Seven Pillars

The Seven Pillars answers the question, "What is distinctive about Metro East?"

Every church is different.  Metro East will not attempt to meet every expectation or serve every preference.  It is important to explain the rationale behind the way we do things.  How do we think about worship?  Why do we preach the way we preach?  Why do we connect "gospel" to "community?"  How do we think about stewardship?  The Seven Pillars will explain the positions we have staked out on these issues and others and help people understand that these positions are not arbitrary, but are an attempt to be biblical and keep God's glory as our highest priority.  Simply put, Metro East will strive to Love God, Love One Another, and Go to the World, all of which are ultimately made possible by the glorious truth of the Gospel. 

Metro East Baptist Church will...

1.  Honor God with biblical and excellent worship that engages both mind and affections.  Worship

Biblical worship includes music, the ordinances, prayer, and preaching.
1 Chronicles 16:8-36; Nehemiah 12:27-47; Psalm 33:1-3; 95:1-7; John 4:23-24; Acts 2:42; Colossians 3:16-17; 1 Timothy 2:1; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 4-5

2.  Faithfully proclaim the Word of God.  Scripture

The Scriptures are proclaimed through preaching, teaching, worship, and personal witness.
Nehemiah 8:5-8; Matthew 7:28-29; Luke 24:25-27; John 21:17; Acts 2:42; 17:1-4; Romans 10:14-17; 1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 2:1-2; 3:14-4:5

3.  Strive for a fellowship that demonstrates in both word and deed the beauty of the Gospel.  Fellowship 

Gospel community will involve sacrificial love, biblical conflict resolution, peacemaking, discipline, service, and accountability.
Matthew 18:15-17; John 13:34-35; 17:20-23; Acts 2:46; 20:28-31; Galatians 6:1-2; Ephesians 4:11-16; 25-32; 1 John 2:9-11

4.  Train disciples of Jesus who gladly reflect the holiness of God in all of life.  Disciple-Making

Making disciples requires personal witness, sound teaching to equip the saints and promote holiness, adn Christian parenting.
Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Psalm 119:9-11; Proverbs 22:6; Matthew 28:18-20; Colossians 1:28-29; 2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2:2; 3:14-17

5.  Equip and send out disciples to love our community with the mercy and hospitality of Jesus Christ.  Mercy Ministry

Redemptive community involvement will include mercy ministries, cultural engagement, and Christ-like neighborliness.
Proverbs 14:21; 27:10; Mark 12:30-31; Luke 10:29-37; 14:12-14; Acts 2:47; Romans 15:2; 1 Corinthians 10:24; James 2:14-17

6.  Give cheerfully and sacrificially from our God-given resources for the building up of the church.  Stewardship

Healthy stewardship will reflect a growing commitment to give away our money and time for the glory of God and the good of others .
Acts 2:45; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; 2 Corinthians 8-9

7.  Advance the Gospel throughout our city and around the world.  Evangelism

Evangelism and missions are pursued through personal witness, gospel preaching, and mission funding and sending.
Matthew 27:14; 28:18-20; Luke 4:18-19; 14:15-24; Acts 1:7-8; 11:19-21; 2 Corinthians 2:15-16; 1 Peter 3:15