What We Believe

Vision:

“Pursuing the Glory of God in all things”

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. -1 Corinthians 10:31
Westminster Shorter Catechism    
    Q1: What is the chief end of man?
    A1: Man's chief end  is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

Mission:

We will live for Christ in Christian community by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit, proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Draper’s Valley and beyond, so that we might equip others to be His disciples.  
We will give ourselves passionately to God in worship, prayer, and service while we study His Word, individually and corporately, in public and private, so that He will glorify Himself in and through us.
We will equip and encourage each other to live joyfully for the praise of God’s glory.

Core Beliefs:

Below are the core beliefs to which our Elders are committed and which guide our decision making.

1. The Authority of the Word of God - We believe the Bible is the written Word of God and thus, with respect to the life of our church and to us as individuals, it is the final authority in all matters of faith and sufficient to teach and guide us in every area of life.  All of our teaching and preaching will be Biblically based, starting with Scripture and teaching its application.   We believe in the infallibility and inerrancy of the Scriptures.  (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Tim. 1:13; 2 Pt. 1:21)

2. The Nature of the Triune God - There is but one only living and true God, who has revealed Himself to us in the Bible. We believe in the Holy Trinity, that God exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  These three are one God, the same in substance and power.  (Gen 1:26; Mt 3:16,17; Mt 28”19; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 1 Pt 1:2)

3. The Transforming Power of the Gospel  - We believe in the power of God to transform lives.  The message of the gospel is that Christ has done what is necessary to bring sinners into relationship with God. If we are made new by the Holy Spirit, trust Christ as our Savior and Lord and are thus justified before God, our sinfulness does not count against us and our religious efforts do not count for us.  By faith we are united to the living Christ by his Holy Spirit bringing us into a new world of grace.  Jesus Christ is the only way to be reconciled to God.   (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:8,9; 2 Cor. 5:21;  Rom. 5:19; Eph. 4:24;  Rom. 5:1,2,5)

4. The Necessity of Christian Growth by the Means of Grace  - We believe God has ordained a simple and clear pattern by which Christ's church is to be nurtured in her faith. Acts 2:42 reveals that the four primary, ordinary means by which our faith will grow are:  i) the preaching and teaching of God's Word, ii) the celebration of Christian worship including the sacraments,  iii) prayer,  iv) the development of genuine community among God's people (fellowship). We therefore believe it is incumbent upon all believers to participate in these means, to be trained to apply the Bible to all of life and to give oneself in ministry to God and others.  We believe in an educational program for all ages that emphasizes heart knowledge and application the truths of the gospel. We will challenge God’s people to live a grace-oriented lifestyle that leads us to maturity. (Eph. 2:8,9; 2 Tim. 2:2; Mt. 7:7-11; Heb. 10:24,25)

5. The Priority of Worship - We believe that the Christian life begins and ends in worship of God. We will endeavor to lead each person attending worship into the assurance that they have been in the presence of the Almighty.  Our worship will be Biblical and God centered. We believe that worship is governed by the Word of God, and centers on Christ revealed to us in the Word as it is preached, prayed, sung and read.  This will lead us to respond to his grace in love for him and our neighbors. Worship is also the goal of our service and evangelism as we call others to faith in Christ in order that they too may worship him.  (Rom. 12:1, 2; Heb. 12:28, 29)

6. The Necessity of Prayer – We believe that God not only desires but enables us to approach him in prayer, though Christ, enabled by the Holy Spirit. We will strive not only to encourage prayer but to prayerfully approach each endeavor, corporately and individually. (Ps 62:8; Mt 7:7-8; 1 Jn 5:14; Jn 16:23-24; Ps 32:5-6; 1 Jn 1:9; Ps 136; Phil 4:6;  Mt 6:9-13.)

7. A Covenantal Perspective - We believe that God works covenantally, promising faithfulness to his people.  The local church is a covenantal community organized as a family of families. Whether the family is a single individual, a couple, or made up of parents and children, the family unit - not just its individual church members -  must be considered in all aspects of church life.  We will encourage our families to walk with God as a family unit and will challenge all individuals to become part of the larger church family. We will care for and protect our covenant children and seek to raise them in the way they should go. We will care for the poor and needy in the church.  We will build a community of fellowship, value everyone who enters our doors and will reach out to make all welcome.  (Gen. 2:16-17; Gen 15-17; Hos 6:7; Heb 9:15-17; 2 Cor 3:6-9)

8. Missions/Evangelism - We believe that we are called to proclaim to all people in all places the salvation offered in Jesus Christ. We hope that all members of our church will participate at some level in bringing the good news of the gospel to those who do not yet know Christ.  Recognizing the authority given us by Christ to fulfill His mission, we will boldly proclaim the gospel to our neighbors and community.  We will also support worldwide gospel ministry, even in places where we are not able to go.  Along with financial support and education, we value and encourage active participation in mission opportunities around the world. We value our relationships with our brothers and sisters worldwide and will endeavor to foster sister church partnerships with believers and congregations outside the USA.  (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15; Acts 1:8; Acts 4:29-31)

9. The Importance of Creeds and Confessions - We believe that the foundational Creeds of the church and the Confessions of the Protestant Reformation and later Reformed Symbols faithfully and accurately express Biblical teachings.  Therefore we will use these creeds and confessions in our worship and instruction.  We believe that our doctrinal statement, the Westminster Confession of Faith, along with the Westminster Larger and Shorter Catechisms, are the most faithful summaries of the teachings of Scripture. (1 Tim 4:6-15 1 Tim 6:2-5; 6:20)

10. Biblical Church Government - We believe that the Church is to be governed according to Biblical teaching. That government includes the shepherding care of God's people by elders and deacons.  We are also connected to other local churches in a regional body called a presbytery. And we are connected with other churches nationally through the general assembly. We also value close partnerships with other churches worldwide. (Eph 1:10,22-23; Eph 5:23,-32; Col 1:18; 1 Cor. 12:12-13, 28; Eph 4:11-13; Eph 4:15-16 Heb 10:24-25 Acts 2:42, 46; 1 Tim. & 2 Tim. and Titus)

11. The Importance of Excellence – We believe that God’s people should strive to sustain excellence and quality in everything we do, as we do it unto the Lord. Everything we do is to be done with decency and order and to the best of our abilities. We will use all of God’s resources available to us in a manner that is glorifying to Him. (Col. 3:17, 23, 24)

We believe these beliefs are Biblical. We believe it is profitable and healthy for Christians to believe these things. We believe that as we come to appreciate them, we will grow to love and honor the Lord Jesus more fully and understand more richly what it means to live by grace. Nevertheless, acceptance of these distinctives is not required for membership in our church as long as a person professes faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

It is our deepest desire to be a warm, gracious, inviting, and open church; while holding strong Biblical convictions.  More than anything else we desire that all who participate in the life of our church will experience the transforming power of the gospel of Christ.  

To Him be all Glory, Honor and Praise.

http://www.dvpca.org/docs/Vision-Mission-Core_Beliefs_hdt2024.pdf