Tana City Church
Menu
what we believe
OUR THEOLOGY
Our theological position is reformed, evangelical. Our meeting style is charismatic. We hold a historically orthodox, conservative theological position, but also hold to creative, lively worship expression. We believe in the triune God: One God in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe in the incarnation, virgin birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe in Jesus life and death as a substitutionary sacrifice providing atonement for our sins, propitiation for us to the Father. We believe in justification by grace through faith alone. We believe in believer’s baptism through full immersion, though not as a requirement for salvation. We believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit such as tongues, prophecy and healing remain present in the church, though they are not a central focus of our meetings. We believe that the bible is the word of God, and regard and apply it as the highest authority in life, faith and doctrine. The Bible is the inspired, inerrant and infallible word of God. It is sufficient and complete. No other institution, person, writing or teaching is placed above, or on a par with it.
OUR VISION AND MISSION:
Our vision includes, but is not limited to the following aims:
WHO WE ARE:
“We are a people in love with Jesus, bent on continuing the mission he began. We preach the gospel boldly with words and actions. We worship creatively, loudly, giving ourselves in abandoned praise to the One who is worthy of all glory. We devote ourselves to the word of God as the highest authority for our lives and our doctrine. We serve one another and our community with humility and generosity. We delight in fellowship with one another and welcome the outsiders. We live for the sake of others, and are willing to pay the highest price as we follow Jesus.”
OUR VALUES
Our values are rooted in the nature and character of God, and derived from Scripture. Values are unchanging but may be expressed in many forms which may and should change over time and with culture.
Some of our core values are:
OUR LEADERSHIP
The leadership model we implement is “elder-led congregational”. Our leadership model is not democratic, neither is it autocratic. The members have a role in decision-making, but not a vote. A leader’s authority is exercised by invitation not through imposition.
OUR MEMBERSHIP
Joining a local church involves greater privileges and greater responsibilities. From a biblical perspective being a member of a local church is the necessary and fitting way for a saint to belong and be discipled, to serve and to worship and fellowship. In order to join Tana City Church, it is necessary to meet with one or more of the elders and discuss it. Should the elders agree that it is the best thing for you and for the church, then you will be welcomed into fellowship as a member of Tana City Church. Should someone wish to leave the church, they are free, and may request to be released from membership. No one is compelled to be a member.
Responsibilities of members:
Our theological position is reformed, evangelical. Our meeting style is charismatic. We hold a historically orthodox, conservative theological position, but also hold to creative, lively worship expression. We believe in the triune God: One God in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe in the incarnation, virgin birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe in Jesus life and death as a substitutionary sacrifice providing atonement for our sins, propitiation for us to the Father. We believe in justification by grace through faith alone. We believe in believer’s baptism through full immersion, though not as a requirement for salvation. We believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit such as tongues, prophecy and healing remain present in the church, though they are not a central focus of our meetings. We believe that the bible is the word of God, and regard and apply it as the highest authority in life, faith and doctrine. The Bible is the inspired, inerrant and infallible word of God. It is sufficient and complete. No other institution, person, writing or teaching is placed above, or on a par with it.
OUR VISION AND MISSION:
Our vision includes, but is not limited to the following aims:
- To become a healthy base-type church
- To extend the gospel into the city we are planted in
- To reach young people through ministry into schools and campuses
- To help build healthy marriages and families in our community
- To minister to the poor, broken, downcast, rejected and despised
- To reach people of influence, education and authority in business, government, sport, education, creative arts, medical fields…
- To have an exciting and equipping children’s ministry
- To raise up disciples of Jesus and leaders in the church and marketplace
- To bring a prophetic voice into the nation of Madagascar declaring Truth and challenging the contemporary culture with the unchanging values of God’s Kingdom
- To plant and establish healthy New Testament churches in Tana, and Madagascar and beyond
- To resource and support many other churches and church plants in Madagascar through developing written material, audio and internet publications
- To take the gospel into unreached areas of Madagascar
- To assist rural communities through education in literacy, numeracy, hygiene, and life skills while bringing the gospel message and making disciples of Jesus
- To partner with others in the above
WHO WE ARE:
“We are a people in love with Jesus, bent on continuing the mission he began. We preach the gospel boldly with words and actions. We worship creatively, loudly, giving ourselves in abandoned praise to the One who is worthy of all glory. We devote ourselves to the word of God as the highest authority for our lives and our doctrine. We serve one another and our community with humility and generosity. We delight in fellowship with one another and welcome the outsiders. We live for the sake of others, and are willing to pay the highest price as we follow Jesus.”
OUR VALUES
Our values are rooted in the nature and character of God, and derived from Scripture. Values are unchanging but may be expressed in many forms which may and should change over time and with culture.
Some of our core values are:
- Worship
- Generosity
- The priesthood of all believers
- Prayer
- The gospel
- Creativity
- Friendship
- The church
OUR LEADERSHIP
The leadership model we implement is “elder-led congregational”. Our leadership model is not democratic, neither is it autocratic. The members have a role in decision-making, but not a vote. A leader’s authority is exercised by invitation not through imposition.
OUR MEMBERSHIP
Joining a local church involves greater privileges and greater responsibilities. From a biblical perspective being a member of a local church is the necessary and fitting way for a saint to belong and be discipled, to serve and to worship and fellowship. In order to join Tana City Church, it is necessary to meet with one or more of the elders and discuss it. Should the elders agree that it is the best thing for you and for the church, then you will be welcomed into fellowship as a member of Tana City Church. Should someone wish to leave the church, they are free, and may request to be released from membership. No one is compelled to be a member.
Responsibilities of members:
- Attendance at meetings and prayer
- Attending a homegroup if possible
- Serving the church in whatever capacities are required or according to the direction of the leadership
- Avoiding sin
- Worshiping
- Giving
- Using gifts
- Adding momentum to the vision of the church