Our methods and our expression might seem progressive to some, but our doctrine is traditional and quite similar to the vast majority of Christian churches. Element Church collaborates with a large number of churches ranging from charismatic to conservative evangelical. And even though we are a contemporary and non-denominational church, we affiliate with many large and notable evangelical organizations including the Association of Related Churches and the Next Level Relational Network. Below is a list of a few of our essential beliefs.
holy bible
We believe that the Holy Bible, and only the Bible, is the authoritative Word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. The Bible, in its original writing, is both inspired and inerrant. (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25-26)
trinity
We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes and perfections, and are worthy of precisely the same homage, confidence and obedience. (Mk 12:29; John 1:1-4; Mt. 28:19-20)
Jesus christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son, the Second Person of the Trinity, conceived by the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mary. Jesus Christ is 100% man and 100% God. He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life and is the Son of God. (Matthew 1:18, 20, 23; Luke 1:27-35; John 1:1 & 14, 20:28; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Php.2:5-6; I Timothy 2:5)
redemption
Man was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression he fell; his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21)
salvation
We are saved by grace (which is undeserved and unearned) through faith in Jesus Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of any human efforts. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22)
christ's sacrifice
Because Jesus Christ lived a sinless life, His blood shed on the cross of Calvary is 100% sufficient to cleanse us of all sins when appropriated individually through repentance and faith. Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for the sins we have committed, enabling all who believe to be freed from the penalties of sin. (I John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, 5:9; Colossians 1:20; Romans 3:10-12 & 23; 5:9; John 1:29)
repentance
Repentance is a commitment to turn away from sin in our lives and to follow Christ. It is a change in the way we think, and therefore, in the way we live. (Acts 2:38, 3:19)
Christ indwells all believers
A Christian is a person who has invited the Lord Jesus Christ to come and live inside him by the Holy Spirit. He is putting his trust in what Christ accomplished for him when He died, was buried, and rose again from the dead. (John 1:12, 14:17, 23, 15:4; Romans 8:11; Revelation 3:20)
water baptism
After receiving Jesus Christ, the new believer is instructed by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the Name of the Lord Jesus: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38)
the church
The church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of Christ’s great commission. Every person who is born of the spirit is an integral part of the church as member of the body of believers. (Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23)
the lord's supper
The Lord’s Supper is a unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and wine/juice from grapes, expressing in some spiritual way the body and blood the Lord Jesus Christ, are taken by believers in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. (I Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 8:36-38, 10:47-48; Matthew 26:26-28)
Baptism/infilling of the holy spirit
Initiated at Pentecost, this ongoing baptism (or infilling) is the promise of the Father, given by Jesus after His ascension, to empower the Church to supernaturally communicate the gospel throughout the whole earth (Acts 1:8; 8:15-16; 19:2; Mk.16:20). With this regular infilling, the believer has the potential of experiencing various manifestations such as scripturally based prophetic experiences, unknown tongues, and other visible outward signs. (Acts 10:46; 19:6; 8:18; 2:4-6; 7-18)
sanctification
Sanctification is the ongoing process of being set apart for God, characterized by our yielding to God to complete the development of Christ’s character in us. A lifestyle of developing righteousness and holiness is the evidence to all men that Christ’s Spirit lives within us. (I Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; II Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18; II Thessalonians 2:1-3; Romans 8:29, 12:1-2; Hebrews 21:11)
healing of the sick
Healing of the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus and is included in the commission of Jesus to His disciples. Healing is a provision of Christ’s atonement on the cross and is given as a sign which is to follow believers. (Matthew 8:16-17; Acts 8:6-7; James 5:14-16; III John 2; Psalm 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:5; Mark 16:17-18) (Note: This does not imply the false concept that immediate healing always accompanies true faith. There are many righteous people in scripture who didn’t immediately receive healing in this life. Rather, healing can also be a process which is finalized by entrance into heaven.)
heaven & hell
We believe Heaven and Hell are literal places, as outlined in Scripture, and that our eternal destination is determined by our response to the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 5:3,12,20; Matthew 6:20; Matthew 19:21; Matthew 25:34; John 17:24; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:16; 1 Peter 1:4; Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 20:12-15;Revelation 21:8)
resurrection
We believe that Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. One day all believers in Christ will also be physically resurrected in glorified bodies to their reward in heaven with God. (Luke 24:16, 36, 39; Philippians 1:21-23, 3:21; I Corinthians 15:42, 44; John 2:19-21, 20:26-28, 21:4; Acts 24:15)
Second coming
Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His kingdom. This will occur at a time undisclosed by the Scriptures. (Revelation 1:7; Acts 1:9-11; Matthew 24:30, 26:63-64; I Thessalonians 4:15,17; II Thessalonians 1:7-8)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a Non-Denominational Church differ from a Denominational Church and how is Element Structured?
A Christian denomination is a nonprofit organization of a broader religious institution, such as the United Methodist Church, Southern Baptist Church, Presbyterian Church, or Lutheran Church. These churches often have:
- a set of core beliefs and customs established and shared by the broader organization
- shared worship practices, teachings, and leadership structures
- organizational structures to help them stay connected to the broader denomination
- standardized belief system established by their respective denomination
- a hierarchy, direction and/or leadership that come from the denomination
Element Church, as a Non-denominational Christian organization we consider our ultimate authority to be Jesus Christ (as do many of our denominational brothers and sisters) but Element is not directed by a Christian denominational authority. Instead Element's authority structure consists of three groups that offer checks and balances for accountability, direction and stewardship.
Element Church is led by our pastors, protected by our trustees and strengthened by our overseers.
1. Guided by our Pastors
The Pastoral staff team is led by the Lead Pastor. This team oversees the day-to-day ministry and operations of the church. These staff pastors serve the congregation and are responsible for the development of the spiritual life of the church. The Pastoral Leadership Team members serve as Staff Elders.
2. Protected by our board of Trustees
The Trustees are members of the congregation who oversee the finances and direct the provision of the facilities needed by the church. As the board of our 501c3 they provide counsel to the Pastoral Leadership Team regarding the major financial commitments of the church. The Trustees serve as Non-staff Elders.
3. Strengthened by our Overseers
The Overseers are pastors of respected congregations and ministries who love Element Church and are willing to provide spiritual protection to the church. They may be called in to help in accountability matters relating to the Lead Pastor and/or Pastoral Staff if requested by the Pastors or Trustees. The Overseers serve as Apostolic Elders.
A Christian denomination is a nonprofit organization of a broader religious institution, such as the United Methodist Church, Southern Baptist Church, Presbyterian Church, or Lutheran Church. These churches often have:
- a set of core beliefs and customs established and shared by the broader organization
- shared worship practices, teachings, and leadership structures
- organizational structures to help them stay connected to the broader denomination
- standardized belief system established by their respective denomination
- a hierarchy, direction and/or leadership that come from the denomination
Element Church, as a Non-denominational Christian organization we consider our ultimate authority to be Jesus Christ (as do many of our denominational brothers and sisters) but Element is not directed by a Christian denominational authority. Instead Element's authority structure consists of three groups that offer checks and balances for accountability, direction and stewardship.
Element Church is led by our pastors, protected by our trustees and strengthened by our overseers.
1. Guided by our Pastors
The Pastoral staff team is led by the Lead Pastor. This team oversees the day-to-day ministry and operations of the church. These staff pastors serve the congregation and are responsible for the development of the spiritual life of the church. The Pastoral Leadership Team members serve as Staff Elders.
2. Protected by our board of Trustees
The Trustees are members of the congregation who oversee the finances and direct the provision of the facilities needed by the church. As the board of our 501c3 they provide counsel to the Pastoral Leadership Team regarding the major financial commitments of the church. The Trustees serve as Non-staff Elders.
3. Strengthened by our Overseers
The Overseers are pastors of respected congregations and ministries who love Element Church and are willing to provide spiritual protection to the church. They may be called in to help in accountability matters relating to the Lead Pastor and/or Pastoral Staff if requested by the Pastors or Trustees. The Overseers serve as Apostolic Elders.
We believe sex differences are not simply culturally or personally constructed but are woven into our creation as a divine gift from God. This is outlined in the first chapters of the Bible (Genesis 1:27) and reiterated by Jesus Christ Himself (Matthew 19:4-12) . We believe Scripture directs sexual faithfulness to be expressed in two life-enriching options essential to human flourishing: sexual celibacy or monogamous marriage between a man and a woman. In the historical Christian view, marriage is a lifelong, sacred covenant instituted by God and intended to express the “one flesh” union of a man and a woman. The marriage union reflects the unity of our triune God and uniquely models the relationship between Christ and the church. This means we believe humans sexually flourish as individuals not by charting our own course in life but by conforming to God’s will as revealed in the Bible.
https://storage.snappages.site/6NQBZ6/assets/files/Element-Finances.pdf