Business Meeting
There will be a combined Business Meeting, Quarterly Information Meeting, and potluck lunch on Sunday, October 21, right after the second service. There will be a discussion on funding a Master Plan for the future of the church. All members are highly encouraged to participate and vote at this very important meeting.
To review the presentation shown on Sunday, September 23rd, click on this link.
A way forward. (This is 9.5 MB…not recommended for dialup modems.)
Three Phases
The Master Plan that the architects developed has three phases. We will look at these on March 9th in a presentation. For now, we have ,pdf files of the three phases available. Each file is over 1 MB, so it may take a while to download, especially with DSL and dial up. Just click on the link to download it to your computer.
Our Purpose
The purpose of this Church is to glorify the living God by growing believers into a mature and knowledgeable faith in Christ and by going to our neighbors in Steilacoom, the surrounding areas, and around the world to proclaim the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Our Beliefs
1. We believe there is one, only living and true God infinite in perfection, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of the universe, and that he exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
2. We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a revelation of God, and that they are the only perfect rule of faith and practice.
3. We believe the law of God is obligatory upon mankind and that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
4. We believe the Gospel of Christ finds mankind dead in sins and without holiness and except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.
5. We believe Salvation is offered freely to all upon condition of repentance towards God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and that believers are saved by grace through faith.
6. We believe the Christian Sabbath is of divine appointment and that it should be kept holy.
7. We believe Christ will appear to raise the dead and judge the world; that the wicked will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.
8. We believe a congregation of believers joined in covenant to obey the commandments of Christ and to observe the ordinances of the Gospel, Baptism and the Lord?s Supper; is a true Church of Christ and where two or three are gathered in His name, He is in the midst of them.
Our Covenant
We covenant with one another as members of this Church of Christ, that we will faithfully endeavor to honor it in our conduct and life; to sustain its worship and ordinances by faithful attendance and stewardship; to boldly testify to its faith; to submit to its rules and discipline; to labor and pray for its increase, purity and peace; to enhance its outreach to our community and the world; to watch over its members in love; and gratefully receive its watchful care. We promise to worship God, according to His Word, to preach the whole counsel of God, to rightly administer the sacraments, and make disciples fit for ministry of the church. We pray for the coming of the Kingdom of God and we look with faith toward the triumph of righteousness and eternal life in his kingdom. We solemnly affirm our obligations to Him Who has redeemed us with His own precious blood.
Our Core Values
O = Outreach
We seek the Holy Spirit?s direction in our outreach efforts as we obey the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19,20).
We believe we are stewards of all God has given us. As a community of disciples, we use our time, talent, and treasure to deliver God?s Word so that all may come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
We believe in creating opportunities to encourage and support those who desire to have a full-time part in missions both local and foreign. We encourage short-term missions here and abroad.
B = Bible Centered
We believe the Bible is God?s Word, the final authority for our faith and practice.
Guided by the Holy Spirit, we make decisions, create policies, and plan activities in accordance with Biblical principles. Our pastor is God?s servant, not ours, who teaches and preaches Bible based messages that relate to our daily lives, refresh us, and lead us in spiritual growth. We want to reach others with the healing message of God?s forgiveness, love, and mercy.
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work? (2 Timothy 3:16,17).
E = Education
We believe educating Christians is essential to enable us to ??give an answer for the hope we have ?(I Peter 3:15) and equip us to ??grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? (2 Peter 3:18).
We believe the primary role of our pastor is the preaching and teaching of the Word of God.
Educational opportunities are provided to various groups as the Lord provides the need and resources to accomplish His objectives.
R = Refuge
We believe that Oberlin is a community that offers help and protection for anyone who needs it. We offer prayer, compassion, physical assistance, encouragement, and a listening ear to those who desire to draw near to Jesus.
We are organized and trained to heal, protect, and encourage the hurting (Luke 4:16-21; 7:22).
L = Love
We believe love is best expressed through actions in ministry (Mark 12:30-31). We will share our love and spiritual gifts in fellowship, worship, Bible studies, missionary support, and outreach ministries.
God?s unconditional love for us encourages us to love each other more fully (John 15:12).
I = Innovative
We believe that accomplishing God?s mission in today?s world requires us to be innovative in our methods. We seek to balance tradition and creative change as we use our God-given spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-6; 14:12) to structure our programs to meet individual, community, national, and international needs.
We encourage people to discover and apply their spiritual gifts.
N = Name of God is Glorified
We believe in cultivating an environment in which God?s people bring honor to Him. We attend church services, observe the sacraments of baptism and the Lord?s supper, and pray together. We believe every Christian is morally responsible for the careful use of money, time, talent, and other resources.
This belief is evidenced by our personal attitudes and expressions of worship, the effective and efficient administration of our church, and our well-kept facilities. Our daily lives, physical environment, and goals reflect our desire to bring glory to the Name of God.
Our faith grows as we rely on prayer and submit to God?s supreme power.
Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His Name forever? (Psalm 34:3).
Our vision
WE SEE…the light of truth breaking through the darkness.
At Oberlin our dream is to lead those who are in the darkness of separation from God into the light of a transforming relationship with Jesus Christ by proclaiming the truth of the good news of God’s grace. We envision a Biblically literate congregation which is informed, trained, and equipped to share the gospel.
WE SENSE…the joy of freedom that comes from a self-sacrificing life.
At Oberlin our dream is to encourage believers to leave behind the prison of destructive and selfish behavior to exult in the joyous freedom of following Christ. Believers will explore their freedom in Christ during formal teaching times and informal small group meetings. We dream of a church where believers learn how to study the Word, pray, share their faith and grow in grace.
WE HEAR…the sound of laughter breaking down the walls of silence.
At Oberlin our dream is to be a family that rescues people from lonely isolation and places them into healthy, joyous relationships. Our vision for our church is to be a safe place where people experience the joy of knowing, serving, encouraging, challenging, and loving one another. We laugh freely and celebrate God’s abundant grace.
WE FEEL…the power of the Holy Spirit’s presence motivating us to minister.
At Oberlin we dream of a congregation where people discover God’s purpose for their lives. As a result of our worship, evangelism, outreach and leadership development, we seek to carry out the Great Commission, to meet the needs of one another, and to glorify the name of Jesus Christ.
WE TASTE…a banquet of various styles of worship.
At Oberlin we appreciate a blended style of worship which combines traditional and contemporary expressions of adoration. With our diverse talents and abilities we strive for excellence in our efforts to glorify God.
Some of our friends tattoo shops las vegas cheap seo packages article writer cheap tattoo kits easiest website builderWE TOUCH…the social and physical needs of our community with outstretched hands of compassion.
At Oberlin we envision a church which emphasizes Biblical fidelity and social action. We long to see the world through the eyes of God. We take seriously our mandate to love our neighbor and dedicate ourselves to caring for the hungry, the poor, the lonely and the imprisoned. We seek to touch the least, the last and the lost with the love of Christ.