That's right...the Bethany Banner, in this form at least, will cease to exist.
I'm done...someone else is taking over, and has created a new look...so...goodbye!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Sunday, December 21
Tuesday night it's Celebration's special Christmas extravaganza at 6:45pm. This will be followed by some treats downstairs!
Wednesday night at 7:00 TRIBE will be serving a Turkey Dinner.
SUNDAY
9:30am Breaking of Bread
11:00am Family Bible Hour (Candlelight Service, Christmas celebration)
evening Sunday School Christmas Concert (NO LIFE GROUPS TONIGHT)
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Our Values
1. The centrality of Christ as the focus of our fellowship. Worship, ministry and evangelism all derive motivation and significance from the Lord Jesus Christ who is head of the church and makes us all one in his body.
2. Submission to the Bible as the authoritative Word of God in all matters relating to both individual and corporate aspects of the Christian life. Though everyone in the fellowship may not share an identical understanding, we are committed to following the principles set forth in the Scriptures.
3. Every endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace between individual believers and among communities of believers (local churches).
4. The active diligent pursuit of personal and corporate holiness by all members of the community of faith.
5. The nurture and integration of successive generations into the corporate life of the assembly.
6. Both tradition and innovation in fair measure. Tradition honours that which was good in the past. Innovation explores what works better in the present. Together they provide a foundation and give us hope for the future.
7. The proclamation of the truth in love through public preaching, small group interaction and personal relationships for the purposes of evangelism of those outside of Christ and edification of believers.
8. The development and use of spiritual gifts, natural abilities and acquired skills by all believers in the fellowship to bring glory to God by encouraging and serving others.
9. Diversity within the body of Christ manifest in personal and social differences, a variety of spiritual interests and spiritual gifts within the bounds of decency and order.
10. Servant leadership at all levels of the assembly where authority is derived from holy living, demonstrated discernment, practical wisdom and care for others. Human leadership under the direction of the Spirit guides the local assembly within the purposes of God.
11. The expression of God’s grace toward others in devotional, work, relationship, and leisure activities regardless of race, religious background, or sociol-economic status.
12. Advancement of the cause of foreign and domestic missions through the development of workers, financial support, strategic prayer and commitment to extending Christ’s love to the community at large through significant social action.
13. Compassion for all those in need of God’s grace, whether those needs are spiritual, social or personal. While recognizing that we can’t do everything, we do what we can.
14. The role of process and growth through which unbelievers come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and then, as Christians, become conformed to his likeness.
15. The use of the arts and literature as means of communication to be used in worship, edification and evangelism.
16. Excellence in the execution of all ministry activities so that God is honoured by both what we do and how we do it.
17. Distinction between personal, cultural, and spiritual values. While all have their place, it is our shared spiritual values that hold us together.
2. Submission to the Bible as the authoritative Word of God in all matters relating to both individual and corporate aspects of the Christian life. Though everyone in the fellowship may not share an identical understanding, we are committed to following the principles set forth in the Scriptures.
3. Every endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace between individual believers and among communities of believers (local churches).
4. The active diligent pursuit of personal and corporate holiness by all members of the community of faith.
5. The nurture and integration of successive generations into the corporate life of the assembly.
6. Both tradition and innovation in fair measure. Tradition honours that which was good in the past. Innovation explores what works better in the present. Together they provide a foundation and give us hope for the future.
7. The proclamation of the truth in love through public preaching, small group interaction and personal relationships for the purposes of evangelism of those outside of Christ and edification of believers.
8. The development and use of spiritual gifts, natural abilities and acquired skills by all believers in the fellowship to bring glory to God by encouraging and serving others.
9. Diversity within the body of Christ manifest in personal and social differences, a variety of spiritual interests and spiritual gifts within the bounds of decency and order.
10. Servant leadership at all levels of the assembly where authority is derived from holy living, demonstrated discernment, practical wisdom and care for others. Human leadership under the direction of the Spirit guides the local assembly within the purposes of God.
11. The expression of God’s grace toward others in devotional, work, relationship, and leisure activities regardless of race, religious background, or sociol-economic status.
12. Advancement of the cause of foreign and domestic missions through the development of workers, financial support, strategic prayer and commitment to extending Christ’s love to the community at large through significant social action.
13. Compassion for all those in need of God’s grace, whether those needs are spiritual, social or personal. While recognizing that we can’t do everything, we do what we can.
14. The role of process and growth through which unbelievers come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and then, as Christians, become conformed to his likeness.
15. The use of the arts and literature as means of communication to be used in worship, edification and evangelism.
16. Excellence in the execution of all ministry activities so that God is honoured by both what we do and how we do it.
17. Distinction between personal, cultural, and spiritual values. While all have their place, it is our shared spiritual values that hold us together.
What We Stand For
The people who meet at Bethany comprise a diverse group of followers of Jesus. While we come from a variety of backgrounds and see things from different points of view, there are some things we all believe. These can be divided into two main parts: our Statement of Faith and our Values. The items listed below come from a large document which has more details. It is called "A Look To The Future" and is available by contacting the elders.
Our Statement of Faith
1. Regarding THE BIBLE, we believe in the Divine Inspiration, Authority and Sufficiency of the Holy Scripture. See 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 5-39; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Isaiah 40:6-8; Isaiah 55:10-11.
2. Regarding THE LORD JESUS, we believe in the Trinity of the Godhead, necessarily including the deity of the Lord Jesus equally with the Father and the Holy Spirit. See Mark 12:29-30; John 17:3; 1 John 4:2,15; John 8:19,42,58; John 10:30; John 16:8,15.
3. Regarding THE GOSPEL, we believe in the Atoning sacrifice of Christ as a propitiation for the remission of sins, the fall of the human race and its consequent depravity necessitating the Holy Spirit's work in regeneration and sanctification, the Justification of the sinner before God by faith in Christ alone, that the dead will be raised either to life or condemnation, and that the blessings of the righteous and the punishment of the unrighteous will be alike eternal. See Romans 3:23; Romans 5:1-11; Galatians 2:15-21; Luke 18:9-14; 1 Peter 2:24-25; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Hebrews 11; Luke 24:47; Acts 20:21.
4. Regarding THE HOPE OF GLORY, we believe in the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ. See 1 Thessalonians 4:13 to 5:11; John 14:1-3; Matthew 24; 1 Peter 1:3-9; 1 Peter 1:7-11; 2 Peter 3:1-13; Titus 2:11-13; Revelation 21:1-4.
5. Regarding THE CHURCH AND ITS ORDINANCES, we believe in the ordinances of the Lord's appointment shall be observed, i.e. the immersion of believers on their personal confession of faith in Christ, and the observance of the Lord's Supper upon the first day of the week. We desire fellowship with every true follower of Jesus Christ provided that he or she confesses Christ as Scripture teaches. See 1 Corinthians 1:27-32; Philippians 2:1-5; Ephesians 4:1,5,33; Ephesians 1:3-6; 1 Corinthians 12-12-13; Matt. 18:18-20; 1 John 4:2,15; Gal. 2:15-21; John 1:1-18.
6. Regarding BAPTISM, we practice water baptism by immersing those believers who wish to confess their faith in Jesus Christ as a sign of their baptism in the Spirit. See Acts 2:40-43; Romans 6:1-11; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 8:26-40; Matthew 3:11-17.
7. Regarding THE LORD’S SUPPER, we practice the regular weekly celebration of the Lord's supper in remembrance of His death and anticipation of His return. See 1 Corinthians 11-23-29; Luke 22:14-20.
8. Regarding SPIRITUAL GIFTS, we believe every believer is endowed by God for a spiritual ministry and should have opportunity provided to discover and use his or her gift or gifts. We affirm the rich diversity of gifts of the Spirit given individually and variously when a person receives the Spirit at the time of his conversion. See 1 Corinthians 12-1-31; Ephesians 1-: 1-16; Romans 12:1-13; John 13:14; 1 Corinthians 14:1-25; 1 Corinthians 13.
9. Regarding CHURCH LEADERSHIP, we regard the prevailing pattern of New Testament leadership to be the provision by God of a plurality of ELDERS who will give spiritual oversight and shepherding to the flock. We do not recognize a general communal democracy, but realize that the influence of a spiritual fellowship will produce and encourage mature leadership. See 1 Corinthians 16:15-16 2 Timothy 1:13; Acts 14:23; Acts 20-17-35; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Peter 5:1-6; Hebrews 13-7,17; 2 Corinthians 8-16 Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 5:1-3; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5,9,10; James 5:14; Galatians 6:1 -11; 2 Samuel 23:3.6; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1-5-9; Acts 6:1-6; Acts 15:22.
The elders are supported in their spiritual work by DEACONS. We look to God's continuing provision of deacons and deaconess's, men and women who meet biblical qualifications and whom the elders, in consultation with the members, believe are called to assist the elders in the care of the church. See Philippians 1:1; Romans 16:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13; Acts 6:1-6.
Our Statement of Faith
1. Regarding THE BIBLE, we believe in the Divine Inspiration, Authority and Sufficiency of the Holy Scripture. See 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 5-39; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Isaiah 40:6-8; Isaiah 55:10-11.
2. Regarding THE LORD JESUS, we believe in the Trinity of the Godhead, necessarily including the deity of the Lord Jesus equally with the Father and the Holy Spirit. See Mark 12:29-30; John 17:3; 1 John 4:2,15; John 8:19,42,58; John 10:30; John 16:8,15.
3. Regarding THE GOSPEL, we believe in the Atoning sacrifice of Christ as a propitiation for the remission of sins, the fall of the human race and its consequent depravity necessitating the Holy Spirit's work in regeneration and sanctification, the Justification of the sinner before God by faith in Christ alone, that the dead will be raised either to life or condemnation, and that the blessings of the righteous and the punishment of the unrighteous will be alike eternal. See Romans 3:23; Romans 5:1-11; Galatians 2:15-21; Luke 18:9-14; 1 Peter 2:24-25; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Hebrews 11; Luke 24:47; Acts 20:21.
4. Regarding THE HOPE OF GLORY, we believe in the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ. See 1 Thessalonians 4:13 to 5:11; John 14:1-3; Matthew 24; 1 Peter 1:3-9; 1 Peter 1:7-11; 2 Peter 3:1-13; Titus 2:11-13; Revelation 21:1-4.
5. Regarding THE CHURCH AND ITS ORDINANCES, we believe in the ordinances of the Lord's appointment shall be observed, i.e. the immersion of believers on their personal confession of faith in Christ, and the observance of the Lord's Supper upon the first day of the week. We desire fellowship with every true follower of Jesus Christ provided that he or she confesses Christ as Scripture teaches. See 1 Corinthians 1:27-32; Philippians 2:1-5; Ephesians 4:1,5,33; Ephesians 1:3-6; 1 Corinthians 12-12-13; Matt. 18:18-20; 1 John 4:2,15; Gal. 2:15-21; John 1:1-18.
6. Regarding BAPTISM, we practice water baptism by immersing those believers who wish to confess their faith in Jesus Christ as a sign of their baptism in the Spirit. See Acts 2:40-43; Romans 6:1-11; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 8:26-40; Matthew 3:11-17.
7. Regarding THE LORD’S SUPPER, we practice the regular weekly celebration of the Lord's supper in remembrance of His death and anticipation of His return. See 1 Corinthians 11-23-29; Luke 22:14-20.
8. Regarding SPIRITUAL GIFTS, we believe every believer is endowed by God for a spiritual ministry and should have opportunity provided to discover and use his or her gift or gifts. We affirm the rich diversity of gifts of the Spirit given individually and variously when a person receives the Spirit at the time of his conversion. See 1 Corinthians 12-1-31; Ephesians 1-: 1-16; Romans 12:1-13; John 13:14; 1 Corinthians 14:1-25; 1 Corinthians 13.
9. Regarding CHURCH LEADERSHIP, we regard the prevailing pattern of New Testament leadership to be the provision by God of a plurality of ELDERS who will give spiritual oversight and shepherding to the flock. We do not recognize a general communal democracy, but realize that the influence of a spiritual fellowship will produce and encourage mature leadership. See 1 Corinthians 16:15-16 2 Timothy 1:13; Acts 14:23; Acts 20-17-35; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Peter 5:1-6; Hebrews 13-7,17; 2 Corinthians 8-16 Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 5:1-3; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5,9,10; James 5:14; Galatians 6:1 -11; 2 Samuel 23:3.6; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1-5-9; Acts 6:1-6; Acts 15:22.
The elders are supported in their spiritual work by DEACONS. We look to God's continuing provision of deacons and deaconess's, men and women who meet biblical qualifications and whom the elders, in consultation with the members, believe are called to assist the elders in the care of the church. See Philippians 1:1; Romans 16:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13; Acts 6:1-6.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
