What We Believe - Cadillac Christian Reformed Church

In making and becoming disciples of Jesus Christ, we will be an exuberantly worshiping, authentic community that is biblically literate, doctrinally conversant, culturally sensitive and outward focused, exercising stewardship and promoting justice, offering hope to all people while seeking to attract and hold young families.

Making and Becoming Disciples of Jesus Christ

We envision Cadillac CRC being a church that is completely engaged in making and becoming disciples of Jesus.

We see all members—new and established, old and young—reflecting the character of Christ who was “full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14). We see this congregation fully living out the command of Jesus that his disciples “love one another” (Jn 13:35). We see each and every member engaged in lifelong growth “in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (I Pt 3:18).

We see our members praying constantly both in private and together. We see all of us deeply in love with God’s Word.

We see this discipleship expressed outwardly as well, in overflowing acts of mercy and in an outpouring of local and worldwide evangelism.

We envision relationships being repaired and built. We see overflowing attendance for church services, youth groups, classes and retreats. We see people leading lives of genuine, consistent faith and obedience. We see an abounding compassion for lost and broken people combined with confident and effective evangelism.

We see our church as one that prepares people for lifelong ministry, whether as a pastor or farmer or office worker or any other calling.

In short, we see discipleship touching every aspect of life for every person who calls Christ Lord.

Exuberantly Worshiping

We see our congregation full of unrestrained enthusiasm and joy in adoration of our loving God. We see our worship as being deeply reverent and filled with ardent affection, devotion, and love for our Lord.

We see our church sanctuary filled with people of all ages who can’t wait to get to church. We see people who arrive early, leave late, and are eager to worship our risen Lord, as we lavish Him with expressions of love and gratitude and enjoy His presence.

We see people experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit who inhabits our praises, comforts the afflicted, and draws people to Christ.

We see people transformed in worship, utterly submitted to the glory and holiness of God, singing and praising Him with the heavenly hosts.

We see worship as a fragrant, humbling, extravagant and unrestrained sacrifice to our God.

We see a congregation of worshippers, offering themselves in complete submission of heart (emotions), soul (spirit), mind (thought), and strength (body) to God in worship.

We see people leaving the worship service equipped with a deeper understanding of God, grateful for our salvation in Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, uplifted in heart, and encouraged to share our Joy in Christ with others.

Authentic Community

We see all people welcomed into intentional and authentic relationships. These relationships will allow our diverse group of people to become one interdependent group, giving up our own needs and seeking what is best for the whole.

As the Holy Spirit leads us into greater community, we see people encouraging one another and building each other up, more and more “as you see the day approaching.” (Heb 10:24-25) We see a church bursting at the seams with people who earnestly desire to spend time together.

Doctrinally Conversant

We envision a church which remains distinctly reformed in its practice and worldview, a worldview that rejects dualism separating soul from body and creator from creation. We see a church living out God’s redemptive power, constantly reforming, and teaching our traditional creeds and confessions in culturally relevant ways.

We see doctrine encouraging our walk with the Lord as we individually and corporately live out the call to bring God’s Kingdom to earth, “as it is in Heaven.” We see truth permeating our lives as we radiantly reflect Christ, who lives in us and among us.

Cultural Sensitivity

We see our church living a culture of Jesus Christ, spanning generations and places and class.

We see a culture of dignity and respect for all people, sensitive to the well-being of all.

We see our church transcending culture, contextualizing culture, countering culture, and creating culture for the sake of Jesus Christ.

Outward Focused

We see our congregation concentrating our attentions and efforts beyond ourselves, serving our Lord and our neighbors.

We see a growing church intentionally reaching out to ALL people with the love of Jesus Christ.

We see a church body whose members are relationally engaged with others, taking risks and showing genuine care.

We see people coming to know Jesus Christ as their Savior through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

We see CCRC focusing on others, both locally and abroad, as our part in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Biblically Literate

We envision people of all ages knowing God’s Word so deeply in their hearts and minds that it is evident in the way they live as radiant reflections of Christ.

We see God’s Word shaping an authentic environment where people are teaching, correcting, rebuking and training in a loving Christ-centered way.

We hear conversations flowing with the Word of God on the lips of all generations.

We see God’s Word doing amazing work in our lives as he shapes us in humility and showers us with his grace and peace, in good times and bad, providing rock solid assurance on which we stand.

Exercising Stewardship

We see the gospel of Jesus Christ spilling out in every aspect of our lives as the foundation for exercising stewardship.

We see the lovingkindness (Hebrew “hesed”) and generosity of grace directing our life in Christ, so that we reflect the same lavish generosity we receive from Jesus.

We see a church expressing stewardship as a natural function of a life devoted to Christ.

We see our people using the resources that God has given us as caretakers of his wonderful creation, growing the Kingdom. We see these resources spread liberally throughout our community, reflecting and creating a culture of generosity.

We see enthusiastic participation and obedience in living out what the Word has given us.

We see the first-fruits of our labor given back to God through the church, thus honoring the God of our faith rather than the god of this world.

We see a Spirit-led church committed to serving God with our time and our talents.

We see an outpouring of our time given in creating, nurturing, and growing a culture of generous stewardship.

We see God's creation as a vital playground for lives devoted to generosity and love, a place where we tangibly participate in God’s redemption of all things.

Promoting Justice

We see our church acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God. (Micah 6:8)

We see our church advocating for those who have no voice, especially for the unborn, the elderly, and those who have no hope.

Offering Hope

We see our church meeting people’s immediate needs (whether physical, mental, emotional, psychological, and especially spiritual) and through these encounters building relationships—relationships that lead to the foot of the cross where people cry out “My Lord and my God.”

Attracting Young Families

We see a church that excites attendance for children and their parents, not only on Sunday morning but throughout the week. We see smiling faces, warm embraces, and mingling among the generations.

We see a church where families experience God’s love. We see a place where seeds of faith are planted and nurtured and brought to maturity.

We see a facility which is “kid focused” that will facilitate learning and having fun for all children. We see a clean and attractive environment where excellence and creativity are immediately noticed.

We see well-staffed, organized, and exciting programs and activities for children young and old, teaching them the love of Christ and helping them build positive relationships with others.

We see motivated volunteers of all ages, passionate about being with kids, gifted to teach, to serve, and to shepherd.

We see families coming to a safe church with quality, age-appropriate ministry for everyone.

We see passionate, Christ-centered members of CCRC knowing the name of every child in our church and making each child feel special and loved.

We see a congregation that fosters relationships with children and their parents and helps bring families close together and close to God.

We see enthusiastic, God-following families inviting and assimilating others into the life of our church. We see all of us serving God in worship services, mission-related activities, other programs, and fellowship.

We see inter-generational connections thriving in our church. We see families strengthened by programs that motivate and equip parents.