Supplemental Affirmations

The following is from Article IV of the NewBranch Constitution, entitled “Supplemental Affirmations”

A. While the “Statement of Faith” found in Article III defines those foundational beliefs that we consider to be of primary importance, the following statements in this article define beliefs that are of secondary importance. While members of the church are not required to agree with these statements, all those aspiring to the office of elder must affirm each of them. Additionally, in an effort to maintain unity among our leadership and consistency in our teaching environments, all those desiring to serve as a Bible teacher or ministry leader must either affirm each of these statements, or inform the Elder Board in writing as to which statements they cannot affirm. Upon Elder Board approval, teachers who cannot affirm all of these statements may still serve in this role but will refrain from teaching in opposition to the positions outlined in the following statements.

1. GENDER ROLES IN THE CHURCH. We believe that each person is an image bearer of God, and that the two distinct, complementary genders together best reflect the image and nature of God. Therefore, men and women have equal value, dignity, and access to God while enjoying distinct roles within the church. We believe these distinctions in masculine and feminine roles were ordained by God as part of the created order and should find an echo in every human heart. Within the church, the only office that is not available to women is the office of elder (pastor), as defined in Article X below. (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:18, 21-24; 1 Corinthians 11:7-9; 1 Timothy 2:12-14, Ephesians 5:22-33, 1 Peter 3:1-2).

 2. REFORMED SOTERIOLOGY. We believe that election is God’s eternal choice of some persons unto everlasting life—not because of foreseen merit in them, but of His mere mercy in Christ—in consequence of which choice they are called, justified and glorified. We also affirm that regeneration is a change of heart, wrought by the Holy Spirit, who quickeneth the dead in trespasses and sins enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the Word of God, and renewing their whole nature, so that they love and practice holiness. It is a work of God’s free and special grace alone. (Romans 8:29-30, 9:6-23, Ephesians 1:3-6, 2:1-5, John 1:11-13, 1 Peter 1:3) – adapted from “Abstract of Principles”.

Additional Doctrinal Statements

The following doctrinal statements are utilized by the elders to help navigate some finer points of theology:

Baptist Faith & Message (2000)  This is the foundational belief statement of the Southern Baptist Convention.  We affirm more than what this statement says, but we do not affirm less than what it says.  This is a foundational, generic document that covers orthodox, protestant, evangelical, baptistic theology.

Abstract of Principles  This theological statement has great historic tradition within the Southern Baptist Convention, and is a document that all professors of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (the flagship seminary of the SBC) are required to affirm.  This statement more clearly articulates our affirmation of Reformed theology within a baptistic setting.

Chicago Statement on Inerrancy  This statement was ironed-out 40 years ago when protestant denominations were facing an onslaught of attack from liberal theologians.  This statement is the result of an intense battle to reclaim a belief in the inerrancy, authority, and sufficiency of Scripture.  Although this is an older statement than some of the others listed below, we felt it was important to affirm this publicly, since it is the reliability of Scripture itself that will help us navigate some of the more intricate theological battles today.

Danvers Statement on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood  Perhaps no other area of theological division has been more hotly debated within the church than the role of women in the church and home.  As society continues its progressive swing, the traditional approach to interpreting key passages dealing with this have likewise been questioned and undermined.  The Danvers Statement, which outlines a Biblical argument for the complementarian perspective, is the work of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW), formed in 1987 to address this issue and bring clarity to the confusion.

Nashville Statement on Biblical Sexuality  This statement is also the work of CBMW, and is by far the most recent of the statements we are currently publicly affirming as elders (published in the Fall of 2017).  The Christian church in our culture must have clarity on issues regarding homosexuality, gender roles, etc., which is what this statement provides.