WHAT
WE BELIEVE
Our Doctrinal Statement is the core theological positions we believe to be truth.
PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY.
Healthy Churches Drive Effective Missions
We believe good missiology - effective missions - flows from a healthy ecclesiology, a Biblical understanding of the church. Healthy churches, grounded in sound doctrine, send missionaries to share the Gospel. Missionaries, in turn, establish healthy, self-sustaining local churches that thrive independently, enduring beyond their presence. This ensures vibrant Christian communities rooted in Scripture, not dependent on individual missionaries. Our philosophy of ministry is thus anchored in our commitment to the local church, which Christ ordained to equip, send, and support those called to reach and teach (Ephesians 4:11-12).
Christ as Head of the Church
We submit to Christ as the head of the church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18). No one can replace His authority (1 Corinthians 3:11). As ministry leaders, we are responsible for our work, motives, and attitudes, and we will be held accountable (Hebrews 13:17). Yet, we are never more important than Christ, His teachings, or His plan for the local church as revealed in Scripture.
Grounded in Scripture
In all things, we align our hearts with Scripture. Ministry must be rooted in sound doctrine. Paul urged Timothy to avoid worldly distractions (2 Timothy 2:4), study the Word diligently (2:15), and preach it faithfully (4:2).
Exclusive Doctrine, Inclusive Spirit
Sound doctrine is firmly rooted in Scripture alone. Yet, its spirit is welcoming. Christ came to seek and save the lost, not to judge (Luke 19:10). While our doctrine is exclusive to biblical truth, we invite the lost and those misinterpreting Scripture to join us and learn the truth.
Knowing God Shapes Ministry
We believe the Bible reveals God’s character and attributes. By knowing Him personally, we learn how to live in ways that glorify Him. This order matters: knowing God leads to godly conduct, enabling us to represent Him in ministry (1 Timothy 3:1-7; 1 Peter 1:22).
OUR DOCTRINE.
For its clarity in teaching the foundations of faith, On Board Ministry adopts the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as our Doctrinal Statement, a concise summary of core Christian beliefs. Read the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.
Additional Beliefs
Beyond the Baptist Faith and Message, OBM holds specific theological convictions, including:
-
The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts
The Holy Spirit grants spiritual gifts to the church to glorify Christ, not Himself or His gifts through showy displays (John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8). These gifts build up believers in faith (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 3:18). We teach that the Holy Spirit sovereignly bestows gifts for the church’s growth today. However, speaking in tongues and the working of sign miracles in the early church authenticated the apostles as revealers of divine truth (2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:1-4) and is no longer needed in the church. And gifts should never be used to define a believer’s maturity or commitment, which is instead measured by fruit and character (Matthew 7:16-20; Galatians 5:22-24; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10; Ephesians 4:7-12).
​​
-
Soul Competency and Priesthood of Believers
Within the authority of Scripture and the purpose of the local church, we affirm soul competency and the priesthood of each believer. Soul competency means each person is personally accountable to God and can relate to Him directly through Scripture, with Jesus Christ as God’s fullest revelation (Philippians 2:12). It does not imply independence from God or freedom to believe anything. The priesthood of each believer means that, after regeneration and justification, Christians are priest-kings with responsibilities to serve as ambassadors for God’s Kingdom (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 5:10). Like the Levites before Christ’s sacrifice, believers have duties to represent God (2 Corinthians 5:20; Numbers 8:26; Matthew 27:51).