We CONNECT in so many ways!  * Joining in with like-minded folks. * "Finding our place in this world - a place where we belong." * Gathering for friendship and fun, as well as love and support. * CONNECT -  describes our relationships.  Acts 2: 44, "All the believers were together and had everything in common." God created us to live in community.  We reflect Him when we live connected to others. This also entices a lonely world to join us.  So, with intention, we connect in the café, through seminars, classes, coffee houses and small groups.  Our deep desire to connect encourages us to help others connect also.

We CARE by changing the world with His love.  * Supporting 75+ children and a Development Center in Rancho Arriba, Dominican Republic. * Being the church all around our community. * Welcoming everyone, regardless of their circumstances - meeting people exactly where they are at. * CARE - describes our service to each other and the world.  John 3: 16, "For God so loved the world that he gave..." Meaningful service is important to everyone.  So we volunteer with enthusiasm to make a difference in each other, our community and the world.  We seek out those in need among us, our local community and the globe so the love of Christ may be "observed" through us.

Dave Bennett, Lead Pastor

OUR BELIEFS

2. The Bible is our Authority.  The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors under the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian belief and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth and no teaching of man stands in equal status to it. When faced with a decision, we always ask, "What does the bible say about it?"

"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."  2 Timothy 3: 16

3. We believe in Jesus' death and resurrection for our sins.  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his Grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. "  Romans 3: 23-24

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ  Jesus our Lord."  Romans 6: 23

"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit"  1 Peter 3: 18

4. We encourage people to grow toward Christ likeness. We are called by Scripture and drawn by God's love and grace to worship God and to love Him with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves. To this end, we commit ourselves fully and completely to God believing that we can be completely surrendered to God and filled with His love.  We believe the Holy Spirit convicts, cleanses, fills, and empowers us as the grace of God transforms us day by day into His people of love and spiritual discipline.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."  Colossians 3: 16

5. Church is not Optional. We believe that church is a necessary element in the life of any believer. "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another..." Hebrews 10: 24-25

"Is anyone of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned he will be forgiven."  James 5: 14-15

7. We believe Christ is coming again.  We believe that Christ will come again; that the dead will be raised first and that those who are alive at His return will be caught up in the air with the risen saints.

"Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen."  Revelation 1: 7

8. We believe in Heaven and Hell. We believe in resurrection of the dead for the bodies of the just and unjust. We believe in final judgment in which everyone will appear before God. We believe that eternal life is assured to all who are saved and obediently trusting in Christ. We believe that those who do not repent will suffer eternally in hell.

"Behold, I am coming soon. My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."  Revelation 22: 12-13

BAPTISM

1.  What is the meaning of Baptism? It is a command from God. Jesus' last words were to believe in Him and be baptized. Baptism is a one time outward profession of the inward reality of faith in God through Jesus Christ.

"He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved..." Mark 16: 15-16a

"And Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."  Acts 2: 38 (AMP)

"By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead...so also we may live a new life!"  Romans 6: 4

"When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside.  The old life has passed away and a new life has begun."  2 Corinthians 5: 17

2. When should I be Baptized? As soon as you decide to receive Christ into your life, you can and should be baptized. If you wait until you have everything "all together", you'll never feel "good enough".

"Then Philip began with the scripture and told him the Good News about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the man said, ‘Look, here is water! Why shouldn't I be baptized right now?' Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.' The man answered, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' So they went down to the water and Philip baptized him."  Acts 8: 35-38

COMMUNION

1. What is the Lord's Supper? 1 Corinthians 11:  24-26

It is a Reminder.  "...and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; eat it in remembrance of me.'" (vs. 25)

It is a Symbol. "In the same way, He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; drink it to remember me.'" (vs. 24)

It is a Statement of Faith. "For whenever you eat the bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes back." (vs. 26)

2. How do I prepare myself for Communion? "Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.  A person ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup."  1 Corinthians 11: 27-28

By...Self-examination (1 Corinthians 11: 27), Confession (1 John 1: 9),  Recomitment  (Romans 12: 1),  Renewing my Relationship (Matthew 5: 23-24)

3. Who, when and how often should we observe Communion? We believe that the Lord's Supper was instituted as a remembrance for all believers, not as a  ritual. At Fairview Village, the first weekend each month is when we celebrate communion. We  believe this keeps our observance fresh, yet is a monthly reminder, using our sense of taste and smell, of the sacrifice that Christ made for us on the cross.

LIVING OUT OUR BELIEFS

1. You should live to serve Christ anywhere and at all times. The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to Christian  service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by living as a follower of Christ. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and the scripture.

"Christ loves us, and by his death he has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests to serve God..."  Revelation 1: 6

"You are... the King's priest... God's own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God."  1 Peter 2: 9

2. You should live as a manager... not an owner of your time, talents and treasures. The Bible teaches us that we are His workmanship, created in Christ - we are His "poetry in motion". As we are connected with God, it enables us to fulfill His purpose and will, not only for our lives but for others as well. As a vessel for Him, we will be blessed through blessing others.

"Give and it will be given to you ... For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."   Luke 6: 38

"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."   Proverbs 11: 25

" ... Give happily to those in need, and always be ready to share whatever God has given to you.  By doing this, you will be storing up real treasure for yourselves in heaven - it is the only safe investment for eternity."   1 Timothy 6: 18-19 (LB)

"Where your treasure is, there your heart is also."    Matthew 6: 21

For more information on the topic of tithing, refer to the 90 DAY TITHING CHALLENGE BROCHURE (Available at the Resource Center).

3. Your life and words should tell others about Christ. It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those God allows us to contact daily.

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."    1 Peter 3: 15

4. You should live guided by the Spirit and Word of God. It is imperative today that Christians in our culture seek the aid of the Holy Spirit in cultivating sensitivity to evils of society remembering the admonition to: "prove all things, hold fast to what is good. Abstain from all appearances of evil."  1 Thessalonians 5: 21-22

(Jesus said) "I am the vine and you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit: but apart from me you can do nothing."  John 15: 5

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your  spiritual  act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will."  Romans 12: 1-2