Church Charter

Section 1: We believe in the one true Holy God in Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.4 We believe that God created and governs over all things. 5 We believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the Father.6 We believe in the Holy Ghost, who proceeds from the Father and the Son.7

Section 2: We believe that God has revealed Himself to all men through His creation,8 and that He, in His infinite mercy, has revealed Himself in His Word,9 comprised of the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible. We believe the Bible is divinely inspired and inerrant, and as such, is the ultimate Standard for doctrine and practice.10

Section 3: Whereas God has created, owns, and rules all things, it is required of all men to obey His Commandments and serve Him with holiness and thanksgiving.11 The punishment for disobedience to God is death, both temporal and eternal.12 Therefore, when Adam disobeyed God’s command, “sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”13 With Adam’s sin, all mankind has fallen into a state of sin and total depravity, from which they cannot extract themselves by their own works or merits.14

Section 4: Since mankind has transgressed against the Holy, infinite, and perfect God, only infinite holiness and perfection can make recompense. To this end, God sent His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who both lived a perfect life and died a perfect death, to save His people from their sins. Only an infinite Sacrifice, fully God and fully man, could satisfy God’s righteous wrath against sin.15

Section 5: We believe that Christ Jesus has delivered His people from their sin and death and has called and set them apart to be servants of righteousness.16 So Christ has set apart His Bride the Church, that they might turn from sin and live lives of thanksgiving and righteousness, after the Spirit.17 We believe the teaching of Christ Himself, that He is the only way to the Father.18 We believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ,19 and that He ascended into Heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father.20 As He has told us in His Word, He has gone to prepare a place for His Bride and joint-heirs.21 We believe that He will come again, as prophesied in His Word, in the Day of Judgement.22

Section 6: We believe that Christ has instituted His Church so that His Word might be preached and His Sacraments might be administered until all His people are gathered again and He returns.23 We find in His Word the example of the Apostles and the Church in the New Testament, who endeavored towards sound doctrine, unity, and orderliness.24 We believe that God has preserved His Church to present day and has sustained and defended her in His love and faithfulness.25

Section 7: We believe that the history of Christ’s Church is rich and full of value from which we can draw to the modern day. We believe that the early Church was upheld and defended by Christ, resisting numerous errors and heresies with which she was assaulted. In the defense of the true faith, the early church formulated and adopted Creeds that summarized the Scriptural defense against the errors that had been espoused. We fully subscribe to the Apostle’s Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed, as we believe them to be accurate and beneficial summaries of Scriptural truth.

Section 8: We trace our history in the modern era to the Protestant Reformation of the 1500’s, and specifically back to the Reformed Church that was established in the Netherlands in that time. The Dutch Reformed Church adopted the Three Forms of Unity, comprised of the Belgic Confession of Faith, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dordt. We fully affirm and subscribe to these forms as we believe them to be thoroughly rooted in the teachings of God’s Word. By no means do we invalidate or condemn other legitimate expressions or traditions within the broader Church, yet we find value and Biblical soundness within our heritage, for which we are thankful. Therefore, we seek to safeguard and maintain this heritage, that we might pass it down to our posterity, the Lord willing, even as it has been passed down to us by our fathers.26

Section 9: We believe the marks of the true Church to be these: the preaching of the pure doctrine of the gospel,27 the pure administration of the Sacraments,28 and the exercise of church discipline in the punishment of sin,29 as surmised in Article 29 of the Belgic Confession of Faith.30 We believe the preaching of the pure doctrine of the gospel must cover 31 the sin and misery of man,32 the means for deliverance from that sin and misery through Jesus Christ,33 and the gratitude and thanksgiving that those delivered should show to their Savior.34 We believe that the pure administration of the Sacraments should include the two Sacraments of holy baptism and the holy supper.35 We believe the children of confessing members of Christ’s Church to be recipients of His covenant, as the promises of the covenant are for them as well.36 Therefore, we believe that these children are to be baptized, to receive the sign and seal of this covenant.37 We believe that the Lord’s table should be safeguarded, such that only members of a true Church in good standing should be admitted to partake.38 This is due to the importance of accountability and discipline with regard to the pure administration of the sacraments.39 Finally, we believe that church discipline should be exercised and that all members should be accountable to each other, to the consistory, and the consistory to the classis or synod. This accountability is essential to address public sin, error, conflict, and controversy. 40 While it is not the place of man to see the hearts of their fellow man,41 or to bind the consciences of their fellow man,42 we are still commanded to observe the fruits of each other’s actions and address matters of public sin or conflict.43  We strive to secure these marks for our own Church that we might be faithful and pleasing to God in our worship of Him.44

Section 1: In accordance with our beliefs on the authority and inerrancy of God’s Word,45 we are convicted that the selection of a faithful translation is of critical importance to the spiritual strength and well-being of the Church and its members.46 We hold the King James Version (KJV) to be a faithful, time-tested, and doctrinally-sound translation and are committed to its exclusive use in all formal Church functions, to include worship, studies, and assemblies. We see no suitable alternative translation at the present time and are confident in the fruits of its use in the Church in times past.

Section 2: We affirm the Reformed practice of using psalms exclusively for congregational singing in all Church worship services. We find this practice firmly rooted in Scripture.47 Specifically, we commit to the use of the 1912 Psalter. The modern Church has found herself assaulted by the world specifically in the form of irreverent music encroaching upon her worship services within the past few decades. We do not believe that the divinely inspired words of the psalmists can be improved upon, and we can have every confidence that when we sing the Words of Scripture in worship to their Author, the words we sing are pleasing to Him. Therefore, we can find no compelling reason to deviate from this practice.

Section 3: As it is necessary for all practices and procedures of Christ’s Church to be conducted decently and in good order,48 we are convicted that the use of an established church order is profitable to this end. A church order is a useful standard by which to hold office bearers of the Church accountable and protect them from the temptation to steer procedure to satisfy their own ends as they see fit. When exercised properly, a church order can help to ensure consistency in the dealings of the Church. Therefore, we commit to the use of the Church Order as adopted by the Synod of Dordt from 1618-1619. We find that this Church Order has served a variety of Reformed Churches well in the past, and we wish to walk in this order, acknowledging the authority of Christ over His Church,49 and not wishing to walk independently.50

Section 4: While much focus is often rightly placed on sound doctrine, at times the sound practice of worship receives less attention and scrutiny, particularly in the present day. However, we have numerous examples from God’s Word that clearly show to us that our God is a perfect God who requires of His people that they worship him properly and in a manner that is pleasing to him.51 We take the warnings of Scripture to mean that we must be careful to safeguard the manner and tone in which our Worship services are conducted. To that end, we commit to follow the Liturgy/Order of Worship that has been adopted by historic Reformed Churches and can be found in the back of the 1912 Psalter. Our convictions are that the dual focus of one service dedicated to the experimental exposition of Scripture with the second service dedicated to the experimental and doctrinal exposition of Scripture with the aid of the Heidelberg Catechism is of great advantage to the well-being of the Church. As the Heidelberg Catechism is firmly rooted in God’s Word and is structured in such a way that all of the major tenets of the Reformed faith are covered in the space of a calendar year, the Minister is aided in the effort to instruct the congregation in a thorough, comprehensive manner each and every year.

Section 1: We desire to maintain transparency and forthrightness in all our actions and decision-making.52 It is our intent to embark on the planting of a Reformed church in the Springfield, Missouri area, with full recognition of our dependence upon the Lord’s blessing of our efforts.53 It is our fervent desire to be faithful to the commands and promises of God, trusting in His provision for the growth of the Church.54

Section 2: We desire that our foundation be laid lawfully, biblically, and in fellowship with Christ’s Church. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ”.55 We recognize the importance of developing and maintaining a structure within our Church, that is based upon biblical instruction and training. We recognize our need for the lively preaching of the Word of God and the pastoral and shepherding care of a minister.56 We recognize our need for the administration of the Sacraments, for the encouragement and nurturing of our members.

Section 3: We desire accountability to, fellowship with, and participation in the broader Reformed church. We recognize that the planting process and continued growth of the church requires guidance, spiritual oversight, and pastoral care. We recognize the need for broader accountability in our actions and decisions, and the value of seeking counsel from others in the process.57 We are convicted of the need for fellowship with the broader Reformed church, and so wish to establish such profitable relationships with them.58 And finally, we earnestly desire to participate in a Reformed denomination in a formal manner and seek to contribute to the strength and defense of the Reformed faith.59 For these reasons, we are committed to join either the federation of the Free Reformed Churches (FRC) of North America or the Heritage Reformed Churches (HRC) of North America.

Section 4: Whereas we recognize the needs of our gathering and the families within it, we are committed to expediency and focus in the work that is to be done to reach these objectives.60 We resolve, to the best of our ability, to perform what labor is required for the planting of a Reformed church for our families and members.61

Section 5: Finally, it is our desire that this work might be pleasing to God and a blessing to its members. We wish this not only for ourselves, but for our children and our children’s children.62 We are committed to teaching and training them in the Reformed faith that has been passed down to us.63 It is our earnest prayer and supplication before God, to see His Church grow mightily in this area for His pleasure and glory.64

References

1.      1 Corinthians 14:40

2.      Psalm 127:1

3.      Amos 3:3

4.      The Athanasian Creed, 1 John 5:8

5.      Genesis 1, Psalm 50:10-12, Psalm 2:1-12

6.      John 1:34, John 14:1-2

7.      John 14:26

8.      Romans 1:20

9.      John 1:14-18, Romans 3:2

10.   1 Corinthians 14:37

11.   Deuteronomy 5:33, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 128:1

12.   Genesis 3:17-19, Romans 6:23

13.   Romans 5:12

14.   Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:20

15.   Romans 3:5-26, Romans 4:24-25, Isaiah 53:1-12

16.   Romans 6:18-23

17.   Ephesians 5:1-33

18.   John 14:6-7

19.   Luke 24:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 4:14

20.   Luke 24:46-51, 1 Peter 3:22

21.   John 14:2-3, Romans 8:16-17

22.   Revelations 19:11-16, Matthew 24:30

23.   Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19-20,                1 Corinthians 11:26, Matthew 24:31

24.   Titus 1:9, Philippians 2:2, 1 Corinthians 14:40

25.   Matthew 16:18, Proverbs 2:7-8

26.   Proverbs 22:6, Acts 22:14

27.   John 10:27, Ephesians 2:20, Acts 17:11-12

28.   Matthew 28:19, Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:23

29.   Matthew 18:15-18, 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15

30.   Article 29, Belgic Confession of Faith

31.   Question 2, Heidelberg Catechism

32.   1 Corinthians 6:10-11, John 9:41, Romans 3:10,19

33.   John 17:3

34.   Ephesians 5:8-10, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, 2 Corinthians 2:14, Psalm 116:12

35.   1 Corinthians 10:2-4

36.   Genesis 17:7, Acts 2:39, 1 Corinthians 7:14, Joel 2:16, Matthew 19:14, Psalm 22:10, Acts 10:47, Genesis 17:14

37.   Romans 4:11, Genesis 17:11

38.   John 6:35-58, 1 Corinthians 6:15-19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, Matthew 26:26-28, Psalm 116:12-14

39.   1 Corinthians 10:20-21, 1 Corinthians 11:28, Psalm 50:16-22, Matthew 18:17-18

40.   Matthew 18:15-18, 1 Corinthians 5:12, 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 1 Corinthians 5:3-5, 2 Corinthians 2:6-11

41.   1 Samuel 16:7, Jeremiah 17:9, Proverbs 21:1-2

42.   1 Corinthians 10:27-30

43.   Matthew 7:16, Hebrews 5:14, Galations 5:19-23, Luke 6:43

44.   Hebrews 11:6, Proverbs 16:7, Romans 12:1-2

45.   2 Peter 1:21

46.   2 Timothy 3:15-17

47.   Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:19, 1 Corinthians 14:26, 2 Chronicles 29:30

48.   1 Corinthians 14:40

49.   Isaiah 55:8-9

50.   Judges 17:6

51.   Leviticus 10:1-3, 2 Samuel 6:5-7, 1 Chronicles 13:7-10

52.   Proverbs 16:11, Exodus 23:1, 1 Peter 3:8

53.   Psalm 127:1

54.   Matthew 16:18

55.   1 Corinthians 3:11

56.   Acts 20:29

57.   Proverbs 12:15, Isaiah 5:21, Proverbs 11:14

58.   Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Hebrews 10:25, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Proverbs 27:17, Galatians 6:2

59.   Ephesians 6:10-18

60.   Haggai 1:1-15

61.   Ecclesiastes 9:10

62.   Proverbs 17:6, Psalm 127:3-5

63.   Proverbs 22:6, Acts 2:39

64.   Haggai 1:8