Ethos

Legacy Baptist Church will be distinct in our intentions. We will distinctively and intentionally:

Be marked by the following 10 attributes:

Expositional Preaching - This is preaching which expounds what Scripture says in a particular passage, carefully explaining its meaning and applying it to the congregation. It is a commitment to hearing God’s Word and to recovering the centrality of it in our worship.

Biblical Theology - Paul charges Titus to "teach what is in accord with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). Our concern should be not only with how we are taught, but with what we are taught. Biblical theology is a commitment to know the God of the Bible as He has revealed Himself in Scripture.

Biblical Understanding of the Good News - The gospel is the heart of Christianity. But the good news is not that God wants to meet people's felt needs or help them develop a healthier self-image. We have sinfully rebelled against our Creator and Judge. Yet He has graciously sent His Son to die the death we deserved for our sin, and He has credited Christ's acquittal to those who repent of their sins and believe in Jesus' death and resurrection. That is the good news.

Biblical Understanding of Conversion - The spiritual change each person needs is so radical, so near the root of us, that only God can do it. We need God to convert us. Conversion need not be an emotionally heated experience, but it must evidence itself in godly fruit if it is to be what the Bible regards as a true conversion.

Biblical Understanding of Worship – While the Bible doesn’t dictate the particular form of worship, it is specific as to the object and content or substance of worship. We adhere to the regulative principle in terms of our worship which means that everything we do in a corporate worship gathering must be clearly warranted in Scripture and anything not commanded in Scripture will be forbidden. Therefore, Praise, Prayer, Examination, Confession, Giving, Scripture Reading, Preaching, Sacraments, Witness/Testimony, Affirmation of Truth (Creeds, etc.) will be included on a regular basis within a flexible framework or order of service.

Biblical Understanding of Evangelism - How someone shares the gospel is closely related to how he understands the gospel. To present it as an additive that gives non-Christians something they naturally want (i.e. joy or peace) is to present a half-truth, which elicits false conversions. The whole truth is that our deepest need is spiritual life, and that new life only comes by repenting of our sins and believing in Jesus. We present the gospel openly, and leave the converting to God.

Biblical Understanding of Membership - Membership should reflect a living commitment to a local church in attendance, giving, prayer and service; otherwise it is meaningless, worthless, and even dangerous. We should not allow people to keep their membership in our churches for sentimental reasons or lack of attention. To be a member is knowingly to be traveling together as aliens and strangers in this world as we head to our heavenly home.

Biblical Church Discipline - Church discipline gives parameters to church membership. The idea seems negative to people today – “didn’t our Lord forbid judging?” But if we cannot say how a Christian should not live, how can we say how he or she should live? Each local church actually has a biblical responsibility to judge the life and teaching of its leaders, and even of its members, particularly insofar as either could compromise the church’s witness to the gospel.

Promotion of Christian Discipleship and Growth - A pervasive concern with church growth exists today – not simply with growing numbers, but with growing members. Though many Christians measure other things, the only certain observable sign of growth is a life of increasing holiness, rooted in Christian self-denial. These concepts are nearly extinct in the modern church. Recovering true discipleship for today would build the church and promote a clearer witness to the world.

Biblical Understanding of Leadership - What eighteenth-century Baptists and Presbyterians often agreed upon was that there should be a plurality of elders in each local church. This plurality of elders is not only biblical, but practical — it has the immense benefit of rounding out the pastor’s gifts to ensure the proper shepherding of God’s church.

Equip disciples who are:

Christ centered – people whose passionate devotion to Jesus Christ is not simply their first priority but at the very heart of everything they say and do (Matthew 16:24, 19:21; John 15:5; I Corinthians 10:31; II Corinthians 11:3; Philippians 3:8).

Biblically established – people who live according to the instruction found in the Word of God (Joshua 1:7-8; Psalm 1:1-3; James 1:22-25; II Timothy 3:16-17).

Evangelistically courageous – people who personify and speak of the grace, love and truth of God (Matthew 28:19-20; John 4:1-38)

Family oriented – people who know, understand and fulfill their God-given core roles within the family (Genesis 2:18; Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Psalm 127:1; Proverbs 31;Ephesians 5:21-6:4; I Timothy 3:4; Titus 2:4-5)

Socially responsible – people who set themselves apart in order to engage their community and their culture (Matthew 5:13-16; John 17:6-24 *15-18; I John 5:18).

Financially generous – people who understand and implement biblical principles in regards to the money God has given them (Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 14:22-29; Luke 3:11, 14:33, 19:8; I Corinthians 8:1-5; 16:2; II Corinthians 8:2, 8, 22, 9:7).

Missions minded – people who believe in and carry out the Great Commission locally, nationally and internationally (Matthew 28:19-20; Revelation 5:9)

People of integrity – people who are trustworthy, honest and truthful in every situation (Matthew 5:37; I Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7; James 5:12).

These distinctives will be intentionally carried out in the context of a fellowship (Friendships and partnerships between authentic disciples who are led by the Holy Spirit).

* 9 of the 10 attributes listed are found in “Nine Marks of a Healthy Church” by Mark Dever. For more information on this and other related material, see www.9marks.org.