Our Core Values
One of the best ways of expressing who we are is by explaining what we believe. We have put together this simple HIGHVIEW acrostic that describes Our Core Values. These scripture-inspired maxims are the guideposts we use to focus on what we seek to accomplish for Christ as a body of believers.
Click on each core value below for scripture and explanation:
(Proverbs 3:5-6, I Corinthians 10:31, Romans 12:2, Deuteronomy 6:5, Ephesians 5:18)
This is the umbrella statement under which all the other Core Values reside. We believe there is no segment of a believer's life that is unaffected by his faith in Christ. That means we seek to honor God in our marriage, our family, our friendships, the places we go, the items we view on television and the Internet, and our business relationships.
(Deuteronomy 6:1-2; 4-7, I Thessalonians 4:3-5)
A family is a fragile thing. Divorce statistics speak to that every year. Highview strives to build strong families and rebuild families that have been shattered by death, divorce, or disappointment.
Highview has programs designed to strengthen marriages, provide guidance for child-rearing, and create partnerships for growing students into Christ-centered young adults.
(Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8)
We believe there is nothing more impactful than the grace and love of Jesus Christ. Highview enthusiastically embraces the call of Christ to spread his message of love to the uttermost part of the Earth!
That's why our body of believers invests over a million dollars every year to fulfill what is known as The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). We believe it is our privilege and responsibility to tell everyone we can about the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
To see the places around the globe---and right here at home--- where Highview members are investing their time, talent, and treasure into the Great Commission, please click on Missions.
(Matthew 5:41, 7:12, Ephesians 5:21, Galatians 5:13b-14)
The opening line of the best-selling book The Purpose Driven Life says it clearly. It's not about you.That's how we see it at Highview. Our goal is to focus our gaze on the needs of others rather than the desires of our self.
The Bible teaches that God has prepared in advance work us to do on His behalf. And as a bonus, he has also gifted us with the talent, ability, and opportunity to accomplish those tasks through his power.
We believe that each Highview member should spend at least one hour each week in service to others.
(II Peter 1:21, II Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 19:7)
The term "veracity" means "truthfulness." And simply stated, we believe the Bible is true: all of it, including the maps. We believe God created the world in six days. And we believe that because of the sin of Adam in the Garden of Eden, that God destroyed his creation (with the exception of Noah, his family, and an ark full of animals) in The Great Flood. And we believe Moses received the Ten Commandments as inscribed by the finger of God.
Furthermore, we believe that God sent to us his son Jesus Christ to free us from the sin curse we inherited from our ancestor Adam. We believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, that he lived a sinless life, and that at about the age 33, he voluntarily sacrificed his life to repair our relationship with the Holy God who created us.
And we believe no one can get into heaven unless at some point during his life, they have realized their sinful condition and asked Christ to forgive them of their transgressions.
(II Corinthians 9:7, Proverbs 3:9-10, Proverbs 11:24-25, Matthew 6:20)
We believe everything we have comes from God. Our responsibility is to make wise decisions with the time, talent, and resources he has entrusted to us. In that regard, we have an expectation that every Highview member invest at least 10 percent of his income into the work and ministries of this church.
(Colossians 3:23, Philippians 3:12-14, I Corinthians 9:24-27)
The Bible teaches us that whatever we do, "we should work at it will all our heart as though working for the Lord and not men." Highview seeks to complete every initiative of the church with a sense of excellence. We are responsible for making our programs the best that time, resources and talent will allow.
(Exodus 15:2,11, John 4:23-24, Psalm 84:1-2)
Highivew is not a perfect church. Our people struggle with the same challenges, issues and concerns that you have. Our church is one in which we invite you to join us as we transparently share our setbacks and successes with each other!
Highivew is not a perfect church. Our people struggle with the same challenges, issues and concerns that you have. Our church is one in which we invite you to join us as we transparently share our setbacks and successes with each other!
What Makes Baptists Different?
Highview Baptist Church is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention which, by the grace of God, is the largest Protestant denomination in the United States. More importantly, we are a part of God’s universal church made up of all believers in the world. Thus, we affirm the fact that there are other devoted Christians who exist in a large number of other denominations. As Baptists, there are certain distinct practices of the faith which we hold dear. Many of these are the same practices that distinguish us from other denominations.
I. The Bible is the Word of God - In accordance with II Timothy 3:16 and II Peter 1:21, the Bible was written by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as a supernatural revelation of God. The Scriptures are literally God-breathed and contain no mixture of error. The truth of Scripture and the person of Christ are the foundations of the church and stand in direct opposition to the moral ills of society.
II. Salvation is by Grace Alone - In accordance with Ephesians 2:8-9, we are saved by God’s grace at the point of personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Man is sinful and does not have the ability to save himself, least of all by good works. However, in accordance with James 2:14-17, our faith will be evidenced by good works, obedience, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
III. The Believer is Eternally Secure - In accordance with John 10:27-28 and Romans 8:38-39, if an individual has made a true, heart-changing decision to accept Christ, then they can never lose their salvation. When a saved person sins, their fellowship with God is interrupted, but never broken (I John 1:9). Likewise, those who do not trust Christ in this lifetime will spend eternity in hell (Revelation 21:8).
IV. In the Priesthood of the Believer - In accordance with I John 2:1 and Hebrews 4:14-16, Christ Himself is our Advocate and High Priest. We have no need for human intermediaries because the blood of Christ has made each believer a child in God’s own family. Therefore we have direct access to God in confession, prayer, worship, and through His Word.
V. Baptism is by Immersion for the Believer - In accordance with Matthew 28:19-20 and Romans 6:3-5, baptism is done in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is not a means of salvation, but it is the believer’s symbolic identification with the death and resurrection of Christ and the cleansing of the Holy Spirit. In accordance with the Greek translation, true baptism is by immersion as an act of obedience, and it is reserved for persons who can express a certain degree of sincerity and understanding of their faith (as determined by church leaders).
VI. Church Government is Congregational - In accordance with Colossians 1:18 and Acts 13 and 15, Christ is the Head of the church. Under His direction, Highview is Pastor-led, Deacon-served, Committee-functioned, and Congregationally-approved. The congregation, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, is the most basic unit of church government. Through prayerful submission to God and His Word, members are responsible for selecting their leaders, developing the church constitution, preserving unity and purity in the body, as well as exacting church discipline when necessary.
