This document outlines the doctrine, devotion, and mission of the Household of Faith Community Church (HOFCC). It describes HOFCC as: 1) Reformed in doctrine, embracing Calvinist theology and the "5 Solas" of the Protestant Reformation. 2) Charismatic in ministry, believing the spiritual gifts continue today and emphasizing worship in both spirit and truth. 3) Having a plurality of elders, with qualifications for elders and deacons outlined from Scripture. 4) Evangelical in mission, making the Great Commission a top priority through aggressive church planting and local/foreign missions support.

1. PO Box 33126 Portland, OR 97292 360 909-9210 info@hofcc.org www.hofcc.org

4. Charismatic in Ministry

5. Plurality in Eldership

8. John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…

12. Councils from both the Early and Reformation ages of the Church have forged out rich, biblically-sound creeds and catechism which are reflected in the HOFCC Statement of Faith.

13. These creeds keep the modern church moored to historic interpretations of scripture so that we: … all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine…(Eph 4:13-14). Among others, two great creeds that HOFCC would recommend for study are the Nicene Creed and the Westminster Confession.

14. Charismatic in Ministry

17. 1 Corinthians 14:26-27 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. We are “continuationist” in that we embrace the continued presence of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit within the church today.

19. Eph 4:11-14 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…

20. God has both equipped and called every believer to meaningful ministry role(s).

21. 1 Cor 12:21-26 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you“… But God has so composed the body … that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Ministry is not left only for the pastor - but performed by all members.

22. Plurality in Eldership

23. Jurisdiction Obligation Required StewardshipEntrusted Jurisdictional in God’s Kingdom This means God has appointed 4 “jurisdictions” of government among men. We demonstrate His goodness & wisdom when we obey Him in each of these. TheIndividual God’s Righteousness by Faith Produce Good Fruit The Household God’s Wealth by Work Provide Generously The Church God’s Truth by Revelation Proclaim the Gospel Protect the Weak The City (Gov’t) God’s Justice by Force Church Leaders are to disciple and train householders and members toward being obedient & fruitful in all 4 jurisdictions. 13

26. 1 Tim. 3:2 Therefore an overseer must be …the husband of one wife…

27. 1 Tim. 3:12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife…

28. Older women are encouraged to teach younger women.

29. Titus 2:3 Older women...train the young women to love their husbands and children. It is not that women lack the ability to play men’s roles, but that our good and wise God has other specific roles for them to play.

31. 1 Tim 3:1-13 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. What are the qualifications of elders (and deacons)?

32. Qualifications of Elders 1 Tim 3:2-7 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

33. Qualifications of Deacons 1 Tim 3:8-13 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

34. Evangelical in Mission

37. Acts 11:19 So then those who were scattered …made their way to …Antioch,

38. 1 Cor.16:19, Col. 4:15, Philem. 1:1 greet...the church that is in their house. ...the church that is in her house. To Philemon ...and to the church in your house: Our strategy includes planting from local congregation (runners) and sponsoring remote church plants (seeds) throughout the world through our ministry arm Household of Faith Fellowship of Churches (HOFFC).

40. Our philosophy of missions encourages us to participate witht a few missions endeavors with which we can make a significant impact, verses a “shotgun” approach where we thinly spread support to many.

43. Devotion Toward Family

44. Devotion Toward Church

47. John 15:14-15 You are my friends if you do what I command you.

48. Mark 8:35-36 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.

49. On this basis, the gospel demands that every believer order his life so as to be faithful and fruitful stewards of all that is in their care…life…time…resources…talents…giftings…relationships…etc.

50. Matt 7:24-25 Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

51. 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence…This is Christianity 101 – everything else stands or falls on this – will we build our life upon obedience to Jesus Christ and His Word?

55. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. … and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Acts 2:42-47

56. Rom. 13:7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

57. Rom 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. All jurisdictions flourish when God’s people walk in the obedience of Faith.

58. Devotion Toward Family

60. 1 Sam 1:21 The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow.

61. The Christian family is God’s primary agency for building faith and character in future generations .

62. Children worshipping and serving along-side their parents is the optimum method for preserving a vibrant church of the future.

63. Deut 6:6-8 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up….There is no context in which the father should not act as the leader of his own household, least of all in the church!

65. 1 Peter 5:2-3 …shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion…3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

66. The families of Church leaders affectionately walk besides their member families.

67. Phil 2:2-4 …complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

69. Gen 18:18-20 …Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation…For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord…

70. We must see Family Discipleship as necessary in fulfilling the Great Commission. ..is this not our “Greatest Commission?”

72. Devotion TowardChurch

76. Devotion TowardSociety

78. 2 Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us….

79. 1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

80. God is raising up ambassadors to penetrate every culture on earth

81. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 ….make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.Our godly lifestyles are the salt of the earth and the light of the world …which demonstrate God’s Kingdom order in the home, church and community.

83. Galatians 6:10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

87. Discipleship in the Family

88. Discipleship in the Church

91. Jer. 31:30 …everyone shall die for his own sin. Each man who eats sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.

92. 2 Chron. 25:4 Fathers shall not die because of their children, nor children die becauseof their fathers,but eachone shall die for his own sin.

93. Rom 14:10-12 For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

94. One’s Personal accountability and responsibility before God is the driving biblical truth behind both Effective Evangelism and Dynamic Discipleship.

95. Matt 16:27 …then he shall reward every man according to his works.Accepting personal responsibility is the gateway to a bountiful Christian life.

97. Ps 14:2-3 The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. 3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

98. Rom 3:23-24 …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…

99. The only way to the Father is through the blood of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

100. Heb 9:22 ..without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

101. John 14:6-7 "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

102. John 3:3-4 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Regeneration is a pre-requisite to discipleship. No one can be a disciple unless first, and genuinely, cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

104. 1 Cor 3:10-11 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

105. Col 3:1-4 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

106. Heb 6:1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection… Discipleship builds hope, purpose and power into the life of believers as their faith grows in their position, experience and future with Christ.

107. Discipleshipin the Family

110. 2 Tim 2:3 …entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

111. Personal discipleship and mentoring do not escape church leaders under this model, rather “household pastors” are the “faithful men” that are entrusted to take the gospelto their home,the church, the community & the world.

112. Deut 6:6-9 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.HOFCC believes in Lifestyle Discipleship, where every day, every place and every circumstance becomes an opportunity to train our children.

114. Acts 6:5-6 …and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them…

115. Effective ministry emerges from sound, faithful, well-managed homes.

116. 2 Tim 1:5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice.

117. Acts 18:26-27 (Apollos) began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately. God’s Kingdom contains hosts of undiscovered ministries because families engage only in pastor-driven, staff-directed programs.

118. Discipleshipin the Church

124. Titus 1:7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, ...not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, …

125. God’s primary testing ground for elders is the home…and a significant qualifier for that office is godly management of it.

126. Our first responsibility as Elders and Deacons is to be examples of sound doctrine in action!

127. 1 Tim 3:4-6 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?

128. HOFCC Elders lead from the platform of authoritative example. Rejecting “authoritarianism,” we believe a clear gospel message springing from a fruitful life will catch the ear of the Lord’s sheep.

129. Making New Disciples

131. Eph 4:11-12 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…

132. The “fountain” of church ministry is not church programs, but the divine calling of each family and individual believer to fulfill God’s ministry purposes in their lives.

133. Eph 4:15-16 …we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Elders establish the culture and mechanisms that foster members discovering their callings and being mentored in them.

135. Matt 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

136. Jesus’ command includes responsibility toward all lost people everywhere, insomuch as we have ability to reach them. This includes foreign missions, unreached people groups and local evangelism.

137. Rom 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other.

138. Acts 19:10 (Paul’s testimony) continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. HOFCC recommends that every congregation develop a Global Outreach strategy that includes both support and participation in domestic evangelism, foreign missions and church planting.

140. Lev 19:34 You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

141. Ex 12:49 There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you."

142. Salvation and baptism are the beginning of the gospel work in the human soul.

143. Matt 28:20 …teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.The atmosphere in every church should be that of welcoming and instructing people in the gospel through every stage of Christian development.