About core beliefs of Vintage Faith Church

In addition to the Nicene Creed, we also have a list “Core Beliefs.” The Nicene Creed - as beautiful
and rich in doctrine as it is - does not state beliefs in specific doctrines that are important for the culture we live in today. According to Random House Dictionary.com (v 1.1), the word “core” is defined as:

1. the central part of a fleshy fruit, containing the seeds
2. the central, innermost, or most essential part of anything

We use the term “core beliefs” to express the beliefs that we, as a church, are united around. To use the fruit metaphor, these beliefs contain the seeds of what will then become many other beliefs and practices of the church.There is a saying from church history which we find explains our position well:

“In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.”

As Vintage Faith Church, we have determined what our “core” or “essential” beliefs are so that we can hold onto unity as a local church expression and so that we can embrace liberty in issues that aren’t as “essential.” This means that among the people of the church (including staff and leadership) there will be a welcomed variety of beliefs on what we hold as “non-core” or “non-essential” beliefs and doctrines such as:   

• whether someone has a view of the end times that is amillennial or a premillennialist or whether someone believes in a pre-tribulational rapture or post-tribulational rapture – we will hold as a core essential that Jesus is going to return one day.   
• whether someone holds the belief that the universe was created in 6 literal days or that it was created in 6 billion years –we will hold as a core essential that God created everything.

Holding differing viewpoints on non-core doctrines should not degrade or cause dissension. When we teach about non-core issues, we will commonly address a variety of theological perspectives, as we desire to respect and honor the diversity of beliefs among us.