Mission
Statement
of
Grace Baptist Church
Training
followers of Jesus to love God,
to love people,
and to share Christ’s message
with the world.
Purposes of Grace Baptist
Church
Glorify
God Through Worship
Reach
The World With God’s
Truth
Affirm
The Bible’s Authority
Care
For Each Other In Love
Equip
Believers For Ministry |
 |
History of
Grace Baptist Church
Newhall Property
1960's |
On
April 25, 1961, eight believers
met in a home to seek God’s
will regarding the formation of
a new evangelical church in the
Newhall area of the Santa Clarita
Valley. After meeting in homes
for a time, the first Sunday School
and Morning Worship Service were
held on July 9th. There were 35
people in attendance at a hall
rented from the Moose Lodge. Rev
Harry Gay served the church as
its first pastor.
Moving from one rented building
to another, the church continued
to minister to the community.
In 1963, Grace purchased it's
first land including a small building.
Rev. Robert Spence came to serve
as Pastor in 1964. Attendance
grew, to the point where Sunday
School classes were forced to
meet outside and soon the small
building was outgrown.
In 1970, James Rentz became Pastor
and a 2-story Education building
was completed. By its 10th anniversary,
church membership had grown to
423. The people of Grace built
the Multi-Purpose Building in
1975 which provided additional
space for worship and soon after
called Donald Coddington as Associate
Pastor. John Swanson was called
as Senior Pastor in September
of 1977. With more growth, a Children’s
Building was constructed and completed
in 1984. Tom Givens was called
as Senior Pastor in 1984, and
served faithfully for 22 years,
through 2006.
Copper Hill Dedication
|
In 1990 and 1991, the people of
Grace spent a great deal of time
in prayer regarding the direction
for the church in light of the
overcrowding and attendance. It
was believed that God was leading
to another, larger campus. In
1991, the church voted to purchase
a 24-acre parcel of land in Saugus,
with plans for a large complex
including numerous buildings to
be built over the next 10 years.
In 1996 an 1800-seat outdoor Amphitheater
was constructed on the new property
with the majority of construction
being done by volunteers. Worship
services, concerts, weddings and
many special events are held in
the Amphitheater each year.
Still in construction at the new
campus, two Sunday services ultimately
grew to three and Saturday services
were added. By 1994, there were
six weekly Worship services and
over 1500 people worshipped weekly
at Grace.
Construction on the new buildings
began at the end of April of 1997.
The first buildings including
a 1000-seat Conference Center,
numerous Nursery and
Worship Center |
Children’s education classrooms,
offices, a full-size kitchen and
other features that have been
in use since July 4, 1998. Construction
on the 2,000+ seat worship center
was completed in the fall of 2003.
Currently, Grace has 10 full time
pastors and over 50 support staff.
As God continues to bless Grace
with growth and a responsibility
to minister to the community here
as well as all around the world,
Grace will continue to actively
seek His will for His church in
this valley.
|
|
 |
The office of elder, being a divinely
instituted office in the church, presumes
God will clearly direct a man to the
office. Though the process of direction
is primarily a spiritual one, certain
factors should be present and considered
as God's direct leading. Within the
man there should be a clear, strong
desire to give leadership (I Timothy
3:1). This inward compulsion must be
accompanied by obvious outward indicators
as well. A man's character (I Tim. 3,
Titus 1) should unmistakably mark him
as a Christ-like leader. His spiritual
gift(s) should certainly have found
observable and measurable expression
within the fellowship he might lead.
These primary factors will genuinely
find confirmation among those similarly
called as elders.
II. CHARACTER - Biblical qualifications
for one who would be an elder
I Timothy 3:1-7, 5:17-22, Titus 1:5-9;
I Peter 5:1-3
A
MAN WHO ASPIRES AND DESIRES TO BE AN
OVERSEER - a man whose heart is passionately
set upon and stretches out for the privilege
of serving God as a shepherd
NOT
UNDER COMPULSION, BUT VOLUNTARILY AND
EAGERLY - not a man forced or pressured
into being an elder, but one who is
not only ready and eager to serve, but
enters in freely and willingly
PROVING
TO BE AN EXAMPLE TO THE FLOCK - those
allotted to his care are molded by his
life as well as his words toward Christ-likeness
NOT
A NEW CONVERT - not a Christian novice,
but seasoned and mature in the faith
ABOVE
REPROACH - not liable for blame or criticism
when evaluated by fair methods
ABOVE
REPROACH AS GOD'S STEWARD - a good manager
of the gospel(guarding/proclaiming it),
his talents, gifts, family, finances
and others God has entrusted to him
HAVING
A GOOD REPUTATION WITH THOSE OUTSIDE
THE CHURCH -neighbors and fellow-workers
(especially non-Christians) observe
a godly character consistent with what
transpires at church
TEMPERATE
- discernment resulting in good judgment;
his pleasures are not primarily of the
physical senses nor is he given to excess
PRUDENT
OR SENSIBLE - thoughtful or self-controlled;
capable of sound judgment in practical
matters; wise or careful
RESPECTABLE
- orderly, decent and modest; an inward
orderliness which manifests itself in
a similar outward style of living
HOSPITABLE
- loving the alien, unusual, foreigner
or estranged, keeping an open home for
those in need (both Christian and non-Christian)
NOT
SELF-WILLED - not arrogant, self-pleasing
or refusing to listen to another opinion;
not reckless of others interests
NOT
QUICK-TEMPERED - not irritable or given
to outbursts of anger; able to respond
with control during a disagreement
NOT
ADDICTED TO WINE - not a slave or heavy
drinker (though abstinence is not taught
in this qualification, we would ask
our elders to abstain during their term
of leadership)
NOT
PUGNACIOUS - not given to quarreling
or violence; not looking for an argument
or fight
GENTLE
- mild, yielding, kind, forbearing,
fair, considerate and conciliatory;
yielding his own rights, but never compromising
the truth
JUST
- making and abiding by decisions in
harmony with God's word which conform
to ethical and legal uprightness
DEVOUT
- holy, pleasing to God; serving in
accord with God's direction
UNCONTENTIOUS
- unwilling to fight and dispute; issues
of debate or discussion are to be conducted
without division
FREE
FROM THE LOVE OF MONEY - take a good
look at the man's priorities in life
and what is of most value; have God
and others been replaced by his love
of money or concern for material possessions?
NOT
FOND OF SORDID GAIN - does not make
money in a questionable manner; will
not teach the people what they want
to hear at the expense of the truth
of God's word for the sake of money
LOVING
WHAT IS GOOD - devoted to whatever is
good wherever it is manifest
ABLE TO TEACH - skillful, qualified
and inclined to teach God's word (this
includes any number of varied teaching
settings, i.e., from one's own family
to teaching the congregation)
HOLDING FAST THE FAITHFUL WORD - devoted
and clinging firmly to God's word which
is worthy of absolute trust
ABLE
TO EXHORT IN SOUND DOCTRINE - clearly
identifies truth and encourages others
to live in harmony with it
ABLE
TO REFUTE THOSE WHO CONTRADICT SOUND
DOCTRINE - knows God's word and is able
to spontaneously expose a fault or sin
in others hoping to turn them from an
error to the truth
MANAGES
HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD WELL - stands before,
rules and gives general superintendence
to his family for righteous living;
guards, protects and is concerned for
each one of them
HUSBAND
OF ONE WIFE - a man of one woman with
single-minded devotion and faithfulness
to her
KEEPS
HIS CHILDREN UNDER CONTROL WITH ALL
DIGNITY - the children are subject to
his leadership and their obedience is
accompanied by respect and honor due
to his exemplary character
HAVING
CHILDREN WHO BELIEVE AND ARE NOT ACCUSED
OF DISSIPATION OR REBELLION - children
who are trustworthy, living lives which
are subject to authority; not immoral,
recklessly extravagant or wasteful
III. COMMITMENTS of one who would be
an elder (Examples to the flock, I Peter
5:1-3)
A.To
grow as a worshiper of God and disciple
of Jesus Christ
1.Regular
personal time of worship. A realistic
time of personal Bible study and intercessory
prayer.
2.Significant
effort to consistently worship with
the corporate body at Grace Baptist
Church.
3.Mutual accountability to cultivate
spiritual maturity, especially with
fellow elders. Elder meetings and small
group studies regularly include instructions
from God's word and prayer.
B.To
give Godly direction and oversight to
the fellowship
1.By
growing in our understanding of the
Biblical nature and ministry of a New
Testament Church.
2.Oversight
presumes involvement in as broad a spectrum
of Grace's congregation as a "high
church priority" lifestyle can
arrange. If we are not involved, how
can we legitimately give direction or
conduct oversight? A high church priority
life-style never sacrifices personal
health or family vitality, but makes
significant adjustments of life's remaining
commitments around the local church.
C.To
develop and foster allegiance to Grace
Baptist Church
1.By
recognizable and significant shepherding
of people within our fellowship.
2.By
regular supportive attendance at fellowship-wide
gatherings.
3.By
striving to fulfill the five purposes
of Grace which are:
Glorify God Through Worship
Reach The World With God’s Truth
Affirm The Bible’s Authority
Care For Each Other In Love
Equip Believers For Ministry
