The Role of Doctrine

 

Doctrine is basically the church’s understanding of what the Bible says and what it means .  It is the teachings of the Bible.  It can be thought of as the banks of a river.  On each side are the shoals of improper understanding, but in-between the banks there is diversity with many different currents. Recognizing that there are many different approaches to the construction and articulation of Biblical doctrine, we choose a minimal consensus model.  We are instructed by Paul in Rom. 14:19 to  “...make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification.” 

 

A minimal consensus model allows us to clearly and definitively  state the Essentials.  These are the life-giving core teachings of Christianity clearly demonstrated in scripture and agreed on by the Church universal.  We are not limited by these Essentials but also recognize we have a unique and distinct expression of Worship.  The selection of this model of doctrinal expression means that as a body of believers in fellowship we choose to live with the tension of diversity.  In some   areas of life-worship, individual perspectives will vary but we will abide by the principal first articulated in the 1620’s by Peter Meiderlin and adapted here for our unique expression, 

 

“In Essentials Unity, in Worship Freedom, and in all things Love”