What we do & why ...
So many churches today seem to over-emphasise non-essentials and then under-emphasis essentials. Our goal is to keep our focus on what is important. We desire to maintain a casual but reverent atmosphere where people can come as they are but also find grace to help where they need it most. And though we are far from perfect, we also want to practice what we preach. Not just because we don't like to be considered hypocrites, but also because we believe doing things God's way is the best way. The following is meant to give you an idea of what you can expect here at Calvary Chapel Norwich and also why we 'do church' the way we do it.
We believe the worship of God should be Biblical:
Therefore, in our services, we emphasise Bible teaching so God may instruct us how He would be worshipped.
We believe the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired without error in the original manuscripts, preserved by God throughout history and the infallible rule for faith and practice for the church today; We believe that the apostles expounded the Old Testament scriptures in the light of who Jesus Christ is and what He accomplished through His death and resurrection. Their doctrine became what we now call the New Testament, (Psalm 12:6-7; John 17:17, 2 Tim. 3:16-17, Gal. 1:8-9). Therefore, we teach the Bible systematically; verse by verse; Genesis through Revelation, in an effort to declare the whole council of God and accurately contend for the faith (Acts 20:27, Jude 3). We also believe that the Lord Jesus Christ committed two ordinances to the Church: 1) baptism and 2) the Lord's supper. We practice and encourage baptism of believers by immersion as it is requested and communion open to all believers.
We believe the worship of God should be Authentic:
Therefore, we desire to know and respond to God as He has revealed Himself and let any and all experiences we have be weighed against the scriptures, (Acts 17:11, Ps. 138:2).
We believe that there is one living and true GOD, eternally existing in three manifestations: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory; that this triune God created all, upholds all and governs all. We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love, and transcendent fom His creation; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; and that He hears and answers prayer; and that "the prayer of the upright is His delight", (Proverbs 15:8). Therefore we have times of open prayer in most services. We believe that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. We believe in God the Son, Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit; in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings; in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for his people and personal, visible return to earth. Therefore we do not hesitate to call people to turn away from their sins and to put their faith in Christ alone for salvation, (see Romans 10:11-15).
We believe the worship of God should be Spiritual:
Therefore we remain flexible so the Holy Spirit may direct our worship, (John16:13, Acts 13:2, 1 Cor. 12:11 & 14:40).
We believe in the Holy Spirit, Who came forth from the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment; to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry all who believe in Jesus Christ and that the Holy Spirit is an abiding Helper, Teacher and Guide. We depend on the Holy Spirit to lead, rather than on fleshly promotion and therefore, we believe church government should be simplistic rather than a complex bureaucracy. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the Biblical exercise of all the gifts of the Spirit. We consider ourselves Spirit-filled yet non-charismatic. Spirit-filled in that we embrace the present day working of the gifts of the Spirit. Non-charismatic in that we reject the unbiblical and harmful "winds of doctrine" that many charismatic churches have become known for. Nor do we believe that the gifts of the Spirit must be administered in a boisterous theatrical manner, but that God is capable of using His power gently, in normal tones of voice, without calling undue attention to the one ministering. Therefore we encourage the use of the gifts in a manner that is both testable and edifying to all who are present (1 Thessalonians 5:14-22, 1 John 4:1).
We believe the worship of God should be Inspirational:
Therefore we give great place to music in our worship, (Ps. 33:2-3; Col. 3:16).
We believe music, both vocally and instrumentally, is Biblically, historically and currently conducive to the worship of God. We believe lyrics should be biblically based and doctrinally sound as well as aesthetically pleasing. We believe music styles and tastes vary greatly and therefore we endeavor to use music that is edifying to most. We believe music is most inspirational when it causes us to think on and communicate with God Himself. Therefore, we desire the music aspect of our worship service to be focused on the Person of God as well as a benefit to His people.
We believe the worship of God should be Fruitful:
Therefore we look for His love in our lives as the greatest evidence that we are truly worshipping Him, (John 13:34-35, 1 John 3:16-18).
We believe the true basis of Christian fellowship is God's love, without which we have no right to say we are Christians. We believe that all people are sinners by nature and choice and, therefore, are under condemnation, but that God forgives and regenerates by the Holy Spirit, those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord, and that Jesus Christ baptises the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit that they may be empowered for loving service. "We love Him because He first loved us", (1 John 4:19). We believe God's love is evidenced in relationships with believers through the "one another" commands in the scripture. Therefore, we emphasise time to fellowship where we might live these out. We believe God's love should be evidenced in relationships with non-believers through practical service and the intentional preaching of the gospel. Therefore we continue to seek and promote ways to effectively communicate God's truth to a dying world.