Our Core Values

The members of Immanuel Baptist Church endeavor by God’s grace to be a body of believers who glorify God in both beliefs and conduct. Accordingly, we hold these core values as being essential to the fulfilling of our mission and purpose, both corporately and individually.

Authority of Scripture

We believe that all Scripture is divinely inspired and serves as the final authority in all matters of belief and behavior (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). Therefore, we value Bible-centered preaching and teaching as the foundation for all that we do.

Worship

We believe that we are created by God to worship Him, and that glorifying God is the ultimate reason for our existence (John 4: 23-24). Therefore, we will seek to praise and worship Him passionately - as individuals, as families, and as a local church.

Prayer

We believe that prayer is the privilege and responsibility of every Christian, and that God unleashes His power and leading in the lives of those who spend time in prayer (Matthew 6:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Therefore, we will intentionally seek to set aside specific times for private, family and corporate prayer.

Family

We believe that the family is God’s foundational institution for human society (Matthew 19:5-6; Ephesians 5:22-6:4). Therefore, we encourage lifelong commitments to marriage between one man and one woman; we support the ongoing spiritual nurture of the family; and we are committed to honoring the priority of family time through our ministries and activities.

Fellowship/Community

We believe that God instructs Christians to cultivate loving relationships as a community of believers (Romans 12:10; 1 John 4:7-11). Therefore, we will actively pursue personal, family, and staff relationships characterized by integrity, mutual accountability, mutual serving, mutual encouragement, and mutual honoring.

Life Transformation

We believe that all Christians should daily pursue a growing personal relationship with Christ, and are responsible for becoming more like Christ in their beliefs and conduct (Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:28). Therefore, we will provide opportunities for every believer to develop a Christian worldview and thus engage the culture wherein he lives, works, and interacts.

Every Member Ministry

We believe that God cares about the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of every person. Further, we believe that every member of this church is called to minister (Ephesians 4:11-12). Therefore, we will develop lay leaders who will function effectively in their respective roles of service and, in turn, train and mentor other believers for ministry.

Personal Evangelism/Missions

We believe that every person is important to God, that God desires a personal relationship with every individual, and that He has entrusted us with the message of salvation (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20). Therefore, we will endeavor to share the message of salvation with all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or economic status, both in the Norman area and throughout the world.

Stewardship

We believe that biblical stewardship involves the proper management of all that God has given us ... time, money, abilities, etc. ... to expand His kingdom (1 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Peter 4:10). Therefore, we encourage every member to adopt a lifestyle of stewardship that recognizes God’s ownership of everything and to practice the biblical principle of tithing (giving at least one tenth of one’s income) to support the work of the church.