Statement of Faith, Practice and Position

NLAC Statement of Faith and Statement of Practice and Position

Statement of Faith 2025

Northern Light Association on of Churches

Preamble: This Association adopts the Nicene Creed, which follows, as our expression of the essentials of

the Christian faith, believing that these statements describe the non-negotiables for our members. We

offer the “Statement of Practice and Position” as further clarification of our values and doctrines.

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven:

by the power of the Holy Spirit

he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,

and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified

under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

in accordance with the scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory

to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father.

With the Father and the Son

he is worshipped and glorified.

He has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism

for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Statement of Practice and Position 2025

Preamble

The Association sets forth these values and doctrines as a way of describing our efforts at promoting unity in our current understandings of how we may apply the teaching of Scripture to our corporate and individual lives. We expect that these expressions will be reviewed and updated as we mature and learn in our ongoing transformation into the image of Christ.

1. THE ESSENCE OF SALVATION

We believe that only through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God offers salvation from the dominion of sin, death and evil--and offers a new way of life to all people. We receive God’s salvation when we confess and repent of sin and receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. In Christ, we are reconciled to God and brought into the reconciling community of God’s people. We place our faith in God that, by the same power that raised Christ from the dead, we may be saved from the power of sin to follow the way of Christ in this life and to know the fullness of salvation in the age to come.

2. THE SCRIPTURES

We believe that all Scripture is inspired by God through the Holy Spirit for instruction in salvation and training in righteousness. We accept the Scriptures as the written record of the Word of God and as the fully-reliable and trustworthy standard for Christian faith and life. We seek to understand and interpret Scripture in harmony with Jesus Christ as we are led by the Holy Spirit in the context of the church.

3. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER CHURCHES

We believe that local gatherings of believers benefit from a larger association with other like-minded churches for the purposes of accountability, oversight, and perspective that protects against the development of isolated independent groups. The congregations of the Association will be self-governing within the guidelines of the Association.

We value unity in the church, and among churches, as a central teaching of the Scriptures. We will “make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” We will do our best to consider our differences through the filters of grace and truth, assigning those discussions and processes to the appropriate categories of creed, doctrine, convictions, or preferences.

Ephesians 4; Philippians 2:1-4; John 17; 1 Corinthians 1:10

4. LEADERSHIP

The local congregations will take steps to raise up Godly leaders with evident giftings and demonstrated integrity, experience and maturity to direct the affairs of the church. Ordination will be at the request of the local body of believers and done with respect for the leadership values and guidelines of the

Association.

5. THE ROLES OF MEN AND WOMEN IN MINISTRY

The Scriptures affirm that redemption in Christ gives men and women equal share in the blessings of the Christian life in the church. Both men and women are equipped for ministry by the Spirit of God who imparts to each one the gifts of the Spirit, as the Spirit wills. We honour women who function as gifted leaders, and believe women play a critical role in the life of our congregations.

The spiritual giftedness and the practical experiences of women and men should be sought out and cultivated for the common good of the church. Local churches are to give careful consideration to the traditional assignment of leadership roles in church history, along with the scriptural passages addressing these matters. The resulting decisions will result in appointing qualified individuals for the ministry roles needed in the local church.

We have chosen to limit the appointment of primary congregational leadership roles—such as lead pastor or chairing leadership teams—to men; therefore, we reserve ministerial licensing and ordination for men.

1 Corinthians 11:3-16; Galatians 3:28; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; 3:2; Titus 1:5; 2:3-5; 1 Peter 3:7

6. CEREMONIES AND SYMBOLS OF CHRISTIAN FAITH

a. Water Baptism

We believe that the baptism of believers with water is a sign of, and a participation in, our cleansing and deliverance from sin. Baptism is also a pledge before the church of our covenant with God to walk in the way of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Believers are baptized into Christ and his body by the Spirit, water, and blood.

Baptism is a testimony to God’s gift of the Holy Spirit and the continuing work of the Spirit in the lives of believers. Through the Spirit we repent and turn toward God in faith. The baptism of the Holy Spirit enables believers to walk in newness of life, to live in community with Christ and the church, to offer Christ’s healing and forgiveness to those in need, to witness boldly to the good news of Christ, and to hope in the sharing of Christ’s future glory.

Baptism by water is a sign that a person has repented, received forgiveness, renounced evil, and died to sin through the grace of God in Christ Jesus. Thus cleansed, believers are incorporated into Christ’s body on earth, the church. Baptism by water is also a pledge to serve Christ and to minister as a member of his body according to the gifts given to each one. (revised from Mennonite Confession)

Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:16-21; Acts 10:44-48; Romans 6:2-6; I Corinthians 12:13; I Peter 3:21

b. The Lord’s Supper

We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a sign by which the church thankfully remembers the new covenant which Jesus established by his death. In this communion meal, the members of the church renew our covenant with God and with each other. As one body, we participate in the life of Jesus Christ given for the redemption of humankind. The Scriptures issue a warning that to participate for other reasons is to dishonour the “body of the Lord.”The Lord’s Supper points to Jesus Christ, whose body was given for us and whose shed blood established the new covenant.

In sharing the bread and cup, each believer remembers the death of Jesus and God’s

act of deliverance in raising Jesus from the dead. As we relive this event with a common meal, we give thanks for all God’s acts of deliverance in the past and present, for the forgiveness of sins, and for God’s continuing grace in our lives.

The supper re-presents the presence of the risen Christ in the church. As we partake of the communion of the bread and cup, the gathered body of believers shares in the body and blood of Christ and recognizes again that its life is sustained by Christ, the bread of life.

Matthew 26:17-29; Luke 22:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 10:16-17; 11:17-34

c. Anointing the Sick with Oil

We believe that anointing the sick with oil is a symbol of healing established in Scripture. It is not the oil that heals, but the prayer of faith offered in accordance with God's will. The object of that faith is the Lord who has the ability to bring the healing whether physical, emotional or spiritual. The oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit and of the healing power of the Lord who may heal by miraculous or medical intervention.

The sick person is to call for the leaders of the church to anoint with oil. Together with these leaders the sick person commits his or her entire situation into the hands of the Lord. If healing does occur as requested, it is a sign pointing toward the complete healing and redemption of the body at the resurrection of the saints at the end of the age. If healing does not occur as requested, it is a sign pointing toward the all-sufficiency of God's grace in this present age.

Matthew 8:1–17; 26:39; 2 Corinthians 12:7–10; James 5:13–18; Isaiah 38:21; John 5:14; 9:3; Romans 8:23; James 5:13-16

7. THE LORD’S DAY

We believe that in the fourth commandment we have the principle of one day of rest in seven. During the New Testament period, the first day of the week was designated as the Lord’s Day. It commemorated the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. On the Lord’s Day, Christians worship the Lord, teach the Scriptures, have fellowship and refresh themselves in body and spirit.

Deuteronomy 5:12–15; Exodus 20:8–11; Isaiah 58:13–14; Mark 2:23–27; 16:2; Hebrews 10:23–25; Revelation 1:10

8. CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP

We believe God owns and sustains his creation. He calls us, God’s people, to be trustworthy stewards of creation. Stewardship is demonstrated in our lifestyles, in our relations with the poor and the disadvantaged, in our view of possessions, in our concern for all of God’s creation and in our response to global economic injustice. Biblical stewardship includes faithful proclamation of the Gospel, careful exercise of our gifts and abilities and proper use of our powers, possessions and time, to accomplish God’s will “on earth as it is in heaven.”

Genesis 1:1, 20–21, 28; 2:15, 19; Leviticus 25:23–24; Psalm 8:6–8; 24:1; 104:16–18; Micah 2:1–2; Haggai 2:8; Malachi 3:8–10; Matthew 25:14–30; 28:18–20; Romans 12:3–8; 1 Corinthians 4:1–3; 10:26; 2 Corinthians 8–9; Ephesians 4:7–16; 1 Peter 4:7–11

9. COMMITMENT TO SERVICE

We believe Christian disciples seek to serve rather than to be served. We work to relieve suffering and would rather personally suffer than inflict pain on others. Disciples of Christ commit themselves to righteousness, justice, peace and love, in their homeland and in the global community. Foundational to these commitments is the commitment to verbal proclamation of the Gospel.

Matthew 28:18–20; Mark 10:35–45; John 12:26; Acts 1:8; Galatians 4:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; Hebrews 9:14

10. DEVOTIONAL LIFE

We believe Christians should seek to know God better through studying the Scriptures, through prayer, fasting and Christian service. They should refrain from anything that would dishonour God, bring reproach to the church or exert a harmful influence on others or on themselves.

Joshua 1:8; Matthew 4:2; Acts 17:11; 13:2–3; Romans 12:1–2, 9–21; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 11:2–3; Colossians 3:1–14; 1 Timothy 2:8–10; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; James 3:17–18; 1 Peter 3:1–6; 1 John 3:1–3

11. INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

We call one another to pattern all relationships after that of Christ. He loved others and forgave those who mistreated him. We forgive others their offences, as we wish to be forgiven of our own. We are called to practice the ministry of reconciliation. We are challenged to live among our neighbours in a manner that is blameless and worthy of bearing Christ’s name.

Matthew 4:16–22; 5–7; Acts 11:26; 26:28; Romans 5:5; 12–13, 2 Corinthians 6:14– 7:1; Ephesians 4:32–5:2; Colossians 3:1–17; Titus 2:11–14; 1 Peter 2:13–24; 4:16

12. MARRIAGE AND SINGLENESS

We believe that God intends human life to begin in families and to be blessed through families. Even more, God desires all people to become part of God’s family, the church. As single and married members of the church family give and receive nurture and healing, Christian family relationships can grow toward the wholeness that God intends.All Christians are to take their place within the household of God, where members treat each other as brothers and sisters. We affirm that within the church family, the goodness of being either single or

married is honoured. Families of faith are called to be a blessing to all peoples of the earth. We believe that God intends marriage to be a covenant between one man and one woman for life. Christian marriage is a mutual relationship in Christ, a covenant made in the context of the church. According to Scripture, right sexual union takes place only within the marriage relationship. Marriage is

meant for sexual intimacy, companionship, and the birth and nurture of children.

Genesis 1:27; 2:24; Song of Solomon; Isaiah 54-5-7; Hosea 2:19; Matthew 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-12; 1 Corinthians 7:39; Ephesians 5:22-33; Revelation 19:7

13. THE CHRISTIAN HOME

We affirm that a Christian home is where Christ is Lord of the essential values governing a household, and where both the celibate Christian and the heterosexual, married Christian may thrive. It is a place of security and peace; a place to learn to work, play and plan together. In the home, members are to regard one another as equals before the Lord, while honouring the created uniqueness of the sexes. The Christian home has no place for any person abusing, dominating, controlling, intimidating or manipulating other people. Rather, it is a place where there is honour for one another, and where all practice serving and submitting to one another “in the fear of the Lord.”

The home is a sanctuary for children and adults, where no harm or offence is tolerated. It is a place where children learn obedience and respect for elders, and where all grow in wisdom and in knowledge.

Genesis 1:27; 2:18, 24; Deuteronomy 6:4–9; Malachi 2:13–16; Matthew 5:31–32; 19:4–12; Mark 10:1– 12; 1 Corinthians 6:12–20; 7:7–9; 32–38; 2 Corinthians 6:14–16; Ephesians 5:21–6:4

14. DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE

We believe that God intends marriage to be affirmed in community as a covenant between one man and one woman, for life. We affirm that, at its best, marriage is a holy and honourable image of the covenant relationship between Jesus Christ and his body, the Church. When sin, such as unfaithfulness, adultery, abuse or desertion seeks to destroy a marriage, we call on the church community to protect the vulnerable from any harm, to encourage repentance, to hold abusers accountable, and to report any crime to proper authorities.

With love, wisdom and discretion, we diligently seek the reconciliation of damaged marriages, the protection of individuals and the emotional health of all—by every godly means available. We receive all who would seek God with us in whatever marital state they are in, whether single, divorced, or remarried.

We call on local church pastors, overseers, and elders to discern by the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures how best to affirm recovering individuals in singleness or remarriage—through counselling, abundant grace, living truth, and a hopeful future.

Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Malachi 2:13-16; Matt. 5:31,32; 19:3-12; Mark 10:1-12; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 7

15. HUMAN SEXUALITY

We believe that God designed humans as male and female with innate desires for emotional and physical intimacy with other humans. Our goal is that these legitimate, human desires are rewardingly fulfilled in the context of family and the church. Ideally, all our desires for intimacy are surrendered to, and bounded by, the overriding desire to abide in Christ and to being transformed into Christ’s image.

We understand the Scriptures to bless and permit sexual relationships only within the marriage of one man to one woman. We also affirm that one’s gender identity is best determined by one’s sexual identity at birth, except in rare circumstances.

We believe that God’s moral directives call us out of heterosexual or homosexual forms of lust, pornography, fornication, emotional and physical adultery, and any abusive or addictive behaviours. We try to follow the example of Jesus as we lovingly receive and care for those with complicated sexual

histories or impulses. We intend to create a safe community where the pursuit of holiness is an inspiring concept rather than a condemning weight. Through grace, we attempt to win the hearts of those whose inclinations are in conflict with God’s idea of morality, and to initiate conversations that offer hope and

deeper levels of freedom and healing. We believe that God’s grace is abundantly adequate to heal our past and to transform our minds, our hearts, our impulses, and our desires for the future.

Leviticus 18:22; Matthew 5:27-30; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17

16. SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE

We believe God created each human being in His image. All human life is sacred. Therefore, any actions and words which communicate anything about the status, dignity or value of any human being reflect on the intentions of our Creator. We respect life at all stages and do not participate in the arbitrary termination of human life—such as through abortion, infanticide, murder, warfare, capital punishment, suicide, or euthanasia. We also reject hatred, slander, gossip, and derogatory racial and ethnic comments of any kind. These

violate the innate dignity and honour of human beings bearing the image of the Creator.

Gen. 1:1, 2628; 2:7; 5:13; Job 10:812; 33:4; Ps.127:3; I Cor. 6:19;

http://www.openbible.info/topics/the_sanctity_of_life

17. THE STATE

We believe that God has instituted human government. We also believe this arrangement of government includes two basic functions: directing the interactions of society and serving as God’s agent of justice for wrongdoing. We seek to judge all matters concerning the Christian and the state by carefully applying the Scriptures and the counsel of the church community.

Matthew 4:8–10; 5:39–48; Luke 4:5–8; John 12:31; 16:11; 18:36; Acts 4:19; 5:29; Romans 12–14; 1Timothy 2:1–3; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13–17; 1 John 5:19; Revelation 13

18. ALLEGIANCES, CONFLICT, AND THE MILITARY

We affirm our first allegiance to Christ as reigning King of an everlasting Kingdom. We consider allegiance to be a form of worship, and therefore allegiance to an earthly empire seems a primary conflict of interest. We caution against surrendering one’s life and options to the sovereign orders of any earthly empire. In the model of Christ, we are called to love our enemies, to do good to those that hate us, to overcome evil with good and, as much as possible, to live peaceably with all. Further, Christ calls us to promote peace and reconciliation between nations, classes, tribes, groups, and individuals.

As allegiant members of his kingdom, we encourage all to follow Christ’s example by extending love, humanitarian aid, and the truth of the Gospel to all people regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or national allegiance. Even at the risk of life itself, we extend love to every human and alleviate suffering, overcoming evil with good Sincere Christians have conscientious differences in their applications of the teaching of the Scriptures with reference to their responsibility to human government as citizens, both in times of war and times

of peace. We exercise tolerance and understanding, and respect the individual conscience with regard to participation in law enforcement or military service.

Matthew 5:38-48; John 18:36; Romans 5:5; 12:18-21; 1 Corinthians 6:1-8; 2 Corinthians 10:3, 4; James2:8; 1 Peter 2:23; 4:1

19. SOCIETIES AND CULTS

We believe Christians are not to become part of any organizations where oaths or secret vows are required for membership or where such membership might foster the formation of intimate alliances with unbelievers. Christians should be alert and discerning in order to avoid involvement in cults and in the occult.

Matthew 7:15; John 3:21; Acts 19:17–20; 2 Corinthians 6:14–18; Ephesians 5:8–13; 1 Timothy 4:7; James 5:12; 1 John 4:1–2; 2 John 7

20. LAWSUITS

We believe Christians should take seriously what the Scriptures teach about lawsuits and strive to deal

redemptively with victims and offenders, working for restitution and reconciliation. We believe

Christians are not to initiate any lawsuits which would violate the principle of love.

Matthew 5:38–48; Romans 12:17–21; 1 Corinthians 6:1–11; 1 Peter 2:19–21