Partnership Class Resources
Grace Code
WE ARE MARKED BY RADICAL GENEROSITY
WE FIGHT FOR THE "AND"
WE ARE COMMITTED TO MULTIPLICATION
WE MAJOR ON MAJORS AND MINOR ON MINORS
WE CREATE A FOCUSED MODEL OF MINISTRY
WE ARE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES
WE SEEK HIGH OWNERSHIP
The Elder Board
Statement of Basic Belief
There is one, and only one, true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is the Creator and Lord of all, existing eternally in three persons, never less and never more – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
John 1:1.14; Matthew 5:17.18; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20.21; Psalm 19:7-11; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Romans 10:9; Philippians 2:9-11; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; 1 Timothy 2:5; Matthew 22:32; Acts 3:13; Genesis 1:1; Psalm 146:6; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16.17; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22; 2 Corinthians 13.14
Jesus Christ is fully God, existing eternally. Everything was created by Him and For Him. His incarnation took place in the womb of a virgin. He became man, but never sinned. He died a substitutionary death to atone for sin, resurrected bodily, and ascended into heaven where He remains fully God and fully man, and is presently ministering until He comes again.
John 1:1-3; John 8:58; Titus 2:13; Romans 11:36; Colossians 1:16; John 1:14; Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:29-35; Luke 2:52; John 19:28; Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22; Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24.25; Luke 24:36-43; Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Acts 1:9; Hebrews 4:14; Ephesians 1:19-23; Hebrews 4:15.16; Acts 1:11
The Holy Spirit is fully God, existing eternally. He is a person, and was involved in Creation and the inspiration of Scripture. His works of conviction and regenerating are essential to the believer’s salvation. Believers are entitled to the benefit and joy of being filled and walking in the Spirit for the empowerment in Christian life, service, and mission.
Acts 5:3.4; John 16:7-15; Genesis 1:2; 2 Peter 1:21; John 16:8-11; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16; Galatians 5:22.23; Ephesians 3:16-21; Acts 1:8
The sixty-six books, and only these, known as the Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God. God’s inspiration and superintendence of the writing of every word of the Bible guarantees that what was written is His Word and therefore authoritative, true, and without error in the original manuscripts. God preserves His Word, which is powerful and effective to accomplish His purpose of salvation among all nations. God’s Spirit illuminates the minds of believers in every culture to understand and apply the unchanging truth of Scripture in fresh and relevant ways for the benefit of the whole Body of Christ.
Luke 24:25-27; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20.21; Psalm 19:7-11; Psalm 119:89; Psalm 119:160; Romans 1:16; Romans 10:8- 17; Romans 16:25-27; 1 Corinthians 2:9-16; Ephesians 1:17-23
God created man and woman in His image. As a result, all people are bearers of that image. However, Adam’s subsequent sin resulted in a condition of spiritual death which all people since Adam have experienced, marring the beauty of God’s image in them in every facet of life. This condition of spiritual death has rendered all people unable to save themselves, and
leads to spiritual death. Therefore, new birth is necessary for salvation.
Genesis 1:26-28; James 3:9; Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 5:12.19; Romans 6:2; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 8:6-8; Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12; John 1:12; John 3:3-5
The salvation brought by God is a complete and eternal salvation by His grace alone, received as the free gift of God through personal faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work, as He declares believers righteous in Him.
Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:4-9; Titus 3:5-7; 1 Peter 1:18-21; Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 10:14
There exists one true Church, which is called the Household of God, the Body of Christ, and the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Tangible expressions of this true Church are found in local churches.
1 Peter 4:17; Ephesians 2:19.20; 1 Timothy 3:14.15; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:22.23; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:21.22;45 1 Corinthians 12:13; Hebrews 10:25; Galatians 1:2; Romans 16;4.5; Revelation 2:1.8.12.18; Revelation 3:1.7.14
The believer is saved by faith alone. The faith that saves is expected to produce obedience and good works, which are the products of the indwelling Holy
Spirit. The dimensions of biblical ethics are both individual and social, and extend to every facet of life. God faithfully continues to finish the work of
sanctification, which He initiated in the life of each believer with the goal of Christlikeness.
Romans 4:5; Romans 1:5; James 2:14-17; Titus 3:8; Galatians 5:22.23; Matthew
22:37-40; Colossians 3:17; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 2:12-13; Romans 8:29;
2 Corinthians 3:18
God created a multitude of spiritual beings called “angels.” Righteous angels
continue to serve God and work both in the heavenly sphere and on earth. By his disobedience, Satan, a fallen angel, became the adversary of God and God’s
people, carrying with him a procession of demons. Jesus Christ has overcome Satan, so that the final judgment and doom of Satan and his demons are certain.
Daniel 7:10; Hebrews 12:22; Hebrews 1:14; Ephesians 1:21; Ephesians 3:10; 1 Peter 5:8-9; Revelation 12:1-10; Ephesians 6:12; 1John 3:8; John 12:31; Romans 16:20; Revelation 2:10
The dead will have a conscious existence in eternity and their bodies will be resurrected. Unbelievers, already under condemnation, will be sentenced to suffer eternal separation from God. Believers, already having been granted eternal life, will be judged and rewarded according to their works, and will
experience a glorified, eternal existence in the presence of the Lord.
Philippians 1:21-23; Luke 16:19-31; John 5:28.29; Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:15; John 3:16; John 6:47; Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Revelation 21:3-5; Psalm 16:11
Volunteer Code
Volunteers are the hands and feet of Jesus. To accomplish the mission of helping people live Jesus-centered lives, Grace has teams of volunteers who have met Jesus, are following Him, see their service as a way to share Him, and multiply the mission. These teams are the hands and feet of Jesus in our church and our community. We believe 5-star volunteer teams are made up of people who exhibit the following behaviors.
TAKES INITIATIVE – Great volunteers act like owners. Owners don’t just do a job that is “good enough.” If you see something that needs to be done, do it or inform someone else if you can’t do it. Our job as volunteers is to represent Jesus.
HAS A GUEST-ORIENTED MINDSET – Everything we do at Grace is aimed at helping people live Jesus-centered lives. Expect people who are far from Jesus, have drifted from church, or are attending for the first time, and serve them well.
MAKES A DIFFERENCE – We are not just looking for warm bodies to complete tasks. We are looking for empowered team members excited to volunteer, own their part of the local church, and participate in meaningful ministry.
SHOWS UP ON TIME – Honor your schedule and commitments. If you sign up, show up. If your volunteer huddle starts at 8:30am, you are late if you arrive when the service begins at 9:00am.
COMES PREPARED – Everyone who walks through our doors is going somewhere for eternity. Let’s be ready for them when they are here.
IS PRESENT – When you are working with kids, serving in the band, making coffee, or hosting a group, be present. Be in the moment. Be focused. Be prepared.
EXHIBITS JOY – Volunteering is something we GET to do! Attitudes should reflect service to Christ and the mission of the church. You are not doing the team leader, Grace Fellowship, or God a favor by serving. You are playing your part in God’s divine plan of ushering His kingdom to earth by using your unique gifts and talents.
GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT IS ASKED – Whatever you do, do it with passion and polish. We all must be good stewards of the resources, time, people, environments, and opportunities God has given us as a church. People who take ownership of their volunteering go above and beyond what is asked.
GIVES FEEDBACK – We want people to own their volunteer role and share ideas, suggestions, feedback, and thoughts. A 5-star volunteer gives the RIGHT feedback to the RIGHT people. However, it is important to remember that you are part of a team. Complaining and gossiping are not feedback! Complaining never solved a problem, achieved a goal, or improved a relationship.
COMMUNICATES WELL – We know that life can be busy, and our time is valuable, so communication is vital! Our teams win when we all respond to emails, text messages, serving requests, etc., in a timely manner.
IS FLEXIBLE – Change is inevitable, and at Grace, everything is an experiment (except God’s Word and the Gospel). Whatever happens, we should ask, how can I best help the team?
REPRODUCES SELF – Healthy ministries grow through multiplication. Every member of the team is actively recruiting others to build the team! We are owners and builders, not just renters and consumers!
ACKNOWLEDGES WE OVER ME – We believe in WE (our teams) over ME and ultimately HE over WE (our teams and our church). We should be decreasing ourselves to elevate God and others. We should work to be the team member we want other team members to be.
USES THE SYSTEMS – Grace is a big church with multiple campuses. Systems are an essential part of ministry and help make a big church feel more personal. These systems (scheduling, check-in, safety procedures, etc.) help us ensure people are cared for and that the ministry is efficient and effective.
IS A GOOD FOLLOWER – Our goal is that you will be loved and led well at Grace, so follow your team leader. If there are disagreements, handle them face-to-face with your leader. And when decisions are made, get behind the leader and champion those decisions as if they were your own. Trust that they have the best in mind.
RUNS THE PLAY – Grace has a specific ministry strategy and philosophy. It is not the only way to do church, but it is our way. Sometimes there are great ideas that don’t fit our philosophy – that is okay! That is why we don’t get overly attached to our opinion. Champion whatever play is called.
CAN PIVOT TO A NEW POSITION OR TEAM – Serving in any particular role is a privilege, not a right. As in life, there are seasons of ministry, too. Pivoting may need to happen for your benefit; perhaps you are getting burned out, or you have grown beyond this role. Maybe the ministry has changed, and you are no longer the right fit; you may now be better on a different team. Perhaps you have been promoted to a role with greater responsibility. That is not only okay, but it is more rewarding for you and those you serve.
IS COACHABLE – A coachable volunteer does not shrink away from feedback, especially if it’s necessary for them to grow. Receive it from your team leader with grace and humility. Change can be a good thing, even if it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient. Be willing to do the work to grow in your volunteer role and your journey of following Jesus.
CONTINUES GROWING SPIRITUALLY – We strongly encourage you to plug into one of our groups and practice personal spiritual disciplines. To transform others, you need to be growing spiritually. This is why we don’t want any volunteers to serve and not attend service. Attend your group and attend service even when you aren’t scheduled to volunteer. You are on the GRACE
team, not just your volunteer team.
PURSUES RECONCILIATION – Since relationship conflicts are inevitable, Jesus’ followers must learn to handle them respectfully and positively. A readiness to forgive, seeking compromise, and a strong belief in resolution are all marks of emotional maturity and spiritual health. Good teammates talk TO each other, not ABOUT each other.
HAS APPROPRIATE EXPECTATIONS – We should be decreasing our own self to elevate God and others. We are going to disappoint one another. Every volunteer, including you, is a person who sins and makes mistakes. Your leaders, church, and teammates will fail you. Fill the gap with trust, not suspicion.
Baptism
We are so excited that you are considering baptism!
TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE SET BY CHRIST.
Mark 1:9 – At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
BECAUSE CHRIST COMMANDED IT.
Matthew 28:19-20 – Therefore 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
IT DEMONSTRATES THAT I REALLY AM A BELIEVER.
1 John 2:3 – We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.
IT IS AN OUTWARD EXAMPLE OF AN INWARD REALITY.
Titus 3:4-5 – But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
IT ILLUSTRATES CHRIST’S DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
IT ILLUSTRATES MY NEW LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! Romans 6:4 – We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
BAPTISM DOESN’T MAKE YOU A CHRISTIAN.
Only your faith in Christ makes you a Christian. Baptism is like a wedding ring – it’s the outward sign of the commitment you have made in your heart.
Ephesians 2:8-9 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.
BECAUSE JESUS WAS BAPTIZED THAT WAY.
Matthew 3:16 – As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
EVERY BAPTISM IN THE BIBLE WAS BY IMMERSION.
(For example) Acts 8:38-39 – And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
THE WORD “BAPTIZE” MEANS “TO DIP UNDER WATER.”
IT BEST SYMBOLIZED A BURIAL AND RESURRECTION.
See Romans 6:1-11
THE FOUNDERS OF THE MAJOR DENOMINATIONS AGREE:
“I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the word imports and the mystery signifies.” – Martin Luther (founder of Lutheran denomination)
“The word ‘baptize’ signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church.” – John Calvin (founder of Presbyterian denomination)
“‘Buried with Him’ alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church.” – John Wesley (founder of Methodist and Wesleyan denominations)
The three-fold action of triune immersion paints a beautiful picture of who God is, as it depicts the unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Every person who has believed in Christ should be baptized. A believer is someone who has realized that their sin separated them from God. They have given up all efforts to reach God through good works or religious activity. They have concluded that Jesus Christ’s death on the cross for their sins is the only thing that can bridge the gap between them and God. A believer is someone who has decided to trust Christ alone for their salvation. If you have come to that point in your spiritual journey, then you are ready to be baptized. (See Acts 2:41, 8:12-13)
AS SOON AS YOU HAVE BELIEVED.
Acts 8:12 – But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
No, but the Bible teaches that baptism should follow your decision to become a believer. There is no reason to delay. If you wait until you are “good” enough, you will never feel ready for baptism.
The New Testament shows no example of baptism when the person did not request it. All instances of baptism followed an individual’s decision to trust Christ alone for their salvation (Acts 2:41, 8:12, 10:47-48). At Grace Fellowship we wait until the child is old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them. When a child makes a decision for Christ, we gladly baptize them into the Christian faith.
In the Bible we find parents bringing children to Jesus. He held them and prayed for them and told us to welcome them. But he did not baptize them, and he did not tell anyone else to baptize them. So it seems more Biblical to wait until after a personal decision to trust Christ as Savior has been made by the child. If baptism is a public profession of salvation (as the Bible teaches), only people who have intentionally received salvation should experience baptism.
If you have not experienced adult baptism, even though you have experienced baptism as an infant, the full meaning and significance of baptism has yet to take place in your life. We strongly encourage you to be baptized as an adult believer in Christ.
WHAT DO I WEAR?
Dress in clothes you don’t mind getting wet! You should wear a dark shirt and shorts. Remember to bring a towel and a change of clothes to wear after the baptism. We will provide a t-shirt for you. You may wear this to be
baptized in or you can change into it following baptism.
WHAT IF I WANT MY GROUP LEADER OR SPIRITUAL MENTOR TO BAPTIZE ME?
We can accommodate that within certain parameters. Please be sure to make us aware of that request during your registration process.
WHAT DO I DO?
Meet at the church at least 30 minutes before the baptism
is scheduled to begin. A pastor or staff member will meet with you in a group to
walk you through the baptism events. Be sure to invite your friends and family so they can celebrate this exciting event with you!
WHAT IF I CAN’T PHYSICALLY GET INTO THE BAPTISM TANK?
We can accommodate that. Please be sure to make us aware of that request during your registration process.
Ready to sign up?
TO SIGN UP, OR IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE AT (614) 864.9383 OR OFFICE@GRACEFELLOWSHIP.CC
Giving
"Five Keys To Financial Freedom" provides a biblical foundation for managing money and tithing!