We believe that there are essential beliefs and non-essential beliefs. Most of the time people get caught up in the non-essentials and miss the point of why Jesus came and what He did for us. In the non-essentials, we have liberty. We don’t expect or want everyone to think exactly the same about every issue of theology or doctrine. There are, however, several essentials that we believe, as a church, we must be unified around and support wholeheartedly. These are the essentials:

The Bible is…

the divine revelation of God to mankind

our fixed source of authority for faith and conduct

without error and endurable for all generations and cultures

(2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21, Psalm 119:160)

God is…

eternal, having always existed outside of time and space

a single Being consisting of three Persons – Father, Son, & Holy Spirit

(Genesis, 1:1,26-27, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19, Luke 3:22)

Jesus is…

eternal Son of God

conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin

the only one who can ultimately restore mankind from sin

crucified, raised from the dead, ascended and seated with the Heavenly Father

(Revelation 1:8, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:31, 35, Hebrews 7:26, 1 Peter 2:22, Acts 2:22, 1 Corinthians 15:3, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 8:16-17, James 5:14-16, Matthew 28:6, Luke 24:39, 1 Corinthians 6:14, 15:4, Acts 1:9, 11, 2:33, Philippians 2:9-11, Hebrews 1:3)

The Holy Spirit is…

the one who makes people aware of their need of Jesus

available to empower the believer to live the Christian life more victoriously

(John 16:7-13, 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, Ephesians 1:13, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Romans 8:16, Luke 24:49, Acts 8:12-17, 19:1-7, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, Acts 10:44-46)

Mankind is…

made in the spiritual image of God

fallen from innocence due to a willful choice to do wrong

destined for eternal separation from God

provided an opportunity to have a restored relationship with God through Christ

invited to accept Christ, repent of sin, and get a fresh start

(Genesis 1:26-30, 3:8-9, Genesis 3:6-24, Romans 3:23, 5:12-19, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:3, 16, Acts 20:21, Romans 5:1, 1 John 1:9, Titus 2:11-13, 3:5-6, Romans 8:38-39, John 10:29, 2 Timothy 1:12, 1 Peter 1:3-5, John 15:6, 1 Peter 1:16, Hebrews 12:14, Revelation 22:19, Luke 8:13, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 13:12, 1 Peter 1:16, Romans 6:1-11, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:12-13)

The Church is…

the body of Christ, including all Christ-followers on a three-fold mission of upreach, inreach, and outreach

respectful of two ordinances – water baptism and The Lord's Table (Holy Communion)

(Ephesians 4:16, Galatians 3:28-29, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Matthew 22:37-38, Ephesians 4:11-11-13, Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 28:19, Acts 10:47-48, Romans 6:4, 1 Corinthians 11:26, 2 Peter 1:4)

The Future is…

hopeful for those ready for the soon-coming return of Christ

bright for the Christian because of eternal life with God

subject to God's own time and God's own way

(1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 22:12-13, Romans 8:23, Titus 2:13, 2 Peter 3:13, John 14:2-3, Revelation 21:1-7, 22:5, Mark 9:43-48, Revelation 20:11-15, Matthew 25:46)

Journey Church is affiliated with the Assemblies of God, an international network of churches united in theology and mission. This network of churches is a cooperative fellowship - that encourages self-government. While the churches are self-governing, the Assemblies of God credentials pastors for the sake of accountability - ensuring moral, ethical, and theological standards outlined in Scripture.

Statement on Issues beyond the 16 Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God

Journey Church’s Bylaws state, “Since Journey maintains cooperative fellowship with the Ohio Ministry Network, Journey shall affirm and adopt the Statement of Fundamental Truths articulated by the Ohio Ministry Network itemized in Appendix A.”

In addition to the Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God, Journey Church’s Board of Stewards has adopted the following views regarding sexuality, marriage, human life, and final authority.

Statement on Sexuality

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary sexes together reflect the image and nature of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.

We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Journey Church.

Statement on Marriage

We believe the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Gen. 2:18-25). We believe that marriage between one man and one woman, for life, uniquely reflects Christ’s relationship with His Church (Eph. 5:21-33). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4). We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.

We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, cohabitation, homosexual behavior, rejection of one’s biological sex or use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God (Matt. 15:18-20; 1 Cor. 6:9-10).

We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11).

Statement on the Sanctity of Human Life

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Ps. 139.)

Statement of Final Authority

Final Authority for Matters of Belief and Conduct

The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Journey Church’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Board of Stewards is Journey Church’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s application.

Revision Date: March 10, 2024