At Christ Community Church, we boldly and graciously advance the gospel of Jesus Christ in our body and in our community.
To fulfill this mission, we commit to the following tenets as practical principles that enable us to best carry out this God-given mission:
1. We are committed to historical Biblical Christianity.
We believe that God has given us His Word in the 66 books of the Bible, to teach us all that man is expected to believe concerning God and all the duties God requires of man. We are committed to Biblical inerrancy; the belief that all Scripture is inspired by God, and is without error in its original text. We strive to submit to God's Word in all that we believe and do.
While we value church tradition, if tradition contracts the Scriptures, we seek to follow the Scriptures. At the same time, we don’t view ourselves as the only faithful church, nor do we believe we are free to make things up as we go. We recognize God has worked in His church throughout history by the working of the Holy Spirit to pass on the faith once delivered by the Apostles. For this reason, we hold to the Historic Creeds of the Church, which we believe are faithful expressions of the Bible's teaching: The Apostles Creed, The Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed.
2. We are committed to unity within a broad Protestant orthodoxy.
In the 1500s, reformers like John Calvin and Martin Luther led a movement to bring about much-needed changes in the Roman Catholic Church, emphasizing the biblical teaching that salvation comes through faith alone in Christ. We continue to uphold this core Protestant belief, affirming that we are not saved by our works, but solely through the finished work of Jesus Christ who died for our sins. Among the various Protestant traditions, we are most deeply shaped by the Reformed Tradition. Our pastor is ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America, and our teaching is reflective of this Presbyterian and Calvinistic theological influence.
At Christ Community Church, we are deeply guided by Jesus' prayer in John 17:21: “That they all may be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I in you; that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.” This reflects our desire for unity in Christ. We recognize that there are essential truths that all Christians must hold (first-tier issues), but there are also many matters where sincere and faithful believers may differ. We respect those differences of conscience and celebrate the diversity of theological backgrounds among our members. You will find people from many different church traditions worshiping together here. We also see ourselves as just one small part of Christ’s global body, the Church, and are passionate about the spiritual health and well-being of our brothers and sisters in other churches throughout Blaine and Birch Bay, working together for the glory of God.
3. We are committed to passage-by-passage preaching of the whole Bible.
At Christ Community Church, our commitment to passage-by-passage, or expositional, preaching of the whole Bible reflects a deep belief in the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. Expositional preaching involves drawing the meaning and application directly from the text, allowing the Bible itself to shape the message preached. By systematically teaching through the entire Bible, the church ensures that no part of God's Word is overlooked or selectively emphasized. This approach helps the congregation engage with the full counsel of God, gaining a comprehensive understanding of His message, character, and will. It fosters spiritual growth by revealing the Bible's interconnected themes and truths, preventing distortion or misinterpretation. Additionally, this method encourages believers to wrestle with challenging passages, promoting maturity and a well-rounded faith.
4. We are committed to being accessible to the common man.
We recognize that stepping into a church for the first time can be overwhelming, with many unfamiliar practices and teachings to navigate. At Christ Community Church, we go out of our way to ensure that everything we do is approachable and clear. Whether it’s the style of worship, the teaching, or the structure of our services, we aim to make the experience welcoming and easy to follow. Our goal is for you to feel at ease, ask questions, and learn at your own pace. We believe the message of Christ should be understandable and accessible to everyone.
5. We are committed to addressing the issues of our day.
We believe that God has given His Word to His people, not only so that they may know Him, but also so that they may understand what He requires of them in every area of life. The Bible is not an ancient, distant text with no relevance to modern times—it speaks directly to the challenges and questions we face today. Whether you are dealing with personal struggles, societal shifts, or cultural changes, God’s Word provides timeless wisdom, guidance, and truth. At Christ Community Church, we are committed to addressing the pressing issues of our day through the lens of Scripture. We believe that no matter who you are, what circumstances you are facing, or what is happening in the world, God's Word always has something meaningful and powerful to say, guiding us to live faithfully in a complex and ever-changing world.
6. We are committed to equipping our people to be salt and light.
In 1 Corinthians 13:2, Paul says “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” Christianity is a religion of Love; the first love of God, and the second love of our neighbors. Therefore, Christ Community Church is committed to intentional discipleship of its members, seeking to give them the knowledge and tools to follow Jesus in loving Him, and everyone they encounter, both as individuals and as a church.
7. We are committed to the leadership of a plurality of elders.
While our pastor plays a vital role in the life of the church, he is not the sole leader. Instead, the church is guided by a group of elders—mature, spiritually grounded men—who work together to oversee the congregation. This model is rooted in passages like 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, where the qualifications for elders are outlined, and in Acts 20:28, which calls elders to shepherd the flock.
Our congregation actively participates in this process by electing representatives from within the church body to serve as elders. These elders, along with the pastor, are entrusted with the responsibility of making important decisions, providing spiritual care, and ensuring that the church remains faithful to its mission. They hold the pastor accountable, ensuring that no one person has unchecked authority, and they regularly seek input from the congregation to better understand the needs and concerns of the members. This shared leadership model reflects the early church's example and promotes accountability, transparency, and collective wisdom in guiding our church family.
8. We are committed to prioritizing people over programs.
While Christ Community Church offers programs for the spiritual development of our members, our programs exist for the sake of our members. We want our members to be free to invest in their families and community, without feeling overly commited to church events. At the same time, if we discover our programs are not accomplishing their purpose, we are willing to make changes.
Our mission statement reflects the core purpose of our church’s ministry and the underlying theme to which all church functions relate.
