Statement of Faith

The member churches of the North Central Collective affirm and teach specific doctrines that define our relationship as a body of like-minded churches.

The Word of God

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible flawlessly communicates God’s message to humanity and has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

The Trinity

We believe there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are equal in every divine perfection, and they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption.

God the Father

We believe that God the Father is the Creator and Ruler of the universe and all that is in it. He is perfect in holiness, wisdom, and love. He is all-knowing, all-present, and all powerful. He is the supreme judge over all, yet full of mercy and compassion.

Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. He was miraculous in birth to a virgin, sinless in life on earth, and made the perfect sacrifice for sin in His death. We believe in His bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal, visible return to earth.

The Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit is co-equal with the God the Father and Jesus Christ. He is present in the world to make people aware of sin and righteousness. He abides in each believer from the moment of salvation and gifts them for spiritual service. The Holy Spirit provides power to live a fruitful, victorious life. He gives understanding of spiritual truth and boldness to share the good news with others. We should seek to live under His control moment by moment.

Salvation

We believe that all people are sinners by nature and by choice and are therefore, under condemnation. We believe that salvation is God’s free gift that must be accepted by repentance and trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior.

The Church

We believe the church is the world-wide body of Christ. It is comprised of all those who have put their faith in Christ. God has also called believers to be a part of local church families who covenant together for the purposes of worship, learning from the Word of God, celebrating Christ’s work through the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and service. The primary task of the church is to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. We believe that the elders/pastors of each local church have authority under the headship of Jesus Christ to provide spiritual oversight and teach/preach the Word of God for the building up of the body. The role and responsibility of elder/pastor, as ordained by God, is reserved to men.

Marriage and Sexuality

We believe that human sexuality is a gift from God meant to be enjoyed within the exclusive context of a legal marriage between one man and one woman and only between those partners. We believe marriage to be an important covenantal relationship, and as such, discourage divorce in any circumstance where no major breach of morality has occurred or when repentance and reconciliation are available. We reserve the right to examine the nature of a past divorce in considering an individual for leadership.

Identity

We believe that human identity is rooted in our creation as image-bearers of God, with considerations like sex and ethnicity to be fixed, immutable, but ultimately secondary characteristics. We do not affirm a distinction between sex and gender; rather, we believe that transition of gendered physical or social traits is a misguided and unsuccessful attempt at altering one’s identity before God.

Sanctity of Life

We believe that all human beings are made in the image of God, and as such, are due basic respect and the opportunity to live a life free of oppression and unjust termination. We oppose the practices of human abortion and euthanasia, as well as any attempts to assign greater or lesser standing to individuals in society on the grounds of race, sex, origin, mental or physical ability, or age.

Eternity

We believe people were created to exist forever. They will either exist eternally separated from God because of sin in Hell or eternally present with God through forgiveness and salvation in Jesus Christ in Heaven.