A Guide to

Networked house churches focused on

Life Together, Making Discipleship and Sending

Version 5.3

Index
PG 3

What is Common Ground

PG 4

Three Core Values

PG 5

Practicing the Core Values

PG 6

Structure and Organization

PG 7

Leadership Qualifications

PG 9

Leadership Pathway

PG 10

Launching a House Church

PG 11

Children, Part of the House Church

PG 12

Guidelines that Help

PG 13

Best Practices and Tools

PG 14

Confession of Faith

Copyright 2007, 2014, 2015 Common Ground

What is Common Ground

Common Ground Goal (Vision): To connect the unconnected and unbeliever to Jesus Christ and establish them in
the faith.
How the goal is achieved (Mission): The primary means is through house churches which do life together, Make
disciples and Send.
Common Ground is a network of house churches. The distinctive parts of the network are as follows:

Common Ground House Churches (CGHC)

These local churches which meet in homes comprise the network. Each CGHC is supported and connected by:
1. Network Leaders - There are many leaders all working toward the same vision
2. Network Huddles - Every six weeks CGHC leaders get together to support each other and pray together.
3. Network Celebrations - One or more clusters of CGHCs get together to celebrate the work of God

Common Ground Church Network (CGCN)

This network is formed by many CGHCs and may include other ministries which the network oversees and
which align with the vision of Common Ground and can support the mission.

According to scripture, our Fathers plan all along was to create one body (the Church) under the headship of Jesus Christ and it is this body that declares the reality of Gods salvation and glory [Matt 28:18-20, Luke 24:45-47, Acts
1:8, Eph 2-4,] . This truth is what provides the fourfold foundation for Common Ground.
Jesus Christ, the head of the Church: He has been given all authority to establish, grow and multiply his church. Likewise, He distributes the wrath of God and preserves the elect according to
Gods will. No tradition, structure or idol of men supplants his authority. The church submits to
Jesus Christ with joy and thankfulness. (Eph 1:10, 4:15-16, 5:24; Col 1:18; Heb 3:2-6)

Priesthood of believers: Every believer has equal access to God, receives gifts, and is called of
God to use their gifts for the benefit of the body and to glorify God.
(Ex 19:6; Isa 61:6; Rom12:1; 1 Peter 2:5; Rev 1:6, 5:10)

A Family of Families: A local church is a family of families with every individual an integral part
of the whole. Paul stated in Romans that there is one body with many members that belong to
each other. Commitment to family, and our conduct toward each other as family is often addressed in the scriptures. This principle of family beautifully illustrates Gods plan through Jesus
Christ. (Matt 24:45; Rom 12:5; 1 Cor 12:12; Eph2:19, 3:6; 1 Tim 3:15).

Incarnation: The church declares Gods plan and glory. We don't do so through any spectacular
means of men, but by the sheer fact that we have been given a divine life within our flesh which
pours out to bear witness of God (Matt 5:14; Jn 8:12; 1 Cor 1:17, 2:13; Eph 3:10; Rev 1:20, 2:5 )

Three Core Values

There are three principles which have been chosen to uphold the foundations which were explained on the previous page. No practice or structure defines the church, but they are necessary for the church to function here on this
earth. Any structure and practices we use exists to serve the church in its life and witness.
#1 Do Life Together
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 - Acts 2:46

The church is Gods family. Here on earth this looks like a group of people who
have committed themselves to each other. This means individuals will build their
lives and calendar around their CGHC. This also means that everyone in a CGHC
is involved and using their gifts for the benefit of Gods people.

As in your immediate family, doing life together can occur naturally. The things
you do in every day life, are done with your family whether its eating a meal, going to the store, doing chores or
watching a movie. Now think of your CGHC as part of your family. Include them in the things you would normally do. Also including neighbors, friends and family who are unbelievers is a great way to build relationships and
live missionally.
#2 Make Disciples
As you are going, make
disciples of all nations

Community as God desires is missional. This means that all individuals in a CGHC are
individually and together living as a witness of Jesus Christ. Making disciples is both a
proclamation and demonstration of the good news as we continually seek to align every part of our life with the teaching and nature of Jesus Christ.

Discipleship is not something you do, it is the way you live. When a person and especially a group of people live
out their faith together it creates a reputation. This reputation naturally leads to conversations and people being
curious. The Holy Spirit then brings conviction, confronting a person with their own sin. Then transformation occurs as individuals begin to identify and align their lives with the new nature they have been given in Christ. Consequently, discipleship happens beautifully in the context of doing life together. This isnt to say that it is always
easy and clean.
Incarnational Living > Reputation > Conversation > Confrontation >Transformation
(living as Christ)
(conviction)
#3 Send
The goal of a CGHC is not to see how many people can be added into the fellowship. Rather, a culture of sending
is to be fostered. Individuals who become followers of Jesus Christ and are discipled are called in various ways to
serve the Lord. Some will start new house churches, others will go on to start whole networks. Some may be
called to serve in other cities or even other countries. When individuals and families are sent that is something to
celebrate. This means the reach of the gospel will spread, more individuals will have opportunity to do life together in Christ, and more will be discipled in the faith.
Sending is reminiscent of the Antioch church in scripture which acknowledged the call of God in Paul and Barnabas life. And so they sent them out, commending them for the ministry God had for them (Acts 13:1-3).

LIFE TOGETHER facilitates DISCIPLE MAKING

creating a need for SENDING

Practicing the Core Values

In order for these three principles to become part of the normal rhythms or culture of each CGHC, pastors will
need to create an intentional plan including clear practices that are observed in the CGHC. In the Network Huddles, pastors should be able to articulate what they are doing to foster the principles of life together, making disciples and sending. Below are some suggested practices for pastors of house churches.
LIFE TOGETHER
Serve each other and others together
Have fun together
Give others responsibility and authority to use their gifts in practical ways
Challenge the church to go beyond their comfort zones
Eat a meal together when you gather weekly
MAKE DISCIPLES
Divide your church members up into discipleship partners of 2 to 3 individuals who walk through a clear discipleship pathway together. One of the discipleship partners should be a an established believer. Suggested discipleship plans which provide an overview of the faith and ground individuals in scripture are:
The F260 One Year Study (see YouVersion bible plan, or replicateministries.org).
First Principles Series: 4 months to 2 year study (Bild.org)
Plan outreach events where your church ministers to, serves or just builds relationships in your neighborhood,
community or among those your church invites from their own social circles (work, play, neighbors, family).
Such events can be anything from backyard cookouts to practical ways of serving/helping.
Make the most of your house church gatherings and take everyone through a clear discipleship pathway to
establish them in the faith. Do this as opposed to just studying random curriculum.
Create ways of challenging your house church to live as missionaries right where they live work and play.
Work though the book God Space by Doug Pollock. Dont just do the study but challenge everyone to
practice weekly what you are studying.
Study the book Flesh by Hugh Halter to gain understanding of what it means to live incarnationally
Every week ask how they have demonstrated and shared the gospel. Sharing the gospel doesn't have to
be a full gospel presentation but anything that pointed people to our Father.
Use the book The Five Habits of Highly Missional People by Michael Frost to create missional mindset . Make it a weekly part of the group to walk through these five habits and share with each other how
they practiced them.
SEND
Develop an apprentice (This is not a suggestion, every House Church Pastor is to have an apprentice)
Continually propose the goal that some from the group will be sent out to plant new house churches.
Have a special celebration when someone is sent out from the group

Structure & Organization

CGHCs are networked together to provide support and to help equip them as they carry out Gods purposes, impacting their neighborhoods and communities. In order for a healthy network to exist, there has to be an ancillary
and scalable leadership structure where every leader and CGHC is supported, equipped and connected to others in
the body of Christ. Common Grounds structure of support is illustrated below.
Board of Pastors
The example below shows one
collective which is comprised of no
more than 5 huddles. Each
huddle is comprised of 5 to 6 house
churches.

Network Pastor

Collective
Pastor

Collective
Pastor

Collective
Pastor

Network Pastor

Collective
Pastor

Collective
Pastor

Collective
Pastor

CGHC
CGHC

CGHC

Huddle
Pastor

CGHC

Huddle Pastor

Huddle Pastor Huddle Pastor

Huddle Pastor

Huddle Pastor

GCHC Pastor

GCHC Pastor

CGHC Pastor

CGHC Pastor

CGHC
CGHC

CGHC Pastor

CGHC = Common Ground House Church

Common Ground Board of Leaders> Supports all of Common Ground including whole networks and their pastors. The
board is comprised of 3 to 7 individuals, each of who are part of the Common Ground Network.
Network Pastor > Supports and equips Collective Pastors and their cluster (up to 5 clusters).
Cluster Pastor > Supports and equips Huddle Pastors and their huddle of 5 to 6 house churches
Huddle Pastor > Supports and equips 5 to 6 House Church pastors and their house churches. A huddle pastor will be a member or pastor of one of the House churches in the huddle he supports.
House Church Pastor > Supports and equips the saints who are part of the house church of which he/she is a pastor.

The role of all pastors is summed up in our three principles. It is important to note that these pastors are not to be associated with the many cultural roles and expectations that pastors have today. Their task is to equip the saints and shepherd
them, but not necessarily to act as a chaplain to them.

Leadership Qualifications
Paul and Barnabas appointed leaders in all the local churches they planted. At the same time, the apostles warned
the churches of false teachers, and leaders who would come in like wolves trying to make a name for themselves
(Acts 20:28-31; 1 Tim 4, 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1). To take heed of this warning and to follow in the wisdom of
Pauls practices, some principles must be set in place for pastors and leaders in Common Ground.
Qualifications of Pastors and leaders:
Pastors are trusted caretakers of Gods flock. They serve those in their house church, they instruct members in
Gods Word, edify and, equip all to use their gifts to bless the body of Christ. Pastors are also champions of the
foundations of Gods church which have been laid out in this guide book.
We hold all of our pastors, to the same qualifications that the Bible declares to be fitting of overseers and deacons
in 1 Timothy 3. All Overseers are to demonstrate that they are living out genuine Christian lives, are regularly
ministering before Gods people, representing Gods people well, and are making wise decisions in their personal
lives and in their leadership.
Two principles that under gird the other qualifications.
1. Aspiration for the office indicates the leader desires to carry out the function of a leader, rather than simply
desiring a position.
2. Above Reproach means the leader has a sustained reputation for blamelessness, one against whom no legitimate criticism can be made.
Desirable Personal Qualifications
1. Temperate implies that the leader not only abstains from excessive intoxicating drink, but also maintains a
mental alertness and spiritual vigilance in daily life.
2. Prudent implies that the leader is a person of self control, one who has his passions bridled.
3. Self Controlled is similar to prudent but has a more general meaning that a leader had the moral strength to
curb or master himself.
4. Respectable refers to inner moral excellence and outward orderly Behavior.
5. Gentle does not imply weakness, rather a kind, yielding, forbearing spirit.

Desirable Personal Characteristics

1. Not addicted to wine literally means one who does not sit long at His Alcohol. This also carries the idea of being vigilant, so that no indulgences would lessen the leaders Christian watchfulness or soil his character.
2. Not pugnacious means he is not a bully or given to violence
3. Not contentious means he does not have a quarrelsome spirit
4. Free from the love of money means that he cannot be consumed with amassing material wealth.
5. Not fond of sordid gain is one who refuses to make a profit by shameful or disgraceful ways.
6. Not self willed: means the leader is quick to listen and does not assert his own rights above any other.
7. Not quick tempered: This implies that the leader does not fly off the handle or have a short fuse.

Social Qualifications
1. Husband of one wife means that he has a long standing reputation as being a one wife man. This also implies a
high standard of faithfulness and purity in marriage. This does not necessarily exclude a divorced person from
serving as a leader.
2. Manages his own household well is A leader who demonstrates an ability to provide leadership in the church
by the way he leads his own family.
3 Having children who believe refers to the leader as one who instructs his own children in the faith, so that his
teaching has full credibility with his own children.

4. Hospitable literally means lover of strangers. He is not prone to cliques and treats all people equally.
5. A good reputation with those outside implies that the leaders life is exemplary to the non-Christian as well
as to the Christian. He is not simply a cultural Christian.

Spiritual Qualification
1. Loves what is good is one who devotes his life to what is best and wholesome
2. Not a new Convert The leader must be one who has had time to mature in his faith so that his role will not produce pride.
3. Just refers to personal righteousness and impartiality
4. Devout refers to the leaders personal holiness, so that he lives a life separated unto God.
5. Holding fast the faithful Word implies that a leader must be stable in his faith and obedient to the Word in all
respects.
6. Able to teach does not necessarily mean the leader has the spiritual gift of teaching, but it does mean he is wellversed in Gods Word and is able to instruct others from the Word.

Pastors are called and commissioned according to three criteria:

1. The Holy Spirit has made evident their calling to the Body of Christ
2. The Body of Christ has affirmed their character, competency and calling
3. Other leaders have affirmed their character, competency and calling
Sometimes the body of Christ or other pastors recognize a person calling before they are willing to accept what the
Holy Spirit is making known. The pastor and others in the body of Christ can come along beside them and encourage such individuals in the path God has set for them. Ultimately though, the individuals must acknowledge and
accept their calling from the Lord.
Leadership Development:
Every pastor and their apprentice(s) will be an active part of a network huddle. These gatherings are focused on
equipping pastors to equip the saints to do life together, make disciples and send. The huddles also encourage pastors to take seriously the underlying practices and plans they have indicated to equip the saints.

Leadership Pathway
Individual

Apprentice
Movement Creator

House Church Pastor

Network Pastor

Huddle Pastor

Collective Pastor

The heavier arrows indicate a pathway within the Common Ground Network while the lighter arrows indicate
any leadership outside of Common Ground that the Holy Spirit might call a person to. If the Common Ground
Network, at any point, has had the privilege of discipling and equipping an individual who God has called to another ministry or leadership capacity we celebrate that.
Every pastor in the Common Ground Network is asked to have at least one apprentice that they are discipling
and mentoring. We believe the true test of leadership is not measured by followers but by leaders produced.
Five steps of apprenticeship that can be followed to develop a pastor.
1. I do, you watch, we talk (what worked, what didnt, how can we improve)
2. I do, you help, we talk
3. You do, I help, we talk
4. You do, I watch, we talk
5. You do, someone, else watches
The idea behind these steps is that an apprentice is slowly given authority and responsibility as a pastor by an
already established pastor. Eventually the mentoring pastor or the mentee can be sent to plant a new house
church. The development of pastors in this way is significant in creating a sending culture.
What exactly should pastors be talking to their apprentice(s) about? They of course should talk about ministry,
both the challenges and joys of pastoring. They should talk through how well or poorly the culture of the three
principles is being fostered among the church. However, conversation should not just be about ministry but
should be relational as well.
Great questions to share and ask your apprentice about.
1. How are you? (check in relationally)
2. What are you celebrating?
3. What challenges are you facing?
4. How will you tackle those challenges?
5. How can I help you?
6. How can I pray for you and here is how you can pray for me.

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Launching a House Church

Most CGHCs will be planted by pastors who have been raised up and sent out from a previously established
House Church. This can be referred to as planting, birthing or launching a House Church. To establish a CGHC
there must be an identified pastor who has been commended by another house church or pastors and leaders of the
Common Ground Network.
Every CGHC will look and launch a little differently. The Common Ground Network and supporting pastors will
be important in helping new house churches get on their feet and work through family life.
Most CGHCs will go through various stages which are common. These include:
Learning how to be a family
- getting use to the rhythm of doing life together
- establishing some family rules and guidelines that help everyone define the family experience
- becoming vulnerable and transparent with each other
Learning how to be on mission together
- defining the mission field
- welcoming guests into the family
- including others outside of the MF in life together activities and rhythms
Dealing with conflict
- experiencing conflict for the first time in a MF
- learning how to deal with that conflict in a healthy way
Working through emotions that come along with sending and multiplication
- sending out a family or two who is an intimate part of the house church
- celebrating the birth of a new house church

The Host of House Churches

Hosts are households which open their homes for the church to meet in. A host has the important job of setting an
environment of hospitality that makes others feel welcomed, safe, and comfortable. This is especially important as
guest come. Below are a few guidelines that can help create a welcoming and comfortable environment.

If you have pets, consider locking them up. Not everyone is comfortable with animals and this can make it
very awkward for individuals in your own home to let you know they are not comfortable with your pet.
If your house has a strong odor from pets, cigarette smoke or otherwise, you should do what you can to eliminate the odor. If the odor is too persistent, it may just be better not to host a house church.
When possible provide enough seating for everyone. This may not always be possible but as a host you should
go out of your way to make sure everyone has a place to sit and relax..
Especially where food is concerned, pay attention to sanitization and cleanliness. Guests in your home should
not have to feel concerned about such things.
It is helpful for new hosts to attend an existing home church so they can better understand what good hosting
looks like.
When it comes down to discipling the unconnected and unbeliever there are times when it will be important to
waive all cultural rules and guidelines of Common Ground to minister in less than ideal circumstances. May
the Holy Spirit guide every believer in good discernment in regards to this.

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Children, Part of the House Church

Children should be included as part of a CGHC. How each house church ministers to children will be a little different. Ultimately we believe that fathers of individual households are to bear the responsibility of making sure
their children are brought up in the instruction and discipline of the Lord, however, they do so in conjunction with
their spouse and the house church they belong to (Eph 6:4).
Children should be encouraged to partake in various aspects of House Church Life. Below are ways in which children might be part of the apostles teachings, which often present the greatest challenge for house churches.
1. Children can join in for part of the study. The part they are present for can be geared toward their understanding and may last anywhere from five to fifteen minutes or more on occasions. Children then can be sent
off to play and learn how to live in community with the other children. The teaching they are not present for
can be reinforced at home by the parents.
2. MFs can have the children be present for the full study. Granted, the children may get bored but they often
pick up more than we realize. Lessons can also be adjusted to include children more than they might otherwise.
3. Dont have the children present at all for the study but provide an alternative for the kids. Perhaps the MF
members can take turns leading the children in their own study.
There are other creative means in which Children can receive teaching such as doing break out groups where one
group consists of the children and is lead by an adult. Instruction for children in community is great but remember
that including them in every part of living out your faith in a house church is important.

A New Way

If a house church is not using a curriculum but is simply coming together to share according what God is speaking
to them, children could definitely be part of this. So often we feel groups must use a curriculum or have a study
but this is just not the case. If Jesus is head of his church, certainly he is able to direct our meetings, rather than
leaving it up to a study to do that. Think about the impact this would have on children, to see Gods Spirit moving
as he prompts individuals to share, testify, pray, sing a song, and so on.

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Guidelines that Help

Proximity: When members of a house church live in close proximity to each other, doing life
together becomes less difficult. The farther apart individuals live from each other, the difficulty
of doing life together increases. Also, If the households that are part of a house church are close
in proximity then they will share a similar mission field, their subdivision or neighborhood.

Plurality of Leadership: A look at the Apostle Pauls mission strategy in Acts 14 shows us

that he and his team appointed Elders (note the plural meaning more than one) of each local church. These leaders
(elders) were commended by the Spirit of God and were affirmed by others in the body of Christ. House Churches
can have a plurality of leadership, in fact we encourage that. The advantage to this is accountability and it helps
dispel too great a focus on any one person. In other words, plurality of leadership can encourage mutual edification between all group members.

Jesus can direct our time together: We are in the habit of thinking every GCHC meeting needs to have a

curriculum or some type of study to direct us. That is just not the case. If Jesus is head over his church then he is
capable of directing us. Do we believe that we can be together and see Gods Spirit move as he prompts individuals to share, testify, pray, sing a song, prophecy or whatever he wishes. God can direct our time together but we
seldom allow for him to do so.

Choose Curriculum Carefully Curriculums are only tools to help CGHCs think through scripture and perhaps
apply it in practical ways. If a curriculum is used then it should be chosen based on what is best to help move the
CGHC forward. For instance, do others need encouraged to share what they are hearing from God? Does the
group need an ordered study to lay a foundation of the basic principles of Christs teaching? In the section of this
handbook titled, best practices and tools, is a list of a few curriculum that may be helpful.

Identity in Christ as his church: CGHCs can understand themselves to be the church. They do not meet

simply to get something they are lacking from a worship service or to supplement a part of their lives that is missing. CGHCs are encouraged to observe the sacraments of baptism, the Lords supper and do the work of ministry.
It is important that every believer is understood to be a minister, in Gods church.
Realize that CGHC members may or may not attend a weekly worship service in another local church in addition
to their CGHC. Our goal is not to build walls of identification, but to build the Kingdom in which there is only one
church of Jesus Christ, and all believers belong to it. This church of Christ extends beyond human labels and identification.

Keep an Open Chair Mentality: When a CGHC becomes a closed group, not open to others, it is as good as

dead. Those who are new to the group can definitely change the dynamic of the group which may be uncomfortable for some but this is often a good thing. House churches should be open places where people can see the Kingdom of God. If we have a closed or unwelcoming mentality we destroy the witness of Christ and may not be walking by the Spirit of God. There are exceptions to this but God will make those clear. There will be some people
who only want to do harm or have an evil Spirit that cannot be welcomed into the CGHC.

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Best Practices and Tools

Under Construction..
UP-In-Out > 3 Relationships in which we live out our faith
(see book Big is Small, Slow is Fast )
Michael Frosts book, The Five Habits of Highly Missional People. BELLS > Practices of Missional People
3 Components that must exist for Sending to occur
Gospel (intimacy with God)
Community (intimacy with others)
Mission (focus on making disciples of others)

Ideas for what to do with people when you get them together in hopes of launching a house church.
Meet over food (diner, lunch, breakfast)
Discuss fun but serious questions (what is success, etc)
Do an activity together (serve together, go to a ball game, etc..)
Just get to know each other and dont worry about launching any kind of structured meeting time until everyone is comfortable with each other. This may take a month or more of meeting together over dinner or however, before you get to a place of meeting to purposely look at scripture, pray together, worship, etc..
Start by launching a study that will appeal to unbelievers and those unconnected. Ex. Chip Ingrams Why I believe what I believe,

Curriculums:
The First Principles Series, published by Bild Intl can be a great asset for establishing individuals and whole
MFs in the principles of Christ and His Apostles. This whole study can take two or more years to go through. The
advantages of this curriculum is that is thorough and very ordered. Be sure to focus on the questions in this curriculum to facilitate discussion. Only use the others sections of each lesson to support the discussion.
F260 Bible Study Plan. A one year plan of studying the Bible that takes you through key passages that every disciple needs to know. This is a great study for larger groups and even discipleship partners.
Seven Miracles of Jesus in the Gospel of John. This extremely simple study is a great tool to get others to facilitate the discussion. This study is also a powerful look at Jesus and our response or Him. You simply take the 7
miracles in John listed below and ask the same four questions about them.
http://cmaresources.org/article/seven-signs-in-john

1. Changing Water To Wine John 2:1-11

2. Healing the Officials Son John 4:46-54
3. The Invalid of Bethesda John 5:1-18
4. The Feeding of the 5,000 John 6:5-14
5. Jesus Walking On The Water John 6:16-21 (25-35)
6. Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind John 9:1-41
7. The Resurrection of Lazarus John 11:17-46

Questions to ask about each story:

What does this story say about people?
What does this story say about Jesus?
What does this story say about you?
Who needs to hear this story?

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Confession of Faith
Faith is more than a set of doctrinal statements and no list of such statements is truly an adequate expression since
faith must be lived. However, as a resource for sound doctrine the following provides our confession.
We believe.
Gods plan to establish his kingdom and bless his creation is eternal and was prophesied about beforehand. (Matt
13:17, Rom 16:25, Eph 3:1-5, 2 Tim 1:8-10, Titus 1:1-3, Heb 11:39-40, 1 Peter 1:10-12)
Every person is born a sinner before God and thus at enmity with Him (Ps 14:3, 143:2, Prov 20:9, Eccl 7:20, Isa
53:6, Rom 3:9-23, 5:10-12, Gal 3:22, Eph 2:3, 1 John 1:8,10, , James 3:2)
The penalty of sin is death and Gods wrath (Gen 2:17, Gen 3:19, Ps 7:11, Ezek 18:4, Rom 1:18, 2:5, 5:12, 6:23,
2:5, 1 Cor 6:9-10, Eph 2:3, 5:6, Col 3:6, James 1:15, Rev 6:16, )
Gods unique Son, was sent to earth through a virgin birth as the person of Jesus Christ, he lived as a sinless man,
was filled with Gods Spirit, died and rose from the dead and now reigns with God at His right hand. (Matt 16:21,
17:9, 20:19, Mk 16:19, John 2:22, Acts 2:24-33, 3:15, 4:10, 5:31, 10:39-40, Rom 4:25, 6:4-9, 1 Cor 6:14, 15:4,
Eph 1:20, Heb 1:3, 1 Peter 1:21)
Jesus Christ established Gods Kingdom, fulfilled all prophesy, rescued us from sin, death and Gods wrath by
bearing our punishment upon himself through death on a cross. In Him we have forgiveness. Jesus Christs death
reconciles us with our heavenly Father, making us part of the family. (Gen 12:3, John 1:1-14, 5:18, 8:58, 10:30-33,
20:28, Col 2:9, Phil 2:5-8, Heb 1:8 in conjunction with Ps 45:6; Isa 53:12, Mark 10:45, John 3:16, Acts 3:25-26,
26:18, Rom 4:25, 5:9-10, Gal 1:14, 3:8, 3:13, Eph 5:2, Col 1:13, 1 Thes 1:10, 5:9, 1 Tim 2:6, Titus 2:14, Heb 2:14,
9:14, 1 John 3:8, 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18, 1 John 2:2, 1 John 3:16)
Water baptism and the Lords Supper is symbolic of being identified with Jesus Christ and his Church and thus
is important as a practice of faith. (Matt 28:19-20; Acts 10:44-48; 1 Cor 11:17-34, 12:1-31)
The Lord Jesus Christ will be completely manifest, personally, bodily, and visibly in fulfillment of His reign in
a kingdom that will never end. As the sovereign Lord, He will resurrect and judge all humanity. (Luke 21:27,
Matt 24:26-31; Lk 21:27; Acts 1:11; Heb 10:37; 1 Thes 4:13-18; Titus 2:1114; Rev 1:7-8, 19:11-20:6)
Through the church, Gods eternal plan is being revealed to all, including those in the heavens; The church is
all believers of Jesus Christ who are unified through faith in Him. The church as part of Jesus Christ, should be
committed to his teaching, to obeying all of His commands, and seek to bring the gospel to the world. Matt 16:18,
Matt 16:18-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28; 1 Cor 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Eph 1:2223; 2:19-22; 3:1-13; 5:22-32; Col 1:18; 3:15; 1 Tim 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Rev 21:2-3
The Prophets and Apostles received from Christ a body of teaching regarding Gods Plan and Message.
These teachings are for all peoples in all times and in all cultures. These teachings are authoritative and are preserved to us today in the Bible. (Eph 3:1-13; 1 Thess 4:1-2; 2 Thess 2:15, 3:6; 1Tim 3:14-16; 2 Tim 1:13-14, 2:2,
3:9-10; Jude 3, 17)
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Believers set aside their old lives (old ways of thinking and living) and walk according to Gods Spirit. This new
life involves a renewed mind, conduct, attitude, actions, and Godly virtues. (Roman 12:1-2, 13:11-14; Gal 5:2233; Eph 4:22, -24 Col 3:12; 2 Peter 1:1-11)
Individual households and the behaviors of its members should function consistent with Gods created design for
man and the church. (Eph 5:22,25, 6:1-9; Col 3:18-21; 1 Peter 3:1-7).
The relationships, behaviors and order of Christian community and its members should be patterned according to the teachings and wisdom passed on through the apostles. (Rom 12:9-15, 14:1-7; Phil 2:1-4; Col 1:24293:13-16; 1 Tim 3:14-16; Titus 1:5-2:15; 2 Thess 2:25, 3:6).
A pattern of ministry and relationships should define our interactions with unbelievers. The pattern includes
respect for authority and good deeds towards those around us. (Rom 13:1-7; Col 4:5-6; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:12,
18)
Believers are to lead lives that are watchful and alert. (Eph 5:1-22, 6:10-18; 1 Tim 4:16; 1 Thess 3:6-15 Peter
5:8)
Regarding Social Issues:
It is Common Grounds Confession that the life of holiness we are called to prohibits us from the practice and support of certain social issues which many in the world accept and champion. Our understanding is that most of the
social issues center around a rejection of Gods way in favor of our own. When we choose our own way, we are
choosing to become our own God, thus giving us a false sense of justification for anything that we choose to do or
engage in. Thus We believe ..
> Abortion is the murder of a human life and mans effort to make life and death decisions that are Gods.
> Homosexuality is a perversion of Gods design for sex and marital intimacy. Christians may indeed wrestle with
homosexual attraction but as with every desire of our flesh that is not aligned with God, we will seek to submit
that to him
> Pornography feeds on the appetites of our flesh and exalts lust over love. It creates unhealthy addictions and other problems in society. Pornography is also a perversion of Gods design for sex and marital intimacy.
> Transgender identity is the confusion or rejection of the roles and differences God created between the sexes

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