Statement of Faith

This document reflects two sections: Essentials and Convictions.

Essentials are central Christian truths, supported by historical and contemporary creeds, that represent a foundation shared by Christians worldwide across denominations and cultures.

Convictions are biblically-rooted beliefs guiding our community’s preaching and practice, shaped by study, prayer, and shared dialogue.

Essentials

God
God is love—powerful, perfect, and the Creator of all things. He eternally exists as one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each with equal power and authority.

The Father
The Father is kind and gracious, all-powerful, all-knowing, and holy. Our lives move and exist in Him; He is good, loving, compassionate, and faithful to His children and His promises.

The Son
Jesus Christ, fully human and fully God, was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Living a sinless life, He was crucified, died as a sacrifice for sin, and rose from the dead, conquering death. He reigns eternally, offering salvation to all who believe.

The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit affirms our relationship with Christ, guiding us in truth and glorifying Jesus as Lord. He brings conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment, comforting and empowering believers with spiritual gifts to grow in Christlikeness.

The Bible
The Bible, inspired by God and composed by human authors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is trustworthy in all it teaches and authoritative in all it commands.

Humans
Made in God’s image, humans are uniquely created, possessing dignity and worth. Intended for relationship with God, humanity became separated from Him through sin.

Eternity
Humans were created to exist eternally, either separated from God by sin or united with Him through salvation in Christ. Heaven and Hell are real places, where individuals spend eternity depending on their relationship with God.

Salvation
Salvation comes solely through Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death. This gift of grace is received by faith in His death and resurrection and cannot be earned by human effort.

The Church
The global Church, united through faith in Christ, is the body of Christ on earth, devoted to worship, fellowship, communion, and prayer. Locally, the Church expresses Christ’s love and truth in community, embodying sacrificial love, faithfulness, and the Gospel mission.

Convictions

Our convictions shape our community’s unique Christian witness. We acknowledge that not all believers will share these views and welcome respectful dialogue about them. These discussions are most fruitful in person, and we invite anyone with questions to reach out to our pastors.

Ministry of the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit’s work continues actively today as it did at Pentecost. The Spirit’s gifts are to be “eagerly desired” and practiced with discernment, guided by the Church. God continues to speak, heal, and work miraculously on earth.

Women in the Church
We believe that spiritual gifts are given without regard to gender. Women were the first witnesses to Jesus’s resurrection, and Scripture affirms their roles in the ministry of the Church.

Sex & Marriage
God designed marriage as a lifelong, exclusive union between one man and one woman. Married couples honor God through fidelity, while singles honor Him through celibacy, supported by the faith community.

Racism
All people are made in God’s image, and we work for the flourishing of all, especially those marginalized and oppressed. We oppose all forms of racism and believe that Christian witness calls us to anti-racist work.

Baptism
Following Jesus’ example, baptism is a public declaration of one’s union with Christ. It should occur after conversion, as a meaningful symbol of faith and discipleship.

The Lord’s Table
Jesus instituted the Lord’s Table, a practice of remembering His death and renewing our faith. Celebrating the Lord’s Table regularly is a means of joining together as one body in Christ.

This Statement of Faith has been adapted directly from City Church OTR’s official documentation, presented here in its entirety.