In October of 1993, after years of serving in ministry together, Paul Herman, Tom Perez and Dave Galanter, met together to launch Summit View Church. The Church was being launched in an attempt to present the timeless truths of God in a form and language that the current culture could understand and respond to.
The simple objectives were:
- Allow people to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit as they participate in the worship of God
- Train them in the enduring truths of God
- Teach them to live out the heart felt values of God as understood by Summit View Church that they might experience the promise of a meaningful life filled with internal joy.
The result of these objectives being fulfilled would be that the members of Summit View would proclaim to their friends their new life which is found only through Jesus Christ.
We are confident the culture will continue to change. This will be evidenced especially in the areas of family breakdown, the re-evaluation of moral values, and an increased pace of life. It is our intention to establish practices and strategies that can be modified to reach the future generations. This is contingent upon the identification of each generation’s unique felt needs and relevant mediums of communication.
The Enduring Truths We Gather Together to Proclaim & Live
God
There is one true God who is both holy and loving, and is perfect in all His attributes. He is one in essence, but exists eternally in three Persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. His holiness prompts our worship and obedience. His love propels us into the world to communicate His gospel.
Matthew 28:19; Isaiah 6:3; Ephesians 4:6; 1John 4:8,16; Revelation 4:8; 1John 5:7; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:21; 2Corithians 5:14
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ eternally exists as equal to the Father in all the attributes of Deity. He was virgin born as God incarnate, yet fully human. He was crucified and physically resurrected. He ascended to the Father, is seated at His right hand and has dominion over all heaven and earth. He will return in the flesh to receive His church unto himself.
John 10:30, 14:11; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:3; Matt 1:25; Matthew 27:35; Philippians 2:6,7; Acts 2:33; John 20:27; Ephesians 1:20; 1Thessalonians 4:16, 17
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a divine person, co-equal with the Father and the Son. He indwells all believers, placing them into the Body of Christ (the Church), and seals them for the day of redemption. It is His power that enables believers to live a life of obedience and holiness. He gives spiritual gifts to each believer. These gifts are not bound by time or tradition and are essential for effective ministry. The Holy Spirit convicts mankind of sin, of the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and the fact that Satan has been judged.
Acts 5:3,4; 1Corinthians 6:19; John 14:17; 1Corinthians 12:4-13; 1Peter 4:10; Colossians 2:6-8; Ephesians 4:11,12: John 16: 8-11
The Bible
The Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error. It is the final authority in all matters regarding faith and practice for both the individual believer and the church. The Word of God is alive and active and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21; Hebrews 4:12; Psalms 119:105; Psalms 19:7; John 17:17
Man
Man was created in the image of God, and yet because of Adam’s sin, man incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God. Because of Adam’s sin, all human beings are born with a sinful nature and are incapable of pleasing God by their own efforts. Man has an eternal soul and will spend eternity either in the presence of God in heaven or separated from God in hell.
Genesis 1:26,27; Romans 3:23, 5:12, 6:23; Matthew 25:46
Salvation
Eternal life and a relationship with God is available only by God’s grace. It is realized through man’s personal faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning death on the cross.
Ephesians 1:7; 2:8,9; 1Peter 1:18,19; Romans 10:9,10
The Church
The universal church, of which Christ is the head, is comprised of all true believers. The local church is a community of believers who’s geographical location and common passion unite them in the cause of Christ. Each member has spiritual gifts that must be discovered and expressed for the common purpose of edifying, equipping, healing, serving, and training in righteousness so that the gospel is delivered effectively to a lost world.
1 Corithians 12:27,28; Ephesians 4:11,12; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 10:24,25; Revelation 2,3; 1Corinthians 12:4-10; Acts 1:8
The Enemy
Satan and his fallen angels are created beings whose goal is to destroy the relationship between man and God. He attempts this through deception, lies, accusations, and temptations. He masquerades as an angel of light, yet is the deceiver of mankind and there is no truth in him. Although Satan was defeated at the cross and his final destiny will be the lake of fire, he continues to be the ruler of this world and the archenemy of God and man.
Genesis 3, Ezekiel 28:13, Matthew 13:39; 25:41, John 8:44, Luke 4:13, 2Corinthians 11:14, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 2:14, 1John 3:8, Revelation 12:9-10; 20:10: John 14:30
Over the past two years, we have asked God to lay out His fresh leading for Summit View Church. Following are some major areas of growth we believe He has called us to empahsize. With these growthh priorities clarified, we must each pray and do our part, so that God would delight in making these priorities become realities in our church. We are called to be a(n):
- Assembly of Worshipers
- Brothers & Sisters of a Family
- Band of Disciples
- Team of Servants
- Army of Rescuers
Assembly of Worshipers
Greater Experience of God's Power
We must expect and prepare for a greater experience of God's power and presence in our midst. One key will be creating more environments in which we can focus together on the Lord's presence. Ironically, we must decrease our dependence on programs to catalyze prayer. Simply put, everyone needs to pray more and expect more. On Sunday mornings, our auditorium must become more conducive to corporate worship, creative communication and personal focus. We must also increase opportunities to response to God and reach out for spiritual strengthening. You can pray and fast, asking regularly that the power of the Holy Spirit will sweep through your life and our church. You can: pray for outcomes that are not humanly explainable ... take a risk by setting personal and ministry goals that are clearly out of your reach, but within God’s reach through you ... attend church-wide and ministry specific prayer meetings to intercede for our church.
Brothers & Sisters of a Family
Upgrade Small Groups
We are privileged to have many small groups that are thriving. Yet, our structure must be improved to better support current groups as well as develop new ones. Leaders need more training and resources available to them. Newcomers need a quicker door into groups and every group needs to be empowered to advance the life and mission of the church. You can build small groups stronger by: joining or leading a small group ... coaching other leaders by sharing what you've learned about leading ... praying that God will increase the impact and number of our small groups ... working at organizational tasks that connect people and facilitate spiritual growth.
Band of Disicples
Develop Spiritual Growth Path
We believe we must establish a church-wide "Spiritual Growth Path." This would be a new series of teachings and experiences that work in support of our current programs. This growth path must be easily seen and accessible to everyone. One specific feature of this growth track will facilitate increased Bible knowledge and study skills for individuals. Please pray that God will give our pastors and elders great insight as to how to best design this Growth Path. Once it is established, our desire is that every person that calls SV home will participate in the various classes and experiences available.
Team of Servants
Elevate Personal Ownership
Every member is a minister. SV's leadership is called to equip each member to personally minister in an effective manner. Yet, each believer must be willing to take ownership of his or her part in the life and mission of the church. We must combat consumerism, which lulls us into an attitude of self-interest and erodes actions of humble service. To elevate your ownership you must: decide that you are going to give, as well as receive as part of SV ... identify your God-given "shape" for serving ... dive into a ministry and serve ... further develop your giftings ... learn to approach every task as an act of worship toward God and kindness toward people ... pray that God will do more through you than you normally expect Him to do.
Army of Rescuers
Increase Intentional Evangelism
From our inception as a church, we have had a deep passion for "outsiders" and serving our community in practical ways has long been a foundational value of SV. Our recovery ministries exemplify the fact that people reach out for God to meet a need. All of our ministries must "build bridges" to unchurched people by meeting needs they feel are important. We must also increase our individual commitment to making Christ known to others. Do you share God's work in your life with those around you? Do you pray regularly that specific people might come to know the Lord? Do you engage others in conversation about the Lord? Are you working with a ministry team or small group to reach others for Christ?
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