Pillars of Unity
How Statements of Faith Hold a Church Together
Welcome to the first of six articles on our statement of faith, which outlines the essential doctrinal convictions that serve as the pillars of unity for our church.
Before we dive into the specific beliefs that define our community, it’s important to step back and understand the foundational role that a statement of faith plays in cultivating unity within a church.
In this introductory piece, we will address three fundamental questions about statements of faith:
How are they used?
What doctrines are included and excluded?
What should you do if you disagree?
Question #1: What Is the Functional Use of the Statement of Faith?
A common mistake among Christians is to jump straight into the doctrines and details of a statement of faith without first understanding its specific function within a church.
Not all churches utilize their statements of faith in the same way; for instance, some may apply them exclusively to church leaders or maintain separate statements for members and leaders. Therefore, it is essential to clarify how a statement of faith is used before diving into its doctrines.
At Embassy Church, we use our statement of faith in the following ways:
It outlines the essential beliefs required for membership, ensuring that all members share a foundational understanding of the faith.
It fosters unity on key theological issues, promoting a community grounded in shared convictions.
It helps church members select and approve leaders by providing clear guidelines for evaluating their teaching of God’s word. (By the way, we do not have a separate statement of faith for our elders.)
It establishes a framework for refuting false teaching, helping to safeguard the church from doctrinal errors.
It encourages both elders and members to discern the seriousness of theological disputes, helping members understand which issues they should learn to agree to disagree on.
We can simplify this list with two straightforward questions:
What does someone need to believe in order to be a Christian?
What do churches need to agree upon to be considered a church?
In other words, statements of faith should encapsulate the essential doctrines of the gospel message and fundamental beliefs about how to function as a local church.
Question #2: What Is Included and Excluded in the Statement of Faith?
Once you learn how a church’s statement of faith is being used, the next step is to observe the various doctrines and consider whether these doctrines are essential to the gospel or fundamental to living life together as a church community. In other words, pay attention to which doctrines are included and which ones are excluded.
Our statement intentionally refrains from taking positions on secondary issues like the extent of the atonement or specific views regarding the timing of Christ’s return. This approach allows for diverse interpretations within the church on matters deemed non-essential to both the gospel itself and our life together as church members.
We believe a statement of faith should strike a balance, avoiding the extremes of vague oversimplification of Christian doctrine on one hand and the pursuit of perfect doctrinal precision on the other. This balance helps protect us from unnecessary divisiveness.
We are praying that God will build our church with supernatural unity, displaying the power of the Holy Spirit as He brings together diverse individuals who collectively magnify the fame and glory of Jesus Christ, despite their differing denominational backgrounds or upbringings.
What brings God more glory by displaying more love and patience: two people who agree on the gospel alone, or two people who agree on the gospel and a variety of secondary issues?
Question #3: What if You Disagree with a Doctrine in a Church’s Statement of Faith?
To address this question, let me pose another:
Should a brand-new believer from a completely non-Christian background be required to articulate all the details of the Trinity before becoming a church member?
I hope it is clear to you why this would not be a good policy for welcoming new members into a church. However, it is equally important for all members of a Christian church to affirm the doctrine of the Trinity, even if they cannot fully teach or explain all its nuances.
When considering what to do if you disagree with a doctrine in a church’s statement of faith, the key is to determine whether that doctrine reflects a “settled conviction.” This phrase is significant because it allows room for individuals to join a church while their biblical and theological understanding continues to grow and develop. After all, doesn’t everyone on this side of heaven have room for growth in their theology?
This is why, at Embassy Church, we welcome individuals into membership even if they do not fully understand or agree with every detail of our statement of faith. However, if someone pursuing membership fundamentally disagrees with our core convictions, we kindly encourage them to seek a church that aligns more closely with their beliefs.
If you find yourself wrestling with a doctrine or have questions about our statement of faith, we encourage you to engage in conversations with our church leaders or participate in a Bible study on the issue. We believe that open dialogue is vital for your personal growth in faith and essential for us as we seek to maintain unity in our mission to glorify Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
Our statement of faith aims to clarify the essential beliefs necessary for being both a Christian and a member of Embassy Church. It serves as a guide for our community, fostering Christ-centered unity and enabling us to grow and serve together in harmony.
Whether you're contemplating joining Embassy Church or another congregation, it’s essential to reflect not only on the content of your church's statement of faith but also on its functional use within the church.
In the next article, I will give a brief history of our church's statement of faith and explain three key labels that represent the historic traditions of Embassy Church.