Regarding the Purpose and Nature of the Church, we recognize and affirm the following:

• Jesus Christ is the sole and true Head of the Church, and all activities shall be carried out under His authority and direction.
• Faith is expressed through the individual believer and the local congregation, as demonstrated by the personal testimonies of its members.
• Worship must be meaningful and expressive, aligned with New Testament principles. While the order of worship should follow biblical guidelines, it may be adapted to meet the needs of each congregation.
• The life of discipleship includes the administration of the Holy Sacraments, as an essential element of faith and practice.
• Public expressions of discipleship should include visible testimony of faith through prayer, service, witness, and community fellowship.
• The teachings of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ must be shared in every language, in obedience to the Great Commission—bringing individuals and groups to hear and receive the light of the Gospel. This includes especially the proclamation of God’s will regarding justification by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
• Places of worship—local, national, and international—must be provided and maintained, ensuring access for all people, regardless of race, gender, or religious background.
• Sacred rites must be observed, including marriage, funerals, baptism, communion, the ordination of pastors, and the consecration of deacons, deaconesses, and bishops.
• Evangelization must be pursued universally, in accordance with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.
• Christian discipleship must be lived out through acts of compassion and advocacy, caring for the abandoned, the sick, the marginalized, and the elderly. We are called to promote social justice rooted in the Gospel—seeking peace through love, fostering unity and understanding, and embracing all people without discrimination or division.