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purpose
BAFSM exists to help people EXPERIENCE a REAL relationship with GOD.
values
Deep down everyone has values. They are those things that are the "non-negotiables" in your life... the substance of who you are... the principles you live and die on. Here are 10 words that describe 10 things we REALLY value at FOSM in no particular order.
RELATIONSHIPS - Christianity is meant to be RELATIONAL. By building meaningful relationships with others, we will see life change. Real relationships with other Christians should strengthen the body and at the same time increase our love for people who do not yet know Christ. Christianity lived in the context of meaningful relationships with the unchurched will help most see their need for Christ and open up many avenues for discussion.
RELEVANT - The church should not live in a microcosm of some culture from an earlier time or some other place. There is no "sacred" culture! Except in areas that contradict the Bible, the church should mirror the present day culture of the community where it is located thus making it relevant to that community.
TRANSFORMATIONAL - Christianity is not meant to be just a religion! It is a life-changing relationship with the Lord of the universe. It is meant to be a radical transformation, to the core of our very being. Anything less is not true Christianity. Also, on a corporate level, Christians are meant to change the world. This church will be one that truly permeates the cultures and makes a different world.
FLEXIBLE - People who do not yet know Christ matter to God and to us! Because of this, the church should "bend over backwards" to reach the world for Christ! We should never get to the place where we are so accustomed to our traditions that we would be unwilling to let them go for the sake of those who do not yet know Christ.
BIBLICAL - Church done God's way is the greatest channel of life change on the face of the earth. We must constantly look to the Bible as our guidebook for the journey.
DIVERSITY - It is our desire to be a church that contains a diverse mix of people from different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. We believe that bringing people together demonstrates to our community that Christ is real and can really change lives. We see intense beauty in diversity!
SIMPLE - Church is not meant to be complex and confusing. When cultures around the world are first exposed to Christ and the Bible, they figure out very quickly what they are supposed to be doing. Our church will worship corporately, meet in small groups, and meet together on other occasions for times such as fellowships, baptisms, and corporate ministry opportunities. Another reason for simplicity is to have a respect for people's time. It is our desire that not even a minute of it is wasted! That way, people have as much time as possible to build relationships with those who do not yet know Christ. Also, we desire simplicity so we can have a model of church that is easily reproducible by those we send out to start new churches.
ARTS - Through the arts, we can express incredible truths about God and connect with people in a meaningful way. We value the arts because of the potential for beauty and life change. The church should be like a nursery for the arts, encouraging, nurturing, and growing artists for service in the world.
HOME-GROWN - It is our desire that after the first couple of years the majority of our staff are people who were formerly "just" members of this church, preferably people who came to know Christ through this church.
GLOCAL - We exist not just to extend God's kingdom locally, but around the globe as well. We reach both simultaneously: global and local = GLOCAL
beliefs
What We Believe
In essential beliefs we have unity. "There is one Body and One Spirit- there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all." (Eph. 4:4-6)
In non-essential beliefs - we have freedom. "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters . . . each of us will give account of himself to God." (Rom. 14:1, 12)
In all our beliefs - we show love. "If I have the faith that can move mountains but have no love, I amount to nothing at all." (1 Cor. 13:2)
GOD_God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Gen. 1:1,26,27,3:22; Ps. 90:2; Matt.28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Cor. 13:14)
JESUS CHRIST_Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Matt. 1:22, 23; Is. 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Heb.4:14, 15; I Cor. 15:3, 4; Rom. 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; I Tim. 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13)
THE HOLY SPIRIT_The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make man aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power of living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer at least one spiritual gift. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. (II Cor. 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; I Cor. 2:12, 3:16; Eph. 1:13; 5:18; Gal. 5:25)
THE BIBLE_The Bible (the 66 books of the Old and New Testament) is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. (II Tim. 1:13, 3:16; II Peter 1:20, 21; Ps. 119:105, 160, 12:6; Prov. 30:5)
SALVATION_Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. (Rom.6:23; Eph. 2:8, 9;John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Gal. 3:26; Rom. 5:1)
PEOPLE_People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. (Gen. 1:27; Ps.8:3-6; Is. 53:6; 59:1, Rom.3:23)
ETERNITY_People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 3:16, 2:25, 5:11-13; Rom. 6:23; Rev. 20:15)
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