Beliefs
Vision: (Why we do what we do)
To be A people compelled by Jesus’ love and committed to His mission of restoration. (2 Corinthians 5:11-21)
Mission: (What we do)
To make Jesus’ presence known in our community and around the world. (Acts 1:8)
Values: (How we do what we do)
Living Jesus Centered Lives
When we center our lives on Jesus, we’re not just following a set of rules, we’re following a person who embodies love, grace, truth, and purpose. His life shows us what it means to truly live: to love sacrificially, forgive freely, serve humbly, and walk in peace. (Colossians 3:17)
Investing in Relationships
We’re all about building meaningful relationships within our circles and beyond. Everyone has something valuable to bring to our Southeast community, so we show up for each other, offer encouragement, and look out for those around us. In everything, we want to reflect Jesus to the people we meet. (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
Cultivating Spiritual Practices
We’re intentional about growing in our relationship with God—spending time in prayer, worship, Scripture, service, and other spiritual practices. As we keep turning to Jesus, we invite the Holy Spirit to shape and transform us along the way. (1 Timothy 4:7-8)
Making Disciples of all Nations
Following the Spirit’s lead, we’re here to help people encounter the real Jesus, full of grace and truth, by sharing His love, living authentically, and partnering wherever He’s at work around the world. (Matthew 28:19-20)
Serving Others in Love
Because of God’s grace and Jesus’ example, we use our gifts, skills, and experiences to help others and in the process, our own lives are changed, too. Serving is a way to joyfully express our gratitude for what God has done for us. (Galatians 5:13)
Moving from Brokenness to Wholeness
We all carry some kind of brokenness, and only God can truly bring healing. We’re committed to caring for individuals, families, and entire communities who’ve been hurt or are vulnerable. Within ourselves and our relationships, we seek wholeness by trusting God and allowing His spirit to guide our lives. (Revelation 21:4)
Contributing Not Consuming
We are a community of belonging, where every member actively contributes to a culture rooted in care and mutual well-being. By giving freely, without expectation, we resist entitlement and cynicism, and instead nurture a spirit of collaboration, generosity, and joy. (Acts 20:35)
God
There is one God who is the creator and sustainer of all things. The one God exists eternally in the persons of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Biblical References: Genesis 1:1, 26–27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2
Jesus
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, has eternally existed, and is co-equal with the Father and the Spirit. Jesus was sent into the world as both fully God and fully human. After living a perfect life, he gave himself as a sacrifice and was crucified, killed, and buried. Three days later he rose again overcoming death and breaking the power of sin. As a result of his resurrection and ascension, Jesus has become king by inaugurating God’s reign and kingdom on earth.
Biblical References: Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22–23; Matthew 28:19-20; John 1:1–5; 14:10–30; Acts 1:9–11; Romans 1:3–4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:14–15; Hebrews 4:14–15
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the presence of God and is co-equal with the Father and the Son. God is at work in the world through the power of his Spirit. After his ascension, Jesus sent the Spirit to live in and work among the church. The Spirit leads and empowers the work of the church by teaching, equipping, guiding, gifting, and transforming us to live more like Jesus. The church seeks to live under the power and direction of the Spirit.
Biblical References: John 14:16, 16:7–14, 17; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:26–27; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:16–17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13
Salvation
All of creation is under the curse of sin and is headed toward destruction. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God is working to save his dying creation by making all things new. We cannot save ourselves, nor can we earn salvation as a result of our deeds. God came to earth in the person of Jesus because of his love for us, and it is by his grace that we are saved. We enter into God’s saving work when we hear, believe, repent, confess, and are baptized.
Biblical References: John 3:16-17; Acts 1:9-11; Acts 2:38-39; Romans 3:23, 6:3-4, 6:23; 10:9-10; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5
The Bible
The Bible is God’s Word for us. It was written by human authors, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Bible is a witness to the acts of God among his people, and centers on the person and work of Jesus. It is the inspired word of God and the authority on all matters of faith.
Biblical References: Psalm 19:7-10; 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5–6; Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:20–21, 3:15–16
The Church
The church is the community of God’s people called out of the world to live under the lordship of Jesus. As the Father sent the Son, and the Son sent the Spirit, so the Spirit sends the church into the world to partner in God’s saving work. The worldwide movement of the church is made up of local congregations whose mission is to proclaim and embody the good news of Jesus in their local context. Through Jesus’ ongoing presence in the life of the church, his kingdom continues to advance. The only motive and posture in which the church can engage in its mission is love.
Biblical References: Matthew 5:13-16, 28:19-20; John 13:34-35, 17:6-26; Acts 1:8, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; 1 Peter 2:9-10
Priesthood of All Believers
Through Jesus, every believer has direct access to God. We live in God’s presence by engaging in practices like prayer, scripture reading, communion, and worship. Living as God’s people, includes committing ourselves to serving his kingdom. Every member of the church is equipped by the Spirit with gifts that are intended to serve God and build others up. We encourage and help every member to find their place of service and ministry within the church and beyond. Being a part of the church also means that we commit to supporting the mission and work of the church through our own generosity.
Biblical References: Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:7-12; John 15:1-17, 17:20-23; 1 Corinthains 12:1-31; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6
Eternity
One day Jesus will return to earth, completing his saving work by overcoming evil and reuniting heaven and earth forever under God’s rule as a new creation. As children of God made in his image, all humans will eternally exist either with him or apart from him. Salvation is participating in God’s rule and experiencing life with him both now and forever in the new creation.
Biblical References: Daniel 7:13-14; John 3:16-17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9; Titus 2:13; Revelation 21:1-8, 22
Spiritual Gifts
Few areas of theology within the church have caused more division than the subject of spiritual gifts. Some in our church believe all of the spiritual gifts spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12–14 are for today. Some believe only some of the gifts are for today, and some believe none of the gifts are for today. You can see the potential for problems.
The Non-Negotiable Aspect:
We do not believe that this subject constitutes a salvation issue.
-You can believe that some of the gifts are for today, and be wrong, and still be a Christian.
-You can believe that all of the gifts are for today, and be wrong, and still be a Christian.
-You can believe that none of the gifts are for today, and be wrong, and still be a Christian.
For those who believe that the gifts are present today:
The Spirit of God does not work contrary to the Word of God.
We seek behavior that unifies us.
At Southeast, it is okay to believe differently on this issue, but we will act in this way:
-Because this is a non-salvation area of contention between believers we will not have a place in our church where the gift of tongues is encouraged.
-We will not allow the discussion of a non-salvation issue to destroy the Lord’s work.
-We believe God does miracles and answers our prayers. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, he empowers us to serve him and do good works.
For churches where the gift of tongues and prophecy are used; there are rules for their use:
1. If someone speaks in a tongue it will be one at time. (1 Corinthians 14:27, 33, 40)
2. There must be an interpreter. (1 Corinthians 14:28)
3. There must be one who discerns whether it comes from God. (1 John 4:1)
4. If it is a prayer language, there is a place to pray. (Matthew 6:6)
5. All the gifts must be used to edify the church, not the individual. (1 Corinthians 14:4–5, 26)
6. No one has all the gifts, but the Church is to be a body. (1 Corinthians 12:27–30)
7. For those who believe prophecy is a gift that is active today, the rules of a prophet apply. (Deuteronomy 18:20–22)
Eternal Security
You can be wrong about this and continue to be a Christian. This is not a salvation issue.
Some people have an Arminian background.
-They believe that salvation can be gained and lost.
-Arminians do not believe that a bad decision means you lose your salvation.
-The way you can tell a person is a Christian is by their fruit (growth).
Biblical References: Luke 15; Romans 11:22–23; Hebrews 6:4–7; 2 Peter 2:20
Some people have a Calvinist background.
-They believe that salvation cannot be lost.
-Calvinists do not believe you can do whatever you want and be a Christian.
-If a person is not showing fruit and growth then they were never saved at all.
Biblical References: John 10:28; Romans 8:29–30; 1 John 2:9
Either bent leads to knowing people are Christians by their fruit. In our church we encourage everyone to grow in Christ.
Communion
Communion at Southeast is defined as Scripture defines it.
Biblical Reference: I Corinthians 11:23-26
Communion is a memorial.
Communion is a new covenant.
Communion is a proclamation.
When we take it, we do so in a worthy manner.
“Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.” I Corinthians 11:27-28 (NIV1984)
We do this by self-examination.
Do I have any sins to confess? (1 John 1:9)
Do I have any relationships to repair? (Matthew 5:23–24)
Do I need to recommit my life? (Romans 12:1)
At our church, we take communion every week.
We do not believe you have to take communion every week. However, when you do partake in it, do so in a correct manner. (1 Corinthians 11:25–28)
Who should take it?
Only those who believe
We do not recommend that young children, who do not understand salvation and the relationship, take it.
Priesthood of Every Believer
The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to “full-time” Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading. We believe people are called to witness and to minister.
Biblical References: Revelation 1:6, I Peter 2:9
End Times
This is not a salvation issue.
We have people with many views on this issue in our church. Some are premillennial, others are a millennial, and there are various other views. But this is not a salvation issue. We believe that there will be a literal return of Christ, a rapture, and a day of judgment.
People
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Biblical References: Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3–6; Isaiah 53:6; 59:1–2; Romans 3:23
Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
Biblical References: John 3:16; 14:17; Romans 6:23; 8:17–18; 1 Corinthians 2:7–9; Revelation 20:15
Tithing
At Southeast, we practice tithing for the support of Christ’s body, the Church, as God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the biblical standard of giving. Tithing is not just an Old Testament concept.
Biblical References: Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:7-12; Matthew 23:23
Sexuality
Covenant + Marriage Document: Click here for document.