THE CHURCH
Those who believe in Christ are spiritually united together under Christ, the head of the church. The universal church is manifested in local churches, which are marked by worship, proclamation of the gospel, administration of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, membership and discipline, love, unity, and mission. Each church is responsible for her doctrine and practice, and for settling disputes, receiving new members, conducting discipline, and establishing elders who lead, teach, and oversee the church. The main purpose of the church is making disciples, so that as we grow together in Christ, God’s kingdom would be advanced in the world, and his name would be glorified.