| Who Are
We? Describing
a church is complex because a church is made up of all sorts of people.
Broken people. Scarred people. Hurting people. Empty people. People
just like you and me who know that we can't go it alone. But in spite
of various backgrounds and needs there is a common bond. We are a
people who like to celebrate and experience our God in a relaxed
worship environment. We are a people who want to honor God with our
lives. We are a people who seek to be His hands and feet. Here are
a few words that best describe us:
Real: Ours is a real world. Daily temptations, frequent challenges
and hard questions are common to us all. Alpine is a place of refuge
where people can just be themselves without the mask and without
having to live a lie.
Relaxed: Jesus called us to an abundant life, not an uptight one.
We believe in a God who believes in us. He is Lord. He is in control.
And because of this, we can live a life of victory and peace.
Active: Ministry best defines us. There is a place for every member
to be involved. God expects us to share our faith. . .to live our
faith. . .to enjoy our faith.
Expectant: Prayer is the fuel that drives our family. We believe
in a God who performs mighty deeds. We know what He has promised.
We have seen what He has done. And so, we live expecting Him to
reveal Himself to us.
OUR DREAMS, His Dreams
God's dreams for His church are real. As
we read the Bible God sets high standards for His people. His dreams
of us becoming a place. . .
- . . .where the Gospel is the thrust of our lives; where His
grace is accepted and extended; where the salvation of souls
is the norm,
not the exception; where His love for people is witnessed; where
joy fills the air; where people are one in spirit; where ministry
is considered a heavenly privilege and not an earthly burden.
- . . .where God is worshipped joyfully and reverently; where
the singing is Christ-honoring, contemporary and relevant; where
worship
is a significant event which encourages believers and transforms
them into the triumphant army of God; where worship communicates
the worthiness of our God, the joyfulness of the Christian
life,
and the hopelessness of life without Jesus.
- . . .where God's Word is reverenced in authority, studied
with expectation, taught with relevance, heard with anticipation,
and obeyed with passion; where the preaching is encouraging,
positive
and practical; where individuals are called to live an obedient,
surrendered life for Him.
- . . .where God's people are immersed in prayer; where our
busy days and complex schedules are bathed in regular communication
to Him who longs to hear from us.
- . . .where the challenges, questions, and issues of life
are seriously addressed; where believers are expected
to live boldly
in a counter-culture
world; where God's people take stands in the community
that are courageous, compassionate, and Christ-centered.
- . . .where people can find real help, experience genuine
change and find authentic answers; where marriages
are healed and
relationships strengthened; where children are taught
to reverence their parents,
honor their God, and love their neighbor; where destructive
behaviors and bad choices can be resolved; where wasted
lives are retrieved
and new beginnings are launched.
- . . .where spiritual growth and maturity is encouraged
and expected; where the heartbeat of every believer
is for outreach
and inclusion,
not for complacency and seclusion.
- . . .where people are free to attempt great things
for God; where taking risks for His kingdom is
an exalted virtue; where creativity
and innovation are honored, not feared; where all
kinds of
people can serve God in diverse ways using individual
gifts to share His
mutual love, encouragement, respect, and unity.
- . . .where children and youth are nurtured in scripture,
challenged in ministry, and expected to be faithful
to God.
- . . .where people have a vision for the lost
across the street as well as across the oceans;
where
impact is
made on lives
wherever we go; where short-term servants go
out to minister internationally
and others go to stay indefinitely.
What Are Our Core Values?
In pursuing God's dream at Alpine, there
are several core values that are non-negotiable. Our allegiance
is to our God and to His word. Consequently, if we don't build
according to His instructions then we are building a house of cards.
Bible Centered: John 8:32; Romans 12:7; II Timothy 3:16-17;
James 1:23-25
We believe that the Bible is God's living,
powerful, relevant, active word and that we can trust it, believe
it, obey it, and
apply it with the confidence that in so doing, we will be following
God's desires for us. We encourage every member to seek God's wisdom
in prayer, search His word for direction, and obey it accordingly.
Worship Focused: John 4:19-24; Isaiah 6; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians
3:16; I Cor. 8-9
We believe that God created us initially and
re-created us eternally to bring glory to Him who is altogether
lovely. We
believe that this is the ultimate expression and purpose of our
worship assembly. It is here, on Holy ground, in His sanctuary
of praise and prayer that we reverence Him in our family worship.
In our worship assembly we celebrate Him in song, prayer, preaching,
and in the Lord's Supper. We share in the Lord's Supper every Sunday
to remind us of our special calling and salvation. Our music is
acapella. We believe that the most God-honoring instrument we can
use to magnify Him is the individual heart touched by His majesty.
And so you will not see a praise band or an impressive orchestra.
But what you will see is hundreds of voices offering up the fruit
of their lips. And what you will hear is one voice singing to our
God. We teach and encourage our people to contribute sacrificially
for the Lord's work. We encourage every family to offer a tithe
to their God trusting Him to multiply that for His glory.
Prayer Dependent: Matthew 6:5-14; 7:7-12
We believe in
a God who can do all things. We risk great things and dream great
dreams
because our God is truly a mighty God. We believe that God has
invited us into a personal, dynamic relationship with Him as we
experience His power and direction for our life. We are firm believers
in prayer. We have watched God work and it is good. We have heard
His answers and they are powerful. Our prayer ministry engages
our entire congregation before His throne so we will be a surrendered
church.
Grace Extending: Philippians 2:1-11; Ephesians 2:1-14; Romans
6
We believe salvation is a gift of God's amazing grace. It
is undeserved. It is free. We believe that individuals celebrate
that
saving grace by surrendering to Jesus through immersion, baptism.
It is here that one is added to God's church. It is here that sins
are washed away. It is here that one celebrates the blood of Jesus.
It is here that one claims the cross. It is here that one rises
to walk in newness of life. We believe scripture teaches that baptism
is a command of God. And because we want to glorify Him with surrendered
lives, we teach that baptism is a vital response of faith to the
cross of Jesus.
Maturity Building: Ephesians 4:25-26, 32; Hebrews 12:1-2
When
one is born again God expects that individual to grow into maturity.
We believe that salvation is but the first step on the road to
spiritual maturity. We believe that God calls His people to a deeper,
closer, personal walk with Him. And we believe that spiritual maturity
is the result of a life that seeks His presence in every walk of
life.
Globally Concerned: Matthew 28:18-20
Good news can't be
kept quiet. We believe that the gospel of salvation through Christ
is
for the
whole world, and that the church cannot rest until the world has
the good news of our Savior. World Missions is emphasized regularly.
Missions Sunday every October is a highlight in our church life
because we want to be reminded of our responsibility.
People Empowering: I Corinthians 12, 14; Romans 12; Ephesians
4; Psalms 133:1
We believe every believer has been gifted by God
and should share that gift with others. Each gift is unique. We
encourage every believer at Alpine to glorify their God by utilizing
their gift for His glory.
Needs Meeting: I Corinthians 13; Nehemiah 3; Lk.10; John 13:34-35
We believe that rendering encouragement, assistance, support and
love is the responsibility of Christians as they live their spiritual
community with one another and with our neighbors.
Outreach Oriented: Luke 5:30-32; Luke 15; Matthew 18:14
We believe
that lost people matter to God, and therefore our responsibility
as a church is to reach out to them in love with the hope of the
Gospel. |