Our Mission
Our mission is to foster a community where people can encounter Christ, discover their gifts, and use them for God's glory.
Our Core Beliefs
At Norton Christian Church, our unity is built on faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, and on the Bible as God’s inspired Word. We look to Scripture as our ultimate guide for teaching, belief, and the life of our church.
While we don’t require members to follow a formal creed, we hold firmly to the truth and authority of the Bible as the foundation for all we believe and how we live. Our statement of beliefs does not express everything we hold to; the Bible itself is the inspired and trustworthy Word of God that speaks with final authority on truth, morality, and life. It remains the ultimate source and standard for our faith and practice.
In matters of doctrine and direction, our elders prayerfully seek to interpret and apply Scripture faithfully for the life of our church.
While we don’t require members to follow a formal creed, we hold firmly to the truth and authority of the Bible as the foundation for all we believe and how we live. Our statement of beliefs does not express everything we hold to; the Bible itself is the inspired and trustworthy Word of God that speaks with final authority on truth, morality, and life. It remains the ultimate source and standard for our faith and practice.
In matters of doctrine and direction, our elders prayerfully seek to interpret and apply Scripture faithfully for the life of our church.
Unity
We seek a unity of understanding in the essentials of our faith, yet we do not suggest that we must agree on all things pertaining to our walk in Christ. On many issues we have the freedom to disagree. We do ask however, that all who accept and hold a leadership or teaching position at Norton Christian Church respect the following guidelines and resist any temptation to use their position as a forum from which to teach other views. Unity in the body depends upon harmony and mutual trust in leadership.
God
The Bible teaches that God is Creator of our world, He sustains us, and He is Lord of our lives.
Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-4; Colossians 1:15-17; Matthew 22:37; Romans 10:9
Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-4; Colossians 1:15-17; Matthew 22:37; Romans 10:9
Jesus
Jesus Christ is the one and only living Son of God and our Savior. Through Him, God opened the way of abundant
eternal life through His death, burial, and resurrection to all who call on Christ's name.
John 3:16; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:13
eternal life through His death, burial, and resurrection to all who call on Christ's name.
John 3:16; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:13
Holy Spirit
The indwelling Holy Spirit is God himself, encouraging, guiding, and transforming us in the way of Christ.
John 14:16, 26; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:26; II Thessalonians 2:13
John 14:16, 26; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:26; II Thessalonians 2:13
The Bible
The Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is the authoritative rule of faith and practice for Christians and the Church. Jesus instituted a new covenant with God that succeeded and transcended His former covenant with the people of Israel; hence we accept the Old Testament as preparatory to the New and we rejoice that we are related to God through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and not through the Law.
II Timothy 3:16; Romans 6:14; Hebrews 9:15
II Timothy 3:16; Romans 6:14; Hebrews 9:15
Baptism
We observe the practice of baptizing the repentant believer by immersion in water, confident that this expresses the form and purposes of the New Testament precedent. The New Testament teaches that all believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in relation to their faith, repentance, and baptism.
Acts 2:38; Acts 19:1-6; I Corinthians 12:13; Romans 6:3-8; Matthew 28:19
Acts 2:38; Acts 19:1-6; I Corinthians 12:13; Romans 6:3-8; Matthew 28:19
Ministry
We teach that "every member is a minister," since the New Testament teaches the ministry of all believers, recognizing that the Holy Spirit gives various and different gifts to the members of the body so that every member can make an effective contribution to the ministry of the church.
1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 4:11-12, 16; I Corinthians 12:4-31
1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 4:11-12, 16; I Corinthians 12:4-31
Worship
We seek to promote worship that is God- and- Christ-centered; celebratory and participatory. Our services could be described as "contemporary music and methods. It is characterized by Bible -centered preaching and teaching, prayer, the breaking of bread, and fellowship.
Acts 2:42
Acts 2:42
Communion
We celebrate the Lord's Supper each Sunday, as we find the New Testament Christians did. In partaking of the bread and the cup, we remember our Lord's sacrifice for us and we strengthen our relationship with Him. We practice an "open communion," that is, the communion service is
open to all believers, not just church members. Participation is between the individual Christian and his Lord.
Acts 20:7; Acts 2:42; Luke 22:19-20; I Corinthians 11:23-28
open to all believers, not just church members. Participation is between the individual Christian and his Lord.
Acts 20:7; Acts 2:42; Luke 22:19-20; I Corinthians 11:23-28
Prayer
We are a praying church. We pray daily to God fervent prayers of praise, confession, thanksgiving and petition.
2 Chronicles 7:14; I Thessalonians 5:17; Philippians 4:6; James 5:13-16
2 Chronicles 7:14; I Thessalonians 5:17; Philippians 4:6; James 5:13-16
Marriage
Because God has ordained marriage and defined it as the covenant relationship between a man, a woman and Himself, the Norton Christian Church will only recognize marriage between a biological man and a biological woman. Further, the pastors and staff of the Norton Christian Church shall only participate in weddings and solemnize marriages between one man and one woman. Finally, the facilities and property of the Norton Christian Church shall only host weddings between one man and one woman.
Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, Ephesians 5:31
Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, Ephesians 5:31
Sanctity of Human Life
We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other condition from conception through natural death. We are
therefore called to defend, protect and value all human life.
Psalm 139:13-14, Exodus 20:13
therefore called to defend, protect and value all human life.
Psalm 139:13-14, Exodus 20:13