1. What We Believe...
   

About God

    God is the Awesome Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has lived forever in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. God the Father cares for all He has made and is only revealed to us through Jesus Christ.

Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:19; John 14:26; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:6

About Jesus Christ

    Jesus Christ is the Son of God, God in the flesh, God revealed! He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin named Mary, and lived a sinless human life. He was fully God and fully Man. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead bodily after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven where He lives and works on our behalf. He promised to return personally again someday to earth to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords.

Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22,23; Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1-5; 14:6-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3,4; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 7:25-27; Revelation 19:11-16

About The Holy Spirit

    The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son. The Spirit of God is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives, as the Comforter, in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts to serve Him and His church and nurtures those gifts as they grow. As Christians and the Church, we seek to keep in step with the Spirit, living under His control daily. We know how much we need His guidance & direction…and we are so thrilled by His presence in our daily lives!

John 14:16, 17; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; 5:18

About The Church

    We believe the Church is the Body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit to do the will of God according to the Word of God. Through faith in Christ we are members of the church in a universal sense, and we practice that membership in the church locally. Believers humbly submit themselves to Christ and the leadership, which He has established in the church. Believers belong to one another and take care of one another, and use their time, talents, and treasure to serve the church and the world. The Church’s mission is the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, to “go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Can you believe it? We are the church, Christ’s body, God’s tangible expression of His message of love to our world – what and awesome privilege and responsibility.

Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:15-16; Colossians 1:17-18; Romans 12:4-8; Hebrews 10:23-25; Matthew 28:18-19

About The Bible

    The Bible is God’s very Word to us. Human authors, under the supernatural guidance of God’s Spirit, wrote it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because God inspires it, it is the truth without error. Because God uses His Word to transform our lives, we love to dig into God’s Word and let His Word dig into us!

Psalm 12:6, 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21

About People

    People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This condition separates people from God eternally and causes many problems in life, including our own eventual spiritual & physical death. But because people are God’s most special creation, His heart & love goes out for us…and good thing too…He is the only one who could somehow bridge this separation, and defeat the death which seems to loom ahead of us and even around us!

Genesis 1:17; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1,2; Romans 3:23, 5:12-20

About Salvation

    Because of God’s love for people, God rescued us and saved us from our own demise! God sent Jesus Christ to die on a cross as our sacrifice and substitute to satisfy God’s wrath against the sin of people. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. We can never make up for our sin by self-effort, self-improvement or good works. Salvation is God’s free gift to us and is maintained through the grace and power of God. We must accept His gift through faith. The Bible teaches that we express our faith in Jesus Christ by believing, trusting, and confessing Him as our Lord and Savior, repenting of our self-directed life and being baptized (immersed in water) into His name. When we put our faith in Jesus Christ as the Scripture teaches, we are forgiven of our sin, born again of the Holy Spirit, and inherit eternal life. It is good to be rescued from sin and death and now live the way God intended…living a peaceful relationship with Him forever!

John 1:12-13, 3:16, 10:29, 14:6; Romans 5:1, 8-9, 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8,9; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Acts 2:36-38

About Baptism

    We believe that commitment to Christ in belief is to be accompanied by publicly identifying with Christ through baptism by immersion. Baptism (the immersion of a repentant believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) has from the beginning of the church been normative for believers and the church. People who heard and believed the gospel, repented of their sins, and confessed Jesus as their Lord and Savior, were then baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins. It is so meaningful to follow Jesus’ example, obey his command, and express our saving faith in Christ’s death, burial and resurrection today by being baptized into Him!

Matthew 3:13-17, 28:19; Acts 2:36-38

About The Lord’s Supper

    We believe in the Scriptural observance of the Lord’s Supper, or Communion. This is the center of our worship because it is done in remembrance of the death, burial, and resurrection, which Jesus accomplished on our behalf. We do not hinder any follower of Jesus Christ from participating in the Lord’s Supper. It is an awesome expression of the unity of Christ’s Body and the consistent remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ!

1 Corinthians 11:23-29

About The Unity Of The Church

    We believe that Christian unity is the result of the fact that in reconciling us to himself, God joins us to one another by His Spirit. We are part of a movement of churches that are non-denominational and who have always desired to help the Church to be united together and strong in its commitment to the Bible alone as the church’s guide to faith and practice. Christian unity is not only a gift to be treasured; it is also a goal to be attained. While our Lord has given us the gift of being one in the forgiveness of the cross, our goal is to attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ as we pursue unity in our faith and fellowship. In the essentials of the faith we strive for unity, in the non-essentials of the faith, we allow for diversity, and in all things, we strive to show love for each other in the church.

Ephesians 4:4-6; John 17:20-23

About The Second Coming Of Jesus Christ

    We believe in the bodily, visible return of Christ for his followers to live with them forever. We believe that, just as Christ did not claim to know when that day would be, we will make no claims to know when that day is either. But we will live life, love and worship God as a church, and be alert and prepared as if the day could happen anytime. For the sake of the unity and integrity of the church, we avoid arguments or statements over specific timelines and other such fads of human nature when it comes to the future of the world and our lives. We’ll just keep faithful to living and walking in Christ, prepared for the day He chooses to return…because that is going to be one awesome day.

Titus 2:13; Matthew 24:30-42; Revelation 22:12-13

About Satan

    We believe that Satan is real. He is a spiritual entity who can speak to God and others, tempt people, plan and scheme against God’s glory, and accuse believers. The Old Testament & New Testament both attest to the reality of Satan. Even Christ himself faced Satan. And as Christ overcame Satan’s attacks, Jesus can help us in our struggle against the evil schemes and temptations we face as Christ’s followers. Satan can lead anyone not committed to Christ (angelic beings or people) in warfare against God, His plans, and His people. But the scriptures promise that Satan and all who are with him are less powerful than Christ himself and are doomed to a certain, everlasting judgment from God. Satan is real & powerful, but he’s no match for our Jesus! God rules!

Genesis 3:22-24; Ezekiel 28:12-19; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:11-12; Revelation 12:7-9, 20:10

About Eternity

    We believe that God’s intention has always been to live with people eternally in a peaceful relationship with Him. Through faith in Christ, we can live in that kind of relationship with Him forever, even after we die! We believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ and we also believe in the bodily resurrection of those who are saved by Christ through their faith in Him. We also believe in the bodily resurrection of those who have not been saved by Christ. People were created to exist forever in one of two conditions. Those who have not asked or chosen to become saved by Christ will exist eternally separated from God, experiencing conscious separation and punishment in Hell. Those who have asked and decided to let Christ save them will exist eternally with God in Heaven, enjoying an everlasting relationship with Him. The Scriptures teach that Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. Heaven’s our home…and we are inviting all people to make it theirs too!

John 3:16, 5:28-29, 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9; Revelation 20:15

About This Church

    Durango Christian Church is part of the restoration movement within Christ’s Church, which for nearly two centuries has pleaded for the unity of all God’s people as one Body. Membership in this local church is based on faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We have no creed but Christ. Since profession of faith and baptism in Christ (immersion of a repentant believer) are commanded by our Lord and His apostles in the New Testament, they are our primary qualifications for membership.

    Durango Christian Church is a free church, not ruled by a professional hierarchy but led by men and women with faith in the Holy Spirit. We are not a denomination, but we participate with sister churches in many projects and programs that exalt the Lord Jesus Christ and spread the good news. We are not the only Christians, but Christians only. We are not perfect saints; we are forgiven sinners growing to spiritual maturity.

    The name Durango Christian Church communicates two important aspects of who we are. By the name “Church,” it is important to know that we are not a building, but a group of people whose lives are committed to Christ and to each other. By the name “Christian,” is it important to know that we are Christ’s Church. Christ is out head and we are his body. We are a church and people whose lives are given in faith and obedience to Jesus Christ.

About You

    If you are not a Christian, we lovingly and urgently invite you to commit your life to Jesus Christ and be baptized into His name. If you believe in Jesus Christ, but have not had the opportunity to be baptized by immersion, we would love to be a part of celebrating that exciting moment of faith and obedience in your life. If you are a Christian in need of a church home, we invite you to become a member of Christ’s body at Durango Christian Church. If you are in need of recommitment or prayer, will meet you in your time of need. Come forward during the “Responding to God” time of our worship service to meet someone who will talk & pray with you regarding these exciting responses to God’s leading in your life. God bless you for being a part of the exciting things that are happening at Durango Christian Church.

1. Our Core Values
   

Absolute Authority Of The Bible

    The Word of God is the ultimate authority for the church and standard of right living for the christian.  We are dedicated to proclaiming the truth of the scriptures to the world through this body and utilizing any reasonable strategy to help believers become fully committed and developed disciples of Jesus Christ.

Courageous Leadership

    Leadership within the body of Christ ought to reflect a courageous walk of faith.  We believe that Christian leadership is simply following Christ first.  Courageous leadership means leading with vision, serving with compassion, learning with diligence, sacrificing with love, and walking with accountability.  Courageous leadership calls us to empower others to soar using the gifts that God has given to advance the kingdom of God.

Pursuing Intimacy With God

    As believers, our first priority is to pursue an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.  We do this through the personal intimate communion of prayer, scripture meditation, sacrificial giving, personal worship, and spiritual discipline.  As a body we pursue intimacy together through corporate worship, loving and serving one another, and passionately praying for one another.

Authentic Christian Fellowship

    Christian fellowship is all about sharing our lives at a deep, meaningful level.  It means we walk through life’s joys and heartaches together.  God has given us a wonderful gift by giving us a church family, it is our great pleasure to cherish one another, build one another up, and meet the needs of the Body of Christ wherever they are found.

Active Commitment To World Missions

    The Kingdom of God is advancing throughout this world - to the glory of Christ.  We take seriously our co-mission with the universal body of Christ to “go” and make disciples.  Our commitment to world missions includes sending long-term missionaries overseas to reach unchurched people groups as well as raising up and sending out people from among this body for short-term missions as well.  We are called to love, support, and pray for our missionaries and minister to their needs as they minister in places around the world were we cannot.

Compassionate Community Evangelism

    Every believer is called to share their faith in a way that will advance the cause of Christ right in their own community.  We desire to reach the community with the love and message of Christ through serving the community in any way we can, meeting the needs of those in need, welcoming newcomers into the church, and making a difference in people’s lives wherever we are able to.

Mobilizing Members For Ministry

    Every believer is a minister.  Every Christian is called to serve.  Through personal introspection and Bible study, we want to help every believer discover the specific nature of their calling and help them to employ their God-given gifts in a ministry that will make a difference in the Kingdom and bring fulfillment and joy to their life as well.