Griner Statement of Faith and Practice

The Word of God forms the basis for our statements of belief and practice. We also subscribe to the Mennonite Confession of Faith (1963). All Scriptures are taken from the NKJV.

• We recognize Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation. 

Acts 4:12  Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

John 1:12  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name

• We accept the Bible as the authoritative Word of God for our faith and practice, and believe that all Scripture is given by direct inspiration of God.

2 Tim 3:16  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

2 Peter 1:21  for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

• We believe that cultivating a personal devotional life by regular prayer and meditation on God through the Word is essential in spiritual growth.

Psalms 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.

Matt 26:41  Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

• We desire to live according to Jesus’ teaching of love, peace and reconciliation in all our relationships. We purpose to give only good reports about others. If a good report cannot be given, we will follow Matt. 18 in the spirit of restoring, rather than exposing. When offenses or disputes arise within the brotherhood, we will seek to resolve them through mediation and arbitration within the brotherhood.

John 13:34  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

Rom 12:9,10  Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

Rom 12:15  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

1 Cor 6:1-8  Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? ² Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? ³ Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? ⁴ If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? ⁵ I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? ⁶ But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!⁷ Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? ⁸ No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!

Matt 18:15-17  “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. ¹⁶ But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ ¹⁷ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

• We recognize the need for fellowship and accountability; therefore we will faithfully support our congregational life by participating in our worship and service opportunities.

Heb 10:25  not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

• We will take seriously Jesus’ great commission by our daily words and actions. We will witness to those around us of God’s saving and enabling grace.

Matt 28:19,20  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

• We recognize the things we possess (time, gifts, finances and etc.) are really a trust from God committed to us as His stewards. Therefore, we will use them responsibly by contributing to the Kingdom of God, especially through the church.

2 Cor. 9:6-8 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

• We believe that marriage, both Christian and non-Christian, is a life-time covenant between one man and one woman, and is recognized by God as a permanent, sacred bond terminated only by death. We believe that marriage problems should be dealt with in a redemptive manner. We believe that God does not sanction remarriage after divorce while the companion is still living.

Luke 16:18  “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.

Mal 2:16 “For the Lord God of Israel saysThat He hates divorce,For it covers one’s garment with violence,”Says the Lord of hosts.“Therefore take heed to your spirit,That you do not deal treacherously.”

• We believe that any sexual relationship outside the marriage bond is sin. Anyone involved in fornication, adultery, or homosexuality needs to repent of their sin in order to maintain fellowship with the body of Christ.

1 Cor 6:9,10  Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

• We believe that the husband should diligently fulfill his role as leader in the home, modeling a Christ-like life in all relationships, loving his wife, and providing for the needs of his family by God's grace. We believe the wife, likewise, should fulfill her Biblical role, and be in submission to her husband.

Eph 5:23  For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her

Eph 5:28  So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

Eph 5:22  Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord

Eph 5:24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

• We believe in God’s order of headship, and accept its symbols as valid for our day. Christian men are to have short hair, and not have their heads covered when praying or prophesying. Christian women are to have their hair long and heads covered when praying or prophesying.

1 Cor 11:1-16  Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.² Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. ³ But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. ⁴ Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. ⁵ But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. ⁶ For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. ⁷ For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. ⁸ For man is not from woman, but woman from man. ⁹ Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. ¹⁰ For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. ¹¹ Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. ¹² For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.¹³ Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? ¹⁴ Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? ¹⁵ But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her^[a] for a covering. ¹⁶ But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.

• We believe it is the will of God for His children to show love that holds all human life sacred. Therefore, participation in warfare, euthanasia, abortion, retaliation, revenge, and prejudice are forbidden for the believers.

James 2:8,9 ⁸ If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; ⁹ but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Psalms 139:13-16 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works and that my soul knows very well.¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.¹⁶ Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.

Rom 12:17-21  Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Below are practical applications from the Bible, and generally held practices we encourage. Our goal from these principles in Scripture is a walk of holiness leading to maturity in Christ.

• We believe that our outward appearance and conduct give a reflection of what is in our hearts. Our goal in our lifestyle choices is to reflect simplicity, modesty, and godliness. We encourage our women and girls to wear skirts or dresses, unless involved in activities where a skirt or dress could be immodest. We discourage the wearing of jewelry, other than a wedding band.

1 Peter 3:3  Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— ⁴ rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

1 Tim 2:9,10  in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, ¹⁰ but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.

• We believe that as Christians our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. We will seek to honor Him in activities that build a wholesome body, character and thought life, avoiding activities that hinder our relationship with Christ and witness for Him.

1 Cor 10:31  Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Cor 6:19,20  Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ²⁰ For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Psalms 101:3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes;I hate the work of those who fall away;It shall not cling to me.

• We believe that God created men and women in His image, equal in value, yet with distinct roles in the church family. Men have been given a primary leadership role; women are especially fitted for nurture and service. This order was established by God before the fall, and was not a result of sin. Leadership positions such as Pastoral and Leadership teams, Worship leaders, and teaching positions in adult mixed classes would be reserved for men.

1 Cor 11: 3  But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.