Hillside Fellowship

JESUS CHANGES EVERYTHING


FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS -

Our fundamental beliefs are based on Scripture and are included as Article III of our Constitution, and are summarized as follows:

The Scriptures– are the inerrant Word of God and serve as our final authority in matters of faith and daily living. The Godhead – God exists in the three eternal persons of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Creation – all things were originally created by God for His purposes and pleasure. The Person and Work of Christ – Jesus Christ is eternal, is true God and true man, died for the sins of all mankind, was bodily resurrected, and will one day return from heaven and reign for all eternity with those who have trusted Him as their Lord and Savior. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit – testifies of the person of Christ by convicting and regenerating the sinner and by indwelling and guiding the believer in daily living, service, and worship. Satan - a created spirit being that rebelled against God, operates today as the arch enemy of God and deceiver of mankind, and will one day be defeated and finally judged by God

The Believer’s Relationship to God – upon placing one’s faith and trust in Jesus Christ a person becomes a new spiritual creation, becomes acceptable to God through Christ’s gift of righteousness, struggles in this life with his old sin nature, relies upon God’s grace in demonstrating faith through works of ministry and service, and looks forward to a future bodily resurrection. Church Ordinances – water baptism is the outward expression of the internal change that has occurred in the life of a believer. The Lord’s Supper is the remembrance together of who Christ is and what He has done for us. The Rapture – the imminent return of Christ to receive all believers unto Himself. The Pre–millennial Return and Reign of Christ – the bodily return of Christ with His saints prior to Israel’s restoration and universal peace for a thousand years. The Eternal State – the bodily resurrection of the believer and the unbeliever, the believer to everlasting blessedness and the unbeliever to everlasting condemnation. DISTINCTIVES -

A church of small groups - the heart of this church; the body of Christ living through personal relationships developed in small groups focused on fellowship, prayer, and Bible study. (Acts 2:42-47)

Informal atmosphere – warm, caring, flexible environment to facilitate worship and fellowship. (Col. 2:20–23)

Bible based teaching and preaching – intentional and consistent presentation of God’s Word as complete, accurate, and relevant to today’s living in a variety of different settings and forums. (II Tim. 3:16–17; Joshua 1:8)

Blended music style – a mixture of traditional and contemporary music to enhance the worship experience of a diverse congregation. (Psalm 150:1–6;Eph. 5:18–20)

Fiscally conservative – membership approved annual budget; being responsible stewards of the resources God provides to accomplish His purposes. We will avoid the use of debt, except for major capital projects and only then if it represents the most prudent use of the resources God has made available as well as a plan for repayment in a timely manner. Matt. 25:14–30; Prov. 22:7)

Commitment to Missions – beginning locally and extending world–wide. (Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:19–20)

Elder Led/Congregation Ruled – leadership and administration of church affairs carried out through elected elders accountable to the membership of the church. (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1–4)

Supportive of parental choice in schooling – respect for the choices God has called each parent to make in regards to the education of their children, resulting in one camp with three tents (public, private, home based). (Prov. 22:6)

Value of diversity – a conviction to recognize, value, and respect the God given differences in leadership roles, teaching roles, spiritual maturity, spiritual gifting, gender, age, ethnicity, and economic status. (1 Tim. 2:11–15, 3:1–16; Titus 2:1–10; 1 Cor. 12:13–27; Phil. 2:1–8)