What kind of church are we?
7 Mountains Church is a non-denominational church. Our core principles are listed below. If you are seeking greater detail in understanding what 7 Mountains Church believes, we invite you to call 608-618-3557 and speak with Pastor Josh. Thank you, and God bless!
What We Believe
GOD
- We believe and teach that God is the absolute and sole creator of the universe and that creation was by His choice and decision. (Genesis 1:1-2:25)
- We believe and teach that God loves people, all people. By His choice and decision He came, in love, to earth in the person of Jesus Christ to save us from our sin. (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 53:1-6; Matthew 1:21; John 3:16-17; Romans 5:8, Ephesians 1:3-6)
- We believe and teach that God invites us into a personal relationship with Him (2 Peter 1:3-4) in order to know Him, love Him, experience His life and be changed into His likeness (Philippians 1:9-11; 1 John 3:2-3; 1 John 4:13-16)
JESUS
- We believe and teach that Jesus Christ in the flesh was both God and man, born of a virgin, tempted as we are, lived His life without sin, taught and brought the mighty works and wonders, and signs exactly as revealed in the Gospels. He loved, was crucified, died as a payment for our sin, and was raised from the dead bodily on the third day. Later He ascended to the Father's right hand where He is now preparing to come again personally, bodily, and visibly to this earth. (Philippians 2:5-8; Luke 1:26-35; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Peter 23:21-24; 1 Corinthians 15:3-5; Acts 12:9-11; Ephesians 1:18-23; Romans 8:31-34; 1 John 2:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16; John 14:1-6)
- We believe and teach that in Jesus' death, by His shed blood, He made a perfect atonement for sin. People are saved, justified and sanctified on the simple and single ground of the Lord Jesus Christ's shed blood. (Hebrews 9:11-14; Hebrews 10:10-13; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 3:18; Galatians 3:13-14; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Romans 8:31-34)
HOLY SPIRIT
- We believe and teach that the Holy Spirit is alive and well in every believer. He instructs, comforts, convicts, guides, and gives to every Christian gifts to build up and edify the church (John 14:15-27; John 16:5-15; Romans 12:3-6; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Peter 4:10).
- We believe and teach the baptism in the Holy Spirit is essential to live the supernatural life and ministry God has called us into before the foundation of the world.
- We believe and teach that the Holy Spirit is one person of the Godhead, the Trinity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist eternally in three persons and yet are one in God. (Matthew 28:19; John 14:16; John 16:7-15)
OUR CALLING - The 7 Mountains Great Commission
In the most simplest of terms, we believe the "Seven Mountains" is a 21st Century concept that encapsulates the "Great Commission" as Jesus instructed us in Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-20, Luke 24:46-49, John 20:21-23, and Acts 1:4-8. No more, no less.
1. RELIGION
Every society has some type of belief in a superior being or beings. In the east, religions tend to be polytheistic (many Gods) or outright idolatrous (such as Hinduism and Buddhism). Although these religions are thousands of years old, they nonetheless continue to thrive today. In the west, Christianity and Catholicism are predominant, but postmodern views are increasingly being accepted and the concept of God is being rejected. This is especially true in Europe.
The Christian Church is described in the Greek language as the ecclesia. Literally translated, the word ecclesia means "governing body." Although we don't condone theocracies, this translation suggest that the Church should have great influence in all other spheres that make up a society. With the plethora of categorized religions around the world, it's the Church's responsibility to reach the lost with the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ, and expand the Kingdom in ministerial efforts, both nationally and internationally.
2. FAMILY
In any functional society, the family is the "building block" of the community. Throughout the Bible, you will find familial examples that portray how we ought to live our lives today. God desires that men, women, and children within a family be united as one in His love, After all, He is the ultimate Father (Romans 8:14-17)
The families of the United States have been under constant and prolonged attack. Today, the assailants are fatherlessness, divorce, abuse, homosexual marriage, pornography, transgenderism, and other negative influences which have brought great dysfunction to American life. God is calling fathers and mothers (both spiritual and biological) to bring order to the chaos that the enemy has unleashed against families in America. He also wants to bring healing to marriages and relationships within the families in order to maintain a moral foundation for children in the future to stand upon.
3. EDUCATION
At one time the education system of America unapologetically incorporated the Bible, prayer to the God of the Bible, and biblical values in every aspect of school life. Not coincidentally, this system produced a people that produced the most powerful and prosperous nation the earth has ever seen.
Now, the children of our nation are inundated with liberal ideologies, atheistic teaching and postmodern principles in our public schools and in most universities (including many Christian institutions). Put simply; they are being indoctrinated with often false, biased, and anti-biblical information.
A re-introduction of biblical truth and Bible-centric values is the key to renewal and restoration in America's failing educational system.
4. GOVERNMENT
Proverbs 14:34 states that, "righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is reproach to any people." Many times, as exemplified in the Old Testament, a nation's moral standards are dependent on those exhibited by its leaders (or predominant political party). While each individual is responsible for his or her own sins; the fact remains that people are greatly influenced by those morals (or lack thereof) that popular leaders adopt.
The progressive liberal agenda, empowered by well-known men and women in the arts and entertainment industries, have made significant gains in the political arena over the past few decades. In fact, many liberal groups, such as the ACLU, seek to remove anything related to God or Christianity from the governmental and educational systems because of a misapplied interpretation of the phrase, "separation of church and state." We must see a shift in this arena in order to preserve the Christian heritage that America was founded upon. The goal is to put in place righteous political leaders that will positively affect all aspects of government.
5. MEDIA
The media mountain includes news sources such as radio, TV news stations, newspapers, Internet news and opinion (blog) sites and etc. The media has potential to sway popular opinion on current issues based upon its reporting which is not always truthful or accurate. There has been a rise in Christian news services, which is need; however, to bring transformation to the mountain of media, Christians who are gifted for and called to into this type of work must be willing to report righteously and truthfully in the secular marketplace.
6. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
In this mountain we find some of the most influential forces shaping our society. Music, film-making, television, social media, and the performing arts drive the cultural tastes, values and standards of a nation's citizens, particularly its youth.
With a heavy reliance on the strong appeal of sex, drugs and alcohol, the arts and entertainment industries wield significant influence. The body of Christ needs powerful, righteous men and women who are not afraid to take their God-given talent into the arts and entertainment arenas. People ready to further His purposes, while impacting those who are lost in darkness and would not otherwise be interested in any kind of Christian message in traditional forms.
7. BUSINESS
The ability to literally create wealth through ingenuity, enterprise, creativity and effort is a God-given gift and a universal impulse. Deuteronomy 8:18 states, But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day." The markets and economic systems that emerge whenever people are free to pursue buying and selling become the lifeblood of a nation. This includes anything from farms to small businesses to large corporations.
Of course, this realm is prone to corruption through idolatry, greed, and covetousness. In response, the Church must embrace its responsibility to train up those who are called into the marketplace to manage businesses and provide leadership with integrity and honesty. We believe it is the Lord's will to make His people prosperous and that He desires for His Church to use its wealth to finance the work of Kingdom expansion. Simply put, Prosperity with a purpose.
1. RELIGION
Every society has some type of belief in a superior being or beings. In the east, religions tend to be polytheistic (many Gods) or outright idolatrous (such as Hinduism and Buddhism). Although these religions are thousands of years old, they nonetheless continue to thrive today. In the west, Christianity and Catholicism are predominant, but postmodern views are increasingly being accepted and the concept of God is being rejected. This is especially true in Europe.
The Christian Church is described in the Greek language as the ecclesia. Literally translated, the word ecclesia means "governing body." Although we don't condone theocracies, this translation suggest that the Church should have great influence in all other spheres that make up a society. With the plethora of categorized religions around the world, it's the Church's responsibility to reach the lost with the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ, and expand the Kingdom in ministerial efforts, both nationally and internationally.
2. FAMILY
In any functional society, the family is the "building block" of the community. Throughout the Bible, you will find familial examples that portray how we ought to live our lives today. God desires that men, women, and children within a family be united as one in His love, After all, He is the ultimate Father (Romans 8:14-17)
The families of the United States have been under constant and prolonged attack. Today, the assailants are fatherlessness, divorce, abuse, homosexual marriage, pornography, transgenderism, and other negative influences which have brought great dysfunction to American life. God is calling fathers and mothers (both spiritual and biological) to bring order to the chaos that the enemy has unleashed against families in America. He also wants to bring healing to marriages and relationships within the families in order to maintain a moral foundation for children in the future to stand upon.
3. EDUCATION
At one time the education system of America unapologetically incorporated the Bible, prayer to the God of the Bible, and biblical values in every aspect of school life. Not coincidentally, this system produced a people that produced the most powerful and prosperous nation the earth has ever seen.
Now, the children of our nation are inundated with liberal ideologies, atheistic teaching and postmodern principles in our public schools and in most universities (including many Christian institutions). Put simply; they are being indoctrinated with often false, biased, and anti-biblical information.
A re-introduction of biblical truth and Bible-centric values is the key to renewal and restoration in America's failing educational system.
4. GOVERNMENT
Proverbs 14:34 states that, "righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is reproach to any people." Many times, as exemplified in the Old Testament, a nation's moral standards are dependent on those exhibited by its leaders (or predominant political party). While each individual is responsible for his or her own sins; the fact remains that people are greatly influenced by those morals (or lack thereof) that popular leaders adopt.
The progressive liberal agenda, empowered by well-known men and women in the arts and entertainment industries, have made significant gains in the political arena over the past few decades. In fact, many liberal groups, such as the ACLU, seek to remove anything related to God or Christianity from the governmental and educational systems because of a misapplied interpretation of the phrase, "separation of church and state." We must see a shift in this arena in order to preserve the Christian heritage that America was founded upon. The goal is to put in place righteous political leaders that will positively affect all aspects of government.
5. MEDIA
The media mountain includes news sources such as radio, TV news stations, newspapers, Internet news and opinion (blog) sites and etc. The media has potential to sway popular opinion on current issues based upon its reporting which is not always truthful or accurate. There has been a rise in Christian news services, which is need; however, to bring transformation to the mountain of media, Christians who are gifted for and called to into this type of work must be willing to report righteously and truthfully in the secular marketplace.
6. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
In this mountain we find some of the most influential forces shaping our society. Music, film-making, television, social media, and the performing arts drive the cultural tastes, values and standards of a nation's citizens, particularly its youth.
With a heavy reliance on the strong appeal of sex, drugs and alcohol, the arts and entertainment industries wield significant influence. The body of Christ needs powerful, righteous men and women who are not afraid to take their God-given talent into the arts and entertainment arenas. People ready to further His purposes, while impacting those who are lost in darkness and would not otherwise be interested in any kind of Christian message in traditional forms.
7. BUSINESS
The ability to literally create wealth through ingenuity, enterprise, creativity and effort is a God-given gift and a universal impulse. Deuteronomy 8:18 states, But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day." The markets and economic systems that emerge whenever people are free to pursue buying and selling become the lifeblood of a nation. This includes anything from farms to small businesses to large corporations.
Of course, this realm is prone to corruption through idolatry, greed, and covetousness. In response, the Church must embrace its responsibility to train up those who are called into the marketplace to manage businesses and provide leadership with integrity and honesty. We believe it is the Lord's will to make His people prosperous and that He desires for His Church to use its wealth to finance the work of Kingdom expansion. Simply put, Prosperity with a purpose.