Our Beliefs -

Our Beliefs

What is the Gospel?

The gospel is the good news that God did for us what we could NEVER do for ourselves. He solved our biggest problem, the sin problem that separates us from a holy God, by sending His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for OUR sins.

Jesus lived a perfect life, keeping God's law completely. He died in our place to take the punishment we deserved, and He rose from the grave, conquering Satan, death, and hell for YOU.

2 Corinthians 5:21 John 3:16

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On the other side of surrendering your life to Jesus:

You'll be forgiven, and you'll have a hope like never before in the face of unsettling, fearful circumstances—because your hope will be tied to something outside this world.
You'll have a peace and joy that's grounded in something deeper than your circumstances.
You'll have a sense of being loved, and accepted by someone who loves you like no other love in this world.

Big Rocks

From the beginning, Grace Fellowship has been built on strong, Spirit-led convictions—immovable truths that shape how we believe and live. These are our Big Rocks.

Bible-based

Isaiah 40:8 says, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." We want our preaching, teaching, counseling, and discipling to stay anchored in God's eternal truth, not our opinions or preferences.

Grace-based

We don't want to ever get over grace. We need saving grace to justify us and save us from the penalty of our sins. And we need empowering grace to grow and free us from the power of remaining sin in our lives.

Missions-minded

We won't just sit on this message of grace. We're not going to run from the world. We're going to run headlong with this message of grace, working to connect people to the glory of God…in our own backyard and overseas.

Serving

Christians look most like Christ when they humbly serve. We want everyone in our church family to serve by using their gifts (1 Peter 4:10-11). As we do, increased joy, fruitfulness, and meaning can be discovered (Romans 12:6-8).

Prayer

We recognize that without prayer, the church ministries will just grind along in the arm of the flesh, regardless of how good they look on the outside. We want to see lasting fruit, real changes, breakthroughs, and an outpouring of God's presence and power in our midst – and that only comes by prayer.

Community Groups

Community Groups are the very heartbeat of our church. The Bible teaches that people change and grow best at close range with other believers who can speak into their life and by using their gifts to speak into someone else's life.

The Sovereignty of God

God's sovereignty is His absolute rule and control over all of His creation. Nothing enters history that does not come under the complete control of God. We believe that God has a "LOCK" on everything. He limits, orders, controls, and knows all things for His glory and our good.

God-focused Praise & Worship

We'll do everything we can to see that the worship leads us to think the right thoughts about God and change our lives and attitudes to align with what He's revealing about Himself. We're not going to use a lot of solos and choirs to sing on Sunday. You, the congregation, are the choir each Sunday.

Doctrine of God

We believe God is eternal, sovereign, and perfect. He is unchanging, exists as Father, Son, and Spirit, and rules over all things for His glory and our good.

We believe God is "The Self-Existent One" (Exodus 3:13-14), meaning that there was never a time when God did not exist (Nehemiah 9:5); that He is eternal (Deuteronomy 33:27). God has revealed Himself to us as being three distinct Persons; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19) but yet One God (Isaiah 44:6) and this revelation is in the masculine context "He" (Isaiah 64:8).

We believe God is Sovereign (Ephesians 1:4-11), meaning that nothing in all creation escapes His notice (Hebrews 4:13) and that all things come about under His authority and control (1 Corinthians 15:25-28).

We believe that God is "perfect" (Matthew 5:48) in all His ways (Psalm 77:13); that in Him, there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).

We believe God is "immutable" (James 1:17), meaning He does not lie nor change His mind (Numbers 23:19). What He says He means, what He means, He brings about (Isaiah 46:9-10). His character demonstrates, among other things, His love (John 3:16), His holiness (Leviticus 19:2), His justice (Romans 11:33), His righteousness (Romans 1:17), His mercy (Lamentations 3:22), His power (Exodus 9:16), His majesty (Psalm 8:1), His authority (Romans 13:1) and His glory (Isaiah 42:8) to such an extent that an understanding of these attributes compels a true believer to worship (John 4:23).

We believe that genuine faith (Hebrews 11:1) and reliance in the lordship of Christ (Romans 10:9), the Creator of all things out of nothing (John 1:3), manifests itself in a personal relationship with God the Father and God the Son (1 John 1:3).

We believe God's call to salvation extends to all men (1 Timothy 2:4) and that in His Sovereignty, He has predestined His elect to adoption into His family through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace (Ephesians 1:3-6).

We believe God is actively involved in His creation at all times (Matthew 10:29), that He sustains all things by His powerful Word (Hebrews 1:3), and that His providential will is that all things will work together for His glory, our good (Romans 8:28) and that no purpose of His will be withheld from Him (Job 42:2).

Doctrine of the Bible

We believe the Bible is God's revealed Word, fully inspired and without error. It is the final authority for life, salvation, and godliness.

We believe "The Bible" is composed of the sixty-six books from Genesis to Revelation and is God's revealed word to mankind (Numbers 12:6; Deuteronomy 29:29).

We believe this Word was "God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16) as men were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:19–21) and is therefore without error (Numbers 23:19) in the original manuscripts; and that we have today reliable representation of that original text.

We believe the minds of those who genuinely trust Christ for salvation can discern truth from Scripture (1 Corinthians 2:11–12; 14).

We believe divine revelation and inspiration have ceased (Revelation 22:18–19), but that illumination continues (John 14:26; 16:7; Romans 8:16) as the Holy Spirit reveals truth to God's children (John 14:16–17).

We believe the scriptures are used by the Holy Spirit to communicate the truths to mankind that are necessary for salvation (Romans 10:14–17), the sufficient means by which we can understand God's plan for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), and is the final authority in the believer's life (John 8:31–32; 17:17).

Doctrine of Christ

We believe Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He lived a sinless life, died as a substitute for sinners, rose again, and now intercedes for us.

We believe that Jesus Christ was the "Incarnate" Word of God (John 1:1), meaning that the eternal Son of God left heaven, came to earth (John 3:13), and took on human flesh (John 1:14) but remained fully God (John 8:58), yet was also fully man (Hebrews 4:15).

We believe that Christ's birth was a unique work of God the Holy Spirit in which Christ was born of a virgin mother, having no biological earthly father (Luke 1:35). While living a sinless human life (2 Corinthians 5:21), Christ revealed (John 14:9) and brought glory to God the Father as He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on the cross (Philippians 2:6–11).

We believe Christ's shed blood was and is a substitutionary and satisfactory payment for the sins (Romans 3:25) of all people in all generations who put their trust in God's promised salvation (Galatians 3:16), turning God's wrath away from His children forever (Ephesians 2:3–5).

We believe that through Christ's sacrifice (Hebrews 9:28), God's righteousness was imputed to every believer (Romans 10:4), assuring that every nation, tribe, people, and tongue will be represented at the throne of God for eternity (Revelation 7:9–10).

We believe that Jesus Christ bodily rose from the dead (Mark 16:6), ascended into heaven (Acts 1:11), and is currently at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 1:3). He is our Great High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 9:24), our only intercessor (1 Timothy 2:5), and always interceding for us (Hebrews 7:25), as we approach the throne of grace with confidence, able to sympathize with our weaknesses, as we receive mercy and find grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4:14–16).

Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit is God. He convicts, seals, indwells, empowers, and sanctifies every true believer for the glory of Christ.

We believe the Spirit of God revealed in Scripture (John 16:13) possesses the attributes of God (Hebrews 9:14), is doing the work of God (John 14:26), is revealing the words of God (Acts 28:25), is receiving honor as God (Acts 5:3–4), and is therefore, God the Holy Spirit. His ministry is to glorify Christ (John 16:14) by convicting sinners of their need for a savior (John 16:8–9). After repentance and submission to Christ (Acts 20:21), He seals them securely for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).

We believe the Holy Spirit lives within each genuine believer (1 Corinthians 6:19), empowering them (Ephesians 3:20) to walk in the light rather than darkness (John 8:12).

We believe the Holy Spirit will continue a purification process within each believer (Titus 2:14) that He began when they were reborn of His Spirit (Titus 3:4–5), that this sanctification process is ongoing (John 17:17) and will result in changed lives (Philippians 2:12–13).

The Sovereignty of God

We believe God is sovereign over all things. He has a "LOCK" on everything—He limits, orders, controls, and knows all things for His glory.

God is in total, absolute, irresistible control of His creation. He brings about all things for His glory (Isaiah 42:8) and our good (Romans 8:28). Although God uses man and creation to bring about His will, it is by His power (Isaiah 40:10) and His Spirit that all events come to pass (Zechariah 4:6).

In perfect faithfulness to His own will (Ephesians 1:11) God performs marvelous deeds (Isaiah 26:3) beyond anything we could ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). God answers to no one (Romans 11:34–35); His judgments are unsearchable, and His paths are beyond tracing out (Romans 11:33); for by Him and through Him and to Him are all things that He may receive the glory (Romans 11:36).

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight; everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account (Hebrews 4:12–13).

The Providence of God

We believe God sustains and governs all things. Through His providence, He works out His purposes using creation and human choices.

God created and preserves all things (Nehemiah 9:6), and moment by moment sustains them by His powerful word (Hebrews 1:3). He not only creates and sustains but governs (Isaiah 9:7) His creation, making known and bringing about His purposes from beginning to end, from ancient times (Isaiah 46:9–10).

God does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115:3). He has established His throne in heaven (Psalm 115:3) and His kingdom rules (Psalm 103:19) over every creature (Job 12:10); over every nation (Job 12:23); and over every individual life (Esther 4:14).

Within His providential will God uses secondary agents, i.e., His creation and the willful choices of men, to bring about His purposes, none of which will be withheld from Him (Job 42:2).

The Motive of God

We believe God's ultimate motive is His own glory. He sovereignly redeems a people for Himself by grace, through love, to reflect and glorify Him.

God's ultimate purpose in creation was, is, and always will be to bring glory to Himself; a glory that He will not share with another (Isaiah 42:8). By His sovereign will (Ephesians 1:3–6), for His glory (Isaiah 48:11) and by His unmerited favor (Ephesians 2:8–9) God chose to elect a people out of fallen humanity for His very own; heirs of all He has to offer (Galatians 2:20; 4:6–7).

By His own hand (Isaiah 59:16), through His immeasurable love (1 John 3:1) and irresistible grace (Romans 9:22–23), God elected a people that would "know Him," "be known by Him," "see Him face to face," and "be like Him" (1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2; Hebrews 12:23) and give Him glory.

Doctrine of Salvation

We believe that salvation, a work begun by God before the creation of the world, is a free gift from God.

We believe that salvation, a work begun by God before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4), was, is, and always will be a free gift from God (Romans 6:23) by His grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9) apart from any righteous acts of our own (Titus 3:5). And "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved" (Romans 10:9–10). This salvation is available to anyone who puts their faith and trust in God's promise of redemption through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 10:11–12).

We believe "there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). We acknowledge that Christ's shed blood on the cross was complete payment for the sins of everyone who puts their faith in Him (Romans 3:23–26). As a result, "anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame" (Romans 10:11), nor will they ever experience God's condemnation (Romans 8:1–2), but rather are able to fully experience true "peace" and "fellowship" with God (Romans 5:1–2; 1 John 1:3).

We believe Christ's work on the cross cannot be realized or acknowledged apart from recognizing our own sinfulness and need for a savior leading to repentance and forgiveness of sins (2 Corinthians 7:10).

We believe at the instant we trust Christ in response to the Gospel of grace, we are reborn as children of God (1 John 5:1) and adopted into His family, being heirs of all He has to offer (Galatians 2:20).

We believe our new birth changes our legal standing before God; that is, we are "justified" in His sight, meaning we are no longer "children of wrath" but rather declared righteous before God (Romans 5:9–10).

We believe this "justification" is a finished work of God completely separate from any works of our own (Romans 4:3–5) and that His Spirit, now living in us (1 John 4:4), empowers us to "work out our salvation" according to His will and good pleasure (Philippians 2:12–13).

We believe that genuine faith will respond in obedience (Matthew 3:8), love for Christ (John 14:23), and be characterized by the new life eager to do what is good (Titus 2:14).

Doctrine of Man

We believe man is inherently sinful by nature, unable to save himself, desperately in need of a Savior, and individually responsible to respond to God's offer of salvation.

We believe the human race came into being when God created man in His own image, after His likeness (Genesis 1:26), for the purpose of bringing glory to Himself (Exodus 8:1), and that man became a living being when God breathed the breath of life into his nostrils (Genesis 2:7).

We believe Adam was the first man created (Genesis 2:15–19) and was, as every other thing God created, "very good" (Genesis 1:31). Adam freely chose to rebel against God (Genesis 2:16; 3:4–6); as a result, sin and death entered into the world (Genesis 3:17–19). Because of Adam's sin, condemnation came to all mankind (Romans 5:12). But God, who is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4), set eternity in the heart of men (Ecclesiastes 3:11) so they may know He exists (Romans 1:18–20) and knowing that, respond to the message of His grace (Titus 2:11).

We believe man is inherently sinful by nature (Romans 3:23), unable to save himself (Psalm 22:29), desperately in need of a Savior (Romans 6:23), and individually responsible to respond to God's offer of salvation (John 3:36). We believe man comes to faith by God's grace, apart from works (Ephesians 2:8–9), through the knowledge of truth (Romans 10:17) as revealed in God's general (Psalm 19:1–4) and specific revelation of Himself (Isaiah 45:5). Then and only then, through regeneration by the Holy Spirit, can salvation and spiritual life be obtained (Titus 3:5–7).

Doctrine of the Church

We believe the Church is the Body and Bride of Christ, made up of all who trust in Him, gathered to worship, grow, and make disciples.

We believe the true church is made up of all persons who have put genuine faith and trust in Christ for salvation (1 Corinthians 12:12–13), that we are the Body (Ephesians 4:16) and Bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2), and that He is the Head of His church (Ephesians 5:23).

We believe in full equality within the Body of Christ, neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female (Galatians 3:28–29), but that Scripture mandates an order of headship within the church (1 Corinthians 11:3) to which all believers must submit to preserve order and unity within the Body (1 Corinthians 14:33).

We believe the purpose of the Church is to make disciples of all nations by spreading the Gospel (Matthew 28:18–20) and building the Kingdom of God (Ephesians 4:11–13) until Christ returns (Revelation 22:12–13), and that every believer is responsible to participate in that endeavor with whatever gifts God has given each of us (Romans 12:4–8).

We believe the local church should meet as a body (Hebrews 10:25) to worship and glorify God (John 4:23–24), to proclaim God's Truth and message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18–21), to teach and encourage every believer (2 Timothy 3:16–17) in their pursuit of holiness (1 Peter 1:16), and to discipline its members as established by Scripture (Matthew 18:17).

We believe the two ordinances of the church—baptism (Matthew 28:19) and the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23–25)—are to be observed by every believer until the Lord returns (Matthew 28:20; 1 Corinthians 11:26): water baptism after conversion as an outward expression of the new believer's faith in Christ (Acts 10:47–48) and the Lord's Supper as believers partake in the symbolic observance and thankful remembrance of the New Covenant made available to the world by way of Christ's sacrifice on the cross (Hebrews 9:15).

Doctrine of Sanctification (Obedience of Faith)

We believe genuine faith produces a life of obedience. Through the Spirit's work, believers are being conformed to the image of Christ.

We believe that genuine faith in Christ works itself out in sincere obedience to His will (1 John 2:3–5). That sincere love for Christ demonstrates itself in obedience to His commands (John 14:15, 23) by walking in the light (1 John 1:7) even as He walked (1 John 2:6).

We believe that Jehovah M'Kaddesh, the Lord who sanctifies, will assure that His children "work out their salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12) as they strive to be imitators of Christ (Philippians 2:1) and ambassadors for His sake (2 Corinthians 5:20). True believers will walk in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25) over the course of their lives, be conformed to the image of Christ over time (Romans 8:29), and be transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory which comes from God, who is the Spirit (Ephesians 3:17–18).

We understand that the full realization of our sanctification will not take place until that time in which we meet Christ face to face (1 John 3:2; Hebrews 9:28; 12:23).

Eternal Security & Perseverance

We believe eternal life is a gift from God that cannot be lost. Those He saves will be kept and will persevere by His power to the end.

Eternal life is "knowing" the only true God and His Son Jesus Christ (John 17:17) and is a "gift from God" (1 John 5:11–12), not by works so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8–9). A redeemed sinner is no more capable of losing his or her salvation (eternal life) than he or she was of earning it. It's a gift from God (Romans 6:23) to anyone who trusts in Christ (Romans 10:11), and that gift is given by the one and only God (Isaiah 43:11–12), who searches the heart, examines the mind (Jeremiah 17:10), understands every motive behind the thought (1 Chronicles 28:9), and cannot be mocked (Galatians 6:7).

Your eternal life is further secured by the fact that it is not only a gift to you, but more importantly is a gift to Christ from God the Father (John 17:6, 9, 24; 6:37), and neither God the Son, nor the Father, will ever let you get away (John 10:27–30). Bringing glory to Himself was the very purpose for which He created (Isaiah 43:7, Psalm 115:1) and saved us (Ephesians 1:11–13), making us His own possession—to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:13–14).

The redeemed will be kept in faith (Jude 24–25; Hebrews 7:25), persevering until the very last day (John 6:40). Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself just as He is pure (1 John 3:3), enabled by His power in us (Ephesians 3:20). We can be confident of this because "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" and "it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purposes" (Philippians 2:13).

Doctrine of Creation

We believe that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. All human life is sacred and is created in God's image.

We believe that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible (Hebrews 11:3). We further believe that the creation of the heavens with all their hosts, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them (Nehemiah 9:6) were created in six literal days (Exodus 20:11), and that after God had created everything He "saw all that He had made" and said "it was very good" (Genesis 1:31). On the seventh day He abstained from work and rested (Exodus 31:17). We hold the position that all human life is sacred and is created in God's image. Psalm 139:13- 18, Genesis 1:26-27 Job 10:8-12, Jeremiah 20:17.

Doctrine of Last Things

We believe Christ will return, raise the dead, judge the world, and reign forever. Eternity with God or apart from Him hinges on faith in Christ.

We believe in and eagerly anticipate Christ's return to earth (Philippians 3:20) to claim His Bride, the true Church (Revelation 19:7).

We believe that upon His return, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9–11). Christ's second coming will result in the bodily resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:51–53) and the end of death (1 Corinthians 15:26) and suffering (Revelation 21:4).

Those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life (Revelation 21:27) will spend eternity with God (Revelation 21:3), experiencing His perpetual grace and blessings (Revelation 22:5). Those whose names are not written in the Book of Life will spend eternity under the wrath of God (Revelation 20:15), reserved for those who reject His Son (John 3:36)—an eternal existence separated from God.

Therefore, "what manner of persons ought ye to be?" (2 Peter 3:11). Having received such a great salvation (Hebrews 2:3), we should live holy and godly lives as we look forward to the day of God and speed its coming (2 Peter 3:12). We should lead lives worthy of the calling we've received, being completely humble and gentle, patient, bearing with one another in love, keeping the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1–3).

The Constitution of Grace Fellowship
Evangelical Free Church

PREAMBLE

We, the members of the GRACE FELLOWSHIP EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH, in order to carry out efficiently the commission given by Jesus Christ to His Church, do ordain and establish the following Constitution to which we voluntarily submit ourselves;

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be "GRACE FELLOWSHIP EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH" hereinafter called the Church.

Article II – Affiliation

This Church shall be affiliated with the Great Lakes District of the Evangelical Free Church of America. In the event that the Church desires to withdraw its affiliation from the Great Lakes District of the Evangelical Free Church of America, this can be accomplished by an affirmative vote equal to the same majority required to amend the Constitution.

Article III – Mission Statement

The mission of this Church is to:

Gather together to worship God.
Grow together in grace to be more like Christ.
Go together with the Gospel to the Tri-State and world.

Article IV – Statement of Faith

God

We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.

The Bible

We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all it promises.

The Human Condition

We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God's saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.

Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus-Israel's promised Messiah-was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.

The Work of Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.

The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.

The Church

We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God's grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord's Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.

Christian Living

We believe that God's justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God's Word, the Spirit's power, and fervent prayer in Christ's name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ's commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.

Christ's Return

We believe in the personal, bodily and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.

Response & Eternal Destiny

We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.

Article V – Membership

Membership of this Church shall be composed of those individuals who, through saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, have been born again. They should manifest the fruit of a true Christian in lifestyle. They will subscribe to the aforementioned Statement of Faith, the Church Constitution and Bylaws and understand the Doctrinal Positions of the Church. Members will support the Church by prayers, serving, financial contributions, and attendance.

Article VI – Property

This Church shall have the power to receive, either by gift or purchase, and to hold such real, personal, or mixed property as is authorized by the laws of the State of Kentucky and as is deemed necessary for the business of the Church, and shall have the power to dispose of such property by mortgage, deed or otherwise. All such property shall be in the name of the Church.

In case of division of the Church (from which we pray God by His mercy to preserve us), the property of the Church shall belong to those members who abide by the Constitution and ByLaws of GRACE FELLOWSHIP EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH.

In the case of dissolution of Grace Fellowship Evangelical Free Church, the property shall be assigned to the Great Lakes District Conference of the Evangelical Free Church to enable said conference to renew the work or use the values thereof for further Gospel enterprises. The Church shall be considered dissolved if so decided by the congregation of Grace Fellowship, or when the Church has not held an annual meeting for three years, or when less than six members remain.

Article VII – Amendments

Amendments to this Constitution must be available to the members by the elders in written or electronic format and adopted as a preliminary step at a regular business meeting of the Church. At the succeeding meeting, they can be acted upon for final adoption, but must receive the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the membership present and voting.

Article VIII – Church Polity

Grace Fellowship Evangelical Free Church shall operate under the biblical model of an elder-led Church with the support and consent of the members of the congregation as outlined in the Bylaws. The Church is one body under the authority of the elders and participating at various campus locations. Matters impacting the entire Church shall be considered before the whole Church congregation, while matters impacting individual campuses shall be considered before the campus congregation.

This Constitution was officially adopted by the congregation of the GRACE FELLOWSHIP EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH of Union, Kentucky on March 1, 2020.This Constitution was officially adopted by the congregation of the GRACE FELLOWSHIP EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH of Union, Kentucky on March 1, 2020.

Article I – Membership

Section 1: Qualifications

Section 1: Individuals

Who confess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
Who have assurance of salvation
Whose character, conduct and reputation accord with the confession of faith
Who accept the Constitution and Bylaws of this congregation
Who are 18 years of age

Section 2: Classification

Only members will be counted in making up a quorum for conducting Church business.
All membership rolls shall be reviewed by the elders at least once a year. Those members who do not show their support by prayers, serving, financial contributions, and attendance may be removed from membership with the full concurrence of the elders.

Section 3: Admission

A. Application for membership to the Church shall be made to the elders. Applicants shall be given a copy of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Church.

B. All applicants shall be asked to acquaint themselves with the Statement of Faith of the Church, the history of the Church and its doctrines and the Evangelical Free Church of America.

C. Applicants shall supply the elders with written personal testimony of their salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and evidence of their understanding of and agreement with the Statement of Faith, the Constitution and Bylaws of the Church.

D. All satisfactory candidates shall be recommended by the elders to the Church or campus congregation for consideration and feedback.

E. If any member has a reason for objecting to the receiving of any applicant into the Church, they shall communicate the concerns to the elders and give scriptural reasons for their objections.

F. Satisfactory candidates shall be accepted into membership by the elders and acknowledged by communication to the Church or campus.

Section 4: Conduct

All members and regular attendees are called upon to heed the scriptural admonition: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God"(Romans 12:1). Be an "example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12), and to abstain from any act or practice which may be harmful in its influence or a stumbling block to the weak (Romans 14:13- 21).

Section 5: Absence

Any person, absent for more than one year and from whom communication has been requested by the elders and not received may be removed from the membership roll by unanimous vote of the elders.

Section 6: Discipline

A. If any member or regular attendee shall conduct themselves in a manner which in the studied opinion of the elders is not in harmony with scriptural principles and for which they do not show repentance, then the said individual shall be interviewed and counseled by the elders as indicated in the Word of God (Matthew 18:15-17; Galatians 6:1). The repentance and restoration of the erring member shall be the single purpose and love the sole motivating force of these interviews.

B. If, however, the member should choose to continue in their unrepentant condition, their membership shall be terminated by a unanimous vote of the elders. If membership is terminated in this manner, the unrepentant individual may attend regular worship services but may not partake in the Lord's Supper when celebrated by the Church. Other sanctions may be applied at the discretion of the elders for the protection of the body.

C. If, however, a regular attendee should continue in their unrepentant condition, then the elders will inform the said individual that they may attend regular worship services but may no longer partake of the Lord's Supper when celebrated by the Church nor will the said individual be able to participate in activities sponsored by the Church. Other sanctions may be applied at the discretion of the elders for the protection of the body.

D. Removal of a member or regular attendee shall be communicated to the Church or campus as appropriate either at a meeting or through written or electronic format.

Section 7: Property Rights

A. The private property of the individual members of this Church shall be exempt from corporate debt.

B. Any member who has withdrawn or whose membership has been terminated loses all rights of the Church and shall have no claim upon any part of the Church properties.

Adopted March 1, 2020

Article II – Meetings

Section 1: Public Services
Worship services, Sunday School services and other Gospel services shall be conducted at such times as is decided by the elders.

Section 2: Business Meetings
Business meetings of the Church shall be held as necessary. An annual meeting of the Church shall be held each year at which the annual budget will be presented to the Church for approval. All business meetings shall be announced at least two weeks prior to the meeting.

Section 3: Business Meeting Moderation and Order
An Elder shall conduct the annual meeting (the moderator) and other business meetings. He shall ensure the meeting is conducted in a way that is orderly and pleasing to God (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:40; 2 Corinthians 5:9,10; 1 Thessalonians 4:1), in accordance with the biblical principles of communication found in Ephesians 4:15,16, 25ff, Colossians 3:8,12,13; 4:6; Proverbs 18:13,15,17; et al. All decisions made by the moderator conducting the meeting regarding procedural issues during the meeting shall be final.

Section 4: Quorum
For a meeting of the Church, fifty percent (50%) of the elders and a minimum of fifty members present and voting shall constitute the required quorum for the transaction of business unless otherwise indicated in the Constitution.

Section 5: Voting
All members shall have the right to vote in all matters coming before the Church. All matters coming before the Church shall be determined by a simple majority vote except when otherwise specified in the By-Laws.

Section 6: Eligibility of Candidates for Office
All officers and board members except salaried officers must be chosen from among the active members of the Church in good standing.

Adopted March 1, 2020

Article III – Pastors

Section 1: Qualifications
A pastor of the Church must be of irreproachable Christian character having a good report and a consistent devotional life (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:1-9).

Section 2: Call
A pastor shall be called for an indefinite term of office by a three-fourths majority vote of the members present at any regular or special business meeting of the Church. The membership of the pastor and his wife will be transferred automatically to the current membership role of the Church.

Section 3: Duties of a Pastor
It shall be the duty of a pastor:

A. To give himself to the teaching of God's Word and to prayer.

B. To be an example to the believers in his personal, family and public life.

C. To lead the congregation in worship and prayer, the study of the Word of God, administering the ordinances, watching over the spiritual care of the congregation, planning and facilitating of ministries and mission, visiting the sick and earnestly seeking the salvation of the lost.

D. To teach the congregation the doctrines of the Word of God, biblical principles for Christian living and how to develop spiritual gifts and to function effectively as members within the body of Christ.

Section 4: Pastoral Discipline

A. Discipline of a pastor shall be considered by the elders on the testimony of two or three witnesses (1 Timothy 5:19). If he teaches anything contrary to the Scriptures, lives an unrighteous life unbecoming to the Gospel or does not perform his duties then he shall be admonished by the elders of the Church.

B. If the elders determine that it is necessary to dismiss the pastor, this shall be accomplished by a consensus of the elders.

Section 5: Pastoral Vacancy
The elders will be responsible for inviting guest speakers or filling the pulpit for services when necessary.

Adopted March 1, 2020

Article IV – Church Officers

Section 1: Elders
Elders shall be elected by the Church and in any case there shall be no less than seven. Elders are to serve for a term of three years, their terms being so arranged so that approximately one-third of their number shall be elected each year. The Elders shall promote the spiritual welfare of the members of the Church. They shall have the responsibility for ministries and financial stewardship. They shall meet the biblical qualifications found in 1 Timothy and Titus.

Section 2: Deacons
Deacons shall be appointed to serve the Church or campus at the Elders' request. They shall meet the biblical qualification found in 1 Timothy.

Section 3: Secretary
The Secretary or appointed person shall keep an accurate record of the proceedings and decisions at all business meetings of the Church. The Secretary shall preserve in a safe place all Church records. The Secretary shall give legal notice of all meetings if/when such notice is required.

Section 4: Treasurer
The treasurer shall generate a financial report for reporting to the Church at all regular business meetings and at such other times as may be requested by the Church or elders.

Article V – Elder Boards

Section 1: Board of Elders

Under the authority of Jesus Christ and the Word of God, any area not specifically assigned to the congregation falls under the oversight and direction of the Elders. The Elders shall elect their own offices, one of which shall serve as Secretary at Business Meetings, and shall appoint the Treasurer. They shall meet regularly. They shall be responsible for the spiritual welfare of the Church and carry out the responsibilities as prescribed in the Bylaws. They shall concern themselves with the biblical mandates that have to do both with the body of the Church and welfare of the community.

Adopted March 1, 2020

Article VI – Staff

Staff deemed necessary to fulfill the mission of the Church shall be approved by the Elders or staff pastors as appropriate.

Article VII – Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended or altered by a two-thirds majority vote of members present and voting at any regular or special business meeting of the Church, provided notification of the proposed alteration or amendment has been made available in written or electronic format to the members of the congregation at the previous business meeting of the Church.

Article VIII – Incorporation by Reference

The Constitution of Grace Fellowship Evangelical Free Church is hereby incorporated by reference into these Bylaws.

Article IX – Statement on Marriage & Sexuality

We believe that the term "marriage" has only one meaning and that is marriage sanctioned by God which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture.
We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other.
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman.
We believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography or any attempt to change one's sex, or disagree with one's biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God.
We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of the Church as the local Body of Christ, and to prove a biblical role model to the Church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by the Church in any capacity, or serve as volunteers, should abide by and agree to this Statement on Marriage & Sexuality and conduct themselves accordingly.
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
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 and are not in accord with scripture nor the doctrines of the Church.

Marriage, Divorce, & Remarriage

Led by the Holy Spirit's illumination from Scripture, we will answer common questions about marriage, divorce, and remarriage according to our understanding from God's Word.

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Social Justice & the Gospel

We have heard from members who come to social justice issues from different perspectives, and we desire to offer a clear and biblically grounded position to guide us as we walk through this time now and into the future.

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Women in Ministry Leadership

The role of women in various ministry functions has become a controversial issue in evangelical circles. Based on our understanding of Scripture, the following describes Grace Fellowship Church's position on the issue.

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