Our Distinctives

The following distinctives help define Christian Family Chapel.

Relationships

We believe that lost people matter to God; therefore, they matter to us. We exist to build relationships with lost people outside the church and will use every available Christ-honoring means to pursue, win, and disciple them. We desire to grow numerically only by faithfully, lovingly, and urgently proclaiming the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world.

Historical Evangelicals

We are historic evangelicals, meaning that we emphasize the full, final authority of the Bible alone and the urgency of salvation from sin by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone to the glory of God alone.

Culturally Relevant

We believe the church should be culturally relevant while remaining doctrinally pure. We value creativity and innovation and will constantly evaluate our methods to maximize our effectiveness. At the same time, we will not deviate from teaching God’s Word with integrity and authority. Our methods may change, but our message will not.

Expository Bible Teaching

We practice expository Bible preaching and teaching, allowing the Bible to speak for itself to today’s needs. The text is carefully explained in relation to its original context and audience and then applied in a relevant manner to the modern audience. We believe that this teaching is the catalyst for transformation in individual lives and in the church. (The concept of teaching for life-change.)

Full Devotion to Christ

We believe that life change (the pursuit of full devotion to Christ and His cause) should be normal for every believer and brings honor to God. This means we desire to teach people to be fully devoted followers of Christ by leading them through a process of growing in their relationship with Christ. Lost people will discover that God is real by the evidence of life change in our members.

Small Groups

We believe that life change happens best in small groups. We believe that individual needs are best met in small groups. We consider it vital that every member participate in a small group.

Healthy Families

We believe a healthy church is reflected by healthy families. We value family time and support the spiritual nurture of the family as one of the best means to perpetuate the Christian faith. All families – single, married or divorced – will find acceptance in our church family and be encouraged to strengthen their family relationships and influence their loved ones to grow in Christ.

Christ-like Servant / Leaders

We believe that primary leadership in the home and in the local church ought to be exercised by men, and that these men ought to act as Christ-like servant/leaders.

Elder Led

We are elder-led but staff-driven.

Governed by Biblically Qualified Elders

We are governed by a plurality of biblically qualified elders who provide spiritual oversight and guard the mission and values of the body. In prayerful dependence and diligent commitment to the authority of God’s word, the elder’s role is to determine how the Lord, who is head of the body, wishes to direct His church.

Together in Unanimity

Our elders work together to oversee the church. While each elder is involved personally in certain ministries, as a group they are responsible to guide the entire church. In this they work together in unanimity. The church does not move forward over the objection of one of our elders.

Elders as a Group

Not only is no one elder above other elders, no individual elder carries the authority for the church. It is only as the elders as a group lead the church that the authority rests for the church leadership.

Deacon Responsibilities

Our deacons do not function in simple capacities. They each oversee at least one official ministry area of our church and, importantly, are given a large degree of freedom to lead the ministry in the way that they see best. Also, our deacons serve in an advisory capacity to the elders. The elders seek the counsel and support of the deacons in church issues. We have great confidence in our deacons and their leadership ability.

No Terms of Service

There are no terms of service for our elders or our deacons. Each one is appointed to serve for as long as he remains willing and qualified. We believe this helps the stability of our church and its leadership.

Two Ordinances to Celebrate

We believe that the church has been given two, and only two, ordinances to celebrate: Baptism and The Lord’s Supper. Baptism symbolizes our initiation into Jesus Christ and His Body and the Lord’s Supper symbolizes our continuance in Jesus Christ and His Body.

Spiritual Gifts

Concerning spiritual gifts, we believe that every Believer has at least one gift (but not all), as the Holy Spirit determines, to be used for the common good of the Church.

Divorce and Remarriage

We believe that divorce and remarriage (except in cases of marital infidelity) are sinful before God. At the same time, the church is here to welcome all forgiven and penitent people – regardless of marital status.

Biblical Church Discipline

We take biblical church discipline seriously in the case of those in the church who steadfastly refuse the loving correction of God’s Word.