Values

The good news of Jesus Christ and God's Kingdom is at the center of who we are and everything we do. We believe that God's acceptance of us is not something that we can earn or achieve (Gal. 2:16). Rather, it is a gift of grace that is received through faith because of what Jesus has done for us in his death and resurrection (Eph. 2:1-10). It is in response to this grace that we live in every way under the Lordship of Christ, called and sent to proclaim this gospel to everyone (Mark 16:15). 

EXPOSITIONAL PREACHING AND TEACHING
The Bible teaches that “all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). God has “granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him” (2 Peter 1:3). Therefore, our primary focus must be to glorify the Lord through the teaching of His Word to every member of the Body (Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 4:2).

Expository preaching and teaching is the method which seeks to uncover the original intended meaning for any given text of Scripture within its normal, literal, historical and grammatical context. This method of Bible teaching enables us to draw out God’s meaning from the text, rather than read our own meaning into the text. By being faithful and obedient in this task, we are moving away from a man-centered focus of church, and toward God’s design for His Body.

SOUND DOCTRINE AND THEOLOGY
Because of the omniscience of God, He sees and understands His revealed Word in perfect and complete unity. In order to know God, we must seek to understand God’s character, plan and will as revealed to us through Scripture. “Theology” is simply the process of studying God. The more we know God, the more we will love Him. “Doctrine” is the collective teachings derived from the Scriptures. Sound doctrine and strong theology deepen our faith and bring us closer to God. We should seek to be “constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:6). Everything we believe should be faithfully and systematically drawn from God’s own Word and not from the musings of our own minds.

BIBLICAL WORSHIP

Though worship is much bigger than the songs we sing, or even our time together as a church, we know how important corporate worship is as the body of Christ. All that we do in worship (teaching, singing, prayers, celebration of the sacraments, etc.) is biblical by being consistent with and saturated in the Scriptures (John 4:24). We are gathered for worship on Sunday in order to be scattered to live all of life as worship Monday through Saturday (Rom. 12:1-2). 

GENIUNE, HUMBLE, AND REPENTANT PRAYER
Prayer is the essential element that ties the spiritual life of the believer to God. It is the demonstration of our dependence on Him and the active substance of faith. Our prayers need to be genuine and reverent when we approach the Throne of God. As a Body, we need to do all things in humility, but especially when we pray. For when we are humble, God gives us grace (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). As Christians, we must always do everything we can to keep our sin from coming between us and God, which is why our prayers must be repentant. “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

LOVING HOSPITALITY

Eldred Baptist Church is a church, but it is also a microcosm of the eternal familty of God. We are intentional about making guests feel at home, especially those who are looking for a place to belong as a follower of Christ. Hospitality is not just making others feel welcome on Sunday morning, but it’s a way of life—moving toward others and making room for them in our homes and relationships (1 Pet. 4:8-11). 

CONSTANT FELLOWSHIP

God has designed us for community. We don't follow Jesus alone. We believe that transformation happens best in the context of authentic, Christ-centered community where we can know others and be known. And so we give high priority to consistent fellowship. At EBC, we often refer to this as "doing life together." (Acts 2:42-47)