About us
Our Story
Our Mission, Vision & Strategy
Our Mission
To love and lead people into encounters with the fullness of God.
Our Vision
For everyone to behold the glory of God and be transformed into the image of his son and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Our Strategy
- Worship the Triune God
- Teach the Holy Scriptures
- Connect people to people
- Mentor
- Empower outreach
- Value generosity
Our Beliefs
The Bible
Absolute TRUTH without Error
We believe the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God and serves as final authority on what we believe and how we live. It is our guide to understanding God and the meaning of life.
We believe the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God and serves as final authority on what we believe and how we live. It is our guide to understanding God and the meaning of life.
- 2 Timothy 3:16 – 17 — “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
- Matthew 5:18 — “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”
Sin
Our Greatest PROBLEM
- We believe every person has worth as a creation of God, but that all have sinned and separated themselves from fellowship with God. Romans 3:23 — “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”
Jesus Christ
Fully God. Fully man. Our only MEDIATOR to God.
- 1 Timothy 2:5 — “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
- John 3:16 — “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
- John 14:1-6 — “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Salvation
An UNDESERVED Gift
We believe forgiveness of sin–a restored fellowship with God–and the promise of eternal life are available to every person who trusts in Christ as Savior and Lord.
We believe forgiveness of sin–a restored fellowship with God–and the promise of eternal life are available to every person who trusts in Christ as Savior and Lord.
- Romans 6:23 — “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- Ephesians 2:8-9 — “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Obedience
A Humble RESPONSE to God’s Gift of Salvation
We believe when we accept Jesus as Savior we also acknowledge Him as Lord of our lives. We surrender our will to His and pursue His life plan for us.
We believe when we accept Jesus as Savior we also acknowledge Him as Lord of our lives. We surrender our will to His and pursue His life plan for us.
- Romans 12:1-2 — “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
- Romans 10:9 — “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
- Acts 3:19 — “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord”
Water Baptism
A Public RESPONSE Identifying Oneself with Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus requires those trusting Him to turn from a life of sin, confess their faith in Christ and be baptized into Him through the biblical pattern of immersion, to identify us with His death, burial and resurrection. At Harborside Christian Church we immerse because we believe Scripture shows that Jesus modeled it for us as the method for acknowledging faith in Him.
We believe Jesus requires those trusting Him to turn from a life of sin, confess their faith in Christ and be baptized into Him through the biblical pattern of immersion, to identify us with His death, burial and resurrection. At Harborside Christian Church we immerse because we believe Scripture shows that Jesus modeled it for us as the method for acknowledging faith in Him.
- Romans 6:1-7 — “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.”
- Mark 1:9 — “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.”
- Acts 2:36-39 — “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
The Holy Spirit
God in Us. An Unseen POWER.
We believe the person of Holy Spirit dwells in the life of every Christian to provide understanding of spiritual truths, strength for living, and empowerment to uniquely serve. The Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
We believe the person of Holy Spirit dwells in the life of every Christian to provide understanding of spiritual truths, strength for living, and empowerment to uniquely serve. The Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
- John 14:26 — “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
The Church
A Spiritual FAMILY.
We believe the church is God’s family on earth to spread the good news of abundant life, both now and for eternity. The Church is referred to as Jesus’ bride.
We believe the church is God’s family on earth to spread the good news of abundant life, both now and for eternity. The Church is referred to as Jesus’ bride.
- Acts 2:46-47 — “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Our Core Values
Built on the Truth of Scripture
Biblical Authority
Understanding the Bible as God’s Word establishes it as the ultimate authority and guide for our lives. 2 Timothy 3:16
Worship as a Way of Life
Loving God is a lifestyle that demands our praise (corporately and individually) and a pursuit of purity and obedience. Luke 10:27
Continuous Spiritual Growth
Growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ means becoming more like Jesus. Matthew 28:18-20
Excellence in our Environments
Doing everything to the best of our abilities honors God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Outreach Locally and Globally
Sharing Christ with people locally and globally puts our faith into action. Mark 12:31
Our Spiritual Practices
Spiritual practices are designed to help the Follower of Christ embrace the truth of loving God and others. We believe the following practices are vital to our on-going understanding of God, ourselves and others.
Communion
A Celebration and A Remembrance
We invite followers of Jesus to participate in Communion (the Lord’s Supper). This central element of our worship is both a celebration of our salvation and a remembrance of the Lord’s sacrifice that secured it. We ask that you prayerfully consider if this dimension of our worship is appropriate for you.
We invite followers of Jesus to participate in Communion (the Lord’s Supper). This central element of our worship is both a celebration of our salvation and a remembrance of the Lord’s sacrifice that secured it. We ask that you prayerfully consider if this dimension of our worship is appropriate for you.
- Matthew 26:26-28 — “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Prayer
A God-Ordained Privilege of Communication with our Heavenly Father
- Romans 12:12 — “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
- Ephesians 6:18 — “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
- Philippians 4:6 — “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Giving
An Opportunity to Partner with God in Ministry
- Luke 6:38 — “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
- 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 — “And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”
Bible Study
A Desire to Know God through the Truth of His Word
- Colossians 3:16 — “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 — “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Worship
Expressing our Love to and Adoration of God
- Romans 12:1 — “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”
- Hebrews 10:25 — “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
- Hebrews 13:15 — “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.”
Serving
Committing Ourselves to Others
- Romans 12:9-13 — “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
- Ephesians 4:16 — “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
- Philippians 2:3-4 — “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”