. The Trinity We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three Persons; that these are equal to every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence and redemption. Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14 III. God the Father We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. Acts 17:29; Exodus 4:22; Matthew 3:17; Galatians 3:26; Psalm 2:7-9; Ephesians 1:3-6; John 5:37; Hebrews 12:9 IV. Jesus Christ We believe in Jesus Christ, God s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people and personal, and visible return to earth. Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:30-35; Matthew 1:16; 1 Peter 1:18; 1 John 2:2; Matthew 20:28; Mark 16:6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:11; Titus 2:13 V. The Holy Spirit We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide. John 16:7-15 and 3:8; Titus 3:5; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 12:4-11 and 13; Romans 8:9; John 14:16-17; Ephesians 4:30 and 5:18 VI. Regeneration We believe that all men are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that the Holy Spirit regenerates those who trust in Jesus Christ as Savior. John 5:24; Romans 3:23; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-10 We believe that all true believers, once saved, are kept secure in Christ forever. Romans 8:1, 38-39; John 10:27-30

2 Affirmation of Faith continued... VII. The Church We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work, and fellowship. We believe that God has lain upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. Ephesians 1:22-23 and 5:25-27; 1 Corinthians and 10:32; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; Ephesians 4: VIII. Christian Conduct We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God and the well being of his fellow men; that his conduct should be blameless before the world; that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions, and that he should seek to realize for himself and others the full stature of maturity in Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:31; Galatians 6:10; Matthew 5:16; James 1:27; Ephesians 1:4; 2 Corinthians 8 and 9; Ephesians 4:14. IX. The Ordinances We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: baptism and the Lord s Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer into water in the name of the triune God. We believe that Christ instituted the Lord's Supper for commemoration of His death. We believe that those two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthains 11: X. Religious Liberty We believe that every human being has direct relations with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; and that Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other. XI. The Last Things We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth, and the establishment of His Kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal felicity of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 3:20; Matthew 24:15-31; Zechariah 14:4-11; Philippians 1:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:11-15.

3 ARTICLE IV Membership ARTICLE IV Church Membership Membership at Lakeside Church is a public declaration of a covenant relationship with other like-minded believers based on a shared vision, beliefs, practices and trust. Membership shall be open to all persons who confess Christ as their Lord and Savior and who have been baptized following conversion. Members shall seek to exercise their spiritual gifts for the mutual benefit of the church body and shall submit to the loving rule of the elders. Section 4.01 Membership Application Individuals desiring membership at this church shall: 1. Make a request for membership to an elder. Upon such request, the individual shall be given a membership application, along with a copy of the Statement of Faith and the Constitution and Bylaws. 2. An elder(s) shall meet with the applicant following receipt of the application; upon which time the applicant shall assent to the Statement of Faith, subscribe to the Bylaws, and complete all other requirements of membership as defined by the elders. 3. Applicants accepted to membership shall publicly affirm their Membership Commitment and be acknowledged as members at any regularly held worship service. 4. Membership may be denied if the elders conclude that the individual may be detrimental to the church. Section 4.02 Voting Members Members who have passed their eighteenth (18) birthdays shall vote on matters that the elders choose to submit to the church membership for affirmation at any regular or special meeting. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members is required for matters such as: (a) to call or dismiss the Senior Pastor, (b) the purchase or selling of real property, (c) the affirmation of the annual budget, (d) the affirmation of elders, (e) to incur debt, and (g) to amend the constitution and bylaws.

4 Name: Membership Affirmation of Faith Acceptance Form I subscribe to the foregoing statements, I have read the passages cited, and I wish to apply for membership in Lakeside Church, Lake Arrowhead, California. Signed: Date: Examined and verified for Lakeside Church are: Elder: Elder: Elder: Pastor: Accepted into membership on this date:

5 Lakeside Church Information for the Church Directory and Family Files Name: (Spouse) Birthday: (Husband) (Wife) Wedding Anniversary: Children: Living at Home? Name Birthday Yes No Mailing Address: P.O. City Zip Physical Address: Street City Zip Phone Number: (h) (w) List areas of service and offices held in the past and at the present time: Approx. Date Family members and area of service Church Is there an area(s) in which you would be interested in serving?

6 Lakeside Church Resource Survey Name: Phone: 1 Corinthians 15:58 {NKJ}: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Please check the appropriate columns: Have Currently Interested Areas of Service Served Serving in Serving Children s Ministry Children s Greeter (look for families to welcome) Snacks (bring to Sundays/special events) Nursery Worker Nursery Coordinator Photographer Videographer Sunday School Teacher AWANA Leader Vacation Bible School Leader Correspondence (write to kids/keep info available to parents) Children s Choir Leader Special Event Planner/Leader Donations (new toys, new Bibles) Recycling Coordinator Fundraiser Coordinator Youth Ministry Junior High Leader High School Leader Camp Counselor Camp Cook Drivers (including pick up cardboard for Craze Maze) Photographer/Videographer Sound Tech Food/Drink Provider Donut Provider Adult Ministry Small Group Bible Study Leader/Host Worship Ministry Sound Tech PowerPoint Tech Photography Video Tech Lighting Tech Musical Instruments: Worship/Song Leader Web Design Computer Tech Graphic Design Greeter (Early or Late Service) Missions Mission Committee Missionary

7 Have Currently Interested Areas of Service Served Serving in Serving Building & Grounds Custodial Work Landscape Work General Maintenance Plumbing Electrical Painting Carpentry Roofing Administration Deacon/Deaconess Elder Pastor Outreach (To church visitors) Counselor (Follow-up decisions) Financial Team Miscellaneous Meal Provider Fellowship Table Food Provider Kitchen (Cook/Assist/Clean-up) Other: Best days and times you are available: