Distinctives
Our Church is known for several distinctives:
We support local and international missions. Jesus Christ is the Son of God and through his life, death, burial and resurrection we have eternal life. We want to share this Good News with others through our words and actions. We offer opportunities for members to experience missions firsthand through local projects and mission trips. We also give financially to missions through our relationships with the Hamilton County Baptist Association, Tennessee Baptist Convention, Southern Baptist Convention, and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Missions is a driving force for all we do (Matt. 28:18-20; Jn. 3:16; Jn.14:6; Acts 1:8).
We believe in the inspiration of Scripture. It is our sole authority for faith and practice. Each believer is free to interpret and apply God's Word under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We do our best to study, understand, and obey God's Word. We take the Bible seriously and seek to apply its teachings as a church and as individuals (Ps. 119:11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
We believe in the autonomy of the local church. We have the privilege and responsibility to call our own staff and carry out our own affairs. We are free, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, to determine our membership and leadership. This means we can ordain whom we believe is gifted for ministry, regardless of gender. While not individually agreeing on some subjects, we are united in our desire to grow in the Lord and see people come to faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:42-47).
We support the role of women in ministry. This means that both men and women are eligible to serve as teachers, leaders, deacons, and ministerial staff. Service is based on gifts and calling rather than gender. We came to this position after recognizing the historical, cultural, and political background of women in biblical times and affirming the Apostle Paul's assertion that "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28).
