Core Values

We at Whetstone Church are committed to these values:

The importance of a personal relationship with Christ

1. No one else can believe for you
2. You must be born again – we believe in heaven and hell, forgiveness and judgement. Receive Christ as Savior, or reject Him. Response of faith is crucial!

Scriptural  Authority.  “We are a Bible Believing Church”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 — All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

1. The Bible is the inspired and reliable revelation of God, completely trustworthy in all matters of faith and practice.
2. God has given us many sources of wisdom and insight (tradition, gifted teachers, common sense) that we ought to develop and pursue, but Scripture stands above them all.
3. Each of us needs to be growing in our understanding and application of the Bible.

Worship is our vital response to God’s greatness… acknowledging that He is far greater than we.

Hebrews 10:24 — And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,   John 4:23 —  Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

1. While we are traditional in style, we want to be contemporary in spirit.
2. We will gather together weekly, and on special occasions, to give this offering to God.

Power of prayer; the only way to accomplish God’s work is by God’s power, and prayer is key.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 — pray continually, Luke 18:1 — Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up: “Watch and pray that you not fall into temptation”

Ministry of all believers

Ephesians 4:11-12 — So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

1. Ministry of all believers; each Christian is called by God and powered by the Holy Spirit to do God’s work.  
2. The work of God will not be fulfilled unless each of us do our part.

Congregational structure

1 Cor 1:5-8 —  For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge—  God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

1. Congregational structure; God speaks to and through all believers, therefore each one’s voice is important to us. 
2. Related to this is congregational autonomy; we will work together and join with other congregations to proclaim God’s Kingdom, but each has its own unique connection to Christ the Head.

Christ’s  command to Love one another; we are a family of faith.

1. Every  member of the family should be known by name, and feel included.
2. We  show special care to those with special needs (i.e. shut-ins, sick).

We recognize all congregations that exalt Jesus as Lord to be part of our wider family.

Christ’s commission to reach out to our community and world.

Matthew 28:19-20 — “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,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

“You are now entering the mission field.”

1. We will reach out to our neighbors and neighborhood in witness, inviting them to join in the family.
2. We will reach out to the poor and needy in Christian compassion.
3. We will reach out to the world in supporting Christian missions.

Ministry to children and youth

Matthew 19:14 — Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

1. Ministry to children and youth; knowing that the church is always only one generation away from extinction. 
2. We value youth and will reach out to youth, striving to bring them fully in to the family of faith.

Statement of Faith

1. We believe the Bible consisting of the Old and New Testament, to be the only inspired, inerrant, infallible, authoritative Word of God written.
2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 
3. We believe in the deity of Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. 
4. We believe that for salvation of lost and sinful man regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. 
5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by Whose indwelling power and fullness the Christian is enabled to live a godly life in this present evil world. 
6. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. 
7. We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers in Christ.