Being Reformed: We value being a confessional Reformed congregation in a Reformed denomination.
We conform our teaching and practice to God’s Word according to the summary of Christian doctrine found in Reformed confessions (the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort). We do this to ensure that we “hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught” (Titus 1:9). We submit ourselves to the broader church within a denominational structure after the example of the Apostles (Acts 15).
Being a Church: We value the “three marks of the true church” as the heart of church ministry.
The essential activities of the church are the preaching of the gospel, the administration of the sacraments, and church discipline toward repentance (Belgic Confession, Art. 29; Heidelberg Catechism, Q&As 65-68, 83-85; Canons of Dort, Pt. III/IV, Art. 17; Pt. V, Art. 14). All of the ministries and activities of our church spring from these three tasks.These are the heart of church ministry because the only authority and power in the church are the authority and power of Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:18), who commanded his church to do especially these specific things, as reflected in the “Great Commission” (Matt. 28:18-20):
1) The Preaching of the Gospel: Jesus commanded his church to “go and make disciples” (Matt. 28:19), which happens through the preaching of the gospel (Rom. 1:16, 10:14; see also the way the early church grew, e.g. Acts 6:7). Because the gospel is the power of God not just for unbelievers but for believers as well, we value worship which is focused on the preaching of the gospel.
2) The Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper: Jesus commanded his church to “[baptize] in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19) and to celebrate the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19). These are the covenant signs and seals of God’s promises and the means (along with the preaching of the gospel) by which the Holy Spirit gives us the benefits of God’s grace in Jesus Christ through faith (Col. 2:10-12; 1 Cor. 10:16).
3) Church Discipline toward Repentance: Jesus commanded his church to “[teach] them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:20). The church matures as members are instructed and led to repentance through compassionate discipline (Gal. 6:1; Eph. 4:11-15).
Worship: We value corporate worship as a sacred meeting of the Lord and His covenant people
Each Lord's Day, we respond to the Lord's call to worship by approaching His throne of grace through our Lord Jesus Christ and with the help and power of the Holy Spirit. During the service, the Lord ministers to us by His Word and Spirit, and we respond with praise and thanksgiving, the confession of our sins, the offering of our petitions, the presentation of our tithes and offerings, and the offering of our lives to God in grateful service. The worship services at EPCRC focus on the preaching of God's Word, the singing of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, the offering of prayer, and the celebration of the sacraments. It is our conviction that corporate worship should be God-centered, gospel-shaped, regulated by Scripture, and approached with reverence, joy, and thanksgiving. Corporate worship serves as a spiritual foundation, equipping and inspiring us to live out our faith throughout the week for the glory of God.
Fellowship: We value a church that is connected, integrated, and united.
In addition to devoting themselves to the Apostolic teaching and the Lord’s Supper (the “means of grace”), the early Christians also devoted themselves to fellowship – to the gathering of God’s people together (Acts 2:42). This fellowship is important because the church is the “body of Christ,” whose goal is unity and maturity in Christ (Eph. 4). For this reason, we value church ministry that incorporates all as active members (1 Cor. 12:27) and emphasizes passing the faith on to our children (Deut. 4:9).
Prayer: We value prayer as the primary means of our response to God’s grace.
The early Christians devoted themselves not only to the means of grace and to fellowship, but also to prayer (Acts 2:42). In response to God’s grace, we have been instructed to pray (Psalm 116:12-19; Matt. 6:9-13; 1 Thess. 5:16-18).
Being Ambassadors for Christ: We value being Christian examples and witnesses for Christ among our neighbors.
In response to God’s grace, the church is called to live and converse in such a way that they direct the attention of their neighbors to God and their need for him (1 Pet. 2:9-12).
A Reformed Worldview: We value recognizing Christ’s reign over his church and all creation, with an emphasis on Christian education.
Christ is not only the king and ultimate authority of the church, but he also rules over all creation and all of our lives (Col. 1:15-20, 3:17). For this reason, although we recognize the unique role of the church as the ministry of God’s grace in Jesus Christ, we resist dividing our living into sacred and secular, but instead strive to do everything in gratitude to God and for his glory. It is also for this reason that we emphasize the importance of Christian education– teaching not just about the world itself, but about the world as God’s world.