STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Community Church exists to glorify God and, in His strength, equip and empower the body of Christ to serve others in love and go make disciples.

COMMUNITY  CHURCH  OSHKOSH

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20,21; Hebrews 4:12,13)

THE WORD OF GOD

We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons, that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence (foresight and care) and redemption (Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:13-17;1 Peter 1:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; Titus 3:4-7)

THE TRINITY

We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of man, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ (Isaiah 57:15; Exodus 3:1-15; John 4:23,24; 1 John 1:5)

GOD THE FATHER

We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in his virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth. (Matt. l: 18; l Pet. 3:18; l Cor. 15:4, 5; Acts l:9; 1 John 2:1, 2; 1 Thess. 4:16, 17; Heb. 7:24, 25; Rev. 21:1-8)

JESUS CHRIST

We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide (John 14:26; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; John 16:7-15; Ephesians 5:18; Titus 3:4-6; Galatians 5:16-18, 22-25)

THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized after a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work, and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the gospel of Jesus Christ to our lost world.  (1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:4-7)

REGENERATION

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20,21; Hebrews 4:12,13)

THE WORD OF GOD

We believe in the universal Church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work, and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. (1 Cor. 12:13; Matt. 28:18-20; Luke 10:27; Eph. 4:11-16)

THE CHURCH

We believe that Christians should live for the glory of God and the well - being of their fellow Christians, that their conduct should be blameless before the world, that they should be faithful stewards of their possessions, and that they should seek to realize for themselves and others the full stature of maturity in Christ (Philippians 1:27; 1 Peter 1:15,16; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Colossians 1:28,29; Matthew 25:14-30; 1 Corinthians 10:23-31; Hebrews 12:14)

CHRISTIAN CONDUCT

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water into the name of the triune God. We believe that the Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 8:36-39; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34)

THE ORDINANCES

We believe that every human being has direct relations with God and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith. We believe that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; therefore, Church and state must be kept separate, having different functions and each fulfilling its own duties (Romans 13:1-7)

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

We believe that local churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ by operations with one another in a denominational organization. Such an organization, whether a regional or district conference, exists and functions by the will of the churches. Cooperation in a conference is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. Church may likewise cooperate with inter - denominational fellowships on a voluntary basis

CHURCH COOPERATION

We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal bliss of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked (1 Corinthians 15:4,5; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 21:1-8)

THE LAST THINGS

We believe God created humankind immutably as male and female to reflect and bear His image. As such, human beings of every ethnicity, age, ability, as well as the pre-born deserve dignity, protection, honor, respect, and Christian love. Because of Adam and Eve’s free choice to sin, God’s image in all humankind has become distorted and relationship with God has become disrupted. (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-14; Romans 1:18-27; Romans 5:12; Colossians 3:12-14; Titus 3:1-5; Revelation 7:9)

HUMANITY

We believe that Christian marriage is a sacred institution ordained by God for the well-being and propagation of humankind. It is a covenant representing the spiritual and physical union into which one man and one woman may enter for the glory of God, symbolizing the relationship of Christ to his church. As the sign of this covenant, sexual activity is reserved exclusively for the marriage relationship. According to the scriptural ideal, marriage requires sacrificial love and faithfulness to each other for life. (Genesis 1:27-28; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:1-12; Ephesians 5:21-33; 1 Thessalonians 4:3- 8; Hebrews 13:4)

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

VISION

Following Jesus Together.

MISSION

A community of faith, bringing faith to the community.

VALUES

REACH - the lost with the life changing message of the Gospel.
CONNECT - believers with God and others through authentic community.
EMPOWER - leaders to live a life of mission.

HOW CCO STARTED

Starting in 1985, Community Church first opened the doors at the YMCA in downtown Oshkosh.  Founded by Steve and Lynne Johnson, the church became a safe space for people with questions about faith to explore Christianity in community.  As the church grew, we moved to a building on Jackson Street for 10 years before building a new facility on Ryf Road.