DOCTRINAL STATEMENT 

FOUNDATIONAL TEACHING - CHURCH MEMBERSHIP/PARTNERSHIP

In this part of our foundational teaching series, we shall look at issues related to becoming a member of our church fellowship.

The following subjects will be discussed:
A.      Background to Holy Nation Church.
B.      (1) Introducing Pastors Mike & Jacky Burgess
       (2) God's Call and Vision upon the lives of Pastors Mike & Jacky Burgess.
C.      The calling and Vision of Holy Nation Church.
D.      Why Join a Local Church?
E.     What we believe doctrinally.

A)  BACKGROUND TO HOLY NATION CHURCH

Holy Nation Church is an Apostolic Church. What do we mean by Apostolic?

a)  An Apostolic Church is one which is planted in a location from scratch. (Many Churches send 50 or so members to a new location to start a church - this is not an Apostolic Church but rather a branch of the existing one). 

As well as starting afresh from zero members an Apostolic church will also have a purpose for it’s existence.  There are thousands of Churches in London and so the only reason for a new Church being planted is because God has given a specific and often unique purpose and task for that Church. In our case, the verse which clearly expresses our calling is Mark 13v1. “And the Good News must first be published to all Nations.” 

b)  An Apostolic Church also by definition has an Apostle who provides covering for the Church and who brings an Apostolic input and authority to the Church. In our instance, Holy Nation Church was founded by an Apostle who worked with Pastors Mike and Jacky Burgess from the birth of Holy Nation Church. 

As a Church, Holy Nation is also affiliated to the Assemblies of God denomination. This denomination provides counselling and assistance to Pastors; arranges training days and retreats, and provides correction should our Church leadership go into heresy or sin. 

We are also a Registered Charity with a Board of Trustees who are responsible for all the legal and Financial arrangements within our Church and its General Management. 

Holy Nation Church is also an integrated church, which basically means that we welcome people to our fellowship from all nationalities and all social backgrounds and cultures.
 

C)      THE CALLING AND VISION OF HOLY NATION CHURCH.  

Much of our vision and calling has already been mentioned, but in addition we should like to add that when one considers publishing, one thinks of putting into print; to clearly make known to the masses.  And so as a Church our vision and calling is to ‘make Jesus Christ known.’  In order to do this it is essential that we use the medium of our day and generation and therefore primarily we desire to make Jesus known through advertising, T.V., radio, music, arts, and internet etc.  We are using the communication methods of our generation to bring the Gospel message. 

Provided that an individual wishes to make Jesus known in his or her life, there is opportunity for every ministry and calling to flourish and develop within Holy Nation Church.  The evangelist through preaching; the Pastor through follow-up and counselling; the teacher in his teaching; in the gifts of the Spirit; all of us as one united body having the same aim and intention to ‘publish Jesus.’  Whatever God has called you to do, I believe there is room for it within our fellowship.
     

D) WHY JOIN A CHURCH?

When someone becomes a Christian, they are automatically part of the worldwide body and Church of Jesus Christ.  We are automatically born into a family having brothers and sisters all over the world in every nation. Most of our brothers and sisters we will never meet until we get to heaven.

It is obviously impractical and impossible for us to regularly meet with brothers and sisters in far away locations - hence we have what we call ‘local‘ Churches. There is only one division which God permits within the Church and that is the division of location. Churches are listed in the bible according to location - e.g. Phillipi, Corinth, Ephesus,  Laodicea, Pergamum etc.

As Christians we are supposed to attend our local congregation, which here in London would be any Church in reasonable travelling distance.

Now back to the issue of local Churches. In Philippians 1v1, Paul (the Apostle) is writing to the saints, elders (Bishop and Overseer are an alternative word for elder. These three titles are identical) and deacons.

a) Every Christian is a saint.  A saint is not some title bestowed upon you after you die. And you don’t have to be dead to become a saint. Every believer is a saint. The Greek word is Hagios and literally a saint means a ‘separated, holy person for God’s purposes'.

b)  A Deacon is one who has received an appointment of authority within a church to supervise a particular activity.  The bible teaches that the greatest in the kingdom of God is the servant of all.  And the literal meaning of deacon is that of one who ‘renders service.‘  Romans 16v1-2  tells us about Phoebe, the deaconess.  As a saint is faithful in service in the body of Christ, that saint may be appointed to be a deacon.

We will often be tested in our walks with the Lord as to the willingness we have to serve.  Before I became a Pastor, I taught Sunday school; helped on the Church youth group; helped out with the menial and administrative tasks; cleaned toilets; swept and vacuumed rooms etc. Progression within the kingdom of God comes about by our self-sacrifice and willingness to serve and by our faithfulness.  It is not dependent upon our ability or gifting. Those who prove faithful as servants receive authority from the Lord and at the same time develop in their own callings of evangelism, worship, teaching etc.  And just like Phoebe in Romans 16, she was commended for her work of ministering to believers.  This shows that God releases faithful deacons into their own callings.

c) The third category to whom Paul writes is the elder (= overseer or bishop). The elders Pastor the Church.

      Hebrews 13v17
      1 Thess 5v12-13

It follows that in order to have deacons and elders, a believer must be attending a local fellowship. The leaders of a Church are responsible for the spiritual well-being of the flock by bringing the manna of the word of God; teaching them to be disciples and servants of Jesus Christ; encouraging them in the calling which God has called them to do and by watching over them in prayer and intercession.
We can only have leaders if we are committed to a particular Church.
Proverbs 18v1- someone who wilfully separates himself from a Church and wishes to be ‘free’ as it were, is seeking his own way and not God’s way for his life.
A Church is similar to a family where there are parents and children. Occasionally a child may eat out and stopover at a friend’s place but the vast majority of the time his home and fellowship are with his family. The parents may also be away sometimes but their priority is also to their family.
In Holy Nation Church we do not place a huge burden of commitment upon any member. For someone to be considered as a member and partner who is prayed over and cared for, we expect such a person to be a regular, faithful attender on Sundays to our meetings, and to be a part of one of our School of Missions Home Groups. In addition, this will also be the church where you will pay your tithes. Also, for anyone to enter into ministry or responsibilities or the church bible school it is necessary for them to complete the Foundational Teachings first.
Of course, we welcome all people to fellowship with us - both on Sundays and to the School of Missions even if you do not desire to be a member. But I’m sure that we can all understand that unless someone is committed to our Church and vision he/she cannot be given leadership responsibilities.
2 Tim 2v2 tells us how important faithfulness is to God. God’s emphasis is always more towards faithfulness than ability. It would be pointless to have a gifted musician for example who rarely attended the Church meetings. A less-gifted, but faithful musician is going to be used by God far more readily than one who is unfaithful with his gift.      Hebrews 10v24-25 - do not forsake assembling together. These verses tell us to meet together and spur one another on. I’m sure we’ve all met people who call themselves Christians and yet do not have a Church which they attend.  But a Christian will want to go to Church because it is the Lord’s will.  And how can we spur one another on or watch over one another unless we are in fellowship with one another?  A secret, hidden-away-somewhere Christian cannot develop in his calling or follow the Lord fully unless he is part of a Church fellowship. We apply the principle that, “under authority we have authority.“  Saints (Christians) who are unwilling to commit and submit to the authority of deacons and elders are in effect only deceiving and damaging themselves.

E.WHAT WE BELIEVE

This statement of Fundamental Truths is not intended as a creed for the Church, but as a basis of unity for a full Gospel Ministry (1 Cor. 1:10) 

1. WE BELIEVE that the Bible ( i.e. the Old and New Testaments excluding the Apocrypha), is the inspired Word of God. The infallible, all sufficient rule for faith and practice.  2 Tim. 3:15-16; 2 Peter 1:21.

2. WE BELIEVE in the unity of the One True and Living God Who is the Eternal, Self-Existent “I AM" Who has also revealed Himself as One being in three Persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Deut. 6:4; Mark 12: 29; Matt 28:19.

3. WE BELIEVE in the Virgin Birth, Sinless Life, Miraculous Ministry, Substitutionary Atoning Death, Bodily Resurrection, Triumphant Ascension and Abiding Intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ and in His Premillennial  Second Advent as the blessed hope set before all believers. Isa. 7:14; Matt 1:23; Heb7:26; 1 Pet 2:22; Acts 2:22; 10:38; 2Cor 5:21; Heb 9:12; Luke 24:39; 1 Cor. 15:4; Acts 1:9; Eph. 4:8-10; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 1Cor 15:22-24; 51-57; 1Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 20:1-6.

4. WE BELIEVE in the fall of man, who was created pure and upright, but fell by voluntary transgression. Gen. 1:26-31; 3:1-7; Rom. 5:12-21.

5. WE BELIEVE in salvation through faith in Christ, Who died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried and was raised from among the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures; and through His Blood we have Redemption. Tit. 2:11; 3: 5-7; Rom. 10:8-15; 1 Cor. 15:3-4. This experience is also known as the New Birth and is an instantaneous and complete operation of the Holy Spirit upon initial faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  John 3:5-6; James 1:23; 1 John 5:1.

6. WE BELIEVE  that Baptism by immersion in water is enjoined upon all who have really repented and truly believed with all their hearts in Christ as Saviour and Lord.  Matt. 28:19;  Acts 10:47-48;  Acts 2:38-39.

7. WE BELIEVE  in the baptism in the Holy Spirit, the initial evidence of which is the speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.  Acts. 2:4; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 19:6; Isa. 8:18.

8. WE BELIEVE  that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Offices have been set by God in the Church, as recorded in the New Testament. 1Cor.12:4-11, 28;  Eph. 4:7-16.

9. WE BELIEVE  in holiness of life and conduct in obedience to the command of God  “Be ye holy for I am holy”  1  Pet. 1:14-16; Heb 12:14; 1 Thess 5:23;  1 John 2:6; also 1 Cor. 13.

10. WE BELIEVE  that deliverance from sickness, by Divine Healing is provided for in the Atonement. Isa. 53:4-5;  Matt. 8:16-17; James  5:13-16.

11. WE BELIEVE  that Breaking of Bread is enjoined upon all believers until the Lord comes. Luke 22:14-20; 1Cor.  11:20-34.

12. WE BELIEVE  in the bodily resurrection of all men, the everlasting conscious bliss of all who truly believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and that everlasting conscious punishment is the portion of all whose names are not written in the Book of Life. John 5:28-29;  1 Cor. 15:22-24;  Dan. 12:2-3;  Matt.25:46;  2 Thess. 1:9;  Rev. 20:10-15.

GOD BLESS YOU RICHLY IN EVERY WAY,

PASTOR MIKE BURGESS.