-A.W. Tozer

The following are the core beliefs of Real Life Church based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in these biblical doctrines.

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2

God as Father reigns with favorable care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men. Genesis 1:1; Psalm 19:1-3; Isaiah 43:15; 64:8; John 4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 11:6; 12:9; 1 Peter 1:17; 1 John 5:7

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus came to earth as a man, fully human and fully God. He lived a sinless life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate his power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth in order to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22,23; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; I Corinthians 15:3,4; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14,15

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living a godly life and understanding of spiritual truth. The Holy Spirit guides in doing what is right, and he spiritually gifts every believer for service to God. As Christians we seek to live under his control daily. John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18

The Bible is God’s Word and is totally without error as it was originally written. Although it was written by human authors, the Holy Spirit gave supernatural inspiration and guidance to every word. It is the supreme source of truth and authority for all of creation, and it informs all Christian endeavors. As such, we hold the Bible as our standard for thinking, believing, and living. Psalms 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21

People are made in the spiritual image of God; we are to be like Him in character and deed. People are also the supreme object of God’s affection, but the Bible records that we rebelled against him and are under his judgment. As a result, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates us from God and causes all of life’s problems. Genesis 1:27; Psalms 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1,2; Romans 3:23

Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it through faith. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. We can only be saved from God’s judgment against our sin by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved, and eternal life begins at that moment. John 14:6, 1:12; Romans 5:1, 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it; you will persevere in your faith. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. John 10:29; Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of believers on mission to enlarge God’s kingdom. The local church is autonomous, free of any external authority or control. Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.

Baptism is the immersion of a believer under water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour. It is a testimony to their faith in the final resurrection of the dead. The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience where believers, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of Jesus and anticipate His second coming. Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16,21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12.

Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence, and people were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15

For a more detailed explanation of our statement of faith
see the Baptist Faith and Message Statement.

Real Life Church chooses to identify its leaders not as pastors but as elders. Why? The early church in Scripture does so. Elders and pastors have the same duty, to follow Jesus and point others to Him. Elders lead the congregation of believers to stronger faith. While some people may see the elders as the head of the church, the true head of the church is Jesus Christ. No one can change a person's heart apart from the work of the Holy Spirit alive in the church.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

The elders ensure preaching and teaching is Christ-centered and biblical. They preach and teach the congregation and oversee other teachers. The elders select and approve the content that is taught in small groups, children’s ministry, and evangelical outreaches.

The elders ensure that the content of corporate worship exalts Christ and the gospel, since corporate worship is a ministry of the Word. The elders delegate the preparation of worship content to a theologically sound and musically gifted ministry team leader. All components of a worship service must be Christ-honoring and appropriate for the congregation.

The elders carefully direct the church budget to reflect and embody the church's ministry priorities, which must align with the Great Commission. The treasurer, deacons, and other admin team members manage records, bookkeeping, and other necessary tasks for the implementation of the budget.

The elders approve the organizational structure of the church to ensure its alignment with ministry priorities. Ministry teams, including the elders, organize themselves under the approved structure. New ministry team members are recommended by team leaders and approved by the elders, according to the standards Jesus established in Scripture.

Preaching is a shared responsibility between elders, gifted church members, and guest speakers. We currently have a regular monthly rotation of speakers.

People frequently ask us, “Why the name Real Life?" The name, first and foremost, refers to the fact that “real life” is only found in Jesus Christ. It also reminds us that the church exists in the context of our everyday, real lives. We don't stop being Christians when we leave the church on Sunday mornings. Finally, our name reminds us that life is not over when we die. Real Life begins the moment we see Jesus face-to-face in the afterlife.

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and life. No one comes to the Father except through me."