About Us
DISTINCTIVES
Open Bible Standard Churches is an Association of locally led and governed, evangelical, and pentecostal/charismatic churches in agreement to fellowship and cooperate under the Policies and Principles that have been developed by its pastors and churches.
BALANCE
A unique Open Bible quality is relationship, as affirmed in our position - "A balance of affiliation and freedom, providing accountability without undue control." We exist to serve our churches and pastors, to equip and empower them to fulfill their calling and purpose in the communities in which God has placed them. We work hard at doing this because we realize there is a perception that associations become denominational structures organized to seek power and control over the local church and pastors. That is not our heart, philosophy, or purpose.
PURPOSE
We believe that Open Bible Churches has a redemptive purpose in the Body of Christ and that the Spirit of God has graced us with "a spirit of adoption," whereby we can accommodate diversity in our unity. Independent churches are embracing Open Bible because they desire accountability without losing their identity. We respect the history, personality, individuality, and the grace and anointing the Holy Spirit gives to each pastor and church. This enables us to complement and develop one another in our relationship rather than be competitive or contentious. Our diversity completes us rather than divides us.
FAMILY
Our Purpose Statement declares that "Open Bible is a family of churches united in the purpose of glorifying God and fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus Christ by equipping people through biblical, Spirit-empowered ministry." Our statement of purpose is an expression of our values. Values determine conduct - how we invest time, involve people, and spend our money. We do what we value.
PASSION
In the framework of our Policies and Principles we believe in the "five-fold ministry." Our flexibility enables us to do this but with accountability and with freedom from extreme forms that focus on titles rather than character, training, and biblical function. Our pentecostal roots take us back to the 1906 Azusa Street revival. We identify with the pentecostal-charismatic movement because of our passion for the Holy Spirit and His work of renewal.
