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The Bible translations issue needs a balanced approach.
At this time we teach and preach from the Authorized Version. We believe the KJV is an accurate translation God has used for many years. But we also believe it’s important not to let the controversy over versions become our main focus and become an unnecessary point of division. So we’ve decided not to make it a major issue even though we have studied the manuscript issue.
We think it’s acceptable for Christians to have other translations and use them. But we also believe that one will need to exercise caution. For example, one version we approach with caution is NIV. It’s a helpful thought-for-thought paraphrase which can be especially helpful in reading Old Testament narratives, but it does have some problems. Click here for cautions on the NIV: www.trinitarianbiblesociety.org/site/articles/niv.asp
The ESV differs from the NIV in that it is a literal translation rather than a dynamic translation (paraphrase). While there is some debate about some of the manuscripts used in its translation, many have found the ESV to be helpful. The New King James version (NKJV) can be helpful for those who like the King James but struggle with some of the words.
Because God did not address the issue of translations in the Bible itself, we won’t bind God by saying other translations cannot be used by Him to carry out his purposes. It’s been well-said that God has often used a crooked stick to draw a straight line. God has used many imperfect men to translate Bibles that have been used to draw many Himself.
Looking for a great study Bible? One of our favorites is the Life Application Study Bible. It comes in KJV and NKJV, and contains many helpful notes that help the reader understand the Word of God in it’s context.
The church ought to be a tight-knit community.
According to 1 Corinthians 12, the gathering of people we call the church, is one body. This means we are connected to each other and have a responsibility to minister to each other. When one hurts we all hurt and when one is glad we’re all glad.
Every one of us needs the accountability and the ministry that the other members of the body can supply. Read 1 Corinthians 12. It’s clear.
There’s a special beauty in quiet, humble worship.
The music in our church is quite simple. We sing some songs from hymn books and some off our screen. While we sing many hymns, we don’t hold to the philosophy that just because they’re old they’re good. Some old hymns aren’t good. Some reflect bad doctrine and some have little substance. We don’t use those.
We also don’t believe that all new songs are bad. There’s a new generation of godly, Spirit-filled songwriters who understand that much of the music written in the last 20 years had very little value. These new writers are bringing the focus back where it belongs...Jesus Christ and God’s saving work. When we find a song that fits with our message we’re not afraid to use it.
As to contemporary styles, we understand that drums are acceptable in some contexts, but we have chosen not to use them in our worship services. We avoid the entertainment-based worship experience that tends to cater to passions and create a performer/spectator-based service. In a performer/spectator-based worship service, church members have a tendency to watch others worship on the platform instead of being actively engaged in all the aspects of worship themselves.
There is a special beauty, reverence, and joy in simple and humble worship. We want to make Jesus Christ and the wonder of God's salvation the main focus of our music.
Because we are cautious in our worship music does not mean we expect people to listen to only the same music in their homes. There’s a wide variety of musical tastes in our people and there’s nothing wrong with that. Of course, as with all areas of life, we should make sure our music does not speak favorably of the kinds of activities and thought patterns that would not please God.
We're not going to make this common mistake.
One of the easiest mistakes to make in our walk with God is to think that if we can keep a list of all the do’s and don’ts that we’ll gain acceptance with God and others. But God doesn’t see it that way and neither should we. When God draws us to Himself and saves us He “declares us righteous” and accepts us. The biblical term for this is justification. God didn’t say we first had to reach a certain level of goodness and then He would save us. We come to Him as we are.
And God did not say we need to maintain a certain level of spirituality in order to have a continuing relationship with Him. If we have put all our trust in Him, He still accepts us. Of course God wants us to live clean but He doesn’t write us off when we sin. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For He knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:13-14 ESV).
Many Christians have made the mistake of “living by the list.” They have reduced their relationship with God to a list of do’s and don’ts just like the Pharisees. Christians who live like this will ultimately realize that it doesn’t work and some will quit in frustration.
So, as a church, we’re not going to make that mistake. We’re going to place the emphasis on our relationship with God. Yes, we want to live clean. Yes, we want to please Him and we’ll try to walk in obedience, but we’re not going to expect that it gains us any status with God when we do.
Spiritual gifts ought to be used to minister to each other.
God has given spiritual gifts to each of His children (See 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12). As His children, we are expected to use those gifts to minister to others who are part of the church body.
Understanding your spiritual gift is not really all that complex. We believe your first step is to seek and love the Lord with all your heart (Matthew 22:37-38). He must be your first love. After that, you will find that you naturally want to serve the Lord and people. The things you want to do are probably your spiritual gifts and they will naturally flow out of your love for God and others. Further, God will provide the opportunities for you to minister to others using your gifts. (Of course you'll still want to study 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 for more insight and help on your gift.)
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