CORE BELIEFS:
God
There is one God, eternally existing in the three distinct persons; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and each possesses all of the attributes of God. God is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and everything in it.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is one with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is our Savior, who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on a cross for all sin, and was raised from the grave after three days to demonstrate His defeat of sin and death. He ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is one with God the Father and Jesus Christ. Those who accept Christ as their Savior receive the Holy Spirit to live inside them. The Holy Spirit serves as our comforter, guide and advocate. The Holy Spirit is given to all Christians and provides guidance in living, understanding of the Bible, and gifts for service, and prayerfully intercedes for them. He gives us power, love and sound judgment.
The Bible
Our foundation is based firmly upon the Bible as our final authority on Christian beliefs and as our guide to living. The Bible is divinely inspired by God, without error in its original manuscripts, given to man so that we may know the truth of God, be corrected by it, and be trained in His righteousness and love.
Humanity
All people are made in the image of God and are created to live the adventure of following Jesus Christ. Although people have tremendous potential for good, we also have the freedom to do evil. Our disobedience toward God is called “sin”. We believe that all are sinful by nature and have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Salvation
Sin separates humanity from God, but God has bridged the separation between humanity through His son. Christ’s payment for our sins on the cross has delivered us from our sins (salvation) and its power, effects, and consequences. This salvation is something that cannot be purchased or earned. It is a free gift from God provided by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and is received through faith. It is available to all who confess Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. This saving faith is then expressed through repentance of sin and baptism by immersion and living a holy life. We do not stand in judgment of un-immersed believers, because it is God who ultimately judges the hearts of all men.
Christ’s Return and Eternity
We believe that Jesus Christ will one day return and He will reign forever as King of kings and Lord of lords. People are created to exist forever. Every person will either exist eternally in union with God in heaven as a result of following Jesus Christ, or eternally separated from God in hell as a result of their refusal to follow Him.
CORE VALUES:
Without shame or compromise, we strive to put into action…
Committed to one another: Life-change happens best in the context of personal relationships. Here people experience both the benefits of the entire church and enjoy the kind of relationships that develop in smaller settings. We love, encourage, disciple, and care for one another. Heb 10:24-25 & James 2:14-17
Passionate about Prayer: The attitude and action of prayer is essential to everything we do. Col. 4:2 & Phil 4:6
Servants of Christ: We share our faith through service, with grace. We demonstrate the life-changing reality of Jesus Christ in our community in a relevant, personal, and active way. We serve wholeheartedly, as if serving the Lord. We desire to be the hands and feet of Christ to anyone in need. 1 Cor 9:22 & Eph 6:7
Good Stewards: Each believer has received time, talent, and resources as blessings from God. As good stewards, we manage God’s blessings, God’s way, for God’s glory. 1 Peter 4:10 & Col 3:17
Fully devoted to Christ: Full devotion to Jesus is the mandate for every believer. We measure our success by our ability to be disciples and to make disciples of Jesus. Luke 9:23
Biblically Grounded: God’s word is the only authority, our guide, and conscience in everything. We stand firm where the Bible stands firm and remain flexible where it is flexible. 2 Tim 3:16
Committed to the Uncommitted: All people matter to God; therefore they matter to us. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He has left us here to do the same. Our individual lives and collective efforts reflect this conviction to the uncommitted as they hear the good news from us, both in our community and through worldwide missions. Luke 19:10 & 1 Tim 2:3-4
CHURCH HISTORY:
First Christian Church of Sedgwick was founded in 1869, first holding services in a small white building on the outskirts of town. In 1979, the current location at 514 North Franklin Avenue was constructed and has been the home of FCC-Sedgwick ever since.