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Statement of faith​

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Elm City Church adheres to the doctrinal statement of the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA). The following Statement of Faith represents the core, orthodox beliefs of the Church from a biblical and historical perspective, and summarizes some (but not all) of the EFCA doctrinal statement:

 

+ We believe that the Scriptures are true, authoritative, and sufficient (2 Timothy 3:16).

 

+ We believe that there is only one living and true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-6; John 17:3).

 

+ We believe in the unity of the Godhead: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We believe that they are three distinct persons, of one substance, and equal in power and authority (Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:13-17).

 

+ We believe that we, along with all of humanity (Christ excluded), are sinners by nature and choice (Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:23; 5:8, 12-21; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 John 1:8-10) and that the deserved penalty for our sin is death, both physical and spiritual (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:19; Romans 5:12-14; 6:23; James 1:14-15). 

 

+ We believe that Jesus Christ is exactly who he claimed to be as the eternal Son of God, born of a virgin, both fully God and fully human, and without sin. We believe that in His first coming, Jesus inaugurated the fulfillment of the kingdom of God (Matthew 1:20; John 1:1-4; 14; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-3). 

 

+ We believe that Jesus Christ was crucified, suffered, and died as a substitute to pay the penalty for our sin (John 1:29; 10:1-18; Romans 5:8).

 

+ We believe that Jesus Christ physically overcame death, rose from the grave, ascended into heaven, and now sits at the right hand of the Father (Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:19; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

 

+ We believe that Jesus Christ will one day physically return to the earth to bring about the consummation of the kingdom of God and to judge the living and the dead (John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 2 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 9:28; Revelation 1:7).

 

+ We believe that only by trusting in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone can we be reconciled to God and experience true life and joy (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5-6).

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OUR MISSION​

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“Practicing the Way of Jesus Together.”

 

We believe that following Jesus is about much more than a one-time decision. It is a way of life lived out through the power of the Holy Spirit. 1 John 2:5-6 says, “By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” This type of life requires both practice and practices. You don’t accidentally become a disciple, and you don’t become like Jesus overnight. The Christian life was never meant to be lived on your own, but with a community of believers. This is why our mission is “Practicing the Way of Jesus Together.”

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OUR VISION

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25 Life Groups formed and two churches planted within the next 10 years.

 

At least 90% of the population that live in and around Keene (Cheshire County) have not experienced a life-changing relationship with Jesus. We desire to be an outwardly focused church that is willing to do whatever it takes for as many of those 90% to personally encounter Jesus and be transformed by His grace. This means being a church that is FOR our city (Jer. 29:4-7), caring about the health and welfare of Keene, and having an active presence in this region while still maintaining a faithful Gospel witness. This vision is not confined to just Keene - we also desire to plant churches in other surrounding communities with that same heart for their respective places. 

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We believe one of the primary ways can accomplish this is through the multiplication of our Life Groups. Life Groups are really just followers of Jesus living like a family on mission. Each group helps spur each other on in their spiritual growth, their relationships with each other, and in their mission to the world. We desire to have at least one Life Group for every 1,000 people in the communities they find themselves in. Our big, ten-year vision is to have at least two church plants and 25 Life Groups launched as a result of disciples being multiplied.

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OUR VALUES

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Values are the culture or personality that gives each church its unique flavor. 

 

For Keene: We desire to be a church that is FOR our city. It is because we want to be a church that is ForKeene that we called ourselves Elm City Church. This means we will seek to partner with our city as much as possible without compromising our Gospel convictions. We believe you can’t effectively reach a place you don’t have a heart for. 

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Multiplication: We desire to multiply everything that is healthy. This includes disciples, leaders, Life Groups, and churches. 

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Everybody Plays: We want to help everyone find their place and discover how God has gifted them to contribute to his mission.