Emmanuel Bible Church

Sections

• About EBC ...
• Statement of Faith
• Elder's Corner
• Rachel's Promise
• Missions Committee Doings - 2008

About EBC ...

We are a non-denominational, independent local church in Schooley's Mountain, NJ (Long Valley/Hackettstown area).

We are committed to teaching the whole counsel of God through a consecutive and systematic exposition of Scripture.

We seek to encourage the expression of genuine Christian fellowship through home Bible studies, corporate prayer, and a weekly observance of the Lord's Supper.

The church was incorporated in 1977 and our present building was dedicated in 1991.

We emphasize the importance of:

Biblical Teaching

We are committed to teaching the whole counsel of God through a consecutive and systematic exposition of Scripture (Acts 20:27). We are people of the Book and study everything God has said for the sake of obedience (John 14:21). The Scripture is our final authority in all areas of life and worship (Luke 6:46). We promote an attitude of eagerness in learning God's Word (Jeremiah 15:16; Proverbs 27:7; 2 Timothy 2:15).

Pastoral Ministry

We are devoted to a people-centered pastoral ministry in which a plurality of elders shepherds the congregation individually and encourages its members to minister personally to one another (Acts 20:28). Members are encouraged to minister to one another through God's wisdom and power (Romans 15:14). We believe the local church is a healing community where people are healed of spiritual, emotional, physical and relational diseases (Exodus 15:26). Through love and personal caring (Galatians 6:1-2), the Body of Christ builds itself up into spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:16).

Christian Fellowship

We seek to encourage the expression of genuine Christian fellowship through such means as corporate worship, home Bible studies, weekly prayer meetings, weekday prayer and accountability groups, and a weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:42). Consistent fellowship with other believers is necessary for steady growing in the faith (Proverbs 27:17; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Twelve core values that capture our vision at EBC

1. The Glory of God ought to be the prime motivation for everything we do as a church.
   Therefore: We ought to purify our motives for all we do.
2. The word of God is the standard of truth and practice for every Christian in the body of Christ.
   Therefore: We ought to submit to it in every area of our lives. The bible ought to be taught in an accurate, practical way and application should be pressed home upon our hearts.
3. The Person and Work of Jesus Christ is the focus of our preaching and teaching about salvation and service to God.
   Therefore: We ought to stay cross-centered in all our thinking and acting.
4. Intimacy with God which comes in relationship with Christ should be our constant and growing passion.
   Therefore: We ought to cultivate our knowledge of God through faith and the various spiritual disciplines.
5. The doctrines of Grace are the precious truths that generate humility, joy, gratitude and awe in our fellowship and community.
   Therefore: We ought to encourage one another with the truths of sovereign grace.
6. A commitment to prayer is the basis of the life and fruitfulness of all our church ministries.
   Therefore: We ought to be in groups committed to prayer.
7. Corporate worship and participation in the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Table are critical for the spiritual health of the believer and the body of Christ.
   Therefore: We ought to regularly be in corporate worship and at the table.
8. A genuine mutual care among our members should be worked out in practical service to one another.
   Therefore: We ought to find ways of serving one another. This will create a loving, authentic, healthy church community that will attract others.
9. Every member should discover, develop and use his spiritual gift(s) for the common good and edification of the other believers in our church.
   Therefore: We ought to find ways of using our gifts and avoid merely attending one service a week.
10. We should be committed to a global perspective of expanding Christ's kingdom in our community and world through evangelism and missions of all kinds.
    Therefore: We ought to love, serve, be hospitable, and fearlessly witness to our neighbors and families to win them to Christ. We should also be committed to getting the gospel to the ends of the earth through various means.
11. Godly marriages and families are critical for the health of the church and the training of the next generation for Christ.
    Therefore: We ought to wisely promote the health of the husband-wife relationship and family-life in every way possible.
12. Servant-leadership should characterize any and all leaders at every level of ministry in the church. Leadership is not for self-exaltation but for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry.
    Therefore: We ought to guard against any 'lording over' in our leadership positions over people, but rather find ways of encouraging them and making their ministries successful in Christ.