F.A.Q.’s
For nearly 20 years we’ve been fielding a lot of questions about our theology and our practices. We welcome every question and love the chance to share what we believe and to discuss these issues with people who are both like minded and with those who may disagree! We hope to be as biblically accurate and Christ glorifying as we can!
The following is a list of questions we’ve been asked and we hope to clarify ourselves on!
Are you Pentecostal, Charismatic, Evangelical or what?
We get asked a lot of questions about our beliefs concerning the Holy Spirit. Pentecostals have historically been known for their emphasis on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the continuation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (prophecy, tongues, healing, etc.). Therefore, they are often referred to as the “Spirit” stream of the faith. Evangelicals have historically been known for their emphasis on solid biblical exposition, orthodox doctrine, the Inerrancy of Scripture, and the need for a transforming conversion by placing faith in Christ. Therefore, they are often referred to as the “Word” stream. We desire to be in the “radical middle,” which has become known by the term “Empowered Evangelicals.”
We shy away from using the term “Pentecostal” due to fact that we do not embrace some of the distinctives that are often associated with that term. At times, there has been much said and written that has given the concept that those who were “Spirit-filled” were more ’spiritual’ and ‘better Christians.” This is unfortunate. We believe that all true believers are “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Eph. 1:13), which is received in faith (Gal. 3:5).
However, we find much in agreement with the Pentecostal’s insistence on present day work of the Holy Spirit, the need to be both “filled with the Spirit” and to be “empowered” for ministry. For instance, the apostle Peter was “filled with the Holy Spirit” in Acts 2:4 and then again in Acts 4:31. This is why Paul writes “be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18), which in Greek literally says “be continuously being filled with the Spirit.” We also find great agreement in that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are still available today, yet we also do our best to take Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians seriously – “all things should be done decently and in order.” The “order” that Paul is referring to is found within the previous three chapters (1 Cor. 12-14).
Trinity Christian Fellowship is Evangelical in theology and Charismatic in experience. If you have further questions, please let us know! We’d be happy to explain our beliefs a bit further.
Do you believe in the Trinity?
Yes! As our name reflects, we are Trinity Christian Fellowship. We believe the Scriptures clearly teach the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity – that there is one God who eternally exists as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Therefore, we believe that (1) God is three persons, (2) Each person is fully God, and (3) There is one God. This is essential to the Christian faith.
What kind of music makes up your worship gatherings?
Some people would consider our music to be “contemporary,” but this could be a misleading term. At times we may sing songs that have been written in the past month, and other times we’ll sing songs that were written in the 16th century or earlier! At times we may sing with no musical instruments and at other times we’ll have a full band (keyboard, drums, etc.). The Psalms provide a wide variety of worship guidelines.
That being said, we generally utilize instruments and sing songs that the people of God can engage with as we “offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe” (Heb. 12:28).
What kind of leadership do you have?
Our leadership is in the form of Overseers (other groups may refer to Overseers as Elders or Pastors). We believe that the Scriptures indicate that the normal way in which the New Testament church was led was through the plurality of qualified Overseers (cf. 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-3).
One of our Overseers serves as the ‘lead pastor,’ though this does not mean that he is the “head-honcho” or “top-dog.” Rather, he is one of the Overseers, though he serves the congregation vocationally. We greatly value “team ministry” and desire to incorporate as many qualified leaders as we can.
We also have leaders who serve in ministry in the areas of children, youth, prayer, missions, and more! See our Leadership for more information.
Help, I’ve got a lot of kids! What do you have for my children?
Over the past year, our children ministries have been growing immensely! Therefore, after the musical portion of our worship gathering, we have ministries for ages 1-4 (King’s Kids Corner) and K-6th grade (God’s Royal Kids).
We also have a Nursery for our nursing moms that is located at the back of our sanctuary. This allows nursing mothers to have a private area that keeps the connected with what is happening in the sanctuary.
Our teenagers meet bi-weekly and have a great time growing too.
