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The Porch is driven by seeing lives change.  We want to do this by fulfilling the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. Our values are shaped by these two things.  We are not in the business of asking, "How far we can go before we have sinned?"  Instead, we choose to set up some guard rails to avoid sin!  To see our beliefs click here.

Great Commission -             

We want to win disciples and teach them to follow/obey Christ!

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” - Matt 28:9-20

Great Commandment -         

We want to intentionally love God and others the best we can!  We love sinners but hate sin. 

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’- Matt 22:37-39

Sanctification-         

God's will for us is to grow in Christ-likeness. 

So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. - Heb 6:1

Sex, Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco -   

Our bodies are the Temple of God, we want to be holy because He is holy, we do not want to cause others to sin, and our lives should be a light to the world as we represent Christ!  As with anything questionable, we should avoid these things and remain pure.  Also, our bodies are to be treated as the temple of God. 

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. - Phil 1:27

(Also see 1 Cor 6:18-20, Rom 14:13, Rom 14:23,1 Pet 1:15, Matt 5:14, Rom 13:13)

Serving -           

Even Jesus came to serve! (see vision)

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. - Matt 20:28

Fellowship -           

We need each other! (see vision)

I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. - John 17:21

Be Happy -           

Christians have more reason to be happy than anyone else! Eternal life!

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! - Psalms 32:1-2

Be Nice -           

We want to create a warm and accepting environment for those visiting!

But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. - Titus 3:5

THE HOT TOPICS

Abortion -          

Abortion is wrong!  Just like any other sin, you can be forgiven through repentance and faith in Jesus. 

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” - Jer 1:5, Ex 20:13

Marriage -   

Marriage is for one man and one woman.  Any sex outside of marriage is sin.  Divorce is not God's desire but permitted in cases of adultery. 

But ‘God made them male and female’ from the beginning of creation. ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”- Mark 10:6-9  (see beliefs)

Homosexuality -          

Homosexuality not God's design for sex and is a sin.  Just like any other sin, you can be forgiven through repentance and faith in Jesus. 

“Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin." - Lev 18:22

Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. - 1 Cor 6:9-10

Politics -          

We are focused on seeing lives change by people choosing to follow and continuing to follow Christ.  Although there are good causes to stand for, we will not take a political stance as of now.

End Times -            

We realized we are not the planning committee for the return of Christ, but the welcome committee!  Rather than try to figure out when Christ will return, our focus is to help the lost be found before He comes. 

However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. - Mark 13:32

Baptism of the Spirit -          

At the moment of belief or conversion, the believer is "indwelled" permanently with the Holy Spirit.  Throughout our lives we are commanded to be "filled with" or surrendered to the Spirit.  We do not believe in baptism of the Spirit as a second, post-conversion event.   (see beliefs on salvation/baptism)

But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. - 1 Cor 12:13

Gifts of the Spirit -         

The Spirit gives every believer certain gifts in order to build God's church and kingdom!  Each gift should be used in the proper time/place, in an orderly manner and should strengthen the church!  Speaking in tongues should not be done in public without a translator.


A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. - 1 Cor 12:7, 14:19, 12:33

Women Pastors -         

Men and women are created equal and have different roles.  Women can be used in ministry, lead small groups and even teach!  Women are not to be Pastors. 

I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result. - 1 Tim 2:12-14

Creation/Evolution -         

Nothing "just happened."  God created it all.  He created man and woman (not as apes but men).

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth........So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.- Gen 1:1, 26


The Problem of Evil -         

God has allowed evil to provide a choice.  God can bring good even out of evil events.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. - Rom 8:28

Then Job replied to the LORD: “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.  You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. - Job 42:1-3

Reincarnation/ Purgatory -         

No where in the bible are we told we get a second chance.  Our only second chance is NOW!

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment... - Heb 9:27

Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. - 2 Cor 5:8

Praying to Mary/Saints -         

We have only one mediator for our prayers (Jesus).  We are to pray to God only, through Jesus.

 I am the LORD; that is my name!  I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor share my praise with carved idols. - Isa 42:8

 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. - 2 Cor 5:8