Here We Stand

Statements from the Elders on Five Aspects of the Lord's Church at Mount Hope Church of Christ

As elders chosen to shepherd the Mount Hope Church of Christ, we present this document to clarify where we stand on five major aspects of the Lord's church. This document was presented to the church in November of 1995 and condensed and revised in the spring of 2002.

WHERE WE STAND ON THE WORK OF ELDERS
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God. We do not believe that opinions, interpretations of the Scriptures, and traditional practices are the Word of God. Only God Himself, through His Word, is the Truth that we must seek to know and practice.

The church is composed of individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences, and needs. We are all in various stages of spiritual development, from newborn to nearing full maturity. All of us must aspire to follow Jesus, to honor God, and to do what is best for the whole body under His leadership. We believe that as Shepherds, our tasks are to provide (1) adequate organization; (2) spiritual goals; (3) body health and maturity; (4) and ministry to individual needs of the body. The health and maturity of the body as a whole is achieved through the health and maturity of each individual member. We want to see all members of this body grow through the exercise of their faith and the use of their abilities in actual experience.

WHERE WE STAND ON THE WORK OF DEACONS
Through a thorough study of scripture, we have determined that key areas of service within the church must be identified first and then scripturally-qualified deacons must be selected to supervise those areas of service. We believe from scripture that deacons are to be appointed by the elders and accountable to them. In undertaking these appointments, deacons accept the responsibility for their tasks, are given the authority to complete those tasks without asking for reaffirmation from the elders, and will provide periodic reports on their tasks. One of the elders will serve as a liaison with each ministry and its deacon in order to keep communication open with the ministry.

WHERE WE STAND ON THE WORK OF EACH CHRISTIAN
We believe that God provides spiritual gifts to each of His followers-regardless of age and gender-and that these gifts are given for our individual service in the kingdom. We believe that all Christians have a duty to God and to the church to identify and use their spiritual gifts. Christians must spend regular time in prayer asking for God's guidance in preparing them for service as well as for opportunities to show what they have learned through their prayer life, in the gatherings of the saints, and in the Bible classes that they have taken.

We believe, however, that the primary responsibility for spiritual growth rests with the individual Christian, not with the church or with the elders. Paul counsels the Philippians to "continue to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works within you to will and to act according to his good purpose" (Philippians 2: 12).

We do not believe that a Christian is too old or too young to perform a good work for the Lord. There is no mandatory retirement age in the church, nor is there a mandatory minimum age for beginning to work for the Lord. We do not believe that an acceptable work of the Christian is only to attend the services on Sundays and Wednesdays and sit in a pew.

One of the duties of the Christian before God is to purpose in his heart what he determines to be his financial support of the work of the church. We also believe that this contribution should be regular and consistent, according to the scriptures (1 Cor. 16: 1-2). Paul did not issue specific commands concerning giving; thus we don't issue specific commands to our members here at Mount Hope. We ask that members of this congregation simply give as much as they are able and willing.

We believe that the work of Christians also includes encouraging one another and building each other up. This is such an important part of the work of the Christian that the writer of Hebrews says for us to encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today (Heb. 3: 13). Therefore, we believe that the primary purpose of our assemblies, whenever we meet, is to encourage each other in our Christian walk (Heb. 10: 24-25).

WHERE WE STAND ON THE CHURCH
The church is built upon the truth that Jesus is the Son of God. In the first century because there were no church buildings, the Christians met from house to house, and on the first day of the week they met to break bread. We don't know at what time and in what order they conducted their meetings. All that we know is that they met. The time of day and the number of times that we meet now were set originally as expedients and have been perpetuated by tradition.

The early Christians met to break bread, praise God, build each other up, and minister to each other. We believe our assemblies should be designed for building up the saints. We do not believe that evangelism is the sole reason for our assemblies, nor is it the primary responsibility of the pulpit minister. We believe that evangelism is the responsibility of each member each day of his or her life.

Christians ought to be of one mind and encourage each other. However, when conflicts arise, as they do when sin takes place, the Bible gives clear instructions on how these conflicts are to be handled. In Matthew 18: 15-17, Jesus provides a plan for resolving conflicts: “If a brother has wronged you or done wrong you should go to that brother and show him his faults. If he listens to you, you have won him over. If he will not listen, then you are to take one or two with you and go back to him. If he refuses to listen with witnesses present, then you are to take it before the Church. If he still refuses to listen, then you are to treat him as you would a pagan. The elders intend to follow this plan as closely as possible.” We will not entertain accusations against a brother unless the accuser has already made an attempt to speak with the offending party and been rejected. Christians are responsible to each other first, but if they cannot resolve disputes, then the elders must become involved.

WHERE WE DO NOT STAND
We do not believe in man-made creeds, written or otherwise. We do not believe in making issues not addressed in the scriptures items of doctrine in the church and binding on its members.

We do not believe that expending great effort in addressing issues that are troubling some congregations in the brotherhood is the primary purpose of this church. Our mission as a church is to glorify God, seek and save the lost, and keep guard on this flock.

We do not believe that Christians-including preachers, elders, deacons, and teachers-are perfect. All of us sin and fall short of the glory of God. Those who sin and repent should be forgiven and not continue to be condemned by others in the congregation.

We do not believe that elders are to be held responsible for all actions of believing Christians. Each individual is responsible for his or her own sin. A parent should not be held guilty of the sin of a child, especially if that child is grown and has left home. However, we all share the responsibility for helping to bring a wayward Christian back into a right relationship with God.

We do not believe that elders have the sole responsibility for being peacekeepers within a congregation. We all share that responsibility. We are all to be peacemakers.

We do not believe that elders are appointed to the office to serve for life. They are to serve only so long as they desire the office and are qualified and capable to serve according to God's plan. Since the Bible is silent on the term of service for elders, we believe that each congregation has the freedom to determine for itself the number and length of term of their elders.

Finally, we do not believe that in making these statements we should be considered a "liberal" congregation or leadership. We will not be swayed by the traditions of men. We strive to serve God according to the clear teaching found in the scriptures, and them only.