Mission is fueled by passion and commitment and is carried out through strategies and methods. Getting the mission right was important enough to God that He wrote it down in Ephesians 3:21. But God also cares deeply about how Christ’s Church accomplishes this mission. Methods matter to God because they affect how His glory is achieved.

What governs the selection, implementation, and administration of ministry strategies and methods at Brookside is the Word of God. While we realize that the Bible does not directly speak to all contemporary ministry issues in the church, we believe that when reverentially approached, carefully and properly interpreted, and reasonably applied, the Bible gives us all we need as a church for life and godliness (2 Peter 2:3-4).  Continue reading. . .

When you get to know us, you will quickly discover that like you, we are a congregation of imperfect people. However, we also hope that you will find us to be a group of believers who sincerely desire to please Him and to represent Him accurately and attractively to others.

 

This desire grows out of the mission we have embraced and it is governed by the authoritative message God has given His Word. You will find us to be a people who love the Bible and take it seriously and soberly each time we hear it preached.

 

This desire is also expressed by several core values that permeate our life and shape our worship as a congregation. (click here to read)

What we believe determines how we behave. This makes the doctrines we believe as a church profoundly important. There is a defined set of biblical teaching we must understand, obey, practice, and defend as believers.

Sadly, we live in an age where the very institution given the responsibility to teach, practice, and guard sound doctrine has set doctrine aside as unimportant. In fact, many churches actually believe doctrine is not only impractical but is also a hindrance to growth. Our belief at Brookside is exactly the opposite. We believe sound doctrine is essential in order to grow healthy disciples who are pleasing God.

 

Some doctrines are so important to God, that to fail to believe and hold them is to fall short of being a Biblical Christian. Those doctrines transcend all denominational lines and fall into the category described by Paul in Ephesians 4:4-6. Other doctrines define the boundaries of genuine fellowship and unity within a particular community of faith such as Brookside. We are to hold these doctrines together in unity by guarding and protecting peace (Ephesians 4:3). The core beliefs and doctrines that we hold as a church are stated in our (Statement of Faith.)

What are the marks of a biblical Baptist? 

The Practice of Biblical Worship

How Shall We Then Sing?

Psalm 33:1-5 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous!  For praise from the upright is beautiful.  Praise the LORD with the harp; Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.  Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.  For the Word of the LORD is right, And all His work is done in truth.  He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. . .

Colossians 2:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

 

As you gather to worship God with us each week, you will find that music plays an important part in our worship.  In fact, only the preaching of God’s Word is more important. Music ministers grace to and prepares us to hear what God has to say each week from His Word. 

 

Music is an important means by which we express worship to God.  In fact, the Bible reveals that music and worship are inextricably linked.  Good and acceptable worship involves biblically shaped music that communicates what we believe about God in ways that are accurate to the Scripture as well as authentic expressions of our hearts as we come into God’s presence together. 

 

We work hard to create an environment where God’s people can come together and fulfill the mandates that are expressed in the three Biblical texts listed above. Since there are almost as many approaches to music in worship as there are churches, it will be important to us that those who attend regularly understand our particular approach and the biblical principles we employ to shape the way we sing and praise the Lord in corporate worship.  Perhaps the best way to introduce our approach is to walk through several basic ideas that set the atmosphere and establish the context for how we practice corporate worship at Brookside.

 

Purpose

Principles

Practice

Parameters

Ministry as described in the New Testament was never a one-man show. Christ designed His Church to grow and mature when all of the members of that body used their spiritual gifts to contribute to the health and growth of the body (Ephesians 4:15-16). He appointed spiritual leaders or pastors to equip believers to do this by teaching and preaching God’s Word (Ephesians 4:12-14). He also appointed spiritual men to serve in the congregation as deacons so that the pastors could give themselves to the ministry of prayer and the Word (Acts 6:1-7).

When all the parts of the body are following Christ’s design, the Word of God will increase, the Gospel will go forth powerfully, and the Church will grow biblically (Acts 6:7).

 

We are striving to be a church governed by the corporate congregation and served by biblically-qualified, Spirit-filled individuals who have been called by God to shepherd and serve His church. As a congregation, we want to be guided spiritually by God-appointed shepherds and served faithfully by a group of God-appointed deacons. In short, we want to follow God’s design and plan for His Church as revealed in the New Testament.

Our Shepherd Pastors	Our Servant Deacons	Our Support Staff