Frankly Answered Questions - FAQs

Are you a "whatever works" church?

Q: When I look for a church, I look for a pastor/elders that I can sit under. I have most recently been in a church that had a "whatever works" approach, and which subsequently lost two elders, a deacon and a missionary over several doctrinal disputes. I know no church is perfect (in this life). I'm looking for a church with leadership that can challenge, disciple and teach me.

A: We are not a "whatever works" church. Our essential doctrines have not changed since the founding of the church. The only elders that have left departed because of a dispute over the "Prosperity doctrine" (they were teaching it and I couldn't accept it as Biblical) and immorality (one of our elders became romantically involved with another woman). Our present elders are doctrinally unified and willing to suffer lose for the sake of abiding by the Scriptures. We have been persecuted by the community for standing against pornography. Some of us have been arrested for prolife work. We have lost members over their insistence on strong Pentecostal doctrines and over disobedience to God's moral commands. We're tough on the essential issues.

Having said all of that, we are not going to spend a lot of time majoring on the minors. We express our opinions on issues like spiritual gifts, modes of baptism, and Bible versions, but when all is said and done, we agree to disagree on non-essential issues. The kingdom of God is more than "eating meat sacrificed to idols." The kingdom of God is "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men" (Romans 14:17-18). Living rightly before God and loving one another is just as important as right doctrine. I know many who spend time arguing about the time of the rapture and predestination and other issues, who lack "righteousness, peace, and joy." If you want to be discipled in both doctrine AND obedient living AND loving your brethren, then we are your church. If you want to measure your spirituality (and others) on the basis of fine points of doctrine and legalisms (not found in Scripture), then we are not your church. [Of course, I am not implying that YOU are doing this. Your questions have been very legitimate. Just stating our church's position.]

Righteousness, peace, and joy to you today in the Holy Spirit,

Dennis