Madera Church Partnership FALL 2020

PURPOSE:

The Great Commandment:

Matthew 22:36-40 – “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

The Great Commission:

Matthew 28:19-2o – “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

MISSION:

KNOW.  GROW.  GO. 

John 14:6 – Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

The following values express the heart of Madera Church as we “KNOW, GROW and GO” together. 

WE KEEP GOD’S TRUTH CENTRAL IN ALL OUR ACTIVITIES
We believe the Bible explains the Good News of eternal life through belief in Jesus Christ and is our ultimate authority to be followed and obeyed. In every situation and circumstance, we believe God’s Word is sufficient.
o Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:14-17, James 1:22-25, Matthew 28:20

WE MAINTAIN PRAYER AS THE FOUNDATION FOR ALL WE DO
We pray for our leaders, church family, community, and those we support around the world. The leaders of our church strive to set an example and make prayer a priority as they shepherd and lead our church.
o Philippians 4:6-7, Colossians 4:2, James 5:16, Matthew 5:44-45 and 6:9-15

WE WORSHIP BOTH TOGETHER AND INDIVIDUALLY
We highly value gathering together to sing praises to God, learn from His Word, give generously (of our time, talent and treasure), partake in communion, and celebrate baptisms. Additionally, we believe worship is also a lifestyle we choose daily. True worship results in loving obedience to God and sacrificial service towards others. This is a lifelong transformation that is only possible through the work of the Holy Spirit.
o Psalm 149 and 150, Acts 2:46-47, Romans 12:1-9, Matthew 22:37-40

WE DO LIFE TOGETHER IN HOME GROUPS
We believe close relationships are key to spiritual growth and effective service. As a result, we have intentionally made home groups a priority ministry. We encourage all to participate regularly for authentic fellowship, learning, counseling, care and accountability. The discussion of God’s Word in home groups will lead to mentoring relationships, productive prayer, and the opportunity to serve together.
o Hebrews 10:24-25, Acts 2:42-47, Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12

WE PASSIONATELY SHARE THE HOPE OF JESUS
We desire to help our church family have a clear sense of God’s mission and equip them to share Christ’s love through both our actions and words. We purposely have a focus on others that is demonstrated by how we use our resources and serve.
o Matthew 5:13-16, Luke 15, 19:10, Acts 1:8, II Corinthians 5:11-21, and Colossians 4:2-6 

10 Theological Convictions

Madera Church partners with the Evangelical Free Church of America. The EFCA is an association of autonomous churches united around these theological convictions:

1. 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.

2. 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 that it promises.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Response and Eternal Destiny

The EFCA Statement of Faith
was adopted by the Conference on June 19, 2019