WHAT WE BELIEVE
BIBLICAL AUTHORITY: The Bible is the highest source of written authority for God's plan for His people; it reveals how to live out that plan, individually and corporately. Beliefs, practices and priorities are to be anchored in clear biblical teachings.
CHRISTLIKENESS: Jesus Christ is the defining feature of God's will for all humankind. In Christ is found the highest and most practical meaning and clearest example for holy living or godliness. Christ is both example and strength as Christians pursue integrity, excellence, faith, hope and love.
DISCIPLE-MAKING: Making disciples is a clear mandate from Christ. We believe that "any person who enters our doors deserves the right to be discipled." This requires a strong focus on training in spiritual growth, holy living, and evangelism. Done effectively, this will produce and promote growth and health in and among the people of the church.
LOCAL COMMUNITY CENTERED: It is critical that the local churches and believers impact their communities with their faith and witness of the Lord. The need for the church to be exteriorly focused is critical. The unbelieving world will never have the hope believers have in Christ Jesus unless the church is involved in the community.
SERVANT LEADERSHIP: Respected leadership realizes that authority and effectiveness of spiritual leadership is not primarily bestowed, but earned and manifested by a loving and willing heart of obedience that serves God and mankind gladly. The Lord calls us all to serve one another and it is exemplified "from the top down."
MINISTRY INVOLVEMENT: Believers need to be servants and encouragers with their faith into the lives of others, both locally and globally. Involvement in ministry is healthy for the volunteer, the one ministered to, to strengthen the church, and for the growth of the Kingdom.
UNITY IN DIVERSITY: There is intrinsic value in every person. Unity becomes all the more important and beautiful in light of the wide ranges of difference in personality, culture, race, talents, and perspectives. Loving each other eliminates devaluation and deprivation of life to one another.
CULTURAL RELEVANCE: Open Arms Church is called to serve this community, right here, right now. The Church respects and builds on its past without becoming its slave. Believers must be "culturally informed" for the sake of reaching people for Christ, but not "cultural captives," in the sense of surrendering core values, beliefs and behaviors.