Our vision for Christ Reformed has been that of a church that is God-centered in worship, with law-gospel preaching that directs worshipers to the story of our glorious and merciful God, who, through His Son, redeemed fallen humanity.  We believe the word preached should boldly speak of our sin and depravity, followed by the grace of God and our utter dependence upon that grace.  We believe that through the proclamation of the good news of the gospel, the Holy Spirit renews our faith, and fills us with gratitude and reverence so that we do those good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.  In addition, the sacraments of baptism and communion are administered as ordained by our Lord to increase our faith and confirm God's covenant promises.

To understand this faith, to internalize it, and to work it out into our daily activity, so that we can pass it down to our children, outweighs every other interest - including the numerical success of the church.

• Phil. 1:9 [May] your love abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.
• 1 Peter 3:18 Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
• 2 Timothy 1:14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you.
• Ephesians 4:1  I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
• Acts 2:39 The promise is for you and your children.
• Galatians 6:14  May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ
• John 8:31  “If you hold to my teaching you are my disciples.”

Word and Sacrament

The primary focus of our worship is the public reading and exposition of God's Word, and the administration of his sacraments.

• 1 Timothy 4:13 Devote yourself to the public reading of scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
• Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
• 1 Corinthians 10:16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ?  And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?
• Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…

Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth

Following the pattern of the Heidelberg Catechism, our service has three elements: guilt, grace, and gratitude. Our sermons are Christ centered, with special care given to correctly distinguish between Law and Gospel.

• Matthew 28:19 Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
• Romans 10: 14-15 How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?   And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  And how can they preach unless they are sent?
• Acts 16:14 The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.
• 2 Timothy 2:24-25 The Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.

Form, Order and Reverence in Worship

The Scriptures teach us that God seeks those who worship him in Spirit and in truth. Accordingly, we are called to worship God in an orderly manner, "with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." Thus, we utilize the historic Reformed liturgy.

• John 4:23 A time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks.
• 1 Corinthians 14:40 Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
• Hebrews 12:28-29 Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Accountability

We belong to the United Reformed Churches because we believe that the biblical pattern for ministry demands "checks and balances" and a structure of accountability higher than ourselves. Creeds, confessions, a catechism and a historic liturgy link us to other believers not only in this time and place, but across time, geographical boundaries and cultures. Many of us have seen "lone ranger" Christianity too many times.

• Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.  They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.
• 1 Corinthians 16:15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints.  I urge you, brothers, to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work.
• Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Children and Family

The Biblical notion of covenant theology, as interpreted by the historic Reformed tradition, provides us with a solid theological basis from which to discuss marriage, family, children and other personal relationships within the church.

• Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure…
• 1 Timothy 3:5 If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?
• Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
• Romans 13:9 The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal” […etc.], are summed up in this one rule:  “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Sharing our Faith

In addition to growing in our own understanding of the faith, the Scriptures exhort us to share it with those outside the church. We must not only be prepared to give to everyone an answer for the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15), but we must be zealous to see that our non-Christian friends, families and neighbors hear the message of Christ crucified (Romans 10:14-15) with the prayerful and confident expectation that God will be pleased to call many to faith in His Dear Son through the ministry of Christ Reformed Church.

• Matthew 28:19 Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
• Romans 10: 14-15 How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?   And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  And how can they preach unless they are sent?
• Acts 16:14 The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.
• 2 Timothy 2:24-25 The Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.

The Lord's Day

While we do not view it in a legalistic manner, we do believe that God has called us to be set apart from the world. The Lord's Day is set apart for sacred purposes and is therefore God's gift to us for the building of our families in the faith.

• Colossians 2:16-17 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.  These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
• Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
• Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Friendship and Comradery

Encouraged by a youthful demographic, we also enjoy fellowship in unstructured opportunities of light-hearted conversation. There is a love for the free exchange of ideas in a spirit of inquiry and exploration, without fear of judgment or acrimony.