We are a Christ-centered, biblically grounded, interdenominational church.
Here's a little bit more detail.
As an interdenominational church, we aim to keep central those truths that are central to the gospel. We strive towards a gospel ecumenicism. This gospel ecumenicism is rooted in the truths expressed in two ancient creeds of the church, the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed. Our motivation in this gospel ecumenicism is perhaps best expressed in the following words:
"In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all else, charity."
- Nicolaus von Zinzendorf
"In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all else, charity."
- Nicolaus von Zinzendorf
This isn't easy and we don't do it perfectly. Nevertheless, by the grace of God, this is our aim.
Because our interdenominational church is made possible by a partnership between First Baptist Church in Etna and First Congregational Church in Hanover Center, the covenants of both churches articulate our shared core beliefs.
You can watch a video of Pastor Chris Green explaining how these two church covenants compliment each other here.
Because our interdenominational church is made possible by a partnership between First Baptist Church in Etna and First Congregational Church in Hanover Center, the covenants of both churches articulate our shared core beliefs.
You can watch a video of Pastor Chris Green explaining how these two church covenants compliment each other here.
First Congregational Church Covenant
Believing in God, the Creator, who loves and cares for us, as revealed by his Son Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior, and who is ever near us in the presence of His Holy Spirit:
Recognizing the Church as the body of Christ, divinely established to carry on His work throughout the world:
Therefore, trusting in God for strength and guidance to do His will:
We, the members of First Congregational Church of Hanover, do now in a sincere and solemn manner, covenant with one another to maintain public worship for the praise of God and as an inspiration for nobler living; to administer the Sacraments of the Church; to provide for the people of this community those opportunities for Christian Fellowship and Service, as are usually furnished by a Church of Christ and we further engage to be in fellowship with other Churches of similar faith to help spread the gospel of Christ throughout our own land and around the world.
Recognizing the Church as the body of Christ, divinely established to carry on His work throughout the world:
Therefore, trusting in God for strength and guidance to do His will:
We, the members of First Congregational Church of Hanover, do now in a sincere and solemn manner, covenant with one another to maintain public worship for the praise of God and as an inspiration for nobler living; to administer the Sacraments of the Church; to provide for the people of this community those opportunities for Christian Fellowship and Service, as are usually furnished by a Church of Christ and we further engage to be in fellowship with other Churches of similar faith to help spread the gospel of Christ throughout our own land and around the world.
First Baptist Church Covenant
Trusting that we have been brought by the Holy Spirit to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and having avowed our allegiance to Him; Now, therefore, humbly relying on God’s gracious aid, we solemnly covenant with each other that we will endeavor:
To shun the ways of sin and pursue the ways of holiness;
To walk together in love, to exercise mutual care and watchfulness, to be slow to give or take offense, and to be tender of each other’s persons, characters, and estates.
To sustain the meetings of the church, not unnecessarily forsaking the assembling of ourselves on the Lord’s day and on such other occasions as may be appointed for worship or business.
To aid as stewards of the Lord in the support of the Lord’s ministry among us, in the relief of the Lord’s poor, in promoting the prosperity and efficiency of our Church school, and in spreading the Gospel throughout the world.
To study the Word of God, to pray for ourselves, for our Church, and for the world, and to bring up in the nurture and Admonition of the Lord, the children entrusted to our care.
To live circumspectly, being just in our dealings, generous in our sympathies, benevolent in our actions, charitable in our judgments, patient in our trials, that we may be useful to our fellow human beings, and that through evil report and good report we may glorify Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to that power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Jesus Christ, to all generations, forever and ever, Amen.
To shun the ways of sin and pursue the ways of holiness;
To walk together in love, to exercise mutual care and watchfulness, to be slow to give or take offense, and to be tender of each other’s persons, characters, and estates.
To sustain the meetings of the church, not unnecessarily forsaking the assembling of ourselves on the Lord’s day and on such other occasions as may be appointed for worship or business.
To aid as stewards of the Lord in the support of the Lord’s ministry among us, in the relief of the Lord’s poor, in promoting the prosperity and efficiency of our Church school, and in spreading the Gospel throughout the world.
To study the Word of God, to pray for ourselves, for our Church, and for the world, and to bring up in the nurture and Admonition of the Lord, the children entrusted to our care.
To live circumspectly, being just in our dealings, generous in our sympathies, benevolent in our actions, charitable in our judgments, patient in our trials, that we may be useful to our fellow human beings, and that through evil report and good report we may glorify Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to that power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Jesus Christ, to all generations, forever and ever, Amen.