What We Believe

  1. We affirm the centrality of the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16)- The Bible is the foundation for our faith. We seek to have God’s Word direct our church and the life of each Christian. We believe the Bible is authoritative and trustworthy to be the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct. 

  2. We affirm the necessity of the new birth (2 Corinthians 5:17, John 3:3)- We are more sinful and broken than we dare admit, but are more loved and accepted by Christ that we dare imagine. Jesus offers us forgiveness, acceptance, and eternal life that we could never earn and deserve through our own efforts. By trusting in Christ, we come alive in Christ. New birth is just the beginning, as God begins the lifelong process of transforming us to maturity in Christ.   

  3. We affirm a commitment to the whole mission of the church (Matthew 28:18-20)- We are committed to living out the Great Commission, making disciples in all the world, while being people of love who live out the Great Commandment. Mission encompasses evangelism and the proclamation of the Gospel, along with acts of compassion, mercy, and justice. We seek to share the Gospel in both word and deed. 

  4. We affirm the Church as a fellowship of believers (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)- The church is not a building or institution, but a community of believers who participate in the life and mission of Jesus Christ. 

  5. We affirm a conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25)- The Holy Spirit not only enables us to respond to God in faith, but dwells within us and enables our obedience and growth as we become more like Christ. The Spirit also gifts us to serve the church and carry out Christ’s mission to the world. 

  6. We affirm the reality of freedom in Christ (John 8:31-32)-Christ has set us free from the power of things that divide us. United in Christ, we offer freedom to one another who differ on issues of belief or practice where the biblical record seems to allow for various interpretations. We seek to focus on what unites us as followers of Christ. 

Denomination

We are a member of the Japan Covenant Church (Nihon Seikei Kirisuto Kyodan). Founded in 1951 through the missionary efforts of the Evangelical Covenant Church*, Japan Covenant Church is a Japanese-led denomination consisting of twenty-three churches, independent from the Evangelical Covenant Church, based primarily in the Kanto area. 
    
* The Evangelical Covenant Church, founded in 1885 by Swedish immigrants, is a growing multi-ethnic denomination in North America. It comes out of historical Christianity through the Protestant Reformation. The church’s distinctive spirit was shaped by the great spiritual awakenings of the 18th-19th century. The Evangelical Covenant Church is committed to reaching across boundaries of race, ethnicity, culture, gender, age, and status.