On Independence

By independent, we mean that the group of believers known collectively as Calvary Baptist Church are unaffiliated with any hierarchical control from another organization such as a conference, convention, diocese, or denominational headquarters. We believe that was the pattern in the New Testament:

• Shown in the local church organizing itself for ministry in choosing its own leaders to address the challenges of local ministry (Acts 6:1-6)
• Shown in its responsibility to solve its own internal disagreements rather than having some outside authority figure solve them (Matthew 18:15-17; I Corinthians 6:1-6)
• Show in its disciplining of its own members rather than having an outside authority act as the authority (I Corinthians 5)
• Shown in each local church being accountable individually to the Lord Jesus Christ (the messages to the individual churches in Revelation 2 and 3)

As an independent congregation, the control of the properties rests within our congregation. Also, the ministry that we believe the Lord would have us accomplish here in our community rests with us. Independent does not mean that we will not associate with other churches or agencies that are biblically faithful.