OUR BELIEFS
1) God
There is one God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Three persons, one God, eternal and perfect.
2) The Bible
God speaks through Scripture. The 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are inspired, true, and our final authority for what we believe and how we live.
3) Creation
God made everything from nothing and called it good. All creation exists for His glory and will be renewed under Jesus.
4) Humanity & the Image of God
God made people—male and female—in His image with equal worth and dignity. Human life is sacred from the womb. Marriage is God’s good gift for one man and one woman.
5) Sin & the Fall
All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Sin brings guilt, death, and separation from God. We need a Savior.
6) Promise & Grace
From the beginning God pursued sinners with covenant love. He keeps His promises and saves by grace, not by our works.
7) Jesus Christ
Jesus is the eternal Son of God who took on flesh, born of the virgin Mary. He lived without sin, revealed the Father, and is the only mediator between God and people.
8) The Cross
Jesus died in our place for our sins, bearing God’s just wrath so we could be forgiven and made right with God.
9) The Resurrection & Salvation
Jesus rose bodily on the third day and is alive forever. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus—justified, adopted into God’s family, and changed by the Holy Spirit.
10) The Holy Spirit
The Spirit gives new birth, indwells believers, produces His fruit, and empowers us with gifts for holy living, bold witness, and service.
11) The Church
All who trust Jesus belong to His worldwide Church and should gather in local churches. We preach the Word, pray, worship, practice baptism and the Lord’s Supper, pursue holiness, and live on mission together.
12) Worship & Mission
God made us worshipers. We love God and love our neighbors—sharing the gospel in word and deed so Oelwein and our region can know Jesus.
13) Christ’s Return & Eternity
Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead, raise all people, make all things new, and reign forever. Believers will enjoy eternal life with Him; rejecting Him brings eternal separation.
POSITIONS ON KEY ISSUES:
Bible & Truth
The Bible is God’s Word and our final authority. We teach it plainly and follow it even when it’s counter-cultural.
Marriage & Sexuality
Marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman. Sex is God’s gift for marriage. Outside of marriage, we call everyone to sexual purity—speaking truth with grace to every person and story. We do not affirm any other forms (LBGT) of marriage than between a man and a woman.
Gender & Identity
God created us male and female. Our bodies are not mistakes. We treat every person with dignity and compassion and point people to wholeness in Jesus.
Sanctity of Life
Human life is sacred from conception to natural death. We protect the unborn, support mothers and families, and oppose abortion and euthanasia.
Women & Ministry
Women are called, gifted, and essential in the church. They teach and lead in many ministries. We hold that the office of elder/lead pastor is reserved for qualified men, while women exercise significant leadership across OCC.
God & Politics (Civic Life)
Jesus is Lord—no party is. We preach the Bible, not partisanship. We urge believers to vote their faith, love their neighbors, and keep unity in Christ. OCC does not endorse political candidates.
Marriage Brokenness (Divorce & Remarriage)
God hates divorce and loves restoration. We fight for marriages, pursue repentance and reconciliation, and apply Jesus’ mercy. Where Scripture allows, remarriage can be appropriate with pastoral care.
Alcohol & Substances
Scripture forbids drunkenness. Some abstain; others partake in moderation. We support anyone battling addiction with truth, accountability, and hope.
Death, Judgment & Hope
Death is not the end. Jesus rose and will return. All will stand before God— eternal life with Christ for believers, Heaven; Eternal separation for those who reject Him, Hell. We grieve with hope and live ready.