Our Calling
Our calling is to be surrendered disciples of Christ and to make surrendered disciples of Christ. We are called to live out the New Testament Gospel and the Commission of Christ through intimate and allied fellowship that overflows with God’s love and truth into our surroundings both near and far.
Anchored in Christ to Boldly Live Out the Gospel
Our Identity
1 Corinthians 12 uses the metaphor of a human being to describe the church with Jesus as the head and His followers, the body. In light of this teaching of Scripture, we believe that we, as is true for every local gathering of His Church, have a unique identity. This identity is a combination of traits that are universal to all local bodies wherever they are found as well as traits that are particular to Calvary Wolfeboro and our time and place. Accordingly, we believe the following core beliefs, core values, and core practices are helpful to understand and live out our unique identity as a local church.
It is critical that our beliefs, values, and practices be viewed, understood, and applied as wisdom for the life Christ has called us to, not rules to be followed. They should be guides that help us set proper expectations and produce life and freedom, not burden and bondage. If our beliefs, core values, and practices become an end in themselves they cease to be life giving and become what the NT calls the commandment that brings death (Romans 7:10). They will bless us if and only if they keep us united in the love of Christ. An example of this danger is seen in the Pharisees who Jesus called hypocrites because while they did all the “right” things, externally, they were not motivated by their love for God and others nor were they motivated by the joy that Jesus gives to those who walk humbly in His ways because of their love for Him.
We have also learned that while condemnation (unhealthy shame) can be a powerful way to motivate ourselves and others, it should have no place in the church or the Gospel. Romans 8:1. because we are saved AND sanctified by grace alone, we have no need of self-justification, blame shifting, or the minimalization of our sin. We want to confess it and repent of it. In so doing, we lean upon the grace of God and His justification and sanctification of us by faith. When unhealthy shame is removed from the fellowship, we are then free to share weakness and get the help we need to see how the Lord will turn our weaknesses into strengths.
As a final Biblical perspective of the core beliefs, core values, and core practices that follow, consider them as analogous to what Paul meant when he admonished the church in Phillipi: “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9.