What we believe
Calvary is a faith community that values spiritual growth
in Christ through expressive, thought-provoking
worship; heartfelt and open fellowship; reflective and
intellectually challenging study; prayerful and honest
dialogue; stewardship of time, talent and treasure; and
loving mission and service. Though each of us travels a
unique faith journey, we believe in the importance of
community where people of faith encourage one another
and grow together in Christ. While celebrating our diversity
and acknowledging our differences, we seek unity in
Christ, believing in His gracious, inclusive embrace.
Above all, we believe that Calvary is a welcoming place
where people can worship, pray, study and serve together
while pondering the deep questions of life and faith.
Four fragile freedoms
As Christians, we search for truth under the guidance
of the Holy Spirit, fervently committed to the four
fragile freedoms of our historic Baptist tradition.
Soul Freedom. We believe that each individual is
competent within his or her own soul to approach and
respond to God, having the right and responsibility to
deal directly with God. We encourage every member to
hammer out their own faith in the context of a congregation
that balances unity in Christ with latitude of belief.
Bible Freedom. We believe that the Bible is central to
our individual and corporate faith. Each person is encouraged
to read it seriously and prayerfully, though not
always literally, interpreting the Bible responsibly while
thinking critically and living faithfully as we encounter
the most compelling needs and issues of our time.
Church Freedom. We gather voluntarily, govern
responsibly, debate respectfully, worship creatively,
minister compassionately, affirming other Christian
traditions as part of the wider Body of Christ.
Religious Freedom. We cherish the freedom to
express our faith as we choose and respect the rights
of others to do so as well. We understand the fragility
of religious freedom and strive to protect it to the
best of our ability.
Faith practice
Calvary is a community where people come together
from different faith backgrounds, with varying opinions
and a desire for life-long learning. Despite the wide range
of theology, ideology and life experience represented in
our congregation, we support and love each other as we
continue to grow in Christ. We follow the teachings of
Jesus Christ and strive to live by His example.
God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit
Following Baptist tradition, Calvary neither subscribes
to nor requires allegiance to any particular creed or
doctrinal statement. The majority of Calvary’s members
affirm the historic Trinitarian understanding of God as
Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of creation, believing
that God is fully revealed in the example and sacrifice
of Jesus Christ and that the Holy Spirit has the power
to transform us into new beings. Even more strongly,
we believe that the mystery and wonder of God, the
meaning of Christ and the Christian life and how they
are revealed to us through scripture are matters of deeply
personal exploration, requiring fresh interpretation with
each generation of believers.
Ordinances of the church
We observe the ordinances of Believer’s Baptism and
The Lord’s Supper. Following Christ’s example, we
understand that the baptism of believers by immersion at
an age of conscience symbolizes our resurrection to new
life in Christ. The Lord’s Supper is an open communion,
inviting all to participate. The bread and cup symbolize
for us the broken body and
shed blood of Christ and
recall God’s great love for us.
Congregational autonomy
Calvary is a gathering of regenerate believers who freely
function as an autonomous congregation solely responsible
to discern our mission and ministry in Christ.
Role of laity and staff
The Senior Pastor serves as the spiritual and executive
leader of the church in all of its endeavors. Lay leaders
and pastoral and program staff, in concert with the Senior
Pastor, provide collaborative leadership and service in all
ministry areas. Support staff members further facilitate
ministry through their various administrative functions.
And Calvary’s members are proactive people who are
the hands and feet of our mission and ministry. All work
together to discern God’s leading, minister effectively and
function efficiently as servants of Christ.
Association with American Baptist Churches USA
To strengthen our wider witness and enhance our local
witness, Calvary fully participates in the mission and
activities of the American Baptist Churches of the USA
at the global and national level and the American Baptist
Churches of the Rocky Mountains at the regional level.
Mission outreach
As a mission-minded congregation, Calvary strongly
supports global, national, regional and local mission,
giving highest priority to the outreach efforts of the
ABC USA. As groups and individuals, we regularly
engage in mission activities, both down the street
and around the world.
