WHAT WE BELIEVE

Rooted in Scripture. Centered on Christ. Called to Love.

At Lake Erie Church, our faith is more than what we believe—it’s how we live. We are committed to growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ, building meaningful connections, and sharing God’s love with our community.

Our beliefs guide how we worship, serve, and do life together.

Affirmation of Faith-We believe in and choose to pursue the God of the Bible

• We believe in and worship one God eternally existent in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
• God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
• God, the Son, our one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who for our eternal salvation became incarnate from the Virgin Mary and was made a human being; for our sins he was crucified, suffered death, was buried, and on the third day was resurrected; he ascended into heaven and from there shall come again in glory to judge the living and the dead;
• God, the Holy Spirit, through whose presence and power come regeneration and empowerment for ministry.
• We believe the Bible is inspired by God, an open invitation to all people, and, for me, provides authoritative guidance for my faith and conduct. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Affirmation of Faith-We will seek to pursue our identity in Christ as described in the Bible

• We will seek spiritual maturity through regular Bible engagement, participating in worship and prayer with others, and being involved in a local Christian church.
  (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 10:25)
• We will seek to be involved in ministering to the needs of others, both within and beyond our communities.
  (Hebrews 10:24; Luke 10:25-37; James 1:27)
• We will seek to show respect for all people without distinction, for each is created in God’s image.
  (Genesis 1:27; Galatians 3:28)
• We will seek to increasingly display the Spirit’s fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
  (Galatians 5:22-23)
• We will seek to resist temptations of deception, malicious speech, stealing, cheating others, and dishonoring our bodies through substance abuse, objectifying or taking advantage of other people.
  (Galatians 5:16-21; Colossians 3:5-11)
• We will seek to refrain from sexual activity outside of the marriage covenant prescribed and exemplified in the Bible: “a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife, and the two will become one,” symbolizing the relationship between Christ and His Church.
  (Matthew 19:5; Ephesians 5:31)
• We view marriage as a human symbol of the relationship between Christ and His Church, and we choose to honor the covenant of marriage as a lifelong commitment. We choose to pursue all reasonable avenues of reconciliation should spouses have unresolved conflict.
  (Malachi 2:13-16; Matthew 5:31-32)
• We acknowledge that every person sins (engaging in conduct that falls short of God’s standards), and seek to rejoice in God’s unconditional love and forgiveness of all repentant sinners.
  (Romans 3:23; Ephesians 1:7)
• We will seek to treat all persons with love and respect, even if we disagree with their values, attitudes, and behaviors.
  (1 Peter 2:17; Matthew 7:12)
• When relational conflict arises, regardless of fault we seek to follow a biblical process for correction, forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration.
  (Matthew 5:23-24, 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 6:1-6)
• We believe that seeking unity in the pursuit of Christ makes possible the unity of our collective ministry.

At Lake Erie Church, we believe faith is meant to be lived out together. Whether you’re exploring faith for the first time, returning to church, or looking for a place to call home, there’s a place for you here.