DISTINCTIVES

of

FINDLAY EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

As adopted by the congregation

1.  A commitment to creative forms and nontraditional methods, which effectively meet the deep, spiritual needs of people in our culture (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 4:11-12).

2.  A commitment to godly multiple leadership who exercise pastoral care over the flock and also endeavor to lead the flock while providing a healthy example of Christian living (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-7; Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; 1 Peter 5:1-4; James 5:14; Hebrews 13:17, 24; Phil. 1:1).

3.  A commitment to encouraging all believers to utilize their gifts in both the establishing and fulfilling of various forms of Christian ministries as the Spirit leads them (Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Cor. 12:1-31; 1 Peter 4:10-11).

4.  A commitment to a Bible-centered and teaching ministry in the church (Acts 2:42; 1 Tim. 5:17; 2 Tim. 4:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Tim. 4:13).

5.  A commitment to cultivating a Christ-like and loving atmosphere within the body which strengthens believers and provides a Christian testimony to unbelievers (1 Cor. 13; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 Peter 1:22; John 13:35).

6.  A commitment to helping Christians develop a life of godliness (John 13:35; 1 Peter 2:12; Matthew 5:16; 1 Tim. 4:12).

7.  A commitment to meeting the material needs of those in serious need, both within and outside our own body (Gal. 6:9; James 3:14-17; Mt. 25:31-46; Acts 2:44-47; Acts 4:32-35).

8.  A commitment to cultivating intimate relationships within the body of Christ, which go beyond superficial acquaintances (Acts 2:42; Acts 4:32; Hebrews 10:24-25).

9.  A commitment to unity, love, and forgiveness among believers (John 17:21; Phil. 2:1-4; 1 Cor. 13: Eph. 4:32; Mt. 5:23-24; 1 Peter 3:7).

STATEMENT of FAITH

The Statement of Faith of this organization shall be:

We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of man, and the divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life.

We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the virgin Mary.  He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures.  Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascending into heaven, where at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He now is our High Priest and Advocate.

We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, and to indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service.

We believe that man was created in the image of God, but fell into sin, and is therefore lost. Only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained.

We believe that salvation and spiritual life is offered to us as a free gift of God’s grace and that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only grounds for justification and salvation for all who believe.  Only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and thus become children of God.

We believe that the Lord’s Supper and Water Baptism are ordinances to be observed by the church during this present age.  They are, however, not to be regarded as means of salvation.

We believe that the true Church is composed of all such persons who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head.

We believe that only those who are thus members of the true Church shall be eligible for membership in the local church.

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church, and that every local church has the right under Christ to decide and govern its own affairs.

We believe in the personal and premillenial and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that this blessed hope has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer.

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord, and of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment.

Findlay Evangelical Free Church believes in the eternal security of every truly born-again believer and is non-charismatic in its orientation.

STATEMENT OF BIBLICAL COUNSELING AND

THE COUNSELING MINISTRY OF

FINDLAY EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

BY THE ELDERS OF FINDLAY EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

The Elders and Counseling ministry of Findlay Evangelical Free Church ascribe to the complete sufficiency, superiority and practicality of the Scriptures for dealing with all of the non-organic (non-physiological) issues and problems of life, and that the resources believers have in Christ and His Word are not only sufficient for handling and solving all of the personal and interpersonal problems of life, but are superior to the resources that are found in the world.

Biblical truth does in no way need any form of “integration with” or supplementation from the Social Sciences or Secular Psychology because the Scriptures are comprehensively sufficient to deal with people’s problems.

The Counseling ministry of Findlay Evangelical Free Church holds that Scripture is therefore comprehensively sufficient for understanding those aspects of human nature and those processes of change that are essential for wise and effective counseling, that God’s word should be the absolute authority of Christians helping Christians and other people with problems, and that counseling is a part of the basic discipling and teaching ministry of the church.

Approved by the Elders of the church.