What We Believe

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“What we believe” is a loaded statement.  For many, visiting this section of a church website is about one of two questions: ‘Do they believe what I believe?’ or ‘Is this a safe place for me to worship and be my true self?’

Our beliefs are as diverse as the gathering of people who worship here.  We center ourselves around the love and grace of Jesus.  We anchor our discussions in the Bible, which is a wonderful but complex resource.  We believe the Bible is the truth in what it intends to teach us (but we humbly admit that sometimes we miss what it really intends to teach us.)

This is a safe, inclusive place that might not have all the answers; but it is a place to live into the deeper questions of faith and life.

To follow in the way of Jesus by doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)

Our vision is articulated by three values or guiding principles.  These three phrases are a good description of both who we are as a community, and also who we strive to be.

• Authentic Relationships
• The Courage to have Tough Conversations
• Erring on the Side of Grace

The Community Church in Ada is a body of Christ-followers which strives to develop authentic relationships in a manner that errs on the side of grace and inclusivity. 

We believe that faithful study of scripture can yield a diversity of perspectives on life’s difficult questions, such as how those scriptures apply to modern life, human sexuality, and paths to relationship with God.  

Rather than avoiding our differences, we courageously engage difficult conversations. Rather than letting our differences divide us, we celebrate our diversity and courageously trust the Holy Spirit to lead us into unity that goes beyond uniformity.

People from all races, ethnicities, economic circumstances, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, methods of biblical interpretation, and expressions of faith who seek to follow in the way of Christ are fully welcome to participate in all offices and aspects of the life of The Community Church in Ada. 

Adopted February 10th, 2020

As a Reformed Congregation, we also share and use confessions of faith and creeds to more deeply understand the relationship between God, and God’s people.

As tools of understanding, we use the Apostle’s Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. We also recognize the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dordt, and the Confession of Belhar.

The Community is a ministry of the Reformed Church in America. We seek to be “Reformed and always reforming,” earnestly seeking to know the mind of Christ as we strive to be faithful in a changing, complex, and often troubled world.