Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of Calvary Severance based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.
God
There is one and only one living and true God. God is infinite in holiness and perfect in every way. God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but fully one.
The Bible
The Bible was written by men, who were divinely inspired by the Spirit, and is God’s revelation of Himself to man. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and is completely truth, without any error.
Salvation
Salvation is offered, freely, to all people who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, turn from their old self and follow Him. Jesus Christ, by His own willing blood sacrifice, obtained eternal redemption for those who receive His free gift of salvation. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ.
The Church
A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous, regenerate, local body of baptized followers of Jesus, associated in the faith and fellowship of His Gospel for the purpose of engaging the culture with the Gospel in word and deed, and making disciples, both locally and globally.
Baptism
Christian Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience, symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in a new life through the power of Jesus Christ. It identifies a believer with Jesus and with His Church. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the covenant of church membership.
The Lord's Supper
The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby followers of Jesus, through the taking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, remember, with humble thanksgiving, the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ and look forward to His second coming.
Membership
Why should I commit to my local church?
Membership provides a way to determine who is committed to the mission, doctrine, and values of Calvary Severance – our local expression of the body of Christ. Such delineation is not meant to be elitist or divisive. It is not meant to create different classes within the body. Rather, it simply recognizes that there are people within any expression of the body of Christ at varying levels of commitment – and that’s okay. But as an intentional community with a mission and purpose, it is helpful to know who is committed and who is simply curious.
Should I become a member?
Scripture tells us that leaders within the church are called to “equip the saints – or believers – for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God” (Eph 4:12-13). Essentially, we are called to function as one body, made up of many members, with Jesus Christ as our head, working together to grow into maturity (1 Cor 12:12-31). When all believers – not just church staff – embrace the importance of their role in the church community, the body of Christ is able to function with all of the faculties it is supplied with. And when each part is working properly, the body grows into health and strength (Eph 4:16).
So you should not enter into the membership covenant because you’ve been around Calvary Severance a while and figure it’s the next step or “something you should do.” Nor should you enter into the membership covenant simply to say, “Calvary Severance is where I go to church.” That’s part of it, but membership is more than that. It is an informed commitment to the doctrine and vision of Calvary Severance, a willing submission to the leadership of the church, and an intentional embrace of your role in the body of Christ and the mission of the church.
So you should not enter into the membership covenant because you’ve been around Calvary Severance a while and figure it’s the next step or “something you should do.” Nor should you enter into the membership covenant simply to say, “Calvary Severance is where I go to church.” That’s part of it, but membership is more than that. It is an informed commitment to the doctrine and vision of Calvary Severance, a willing submission to the leadership of the church, and an intentional embrace of your role in the body of Christ and the mission of the church.
How do I become a member?
The process of becoming a member takes place at the church. Calvary Severance utilizes various membership interest meetings to help those interested in membership. However, attending these meetings are not mandatory to become a member.
If you consider Calvary Severance your church home, are actively engaged and invested in a Life Group, and have read our membership packet, then signing the membership covenant at the end of that packet would be your next step. Simply bring that to a pastor or elder, and we will connect with you from there.
If you consider Calvary Severance your church home, are actively engaged and invested in a Life Group, and have read our membership packet, then signing the membership covenant at the end of that packet would be your next step. Simply bring that to a pastor or elder, and we will connect with you from there.