What We Believe

Our Mission Statement

We make Disciples,
Equip People to a healthy place,
Launch new Communities,
Tell Our Story.

Our Vision

Zion is to be a center for Spiritual growth and mission development, empowering people to discover their gifts, providing training and support, and encouraging them to be Christ-like leaders in their homes, church, community, nation and world.

What We Believe

The Bible

We believe that the Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God and our final authority in matters of faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:16, Psalm 119:105)

God

We believe that there is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4), eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:16- 17, 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:13)

Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully human, who by His death on the cross has redeemed us. (1 Timothy 3:16, Isaiah 9:6, Colossians 1:15-20)

The Holy Spirit

We believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit are available for all Christians and are to be used to build up the body of Christ. (Acts 2, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-25, Romans 12)

Human Nature

We believe that humans are sinful by nature and are redeemed only through faith in Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:23)

Prayer

We believe we can do nothing without prayer. We believe that God answers prayer and we encourage everyone to grow in prayer. (James 5:16, Matthew 18:18-20)

The Church

We believe that we are a part of one true Church (Ephesians 4:4-6, Romans 12:5) made up of all who believe in Christ as Lord. We extend the hand of fellowship to all members of this universal Christian Church. (Romans 15:7) At Zion we are Christians first and Lutherans second.

Salvation

We believe that Christ alone (Acts 4:12, John 14:6) provides salvation. This salvation is a free gift. (“Grace”– Ephesians 2:8-9) We believe that one can be certain of eternal life. (“Assurance”– John 5:24) We believe that we receive this free gift of grace by faith alone (Romans 3:28, John 3:16), and thereby enter a lifelong process of change and growth. (Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:20)

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We believe that Jesus instituted Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that God is truly present and the primary One acting in these sacraments, and that our faith is essential for their effectiveness. (Mark 16:16, 1 Corinthians 11:29, John 3:16) We do not believe that the Bible gives a clear teaching on a specific age for a baptismal candidate and amount of water for baptism.

Changed Life

We believe that becoming a Christian leads to a changed life. (2 Corinthians 5:17) We call this change “sanctification,” which is a lifelong process of growth in selfless love, humility, service, stewardship, and holiness under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Change and growth are not optional for those saved by grace. (James 2:17, Romans 12:2) Because a good tree bears good fruit (Matthew 7:17-18), people justified by grace through faith act on that faith and will change and grow in Christ. (2 Peter 3:18, James 1:22, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 5:17, Ephesians 4:22-24)