Affiliation

Center City Church maintains membership with the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA). The EFCA is an association of autonomous, self-governed churches who affirm the same statement of faith. The affirmation of doctrines among like-minded churches builds a cooperation of churches who work together for the advancement of the gospel. We affirm the 2020 EFCA Statement of Faith listed below.

E.F.C.A.

Statement of Faith

Article #1: God

We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.

Article #2: The Bible

We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.

Article #3: The Human Condition

We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.

Article #4: Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus—Israel's promised Messiah—was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.

Article #5: The Work of Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.

Article #6: The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.

Article #7: The Church

We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God's grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.

Article #8: Christian Living

We believe that God's justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.

Article #9: Christ’s Return

We believe in the personal, bodily and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.

Article #10: Response and Eternal Destiny

We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.

Additional beliefs statement

While agreement with the following is not required for membership, these biblically supported positions are taught and practiced at Center City Church.

Sanctity of Life-
We believe that human life begins at conception, and that the unborn child is a person (Psalm 139:13). All people, regardless of age, health, function, or level of dependency, are created in the image of God and have inherent dignity.

Women’s Roles-
Women, created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), are equal to men in salvation (1 Peter 3:7) but are given distinct roles in the church. We believe that women should not teach or exercise authority over men (1 Timothy 2:12–13), and therefore should not serve as pastors, elders, or overseers. However, women are encouraged to lead in other areas, including ministry to women, youth, and children, as well as through Scripture reading, worship, hospitality, and serving as deaconesses.

Marriage-
We believe that marriage is a covenant designed by God between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:23–24), reflecting the relationship between Christ and the Church. This union is intended to last for life (Matthew 19:6). Divorce is considered sinful except in cases of sexual immorality (Matthew 5:32). Nonetheless, we extend mercy to those who repent and seek God’s forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7; Acts 3:19).

Unity-
We hold the Bible as the final authority in all theological matters (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Therefore, we embrace all gospel-believing Christians as brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of denominational background (1 Corinthians 1:12–13).

Mission, Visions and Values

Why We Do What We Do

While it is the mission of every biblical church to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20), each local church also lives out this calling in unique ways according to the needs of its community. For us, that means making disciples, baptizing believers, and teaching obedience to God’s Word—all under His authority and with His promised presence.

Mission

To preach Christ crucified and reach the downtown communities with the transformative love and grace of Jesus Christ, fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and compassionate community grounded in biblical truth.

Vision

To become a beacon of hope and a center for spiritual renewal in the downtown area, where individuals from all walks of life encounter the living Christ, experience authentic community, and are equipped to live out their faith in practical and impactful ways.

Values

Christ-Centeredness

We commit to keeping Jesus Christ at the core of all we do, preaching the message of His crucifixion, resurrection, and Lordship.

“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2)

Biblical Foundation

We uphold the authority of Scripture as the inspired and inerrant Word of God, guiding our teaching, living, and decision-making.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

Community Engagement

We are dedicated to reaching out to and serving the diverse communities of our downtown area, addressing both spiritual and practical needs.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)

Authentic Worship

We strive to offer worship that is genuine, heartfelt, and reflective of the glory and majesty of God, engaging the whole person—heart, mind, and soul.

“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)

Compassionate Service

Following Jesus’ example of servanthood, we seek to demonstrate His love through acts of kindness, mercy, and justice, particularly among the marginalized.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

Discipleship and Growth

We are committed to making disciples who grow in their faith, knowledge, and love of Christ, equipping them to impact their world for the Kingdom of God.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

Prayerful Dependence

We rely on prayer as a foundational practice, seeking God’s guidance, strength, and wisdom in all aspects of our ministry and personal lives.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Colossians 4:2)

Unity in Diversity

Embracing the diversity of the downtown community, we strive for unity in Christ, celebrating different backgrounds, cultures, and gifts as part of God’s family.

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

Our Commitment

As Center City Church, we are committed to embodying these values in our daily lives, ministries, and outreach efforts. We seek to be a church where the gospel of Jesus Christ is not only preached but also lived out in tangible ways, bringing hope, healing, and transformation to our downtown community.