For the Glory of God….
And the good of the
people.
Trinity Grace Church
/ (479) 636-9977
Trinity Grace
Church exists for
the glory of God
and for the good
of the people.
Being equipped
and strengthened
by the simple
means of grace,
we serve the Lord
and his church,
and impact the
world, through:
• Worship
• Outreach
(community)
• Reaching
(missions)
• Shepherding
• Hospitality
• Initiative in
small
groups
• Planting
new
churches
our community
Northwest Arkansas has
an estimated population
of 464,00 people.
In
2000, the population of
the metropolitan area was
347,000 people. In ten
years, this area grew by
more
than
100,000
people. Our community
has
families
and
individuals moving into
the area from all over the
United States and the face
of Northwest Arkansas is
constantly changing.
Northwest
Arkansas really is no
different than the rest of
the world.
People are
stressed as a result of the
pressures of life and they
place high priority on
comfort and freedom of
individual
expression.
Often,
they
are
comfortable
with
philosophies that teach
self-fulfillment and they
try in vain to maintain a
relativistic
worldview.
The religious landscape of
Northwest Arkansas is not
much different than the
rest of the nation. True, it
once was known for being
part of the Bible belt. And
yet, even that being true,
the dominant religion of
Northwest Arkansas could
be called, as Christian
Smith coined the phrase,
“Moralistic
Therapeutic
Deism.” This is a religion
driven by a stress on
morals; a religion for the
purpose of making the
individual feel better; and
a religion whose God isn’t
really concerned with the
everyday affairs of life.
This
is
Northwest
Arkansas.
In Benton
County, particularly, a
new trend is taking place.
It is estimated that 70% of
those new families who
are moving in are unchurched. We desire to
reach
this
wonderful
community
with
the
gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our role in the broader church
All we do or will do as part
of the body of Christ
represented by Trinity
Grace Church will be done
from the foundation of the
Word of God; our rule for
faith and life.
We
understand
and
acknowledge
the
Scriptures’ teaching that,
as Proverbs 16:9 tells us,
“In his heart a man plans
his course, but the Lord
determines his steps.”
With this in mind, it is
good that we plan our
course; that course toward
which we believe God is
leading. We will always
trust the Holy Spirit for
His leading and guidance
We pray that He will
direct our steps where He
pleases.
The officers of
TGC believe God is calling
us to be a “flagship”
reformed church in the
state of Arkansas. We do
not believe this because of
anything we think we
possess of our own but in
God’s grace and by His
providence,
He
has
brought us to this point to
be used by Him as He
continues to strengthen
His people and draw
people to Himself. Our
desire to be a “flagship”
reformed church is rooted
in our firm conviction that
the reformed faith is the
biblical faith and we have
a passion that others
experience the full joy of
knowing Jesus Christ.
Trinity Grace Church
Page 2 of 7
The reach of NW Arkansas
Crystal Bridges Museum
Often, we think that it is
the large cities and
metropolitan areas that
have the most influence
on and in our culture.
While it is true that our
culture is influenced
greatly by these big
cities, we must not
forget that our own
Northwest Arkansas is a
unique part of the
country that has the
opportunity to reach to
the ends of the earth.
This
is
not
exaggeration.
an
The
University of Arkansas
and
John
Brown
University
attract
students from around
the world who will go
back
to
the
communities
and
countries from which
they came. Wal-Mart is
the
number
one
business in the world
and its headquarters are
right here.
Tyson
Chicken and J.B. Hunt
are also headquartered
here
in
Northwest
Arkansas.
And, of
course, now we have the
beautiful
Crystal
Bridges Museum with
visitors from around the
world.
Thousands of
people
come
to
Northwest
Arkansas
and then leave to return
to different parts of the
world.
Truly, this community
is in a strategic position
for the advancement of
the gospel.
Our message
God saves sinners through the person and work of Jesus Christ.
We believe that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation for
all who believe. Not only is it the power unto salvation, but it is
the power unto life (Romans 1:16-17). The gospel is both sufficient
and efficient. It is sufficient to give us all we need for faith and life
and is efficient to change the hearts of men and women through
the work of God's Spirit. We desire that the gospel impact the
community of Northwest Arkansas in such a way that people are
surprised by its power and relevancy in their lives.
“The Gospel is the power of
God unto salvation to all
who believe…”
The impact of the gospel message
•
The Gospel Changes People – through the continual application of the gospel,
we become more like Christ.
•
The Gospel Brings Joy – the Gospel sets us free from condemnation and selfrighteousness to enjoy God fully.
•
The Gospel Defines Community – in union with Christ, we become sons and
daughters of God.
•
The Gospel Frees Us –to be who God made us to be – not seeking the approval
of man but free in the Lord.
•
The Gospel Informs Attitudes – as Christians, we desire the peace and wellbeing of our communities.
•
The Gospel Curbs Pride – we are humbled by the grace of God in Christ Jesus.
•
The Gospel Renews Culture – we do all we do for the glory of God.
•
The Gospel Spreads – church planting is both the result of and means to
fulfilling the Great Commission.
Trinity Grace Church
Page 3 of 7
Some Driving Principles
•
Worship should be God-centered, believer-oriented,
and sensitive to the needs of those who do not yet
know Christ, while maintaining that the one to whom
we should be most sensitive in worship is our Lord
Jesus Christ to whom that worship is directed.
•
We believe the ordinary means whereby Christ
communicates to His church the benefits of His
mediation, are all His ordinances; especially the
word, sacraments, and prayer.
•
We believe that the primary means of grace is the
Word of God. It is that, met with the Spirit of God
that changes the hearts and lives of men and
women.
•
We are committed to being a church that
appreciates and employs the best traditions of the
church while appropriating the best contemporary
gifts God has given to His people.
•
We believe that small groups are an effective tool
for education, care, assimilation and discipleship.
•
We are committed to providing intentional pastoral
care to every member of our church.
•
We believe that children and youth are part of the
church and thus we are committed to teaching and
caring for them so that they might be
a witness
for Christ in their schools, neighborhoods and
playgrounds.
•
We are committed to reformed theology, which
emphasizes the sovereignty of God in salvation and
the Lordship of Christ over all of life.
•
We believe that the church is both a “city on a hill”
and a “light to the world.” Therefore, we are
committed to nurture and build up in the faith those
that are within, to be a voice of righteousness in the
community, and to seek ways of exposing the unchurched to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
fellowship dinner
Trinity Grace Church
Page 4 of 7
Mission
5891 Bellview Rd.
Rogers, AR 72758
Phone:
(479) 636-9977
E-Mail:
[email protected]
for t he gl ory
of god a nd t he
good of t he
pe opl e
We’re on the Web!
See us at:
www.trinitygrace.org
•
Worship that is God-centered, believer-oriented and
•
Reaching the world through missions
vibrant
o Preaching/Teaching
o Music Ministry – Vocal and Instrumental - Adult and
Children
o Order of Worship
o Sermon Publishing
• Outreach to our local communities
o Greeters and Greeting Ministry
o Diaconal Giving
o Mercy Ministries
o Nursing Home Ministry and Worship
o Mid-week Bible Courses for the community/coffee
house discussions
MTW
MNA
Mission Trips
Mission Conferences
• Shepherding and Discipling
o Family Visits
o Christian Education
 Nursery, Children, Youth, Adult, Inquirer’s Class
o Future School
o Prep Program for High School Seniors
o Pastoral Mentoring
o Newsletter
• Hospitality
o Showing love to one another
o Lovingly and graciously receiving visitors
o Individual Members serving the whole
o
o
o
o
•
Initiative in facilitating small group ministries
•
Planting New Churches
o WIC
o Small Groups
o Men’s Groups
o Mid-South Church Planting Network
o Internships/Church Planter training
Trinity Grace Church
Page 5 of 7
Vision
We believe the future is an exciting one for Trinity Grace
Church. As we look forward and dream about the possibilities
of what God might be calling us to be and to do, it is both
humbling and thrilling.
It has been stated that the elders believe God is calling us
to be a “flagship” Reformed church in our area. What does that
mean and what does that look like?
The elders see a church committed to the Word of God
and dependent upon the work of the Spirit in their midst – a
church doing what she does to the glory of God and for the
good of the people.
The elders see a church:
• hearing, sharing, and applying the
gospel to life
• excited about missions; supporting
foreign and domestic missions,
engaging in missions, and hosting
mission conferences
• planting churches – including
four additional churches in
northwest Arkansas - one of
those a reformed Hispanic work –
and providing administrative and
pastoral support for them until
particularization
• ministering to the community
through benevolence and diaconal
work
• with a choir, praise ensemble, &
orchestra using their gifts in the
worship of God
• providing mid-week bible classes
for the church and the community
• housing a biblical, reformed, k-12
school
• providing a pastoral mentor
program
• providing seminary type courses
for the community and for
continuing education for local
and regional ministers from all
denominations
• Offering a summer prep program
for outgoing High school seniors
• Hosting theological and biblical
conferences/concerts/etc.
• with a healthy ministry to kids and
youth as part of the church family
“The elders
believe God
is calling us
to be a
“flagship”
Reformed
church in
our area.”
Trinity Grace Church
Page 6 of 7
God
Is the creator and sustainer of all things. He is a Spirit, infinite,
eternal, and unchangeable in His being wisdom power, holiness, justice,
goodness and truth. There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one God, the same in
substance, equal in power and glory.
Jesus Christ
The Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, was born of the virgin
Mary, without sin. He lived a perfect life and offered Himself as a
substitutionary sacrifice to pay for the sins of those who believe in Him.
He was crucified, dead, and was buried. He rose again on the third day
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father and will return to
judge the earth at the last day.
The Holy Spirit
Is alive and working in the world and in His people. He convinces men
of sin and works faith in them thereby uniting them to Christ.
The Bible
Is the infallible, inerrant, Word of God. It is our only rule for faith and
life. It is profitable for teaching, correcting, and training in
righteousness and is able to make one wise unto salvation.
Men & Women
Are created in the image of God. Because of our sin, we are separated
from God and are unable to offer anything pleasing to Him. Only by
God’s saving grace can men and women be in a right relationship with
Him.
The Church
Consists of all those who have faith in Jesus Christ. God has one people
and the story of the Bible is the story of God redeeming His people for
Himself.
Salvation
Is a gift of God’s grace. Because of the person and work of Christ on our
behalf, God accepts us as righteous in His sight; and this salvation is
received by faith alone.
Those who have faith in Jesus Christ
Will, at their death, be made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of
God to all eternity. Those that do not have faith in Christ will also live
eternally, out of the presence of God and enduring the pains of Hell
forever.
Trinity Grace Church
People ask, “What makes Trinity Grace Church different?” In other words, what
are the distinctives of this church? In answer to this, we respond joyfully:
We are evang elical .
This means that we take our stand with all those who believe in what used to be called “the
fundamentals”: the existence of the triune God, the deity of Jesus, the virgin birth, the
substitutionary & vicarious atonement of Christ, the physical resurrection of Christ, the
sure return of Christ, and the infallibility & divine authority of the Bible. We joyfully
affirm our unity with those from every tradition and denomination who fold to those
fundamentals, including those true believers in Christ who, for whatever reasons, find
themselves members of denominations or churches with which we might have certain
disagreements.
We are evang elisti c.
We take seriously the Great Commission, “Go and make disciples of all nations.”
Without compromising the sovereignty of God, we affirm the responsibility of each person
to repent and believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord & our responsibility to extend the
Gospel invitation as a call to salvation to everyone who hears its message. We invite all,
without distinction, to drink freely of the water of life and to live eternally.
We are re fo rmed .
We believe that the reformed faith is biblical faith. Reformed distinctives include the
sovereignty of God in His creation, providence and election of believers apart from any
merit of their own; the irresistible grace of God provided for and preceding the faith of the
individual; the sufficiency of God’s grace apart from which man is dead in sin and
wholly defiled in all his faculties of soul and body; the efficacy of Christ’s death for all
those who believe in Him by grace; the safe-guarding of all those for whom Christ died for
eternity. We seek to hold to our reformed convictions humbly, recognizing the sincerity
and earnestness of godly men and women who hold other positions.
We are co nfe ssio nal.
This means that we have a written confession of faith, which we believe to be a good and
accurate summary of the Bible’s teaching. Our confession consists of the Westminster
Confession of Faith & the Larger & Shorter Catechisms. They can be found at
www.reformed.org/documents/westminster_conf_of_faith.html
We are cove nantal .
To say we are covenantal means we believe that the unifying principle of the Scriptures is
the one covenant of grace that God made with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and
finally, and most importantly, finds fulfillment in Jesus Christ. To speak of the unity of
the covenants means that there is one way and one way only to salvation in both the Old
and New Testaments – that is, by faith alone in Christ alone.
We are Kingdom centered.
We believe that the Kingdom of God is not only a future hope but is also a present reality.
We believe that the ascension of Jesus Christ means that He is presently reigning from
Heaven & therefore we are called upon to honor and obey Him in every area of our personal
lives & to plant the banner of Christ’s Kingdom rule in every area of human endeavor.
We are Presbyterian.
This word refers to our form of governance. We believe that the most clear biblical pattern
is for churches to be governed by presbyters (elders) who rule jointly in what are called
“church courts”; sessions, presbyteries, and the General Assembly.
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