A southern baptist fellowship

We have chosen as a distinctive to be a Southern Baptist Fellowship, because we wanted to let our community know, that not only are we a baptist church, but more importantly we are a Southern Baptist Church. 

A Southern Baptist Church is one that cooperates with other Baptists (SBC) to further the Kingdom of God primarily in the planting of new churches. As Southern Baptists we are truly Evangelical Christians considering ourselves a part of the larger body of Christ.  As Southern Baptists we are not reclusive fundamentalists who fear culture, rather we are Evangelicals who seek to engage our culture through the Gospel of Christ.

 

theological distinctives

I.  The Glory of God-

God is truly glorious and majestic within Himself, but God desires to be praised for His greatness and goodness.  He wants to be adored and honored for who He is.   At NLC we seek to cherish and uphold God’s honor and reputation in all things—beliefs and practices. 

                        “to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations
                        forever and ever.  Amen.”                                           Ephesians 3.21

                        “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be the
                        glory forever.  Amen.”                                                Romans 11.36

We believe that all of life’s activities, whether at home, at church, in the world, must be pursued with the aim of giving God glory, honor and pleasure in every aspect of our lives.

                        “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of
                        God.”                                                                          I Corinthians 10.31

 

II.  The Sovereignty of God- 

The assertion of God’s absolute sovereignty in creation, providence, and grace is basic to biblical belief and biblical praise.  We are constantly told in explicit terms that the LORD (Yahweh) reigns as king, exercising dominion over great and tiny things alike (Packer, J.I., Concise Theology). 

                       “For the LORD Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth.   For God is the King                        of all the earth; Sing praises with a skillful psalm. God reigns over the  nations, God sits on His                        holy throne.”          Psalm 47.2, 7-8     

                       “For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom endures
                       from generation to generation.  And all the inhabitants of the earth are
                       accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of
                       heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His
                       hand Or say to Him, ‘What hast thou done?’”    Daniel 4.34-35

God’s dominion is total: He wills as He chooses and carries out all that He wills, and none can stay His hand or thwart His plans.

 

III.  The Providence of God-

God’s works of providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions” (Westminster Shorter Catechism).

The providence of God is a continued divine exercise of causing the world to be, whereby the Creator, according to his own will, (a) keeps all creatures in being, (b) involves himself in all events, and (c) directs all things to their appointed end. 

God is in complete control of his world.  His hand may be hidden, but his rule is absolute.  The Bible clearly teaches God’s providential control:

The nature of God’s involvement in all that occurs in His world, is mystery to us, but the consistent biblical teaching about God’s involvement is as stated above.  The doctrine of providence teaches Christians that they are never in the grip of blind forces (fortune, chance, luck, fate); all that happens to them is divinely planned, and each even comes as a new summons to trust, obey, and rejoice knowing that all is for one’s spiritual and eternal good (Rom. 8.28).

 

IV.  Holy Spirit Regeneration-

The doctrine of Holy Spirit Regeneration is God renovating the heart, the core of a person’s being, by implanting a new principle of desire, purpose, and action a new nature dynamic that finds expression in positive response to the gospel and its Christ.

                        “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;
                        and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart
                        of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My
                        statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”
                        Ezekiel 36.26-27

Regeneration is monergistic: that means, entirely the work of God the Holy Spirit.  It raises the elect among the spiritually dead to new life in Christ.

                        “But God being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He
                        loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive
                        together with Christ (for by grace you have been saved),”
                        Ephesians 2.4-5

                        “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according
                        to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through
                        the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”         I Peter 1.3

 

V.  The Doctrines of Grace-

Salvation is accomplished by the almighty power of the Triune God. The Father chose a people, the Son died for them, and the Holy Spirit makes Christ's death effective by bringing the sinners to faith and repentance, thereby causing them to willingly obey the gospel. The entire process of election, redemption, and regeneration is the work of God and is by His grace alone. Thus God, not man, determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation.  So, therefore we embrace the doctrines of God’s grace.

A. Total Depravity

B. Unconditional Election

C. Limited Atonement

D. Irresistible Grace

E. Perseverance of the Saints

 

church polity

At New Life Church we seek to be led and governed on how the Bible, God’s Word, tells us to be governed.  Therefore as a biblical church we are led in this way: we are an Elder led, Deacon served and Congregation affirmed church.

 

Elder Led

The Biblical offices of the Church are Elders and Deacons.  In its operation, New Life Church will be governed and led by a group of godly men who are its Elders.  We trust that God will raise up these godly men and will establish them as true spiritual leaders in this Church. 

Responsibilities of Elders.  The Elders shall be responsible for fulfilling their godly calling as stated in the scriptures.  They are responsible for:

1. Exercising a general superintendence over the ministries and resources of the church, the flock of God (Acts 20.28; John 21.15.17; 1 Peter 5.1-4).
2. Setting an example in their study and teaching of the Word of God (1 Timothy 5.17; 1 Timothy 3.2; 1 Thessalonians 5.12; Titus 1.9).
3. Being good managers or stewards of their God-given ministry (Titus 1.7).
4. Giving diligent labor, caring leadership, and guided counsel in the Word
5. (1 Thessalonians 5.12; 1 Timothy 3.4-5, 5.17; Hebrews 13.7).
6. Exercising pastoral care, discipline, and hospitality (1 Thessalonians 5.14-15; James 5.14; 1 Timothy 3.2; Titus 1.8).
7. Teaching, exhorting, and refuting those who contradict sound doctrine (Titus 1.9; 2 Timothy 1.13-14; Titus 2.1).
8. Interviewing and assessing prospective members
9. Interviewing and assessing candidates for offices
10. Overseeing the work of the Deacons and other church leaders
11. Administering the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper
12. Overseeing church discipline

 

Deacon Served

The New Testament gives us a clear indication of both Elders and Deacons in the local Church. Deacons were those who rendered service (diakonos) in the local Church. As distinct officers in the local Church, they are referred to in the plural (diakonoi, Philippians 1:1) and are mentioned in addition to Elders in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. The government of the local Church rests upon the Elders (1 Timothy 4:14; Hebrews 13:17), while the Deacons provide hands-on ministry within the local Body of Believers. Due to their active involvement in ministry, Deacons provide a vital role in this Church.

Responsibilities of Deacons.  Inasmuch as the New Testament did not establish Deacons as a ruling body, the Deacons shall assist the Elders, Staff and Congregation in the work of the ministry and serve for the various needs of this Church. They may be assisted by members who feel led to help accomplish the ministry of serving and caring for the people by:

1. Adopting families for ministry/taking care of widows/orphans
2. Assisting the elders in baptisms and the Lord’s Supper
3. Overseeing a benevolence fund and/or (for example: a food pantry and clothes’ closet)
4. Assisting in the greeting ministry of New Life Church/Assisting in New Life Church fellowships
5. Keeping up the grounds of New Life Church
6. Other ministries the deacons and elders deem necessary

 

Elders and Deacon’s commitment to New Life Church and its community.  Elders and Deacons are in positions of respect and example. All those elected or appointed to office of Elder or Deacon shall conscientiously endeavor to live faithfully to the Lord. All Elders and Deacons must be Church members living in dedication to the Lord. They shall:

1. Be faithful in personal Bible study and prayer, soul-winning efforts, stewardship responsibilities, and attendance at all regular Church services unless providentially hindered.
2. Seek to abstain from wordly practices and amusements that hinder their own spiritual life and testimony or that set a poor example for young Christians.
3. Abstain from the use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and the abuse of drugs; [This commitment does not mean to imply that there are no Biblical grounds for liberty among Christians regarding the use of alcohol.  However, because of the culture we live in, our personal witness (1Timothy 3.7), and our weaker brothers/sisters (Romans 14.15, 16, 21; 1 Corinthians 8.9-13), we as officers of this Church shall abstain.]
4. Set the example in all matters of Christian conduct as set forth in, but not limited to, the Church Covenant.

 

Congregation Affirmation

Responsibilities of the members of New Life Church.  Family (New Life Church members) affirmation is taken to bear witness to and affirm how God is leading the congregation on the particular matter recommended by the Elders. Members shall be asked to either affirm or refute the course of action presented. Family affirmation requires a quorum of at least 60% of the active membership role. During every such meeting, a period of discussion and an opportunity for amendments shall be offered before asking for family affirmation.

An item presented by the elders at a properly called meeting requires at least two-thirds affirmation from the Church members present in order to be approved.  If the Church Family affirmation for any item presented happens to be more than the required two-thirds but is less than 90%, the Elders shall reconsider their decision before proceeding. In this case, the Elders are not required to present the item to the congregation for another affirmation, but shall report the action taken.
All of the Elders, Deacons and congregation should always seek to strive for biblical unity in all matters pertaining to the health and life of Christ’s Church.  The areas of leadership are given as a means of God’s grace to His Church and also for keeping one another accountable before Christ, among New Life Church and before its community (Eads).  May the Elders, Deacons and congregation genuinely seek to be the kind of Christians/congregation that exhibit Philippians 2.2-4:

            “make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love,
            united in spirit, intent on one purpose.  Do nothing from selfishness or empty
            conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more
            important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests,                         but also for the interests of others.”