Scripture, the Living Words of God
1All Scripture is given by the Holy Spirit
Scripture is the living words of God, given to us through the Holy Spirit and revealing the living Word of God, Jesus Christ
2All Scripture is God-breathed
- Scripture reveals God’s eternal plan of salvation for mankind and planet Earth
- Scripture reveals the Person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ to the world, in both the Old Testament and the New Testament
3Scripture is the final authority on all matters pertaining to life
- Where scripture is clear (without ambiguity) on a matter, scripture is the final authority.
4Scripture is our only user manual for teaching and leading
- 2 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV) “...setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.”
5Scripture is always clear on matters that are fundamental to our faith
- Fundamental matters have a number of references
- Where there appears to be a contradiction that can’t be explained, we hold the matter as a mystery, believing it to be held by the scriptures in perfect tension. Accordingly, we discourage division in the body over such matters
6Scripture guides our guidance
Scripture directs our
practice
7Scripture is easily understood by all who are willing to apply their minds to its instruction and wisdom.
8All of Scripture is our Emphasis
- New Scriptural Emphasis is more about restoring truth lost than a new revelation
- Scripture has the vision and focus of the Holy Spirit and ought to be the vision & focus of every church.
Statement of Faith
Biblical Emphases of Restored Truth
The Unity of the Godhead ‑ Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deut 6:4,Mat 28:19, 2 Cor 13:14)
God eternally exists in three persons ‑ Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. Begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true Man
The Sovereignty of God in creation, revelation, redemption and final judgment. (Gen 1:1, Heb 1:1‑2, Titus 3:4‑5, Acts 17:31)
The Complete Inspiration of the Old and New Testaments in their original form and their entire trustworthiness and supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (2 Tim 3:16, 2 Pet 1:21, 1 Cor 2:13)
Mans Fallen Condition through Adams transgression, rendering him subject to Gods wrath and condemnation. (Rom 5:12, 2 Thes 1:7‑9)
God created man in His own image: that man sinned and thereby incurred the penalty of death, physical and spiritual; and that all human beings inherit a sinful nature, which issues in actual transgression involving personal guilt.
Redemption from Sin solely through the sacrificial and propitiating death of our Lord Jesus. (Rom 3:25‑26, 5:15‑21, 2 Cor 5:19, Mk 10:45)
- We believe that Jesus Christ came to set all people free from sin & death. (John 8:34‑36)
- We believe that there is saving power in no other name, but the name of Jesus. It is only in & by His power that we are able to live a life that is pleasing to God. (John 14:6)
The Bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and His Ascension to the right hand of the Father in glory. (1 Cor 15:4, Heb 8:1)
The Holy Spirit as the Divine Agent through whom lost and sinful man is regenerated, and by whom the believer is empowered for life and service. (Jn 3:5‑6, Rom 8:9, 2 Thes 2:13)
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
- Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the means by which we are empowered to be effective members of the body of Christ. It is both initial and ongoing.
The Justification of the Sinner by the Grace of God through Faith alone. (Gal 2:16, Eph 2:8‑9)
The Priesthood of all Believers where everyone who is a Christian stands as a priest before God. (1 Peter 2:5,9; Rev 1:6;5:10; 20:6)
The Return of Jesus Christ to Earth in power and glory. (Acts 1:11,Heb 9:28, 2 Pet 3:10)
The Final Judgment where God will Judge the Living & the Dead through Jesus Christ, some to eternal life & others to eternal destruction.(Acts 17:31; Rom 2:16; 2Tim 4:1; Matt 13:49‑50)
Financial Controls & Procedures
The following is an explanation of the financial controls and procedures in place at Liberty Church to both protect the integrity of the church and give confidence to all of the people who continue to give so generously.
1Directors & Trustees
Currently, there are five people who serve on Liberty’s Board of Directors and Trustees. Each of Liberty’s directors are elders with some having more than 10 years of experience as elders. Two of the directors/elders serve on the NCMI team with which we partner.
2Biblical Governance and Leadership
1 Timothy 5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church ...(NIV)
The Biblical view of governance and leadership is that elders direct the affairs of the church. Therefore all directors from a biblical point of view, need to be Elders. This also means directors require the biblical qualification of eldership in order to serve the church as a director.
Elders/Directors are Pastors
1 Peter 5:1-2 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds {poimainō} of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; (NIV)
Pastor and Elder are used interchangeably throughout the scripture. If a person is an elder in a church they are also a pastor biblically. Therefore, all directors are elders/pastors.
3Liberty Church Directors and Trustees
Kirk Slow (Liberty Church)- Director/Chairman - kirkslow@gmail.com
Scott Reid (Liberty Church) - Director/Treasurer – scottsreid@gmail.com
Prince Ehoro (Liberty Church) - Director - ehoro15@yahoo.co.uk
Marcus Herbert (Cornerstone Church) Director/Vice-President - mtherbert@gmail.com
Zachary Martin - Director
4Budget
The Chairman of Liberty Church produces a budget near the end of each year identifying all projected church incomes and expenses (including salaries and accompanying deductions) for the upcoming year.
The budget is set in harmony with Liberty’s Statement of Purpose: “to advance and teach the religious tenets, observances and culture associated with Christian Evangelical Faith.” The budget is presented to Liberty’s Board of Directors and Trustees for approval by all of its directors. After the budget is approved, only expenses that fall within the confines of the budget are allowed. If it becomes necessary to spend outside of the budget’s limitations, ratification (approval) of each additional expenditure must be obtained from all of the board’s directors before the expenditure is permitted.
5Control Of Collections And Expenditures
Each Sunday, tithes and offerings received by Liberty Church are counted and documented by a member of Liberty’s Collections team. This member then forwards the collections to a person who will deposit the funds but who is not involved in the initial counting of the collection.
Once the deposit have been made the person depositing the money forwards the deposit slips & documents to the person responsible for accounts. This person is responsible for reconciling all deposit slips and collections documents. Once this is done all the documentation is forwarded to a bookkeeper for producing all the necessary accounting and reports.
6Control Of Collections And Expenditures
The Chairman of Liberty Church produces a budget near the end of each year identifying all projected church incomes and expenses (including salaries and accompanying deductions) for the upcoming year.
7Financial Reports
Liberty’s yearly financial report is presented to its Board of Directors and Trustees for review when the church’s yearly budget is reviewed and approved. The financial report can be examined by going to the CRA website, http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/menu-eng.html, and initiating a search for Liberty Church.