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Smiths Grove Baptist Church is a covenant community growing together by God's grace guided by God's Word. Covenant community - At Smiths Grove Baptist, we view church membership as a radical commitment to the body of Christ. The church is a group of believers united by our common baptismal confession that Jesus is Lord, and that confession places us in community with the new covenant people of God. Our mutual submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ is expressed through our love for and service to one another. As members of one body, we are committed to gathering for corporate worship, sacrificial giving, every-member ministry and accountability. Growing together by God's grace - We do not measure church growth by superficial, market-driven standards, but we measure growth by the spiritual maturation of believers expressed in a hunger for God's Word, evidences of the fruit of the Spirit, the exercising of spiritual gifts, and a willingness to live the Gospel and share it with others through word and deed. Spiritual growth is not a self-help project. It does not take place in isolation but in community. While we emphasize the importance of the individual engaging in spiritual disciplines, we also believe that corporate worship, fellowship with other believers, the teaching of Scripture and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper are a means of grace to develop us spiritually. Guided by God's Word - While we value tradition and are sensitive to the needs of culture, the Bible serves as our ultimate guide for faith and practice. The Holy Scriptures are the revelation of the Story that provides purpose and redemption to our individual stories. It is God's Word that brings conviction of sin, creates new life and builds up the church. As a result, we are committed to expository preaching and teaching. This style of teaching works systematically through books of the Bible, seeking to interpet the text in its original context and making relevant application to our lives today.
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