At Coram Deo, you might notice we have a unique DNA. We have certain core values, and seek to live out the purposes of the church through various commitments.
Core Values
- Biblical Truth (2 Timothy 3:16-17)—We believe God’s Word is our only inerrant, inspired, infallible rule for faith and practice, therefore we focus on the teaching and preaching of Scripture and biblical doctrine.
- High View of God (Isaiah 6:1-5)—Our Triune God is incomparably and incomprehensibly great, good, gracious, and glorious, and we must strive to have views of Him that are worthy of Him.
- Christ-Centred (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)—The Lord Jesus Christ is at the center of God’s plan of redemption, and He is central to our lives.
- Prayer (Hebrews 4:16)—As we hear from God in His Word, we also speak to Him in prayer. Prayer is vital to the life of the church.
- Privileges and Duties of Church Membership (Acts 2:42-47)—The Church is central to God’s plan for the world, so all Christians must be committed members of a local church.
- Evangelism and Missions (Matthew 28:18-20)—We believe our mission is to make disciples of all nations, baptize them, and teach them all of Christ’s commands, so we must all be active in this task.
- Intentional Discipleship (2 Timothy 2:2)—Through all our gatherings and personal relationships in the church, we intend to foster growth, discipleship, and the raising up of new leaders.
- Biblical View of Family (Ephesians 5:22-6:4)—We believe that the biological family is a God-given institution from the beginning of creation, and we desire to support it, not undercut it.
The Three Purposes of the Church
- Worship. We gather chiefly to worship God. “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness” (Psalm 29:2).
- Walk. We gather to encourage each other in our walk with Christ. “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7).
- Witness. We gather to then scatter into the world as witnesses of the gospel. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Biblical Commitments of Members
- Gathering. We are committed to gathering on the Lord’s Day and other times for worship and growth. Hebrews 10:25: “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
- Growth. We are committed to growing in sanctification as individuals and a church body. 2 Peter 3:18: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
- Grace. We are committed to showing others the same grace that God has shown us in the gospel. Colossians 3:12-13: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
- Gifts. We are committed to using our gifts to serve others to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 12:7: “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
- Generosity. We are committed to stewarding our resources wisely and giving of them generously for the benefit of those in need and for the mission of the church. 2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
- Going. We are committed to supporting the great commission and living on mission in our communities. Matthew 28:18-20: “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Pastor Rory St. John