Four Words

There are four, critical words that encompass and define everything we do at Vertical Church. These words serve as a decision filter as well as a call to a greater purpose. Each one has incredible power and has proven itself in the lengthy track record of this church:

Generous
Vertical Church is committed to being a generous community. Generosity is a common theme throughout the Bible. From the creation of man to the words of Jesus promising eternal life, it is clear that we serve a God who is good and generous. Because we are made in the image of God, it is a natural desire for us to recognize and practice generosity. We can see this on display in the life of Jesus and His ability to meet the needs of those around him in miraculous ways.

Inclusive
You can belong before you believe. We love this statement in our community and for good reason. It contains so much hope, so much promise. Here you can process pain in a safe environment. Here, we suspend our judgment of you because we are expectant for what God desires to do in you.

Unpredictable
Our desire is to be unpredictable in the right things. Predictability, in many ways, leads to an unwillingness to follow the changing directions of God. Based on the evidence, God loves to begin new things. The creative, new methods of God are limitless. We will do our best to be just like this.

Real
Authenticity is becoming more and more celebrated both inside and outside the church. We couldn’t be more for this trend. The days of photoshopping decisions or people in the church are clearly over because they were clearly dishonest and ineffective. It’s because of our willingness to admit our brokenness, that the activity of God in our lives is clearly seen by others. We cover our brokenness at a great cost. The cost is obscuring the miracle-working power of God, the supernatural healing and maturing of the human heart!

What We Believe

About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1,26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2)

About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus has always existed yet was born as a baby, lived a sinless human life, and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of humanity by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15)

About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He, too, has always existed. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also dwells in every Christian to give power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives spiritual gifts to all believers when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; 5:18; Galatians 5:25)

About the Bible
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture
of error. (Psalm 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21)

 About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; 59:1-2;Romans 3:23)

About Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to all people. But it only takes effect for those who accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's sacrifice for sin can anyone be forgiven and be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-centered life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment a person receives Jesus Christ into his or her life by faith. (John 1:12; 14:6, Romans 5:1; 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5)

About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" your salvation. It is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. (John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5)

About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life in Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
(Matthew 1:8; 2:44,46; John 2:25; 3:16; 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15)

About Baptism and The Lord’s Supper
The New Testament practice of baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is a symbol of obedience to Christ’s command and symbolizes the believer’s faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Baptism always follows a personal commitment of faith in Jesus as Savior. The Lord's Supper (communion) is a symbolic act of worship that recalls the death of Jesus Christ.
(Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11, 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16,21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12)

To view the entire Statement of Beliefs, please visit livevertical.tv/bylaws