South Mountain Church

 Our Mission Statement

 Our Mission at South Mountain is to Grow Fully Devoted followers of Jesus Who Reach Out To Their Community.

 Our Target

 “...Yes, whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him.”                     1 Corinthians 9:22 (TLB)

 We are trying to reach lost people.  And, our God-given target is "skateboarders" and young families with children. 

Our Purpose Statement

 The purpose of our church is summarized in a single sentence based on three key scriptures:

 “Because of God's "Great Provision" (Jesus), We believe a great commitment to the great commandment and the great commission will grow a great church!”

 The Great Provision:  “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,  that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.               John 3:16

 The Great Commandment: “Jesus said, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart...soul...and mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.’”            Matt. 22:36-40

 The Great Commission: “Jesus said, ‘Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”                     Matt. 28:19-20

 
Our Statement of Beliefs

 •     In essential beliefs — we have unity.

“There is one Body and one Spirit...there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all...”                          Ephesians 4:4-6

 •     In non-essential beliefs — we have liberty.

“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters...  Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?  To his own master he stands or falls...  So then each of us will give an account of himself to God...  So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.”   

Romans 14:1,4,12,22

 •     In all our beliefs — we show charity.

“...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains — but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.”                    1 Cor. 13:2  (Ph)

 
The Essentials We Believe:

 In the name of God, we declare and confess before men that we believe in the only true God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; that these three are one;  the Father in the Son, the Son in the Father, and the Holy Spirit equal in essence or being with both;  that this triune God created the heavens and the earth and all that in them is, visible as well as invisible, and furthermore sustains, governs, protects, and supports the same.

 Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19;
1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

 We believe in Jesus Christ; that He is fully God and man; that He became incarnate by the power of the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mary and was born of her; that He is the Savior and Mediator of the whole human race, if they with full faith in Him accept the grace proffered in Jesus; that this Jesus suffered and died on the cross for us, was buried, arose again on the third day, ascended into heaven, and  now sits on the right hand of God to intercede for us; and that He shall come again to judge the quick and the dead.

 Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30;
Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4;
Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13
 

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God.  He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ.  He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation.  He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, guidance in doing what is right and comfort.  He gives every believer at least one spiritual gift when they are saved.  As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.

 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8;
1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25;
Ephesians 5:18

 The Bible is God’s Word to us.  It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.  It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.  Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.

 2 Timothy 3:16;  2 Peter 1:20,21;  2 Timothy 1:13;
Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6;  Proverbs 30:5

 People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character.  People are the supreme object of God’s creation.  Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”.   This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

 Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2

 Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it.  We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works.  Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty.  When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved.  Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

 Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5

 People were created to exist forever.  We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation.  To be eternally separated from God is eternal death in Hell.  To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life.  Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence in Heaven.

 John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18;
Revelation 20:15; 1 Cor. 2:7-9

Our Lifestyle Statement

 Beliefs are not worth much unless they are translated into actions.  Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following seven practices:

 “The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us to do what is right.”  2 Tim. 3:15

 Since God’s Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living.  Our first question when faced with a decision is “What does the Bible say?”  We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible memorization.  The Bible is the basis for all we believe.

 “Christ is the head of His Body, the church.  He is the source of the Body’s life...”  Col. 1:18 (GN)

 Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any person, group, or religious organization.  However, we recognize the value of associating and cooperating with other groups of Christians to further His Kingdom work.  Therefore, we endeavor to cooperate with other local churches within our denomination and outside as God leads us with the common purpose of making disciples of Christ who reach out to their community.

 “Christ loves us, and by His death He has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests to serve God...”  Rev. 1:6 (GN)  “You are...the King’s priests...God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God.”  1 Pet. 2:9 (GN)

 The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to “full time” Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation.  We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry.  Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and God's Word.

“A tithe of everything you produce belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.”  Lev. 26:30    "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."           II Cor. 9:7 (NIV)

 At South Mountain we practice tithing for the support of Christ’s body, the church, as God commands.  We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the minimum Biblical standard of giving and should always be an expression of our love towards God whom first loved us by sacrificing His one and only Son.

 “For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ...”  Col. 2:12 (GN)

 We prefer to baptize by immersion under water.  However, we are flexible to meet the physical needs of the person being baptized.  For, the method is not nearly as important as the activity taking place.  For, it is in baptism that we publicly proclaim our faith in God and membership in His family.

(Jesus said), “I am the Vine, you are the branches.  If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5

 We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God’s power within us.  So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God’s Spirit to enable us to do what is right.  This is only possible through a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  For, to abide in Him is to totally depend upon Him. 

(Phil. 2:13, Eph. 5:18)

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”  1 Peter 3:15

 It is the privilege and responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those with whom God brings us into contact.  We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to rub shoulders with our church family both informally and formally.