Beliefs and Values
We’d like to share with you some of our defining characteristics and values.
We are Christian
We are a Christian church in the tradition of Baptist. This means we highly value helping people to have a personal relationship with God, as revealed in Jesus Christ. Christians from various traditions and denominations find Azalea to be an accepting place to call their “church home.” Believing in Christ is first and foremost in our priorities. We are Christian first; any other name is secondary.
We are a Multi-Ethnic, Intergenerational gathering of Believers in Christ
We seek to be intentional about sharing the love of God to everyone God brings us in contact with, regardless of age or circumstances. We recognize that the Body of Christ is imbalanced without young and old alike (Proverbs 20:29).
We Cherish Freedom
Historically, Christians of the Baptist traditions began during the late 1500’s in England. Since that beginning FREEDOM has been a defining passion. At Azalea Baptist Church, Four Freedoms have organized our thoughts:
BIBLE FREEDOM! Too often, only two categories of people study the Bible: The “Experts” and the “Extremists.” We believe that the Bible has a message for EVERY person! Christians are obligated to study and be free to use the best scholarly tools of inquiry available. The Bible is central to individual and church life, but always under the authority of Jesus, the criteria by which the Bible is measured. No institutional church authority should be allowed to obscure or limit this freedom.
SOUL FREEDOM! Baptist have long cherished “The Priesthood of All Believers.” This is the right and responsibility of every individual to develop a personal relationship with God, without the imposition of a creed (a human summary of theological understanding), dominance by clergy, or the intervention of civil government.
CHURCH FREEDOM! Under the authority of Jesus Christ, local churches are free to determine their membership, ordain their leadership, determine the form of their ministry, and any associations with the larger Christian community. This freedom has traditionally been called “the local autonomy of the church.” We are an autonomous church body and maintain the right to govern our own affairs. No religious denomination or organization lays claim to who we are, or how we function as the Body of Christ.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM! The state is not God and God is not the state. This idea protects the integrity of Christians to speak about public issues without trying to use the state to advocate their positions. Religious freedom advocates that the best society is where persons of faith, or of no faith, are free to advocate and debate beliefs. Christians have every right to practice their faith in public life just as believers of any other religion.
All our Members are Missionaries
We believe that all Christians are called to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Churches should not be judged by their seating capacity, but by their sending capacity. All members of Azalea are trained for ministry using their spiritual gifts and passions, and are expected to contribute to the cause of Christ and the mission of the Church by the giving of their time, talents and tithe.
We Partner with Others
Azalea Baptist Church is affiliated with the Norfolk Area Baptist Association (NABA) and the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV). Azalea Baptist Church also willingly partners with other Christian organizations and is free to determine any affiliations for partnership and cooperation to bring about our mutual mission of sharing the gospel of Christ. We hold this attitude in regard to working with other Christian organizations: ”In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity (Christian love).”