Purpose, Values and Beliefs

Purpose

We Exist to Expand the Kingdom by Making Disciples Who Make Disciples.

We believe that everyone was created with purpose. It’s our desire to see people grow closer to Jesus, to discover that purpose as well as the love He has for them. It all starts with knowing who God is and who He has created us to be. When you are closer to Jesus, we believe you will discover His love and purpose for your life, so we are committed to leading you to the One who loves like no other… to the One who gave His life for many.

A disciple is a follower of Jesus. We believe that obedience to Christ’s commands is at the heart of being a follower. Jesus left us a command that should determine everything we do in life.

“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.” (Matthew 28:16-20a)

We long to be a church that is obedient to what God has called us to and we want others to experience abundant life that lies in following Jesus.

Our Core Values:

Leadership Development

Jesus was willing to bless the masses, but what drove his ministry was investing in the few who would lead the church after His redemptive work was accomplished and He returned to his Father.

Mark 3:14

He appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, to send them out to preach...

Relational Community

Human’s Need Relational Community… that goes beyond attending a church service. Small Groups and Serving are great places to begin!

Ecclesiastes 4:9 - 12

Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

Discipleship

Christ has called us not simply to make converts but to “make disciples.”

At Pointe North, we define a disciple as:

Someone who is following Christ,
Someone who is being changed by Christ, and
Someone who is committed to the mission of Christ.

Matthew 28:18 - 20

Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Evangelism

Some of us when we hear the word evangelism we tense up. Fear begins to grip us at the thought that we would have to share our faith with someone, but: Evangelism simply starts with the truth, that we are loved by God.

2 Corinthians 4:3-6

But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

What We Believe

We are committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

What is the Gospel?

The gospel is the good news of God’s grace invading the darkness of this world. It is the grand narrative of creation, fall, redemption ordained by God and orchestrated through the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.

Christ’s crucifixion is the heart of the gospel. His resurrection is the power of the gospel. His ascension is the glory of the gospel.

Christ’s death is a substitution and sacrifice to God for our sins. It satisfies the demands of God’s holy justice and appeases His holy wrath. It also demonstrates His mysterious love and reveals His amazing grace.

Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and man. There is no other name by which men can be saved. At the heart of all sound doctrine is the cross of Jesus Christ and the infinite privilege that redeemed sinners have to be called the Sons and Daughters of the Most High God. Therefore, we want all that takes place in our hearts, church, and ministries to proceed from and be related to the gospel.

Core Beliefs

Find out more about our Core Beliefs as a church, and the scriptural bases for those beliefs.

The Scriptures are true, authoritative and sufficient.

(Psalm 19:7-11; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

There is only one true God, Creator of heaven and earth, who eternally exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

(Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-6; Isaiah 46:9-10; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; 1 Timothy 2:5; Genesis 1:26; Psalm 45:6-7; Psalm 110:1; Matthew 3:13-17; Matthew 28:17-20; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6).

All things exist for the glory of God.

(Psalm 148; Proverbs 16:4; Isaiah 61:3; Romans 11:33-36; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Ephesians 1:3-14).

All humanity, Christ excluded, is sinful by both birth and action.

(Genesis 6:5; Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:23; 5:8, 12-21; 7:18; Ephesians 2:1-3).

The deserved penalty for sin is physical and spiritual death.

(Genesis 2:15-17; Genesis 3:19; Romans 5:12; 6:23; James 1:14-15).

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, was born of a virgin and is both fully God and fully human.

(Matthew 1:20; Luke 2:52; John 1:1-4, 14; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-3).

Jesus Christ died as the sacrificial substitute to pay the penalty for sin.

(John 1:29; 10:1-18; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 3:18).

Jesus Christ physically rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and will one day physically return.

(Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-53; John 1:20-21:25; 1 Corinthians 15:12-34; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Hebrews 9:28; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 1:7).

There will be a future physical resurrection of the dead. Only those who turn from sin and to Jesus in faith and repentance will be raised to eternal reward. Those who do not turn from sin and to Jesus will be raised to eternal punishment.

(Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15).

Only through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ and repentance from sin can a person be reconciled to God and experience true life and joy.

(John 3:18, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:21-26; 1 Timothy 2:5-6).

Theological Distinctives

These Theological Distinctives define and dictate how we preach, teach, and counsel.

OUR THEOLOGICAL DISTINCTIVES MARK OUR CONVICTIONS ON AREAS THAT ARE DEBATED EVEN AMONG BIBLE-BELIEVING, GOSPEL-CENTERED CHURCHES. THOUGH AGREEMENT WITH THESE DISTINCTIVES ISN’T NECESSARY FOR MEMBERSHIP, WE WILL PREACH, TEACH AND COUNSEL ON THE BASIS OF THEM.

Divine Sovereignty

God is sovereign over all things, so much so, that there is no aspect of reality outside of His ultimate control. Though God’s rule extends to all things, it is particularly His sovereignty over the work of salvation that is a theological distinctive. We believe that it is exceedingly good and glorious news that salvation is not dependent on the desires and deeds of man, but is grounded instead in finished work of Christ on the cross.

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The gifts of the Holy Spirit that we see exercised in the Scriptures have not ceased with the death of the last Apostle or the closing of the New Testament canon. They are available today and are to be eagerly desired and practiced in submission to the Spirit speaking through the Scripture.

The Complementary Roles of Men and Women

Men and women are absolutely equal in essence, dignity and value, and are different by divine design. As part of God’s good created order, men and women are to have different yet complementary roles and responsibilities in the home and church, especially as it comes to teaching and authority. These role distinctions are God’s grace to man and woman and are to be protected, preserved, and practiced for His glory and our joy.

Believer’s Baptism by Immersion

Baptism is intended only for those who have professed faith in Jesus Christ and can give sufficient testimony to the basics of Christian beliefs. Also, we baptize by immersion because it is not only the original significance of the Word, but also best symbolizes the reality to which baptism points—our death and resurrection in Christ.

The Relationship of God’s Glory to Man’s Joy

We believe that man’s greatest joy is found only in faithful obedience to God and that our enjoyment of Him is one of the chief means by which He is glorified.