Mission, Vision, & Beliefs

The following are the core beliefs of City on a Hill Community based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.

We believe the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments to be the full record of God's self-disclosure to mankind.  Different men, while writing according to their own styles and personalities, were supernaturally moved along by the Holy Spirit to record God's very words, inerrant in the original writings. Therefore, those applying themselves to study its literal, historical-grammatical context can accurately understand God's Word. Scripture is fully trustworthy as our final and sufficient authority for all of life (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).  The Bible is the final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind.  For purposes of church doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Elders are the church’s final interpretative authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.  

We believe in the one living and true God, eternally existing (John 17:3) in perfect unity as three equally and fully divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20). Each member of the Godhead, while executing distinct but complementary roles in redemptive history, has precisely the same nature, attributes, and being, and is equally worthy of the same glory and honor and obedience (John 1:1-4; Acts 5:3-4).

We believe God the Father created all things in six days for His glory according to His own will (Revelation 4:11), through His Son, Jesus Christ. He upholds all things by the Word of His power and grace, exercising sovereign headship over all creation, providence, and redemption (Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 1:3). 

We believe that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son, moved by love in accordance with the will of the Father, took on human flesh (John 1:1, 14, 18).  Conceived through the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the virgin Mary. He, being fully God and fully man (John 14:8-9), lived a sinless life and sacrificially shed His blood and died on the cross in our place accomplishing redemption for all who place their faith in Him.  He arose visibly and bodily from the dead three days later and ascended into heaven, where, at the Father's right hand, He is now Head of His Body, the Church, the only Savior and Mediator between God and man, and will return to earth in power and glory to consummate His redemptive mission (1 Timothy 3:16).  We believe every Christian should live for Christ and His kingdom purposes, not for himself/herself.  By obedience to scriptures and daily yielding to God through the Holy Spirit, every believer in Jesus Christ will mature and become more like Jesus.

We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ during this age. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.  He draws the unredeemed to repentance and faith, and at salvation imparts new spiritual life to the believer, bringing that person into union with Christ and the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit sanctifies, seals, fills, guides, instructs, comforts, equips, empowers, permanently indwells at salvation, and bestows spiritual gifts to the believer for Christ-like living, service to others, and building up of the church.   These gifts are to be exercised according to biblical guidelines.  *See section on Spiritual Gifts for further explanation. (John 16:8; 13:15; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 1:22; 4:11-12; Romans 8:9-17; 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 12:4-5, 11-13, 19; Galatians 5:25; Hebrews 2:1-4; 2 Corinthians 12:12). 

We believe that God created mankind, male and female,  in His own image and likeness, free of sin, to glorify Himself and enjoy His fellowship.  Tempted by Satan, but in the sovereign plan of God, man freely chose to disobey God, bringing sin, death and condemnation to all mankind.  All human beings, therefore, are totally depraved by nature and by choice.  Alienated from God without defense or excuse, and subject to God's righteous wrath, all of mankind is in desperate need of the Savior (Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 3:10-19; Romans 1:18, 32).

We believe that God forms each person in the womb from conception (Psalm 139:13-16, Isaiah 44:2, 49:5. Jeremiah 1:4-5) and assigns gender to His people, male (man) and female (woman), as He created them sexually and biologically different, but with equal personal dignity and value. (Genesis 1:26-28)

We believe that Jesus willingly died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins and that it is the sole basis for that forgiveness for all who would receive Him as their Savior. Therefore, salvation only occurs when a person places their faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the only acceptable payment for their sin.
 
We believe that every Christian should live for Christ and His purposes and not for himself. By obedience to Scriptures and daily yielding to God through the Holy Spirit, every believer in Jesus Christ will mature and become more and more like Jesus. ((Romans 8:37-39; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8-9)

We believe that the church is the body of Christ and Jesus Christ is the Head. The members are those who have trusted by faith that Jesus finished the work needed to bring us back into relationship with God. The purpose of the church is to glorify God by demonstrating a life motivated by love for Him, members of His church, and all people. We believe that two ordinances or directives have been committed to the local church: baptism and communion (Acts 2:38-42).

Christian water baptism is a public testimony of the believer’s personal faith in Jesus Christ and illustrates the believer’s death to the old self and resurrection to a new life in Christ. Baptism is also a sign of the believer’s identification with the Church (Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:41-42, 8:36-39; Romans 6:1-11; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:11-12).

Note: While there are other forms of water baptism, at CHCC we will practice water baptism by immersion.

We believe that communion proclaims the continual commemoration of the death of Christ until he comes again and should always be preceded by worshipful self-examination for sin. We believe the elements of communion are only symbolic of the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Communion is a time to remember that Christ’s body was the sacrifice for our sin and that Christ’s blood ushered in the New Covenant whereby we personally come before God apart from a system of priests or sacrifices. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

We believe it is the aim, duty, and privilege of every believer and local church fellowship to glorify God by responding as active participants in the Great Commission call of Jesus Christ to go and make disciples of all nations.  We believe the primary focus and priority of this call is centered on efforts that establish, strengthen, and reproduce biblically-based churches, which will then plant churches that plant churches for future generations and God's glory. (Matthew 28:18-20)

We believe in the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 5:10)
In 1 Peter 2:5-9, the apostle describes believers as priests:  "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ … But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 

Old Testament priests were chosen by God, not self-appointed; and they were chosen for a purpose: to serve God with their lives by offering up sacrifices. The priesthood served as a picture or "type" of the coming ministry of Jesus Christ--a picture that was then no longer needed once His sacrifice on the cross was completed. When the thick temple veil that covered the doorway to the Holy of Holies was torn in two by God at the time of Christ's death (Matthew 27:51), God was indicating that the Old Testament priesthood was no longer necessary. Now people could come directly to God through the great High Priest, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:14- 16). There are now no earthly mediators between God and man as existed in the Old Testament priesthood (1 Timothy 2:5).

We believe that the Holy Spirit bestows spiritual gifts on all believers for Christian service and the building up of the church. These gifts are to be exercised according to biblical guidelines (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 1 Peter 4:10-11). We believe the Church Age was initiated through the ministry of the apostles and prophets and was accomplished by sign-gifts of apostleship, healing, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophesying, words of knowledge, and miracles in order to confirm the message. However, we do not practice, teach, encourage, or endorse sign-gifts for this present age (1 Corinthians 12:28-31, 13:8-10, 14:1-28; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 2:3-4). We believe that God hears and answers prayer in accordance with His own will for the healing of the sick and afflicted (John 14:13-14, 15:7; 1 John 5:14-15).

Note: Although it is possible that the Holy Spirit still uses some of these sign-gifts to demonstrate His power in some people today, we believe that the sign-gifts have ceased as a general practice. This is not to say that God could and does not use them in unusual circumstances, however, their use is not normative today. Therefore, CHCC does not encourage their use in worship services or any setting associated with CHCC because of the division, misunderstanding, and unscriptural manifestations which often accompany these gifts.

The membership (referred to as Covenant Partners) of this Church shall be composed of individuals who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Members will affirm the tenets of the City on a Hill Community Church Constitution, offer evidence by their words and actions that they are unified with the governing documents of CHCC, and are actively pursuing and continuing in a vital fellowship with the Lord, Jesus Christ. The members will have opportunities, at least twice a year at Covenant Partner meetings, to hear from the elders/pastors.  These meetings will focus on church direction and governance, as well as to time to voice/hear concerns.   Members may also submit a written request to meet with the team of elders if a significant issue/concern remains unresolved after voicing the concern at a Covenant Partner meeting or in a face-to-face meeting with one of the elders.

It is the biblical position that marriage involves the union of one man and one woman in permanent sacred fidelity.  Though various cultures and customs have evolving definitions of marriage and sexuality, it is God alone who has ultimate authority to prescribe and describe the marital relationship and appropriate expressions of sexuality (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:1-9, Mark 10:1-12).

Humans are embodied creations of God, made male or female in His image. God’s design is good, giving eternal value to both soul and body. As a result of the Fall, we may experience a disconnect between body and soul. However, Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection provides a path for restoration to God’s original design. Although we often struggle with the desires of our flesh, the truth of God’s Word provides boundaries that lead to human flourishing. 

In accordance, sexual intimacy is only properly exercised and pursued within the confines of this marital relationship. Any sexual activity outside of the boundaries of the sacred marital relationship between one man and one woman, is clearly and expressly prohibited by the Lord (Matthew 15:19, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Hebrews 13:4).

Therefore, any and all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, fornication (sex outside of marriage), homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, or even lustful intent toward such, is sinful to God. Therefore, sexual identity is biologically determined, and associated gender norms are to be observed as appropriate to biblical standards. In accordance, the intent or pursuit to medically alter one’s biological sex to a different sex is sinful (Genesis 1:27, Romans 1:26-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

In order to preserve the function and integrity of the church as a local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by the church in any capacity or united to the church in Covenant Partnership should abide by and agree to this “Statement on Marriage and Sexuality” and conduct themselves accordingly.  

Though sinful sexual expression grieves God (as does all sin), the gospel provides redemption and restoration for all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 2:1-10, Titus 3:3-7).

Furthermore, there is a difference between temptation and unrepented sin. Jesus was tempted in all ways as we are, yet He never sinned. Members, employees, volunteers and attendees of the church wrestling with all manner of sexual temptation will find a church ready to point them to Jesus and join with them to pursue obedience to Christ. As a church desiring to follow Christ fully, we will be a safe place for men and women fighting sexual temptations of all kinds. For those resisting temptation and repenting of sin, the Church will provide love, care, and direction (1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 2:17-18, Hebrews 4:14-16).

The Church’s Statement on Marriage and Sexuality does not provide grounds for bigotry, bullying, or hate. We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated as sinful and are not in accordance with the Scriptures nor the doctrines of the Church.

This section gives the Elder team the right and authority to prohibit acts or omissions, including but not limited to (a) permitting any Church assets or property, whether real property, personal property, intangible property, or any property or asset of any kind that is subject to the direction or control of the Church, to be used in any manner that would be –, or in the sole determination of the Elders, could be perceived by any person to be – inconsistent with this Statement on Marriage and Sexuality; and (b) permitting any Church facilities to be used by any person, organization, corporation, or group that would or might use such facilities to convey, intentionally or by implication, what might be perceived as a favorable impression about any definition of marriage other than that contained in this Section. 

We believe in and expectantly await the glorious, visible, personal, premillennial return of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The blessed hope of His return has vital bearing on the personal life, service, and mission of the believer (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).  We believe there is a conscious personal existence after death.  We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost.  The lost will be raised to judgment and experience eternal wrath in hell.  The saved will be raised to eternal joy in the new heaven and new earth in the manifested presence of God (Acts 1:3, 9; Hebrews 7:25-26).

The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of church doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our elders are the church’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.

As an Elder-led, non-denominational church, we are governed by a constituition. You can view the CHCC Constitution here.