GOD IS LOVE.
Love
is the very essence of God. Even God's Law and judgment spring from His
love for humanity, and are given for our welfare. The greatest evidence
of God's love is that He willed (it was His plan) to send His Son,
Jesus into the world as a sacrifice for our sin, so we could be restored
in a right relationship with Him.
IT'S ABOUT JESUS.
Our
status before God is determined by our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Jesus' death for us, together with His resurrection from death, were
God's specific plan to save humanity from sin and resulting eternal
separation from God. Jesus was uniquely both God and man, "God in
flesh". Because of the price He paid for us, He is deserving of our
worship and obedience.
THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
The work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of individuals is to convict us
of our sin, and always points us to Jesus for forgiveness and
salvation. The Spirit brings renewing life and power to His people and
His church. We affirm the necessity of both the gifts of the Spirit and
the fruit of the Spirit for the health and vitality of our community of
faith.
THE BIBLE IS PRIMARY.
Since
all Scripture is inspired by God, it has ultimate authority and
unfailing application in all matters of life, and is always relevant.
Through the Bible God has made known everything we need to know about
himself, about human nature, and how we must be restored in relationship
to Him through faith in Jesus Christ. Interpretation of Scripture is
not error-proof, therefore particular Bible passages must be understood
in light of the entire witness of Scripture, and the best historical
biblical scholarship.
PASSION FOR THE LOST.
The
command of Jesus to go into all the world and "make disciples" defines
the church. The heart of Jesus is for "the lost" of this world. As
individual believers are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, we
acquire His passion for the lost among us. The overriding purpose of
every ministry, group, or function at Trinity is to save the lost and
make disciples.
EXCELLENCE IN WORSHIP.
We
strive to give our best to God in worship. True worship comes forth
from the hearts of individual believers who are surrendered before God
in humility and love for Him. Worship, therefore, to be true, does not
depend upon any one form, or format. Excellent worship is any form,
format, or music which elicits from the hearts of the peoples genuine
praise and thanksgiving to God. God is the audience. We are not.
A FOUNDATION OF PRAYER.
Prayer
is a powerful change agent in the church. The regular practice of
prayer will change our own lives positively and work to powerfully
increase our faith. Prayer has the power to move God positively, as God
is always willing to give good things to those who ask. Prayer is also
our means of protection for the church, its ministries, and its people,
because, in prayer, we engage the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly realm. by the power of God and His angels.
THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE, AND OF MARRIAGE
Through
history the church has stood boldly and speak out strongly in the face
of extraordinary evil. In this day, we affirm the intrinsic value and
sanctity of all human life, from conception until death. We also affirm
that it is God's intention that human sexual expression and fulfillment
take place only within the boundaries of marriage between one man and
one woman. (LCMC
Pastoral Admonition, October 2001) Individual Christians, informed by
their faith, have a right, and a responsibility, to participate in the
arena of public debate, the same as any other citizen.