|
|
Table of Contents
What does Sarasota First Brethren Church teach?We believe and teach that the Bible is the Word of God. This determines everything else we teach since it is our only source for authority. Church government, tradition, experiences, etc. may be fine, even necessary for their place but they are not authorities in the Christian life. That is found only in the Bible. The basic core of our teachings we hold in common with all evangelical churches: 1. God created the heavens and the earth and each human being. 2. Because of our sinful nature, passed down from Adam and Eve, we are cut off from God. We need a Savior. 3. God sent his Son to die on the cross as a substitute sacrifice for our sins. 4. The Son of God, who existed before time and creation, took on human flesh and became a man. He was fully human and fully divine, one person with two natures. 5. Jesus died on the cross, was buried and raised to life again on the third day. 6. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are separate persons but one God. This concept is commonly called the Trinity. 7. Every person on earth has sinned, going against the will of God. Therefore, we cannot save ourselves or put ourselves in a right relationship with God. But by the grace of God, the love he gives us freely, we can have our sins forgiven. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins on the cross. 8. We are saved by putting our faith in God. This means more than believing that he exists; it means we put our total trust in him and his grace. 9. If we totally trust God, we will follow him always. Those who trust God will strive to live holy lives, following the teachings of God in his word, the Bible. A fuller description of the teachings of the church can be found in the Centennial Statement, a booklet written after the one hundred-year anniversary of the beginning of the Brethren Church. It is found on the website Centennial Statement. Back to Top
Is this a charismatic church?No, we are a non-charismatic evangelical church. Simply defined, a charismatic church is one that emphasizes the gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially the sign gifts (healing, tongues, etc.) and especially in corporate worship. They also usually teach that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a second blessing, given only to some Christians. While we believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we do not practice the sign gifts in our corporate worship. We also believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is given to every believer and is the means by which we become Christians. 2 Corinthians 12:13 teaches us, "For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink" (emphasis added). Back to Top
Is the Brethren Church non-denominational?Many people want a non-denominational church because they are concerned that many denominations today are ruling from the top down and pushing agendas that do not relate to the people in the pews. The Brethren Church government is called limited congregationalism. That means that the decisions that concern the First Brethren Church of Sarasota are, with few exceptions, decided by the people in the church. We are happy to belong to the Brethren Church, a group of churches around the country (and the world) that work together to accomplish more than any local church could accomplish alone. This includes the relief work of World Relief and the church planting and international missions carried on by the Brethren Church. Back to Top
What is the history of the Brethren Church?The Brethren Church came from a movement that began with a small group of believers in Germany in the year 1708. These committed believers felt that the government sanctioned churches of their day were not faithful to the Bible and they decided to risk imprisonment and other punishment to follow their conscience before God. The progressive movement of the Brethren, which became the Brethren Church, split off in 1883. For further information on the Brethren Church history, please go to the Brethren Church Web Site. The First Brethren Church of Sarasota, Florida was founded on November 7, 1954 by Rev. and Mrs. Fred Vanator, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Mohler, and a small group of founding members. They founded the church in a carport in the duplex home they shared, called the MoVan Terrace. In 1958, Rev. J.D. Hamel became the pastor of the church and served there for the next 28 years. This was a period of great growth in the church. Rev. Dan Gray become the pastor after Rev. Hamel's retirement. He served for seven years. Pastor David Stone has been the senior pastor of the church since 1997. Back to Top
What is the style of worship at the church?Churches are divided along the lines of traditional worship, characterized by hymns and organ music, and contemporary, which includes newer choruses and many kinds of instruments. We strive to maintain a balance in our style with a blended service. We enjoy the praise band and a worship team. We also include many of the favorite hymns. Not only does this offer something to please a wider variety of people, it also allows people from different generations to all feel at home in one service. We strongly believe that God wants us to come together at his throne. We want to see generations worshiping together in the same place at the same time. Back to Top
Is this a liberal or conservative church?If the question is about politics, neither. We do not teach that a certain political party has the blessing of God any more than any other party. If believing the Bible as the true, inerrant word of God is considered conservative, then we are conservatives in that sense. We are just crazy enough to believe that God knows more than we do and we should read and trust the Bible. Back to Top
Can I get married at Sarasota First Brethren Church?We are serious about promoting godly marriages at Sarasota First Brethren Church. We know the blessing of godly marriage and the heartache of broken or troubled marriages. Therefore, we will only perform ceremonies that fit in with our principles. For example, the Bible teaches that we should not be "yoked" with unbelievers (see 2 Corinthians 6:14). So we do not unite Christian and non-Christian in marriage. How can we bless that which God has forbidden? We also would not perform a ceremony two people who are both non-Christians. Our ceremony asks God's blessing on a union and those who are unbelievers would not seek such a blessing. They could be married by any notary in the State of Florida. Pastor Stone also requires extensive counseling before performing a ceremony since he feels responsible to do what he can to uphold the seriousness and sanctity of marriage. His counseling satisfies the state requirement to pay the lower fee for the marriage license. Back to Top
Where does First Brethren Church stand on controversial social issues of today, such as abortion and homosexuality?We try to speak the truth in love, as the Bible directs, on social issues. Therefore, although we believe some practices are sin, we also believe we are called to love those who are involved in sin, even to love them enough to call them to a life of purity, repentance and forgiveness. For specific stances on social issues, please click on the following link: Brethren stances on social issues. Back to Top
Copyright © 2001 First Brethren Church of Sarasota, Florida, Inc. All rights reserved.
|
|
Send mail to
DandJStone@aol.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
