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Our distinctives
These doctrinal distinctives are shared by all of the churches who participate in the network. This limits who joins the 3strand Network, but these distinctives are necessary to maintain a working unity.

Sovereignty

We hold to a biblical view of God’s sovereignty (Rom 11:33–36), the doctrines of grace (Rom 6:20–23, Eph 1:4–8, Acts 20:28, John 1:12–13, Rom 8:1–10, Rom 8:31–39), and the order of salvation (Rom 8:29–30) in line with Reformed tradition. Jesus saves sinners from death to life in abundance, not because of anything they have done, but because of everything He has done. Life in Jesus is a free gift of His sovereign grace, for His glory and our joy (Eph 2:4–10). 

Church

We believe the New Testament demonstrates the structure of a local church, which includes servant-hearted, biblically-qualified eldership (Titus 1:5–9), the admittance and removal of members (Matt 18:15–30, 1 Cor 5), and the proper administration of the Sacraments as instituted by Jesus (Luke 22:20, Matt 28:19).

Anthropology

God has created all humans in his own image (Gen 1:27), thus, all human beings are image-bearers and worthy of dignity and respect, from the moment of conception. God also created them male and female, completely equal in worth and value, yet intentionally distinct in a way designed to complement each other. Marriage, created by God, is a vital partnership between a man and woman (Eph 5:25–33). In the context of the local church, God has ordained that qualified men lead in the church sacrificially giving of themselves as the chief servants of the community (1 Tim, 3:2, 1 Tim 2:12–13).

Discipleship 

Jesus has tasked his Church with the making of disciples (Matt 28:18–20). The New Testament gives the church clear models of intentional community relationships, formal and informal, in which people give of themselves to help people love and obey Jesus, love others, and understand the Bible (Acts 20:18–25, 1 Cor 11:1, John 13:35). The local church is a community in which people, in the name of Jesus, are known and know others, are loved and love others, are served and serve others. At the core of biblical discipleship is an others-centered love for God and all people (Luke 10:27).

Proclamation

The preaching of the gospel of Jesus, from his Word, is the backbone of the tangible activity of a local church (1 Tim 4:1–2), the public worship of Jesus (1 Tim 4:13), and its visible evangelistic activity (Rom 10:14). It is the task of the elders, rooted in God’s Word, to equip the saints for the work of the ministry (Eph 4:11–16) from the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:26–28).

In addition to these distinctives, we affirm together the Gospel Coalition Confessional Statement as our statement of faith.

TGC STATEMENT OF FAITH