OUR BELIEFS REST ON THE FOUNDATION OF THE BIBLE. It's usually not long before you'll hear someone here at Windsor Crossing say "The Bible is home base for us." So, what does that mean? Well, for starters, it means that when it comes to learning how to do life with our families, our community and our world, we look to scripture to give us answers to many of our questions.
ANOINTED TEACHING OF GOD'S WORD is the catalyst for change in our lives. This includes the acknowledgement that the Bible is the final authority for our lives and the concept of practical teaching for life-change. Rom 12:7; 2 Tim 3:16-17; James 1:23-25
LOST PEOPLE MATTER TO GOD and therefore, ought to matter to the church. This includes the concepts of relational evangelism and evangelism as a process. It is also reflected in the high priority and investment of resources placed on the weekend services. Matt 18:14; Luke 5:30-32; Luke 15
THE CHURCH should be culturally relevant and relationally authentic while remaining doctrinally pure. This includes the concepts of sensitively relating the gospel of Christ to our culture through our modes of communicating, our creative use of the arts and the environment/facility in which our services take place. 1 Cor 9:19-23; Acts 17:16-31
GOD HAS UNIQUELY GIFTED AND CALLED each Christ-follower to ministry in the local church. This includes the concepts of servanthood, the stewardship of spiritual gifts, and ministry callings. The church should be led by leaders, taught by teachers, administrated by administrators, etc. Thus we should affirm and celebrate the use of such gifts in our midst. Romans 12; 1 Cor 12, 14; Eph 4
LIFE-CHANGE BEST HAPPENS IN COMMUNITY. This includes the concepts of discipleship, vulnerability, and accountability. Luke 6:12-13; Acts 2:44-47
EXCELLENCE IN ALL WE DO HONORS GOD AND INSPIRES PEOPLE. This includes the concepts of commitment, evaluation, critical review, and worship as a lifestyle. Mal 1:6-14; Prov 27:17; Rom 12:1-2; Col 3:17
AUTHENTIC AND LOVING RELATIONSHIPS should permeate every aspect of church life. This includes the concepts of relational integrity, ministry accomplished in teams, and the acknowledgment that community is a place for both life-giving and difficult people. Neh 3; Luke 10:1; John 13:34-35; 1 Cor 13
PRAYER IS ESSENTIAL in the making of disciples and decisions. This includes the acknowledgement of the primacy of prayer in accomplishing the aims of the church and in developing a servant attitude that is more concerned about the kingdom than getting one's way. Phil 4:6; 1 Tim 2:1; James 5:16
THE TRANSFORMATION INTO FULL DEVOTION TO CHRIST and His cause is the norm for every believer. This includes the concepts of stewardship, servanthood, the yearning for continuous spiritual growth and the understanding that such growth is a life-long process. Phil 2:1-15 and 3:12-16; Eph 4:25-26; 1 Tim 4:7-8; Heb 12:1
We think it's important for each person who calls Windsor Crossing their "home" to understand what we believe. To begin exploring what this means, check out our Statement of Faith.
WHERE THE ANCIENT AND FUTURE COLLIDE. Water baptism is an ancient & symbolic act through which believers publicly acknowledge their need for God's forgiveness. The people of Israel evidently began practicing baptism during the period between the end of the Old Testament and the birth of Christ. When non-Jewish people came to believe in God and wanted to become members of Israel, they were required to undergo an immersion baptism. This baptism was a symbolic washing, through which they agreed about their need for God's cleansing & forgiveness of their sins. By the time of Jesus, many Jewish people believed they were accepted by God simply because they were descendants of Abraham. This is what made John the Baptist's message so revolutionary. He instructed his people that they needed God's forgiveness just as much as non-Jewish people needed it, so he challenged them to admit this need by being baptized (Matthew 3:1-12).
Also, as a prophesied precursor, John proclaimed that the Messiah who was coming would be the One who would provide that cleansing. Jesus' disciples baptized His followers (John 4:1,2) and Jesus called on all Christians to baptize those who follow Christ (Matthew 28:19). Throughout the book of Acts, the early Christians followed Jesus' instructions. In scripture the pattern remained the same: first, people put their faith in Jesus as their Savior—and then they were baptized to publicly commit before the community of believers (see Acts 2:41; 8:12, 36-38; 9:18; 10:44-48; 16:14, 15, 30-34; 18:8; 19:4,5). There is not one single Biblical example of baptism before conversion. The New Testament order was always "believe and be baptized" (Acts 2:38-41). Christian baptism then, is not what causes you to become a Christian—it is response action taken in after becoming a Christian. It is not something you do to earn God's acceptance—it is something you do because you have received the free gift of God's acceptance through faith in Christ. We become Christians when we admit our sin and trust Christ as our Forgiver. Baptism is a symbolic act—the water cannot wash away sin. Baptism is merely an "object lesson" of how our sins were washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19). The idea of infant baptism may be commendable as people strive to dedicate their child to God. However, infant baptism is not a religious rite found in the Bible and at times leads people to equate salvation with baptism.
Therefore, we baptize people who have never been baptized for the reasons outlined in the Bible (as a sign & symbol of their personal commitment to follow Jesus Christ), and in the manner outlined in the Bible. For those who may have been baptized as infants, we are not rejecting previous spiritual or church experiences—just completing them.
WHY BE BAPTIZED?
If you have personally received Christ, you are permanently forgiven and accepted by God… not dependent on baptism. (Romans 8:1; Colossians 2:13,14). However, there are some excellent reasons why you should be baptized. First of all, Jesus commands us to actively baptize believers (Matthew 28:19). Since he is the Lord, and since his will is always good, this should be reason enough. It is a very important act of obedience to the Forgiver and Leader of your life. Being baptized is also an opportunity for you to spiritually influence others in a positive way. It provides you a way to publicly show your faith before others.
Non-believing friends and family members usually attend our baptisms, and they are often deeply impacted by the stories of those being baptized. Christian friends are also built up by this and motivated to continue sharing the message of Christ.
Being baptized is also an opportunity for you to take a step of faith. Getting baptized is at times intimidating because it involves taking a stand for your faith in front of the community of believers. It could be stepping outside of your "comfort zone" to do something that shares Christ and serves others. Christ will challenge you to take such steps throughout your life journey, so experiencing baptism can be a celebrated success of displaying your faith! Simply put, we emphasize baptism because the Bible emphasized it (Matthew 28:18-20).
IMMERSION VS. SPRINKLING?
The two baptisms that are actually described in the Bible were both by immersion (Jesus—Matthew 3:13-17 and the Ethiopian—Acts 8:36-39). These Biblical descriptions imply immersion because when people are baptized in water, they are pictured as going down into and coming up out of the water. In addition, the word baptism comes from the Greek word "baptizo," which means "to immerse, dip or plunge." Both archeology and church history testify that immersion was the mode of baptism used in the early church. The symbolism is best pictured by immersion. It pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 6:3,4). It also pictures our identification with Jesus' death, burial and resurrection (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old you has passed away, the new you has been raised. If there are special circumstances that prevent immersion, please feel free to discuss this privately with one of our elders or pastors. Ultimately, the amount of water used in a public baptism is not the issue, an obedient heart is.
WHAT IS BAPTISM LIKE AT THE CROSSING?
Some say it's our biggest party of the year. You'll see us pull out all the stops with worship bands, a lake full of water, and lots of people yelling, laughing, crying and singing. Many will enter the water dry and come out all wet to make a loud and raucous statement that they have decided to trust God with their lives and to follow Jesus Christ and His teachings.
For us, it's a special time to follow the example of our Messiah. When the party's over, our hearts are full as we see real people growing closer to each other and to a loving Father.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Please contact us at any time. Our staff is willing to discuss your concerns and questions at your convenience. This is about following Christ, not manmade rules. Those who have participated in our baptism celebrations say it is one of the most meaningful moments in their life. Without clear understanding of this powerful act of obedience, the meaning is lost. Read the scriptures included here, talk with others in the church about their experience of baptism and pursue the answers diligently. And by all means, let us help in whatever way we can. That's why we're here.
WE CONSTANTLY REMIND OURSELVES OF THE SACRIFICE. One of the ways we remember what Jesus did on the cross for us is to frequently include communion in our worship services. For centuries, churches have pulled out wine or grape juice to symbolize the shedding of His blood. We've seen bread in the form of a regular yeast loaf, an unleavened loaf, paper-like wafers, or those tiny crackers to symbolize Jesus' broken body.
For us, it's not about how big the cup is or how flat the bread is. It's about remembering that we can't save ourselves. It's about slowing down and realizing that we have hope in One who knows our name, knows our story with all the yuck, and loves and accepts us anyway.
Stand at the crossing and consider where your lives are heading. Jeremiah 6:16
The word "crossing" is a big deal to us. It calls us to the mission we've been given. It reminds us of the ancient path, the good way that Jesus calls us to consider. It encourages us to live what we believe. For us, this crossing consists of three E's—Exploring, Experiencing and Expressing. And the truth is we love it. It's what we were made for, and it's what we're going to be about for a long, long time.
WHAT ARE THE THREE E'S?
EXPLORING. It doesn't matter where you fall on the spiritual map or how long you've been on your journey. God wants us to keep digging, questioning and investigating Truth because He knows it ultimately gives our faith a solid foundation. Exploring God can happen in many different ways, from attending a service, to reading Christian literature, to taking one of Windsor's classes, to asking that one nagging question you've always had rattling in your head.
EXPERIENCING. Getting answers is one thing, but what good are answers if you can't put them to the test? Experiencing God is our way of allowing His truth to resonate within us. In essence, it allows the head stuff to become heart stuff. It's about sticking your neck out and getting caught up in something real and infinite. Something that has the power to overwhelm you to tears. This is what happens when the truth of God gets personal. It can be as big as an experience during a service with others around you, to a quiet prayer just between you and God.
EXPRESSING. While the message of Christ is a personal one for each of us, it was never meant to stop with us. When our hearts are transformed, the call to love others is impossible to ignore. Jesus himself was a servant and we are called to do no less. Many times this particular "E" is a natural response we have when we lean in to what God has always intended for each of us. Sometimes it's not easy to serve and love others in this way. But the truth is it's a conscious step we continually take on this journey together.
