We believe the life of a Christian, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is characterized by love for and dependence upon God and love toward all people. A Christian loves God by worshiping Him, giving thanks for all He has done, obeying Him and making Him known to others. A Christian loves others by sharing their burdens, remaining intolerant of their sin, forgiving their personal offenses yet seeking to restore them to fellowship with the Lord, demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control—and loving others as himself.

We believe, for example, that the Scriptures call a Christian to be joyful, to trust in God, to live a life of holiness in the world, to exhibit humility and honesty, to deny self in submission to the sovereignty of Christ and to be a faithful steward of the things God has given—mind, body, time, abilities, funds and opportunities.

We believe that a Christian must strive to live a life in which Christ is Lord of all thoughts, actions and words. A Christian must recognize that there are actions and attitudes that are inconsistent and inappropriate, such as sinning against the body of Christ or one’s own body. A Christian led by the Holy Spirit will, after prayer and studying the Scriptures, exercise freedom responsibly with loving regard for the sensitivities and weaknesses of others.

We further believe that, based on Scriptural teaching and concern for our individual and corporate witness, we must refrain from such practices as sexual impurity and marital infidelity, as well as gossiping, drunkenness and other excesses.

In addition, many believe that certain activities, though not specifically prohibited in Scripture, are detrimental to our individual and corporate lives and the witness of College Church in our community. These activities include selling and using all forms of habituating drugs, tobacco, alcohol, and narcotics except those used for medicinal purposes; viewing and participating in the activities of organizations which are inconsistent with the gospel of Christ. Each member or anyone seeking membership in College Church is enjoined to prayerfully seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit with regard to these activities as well as all other aspects of individual witness.