This is probably one of the most common questions people who are new to Bridgewood ask.  Bridgewood is a non-denominational church.  That means that we are not affiliated with any specific Christian denomination, although we are Christian to the core and adhere to all the basic doctrines of the Christian faith.  As such, we are able to reach and serve people from many denominational and religious backgrounds. For that reason, there has been a marked trend in recent years toward the planting of nondenominational churches.

Being non-denominational does not mean being isolationists or independent. We are affiliated with over 5,000 churches worldwide that make up the Willow Creek Association, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.  This association of churches focusing on ministering to spiritual seekers and “meeting people where they are” spans the entire spectrum of Christianity.  That focus is the heart of our vision at Bridgewood as reflected in our mission statement: “Working together with God to reach and transform people into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

We believe in government by a plurality of leaders.  Bridgewood’s primary leadership configurations include the Leadership Team, the Financial Advisory Board and the Ministry Staff.  In addition, Bridgewood has an Advisory Board that serves the church with wise counsel and a place of protective appeal in times of conflict.

Our belief and practice at Bridgewood is that water baptism is to be administered to those who have come into a personal faith relationship with Christ.  Just as baptism follows repentance and faith in the basic doctrine list of Hebrews 6:1-3, the act of water baptism is the next step after an individual repents of their sins.  Peter, on the day of Pentecost exhorted his hearers, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins" (Acts 2:38).

Other verses in the Book of Acts also demonstrate this order, specifically Acts 16:30-34, where the Philippian jailer asked what he needed to do to be saved.  Paul and Silas replied that he needed to believe in the Lord Jesus.  After hearing the word of the Lord, he and his whole family, who had also come to believe, were baptized.

The significance of water baptism is that it is an outward sign of an inward work.   The Bible teaches that water baptism is both symbolic and spiritual in nature.  As a symbol, the believer makes a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ and identifies with His death, burial and resurrection.  In baptism we declare our sin nature dead to the world.  By immersion, we bury that sin nature; and by rising out of the water, we rise to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3,4).

Baptism also has a spiritual dimension in that  indicates there is an inward work of circumcision of the heart that takes place (Colossians 2:11-12).  Just as circumcision of the flesh was an outward and visible sign of entering into a covenant relationship with God in the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 17:10-14), water baptism serves that purpose in the New Covenant.

The method of administering water baptism at Bridgewood Community Church is by immersion.  This is done because of the implications of the death, burial and resurrection symbols and the meaning of the primary Greek verb, “bapto,” meaning "to submerge or immerse".

As a result of these beliefs, we encourage parents to dedicate their infant children to the Lord and wait until the children come into their own personal relationship with Jesus before being baptized.

How should we worship God?
“But the hour is coming, and is how here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the father seeks such as these to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24

Why do we stand to sing?
Standing is an expressing of honor and in the Old Testament the Levites were an example of this as they “stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.” (2 Chronicles 20:19)

Why do we use musical instruments in our worship service?
The Bible exhorts us to use a variety of instruments in praising Him, “Praise Him with tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute. Praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals. (Psalm 150:4-5)

Why do we use a variety of styles of worship songs?
The Bible encourages all manner of means in expressing our joy through “singing among yourselves psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, making music in your hearts for the ears of the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:18-19)

Why do we clap our hands?
The Bible exhorts us to, “Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with loud songs of joy.” (Psalm 47:1)

Why do we lift our hands?
Frequently we are challenged to “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.” (Psalm 134:2). And “I want men everywhere to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from sin and anger and resentment.”  1 Timothy 2:8

What About the use of Spiritual Gifts?
At Bridgewood we believe that the most appropriate place for the use of the spiritual gifts is in a meeting primarily for believers or in a small group setting. “So my friends, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues; but all things should be done decently and in order.”  1 Corinthians 14:39-40

When the Bible talks about "tithing", what does it mean?
The word “tithe” literally means “a tenth.”  Both in the Old and New Testaments, the original Hebrew and Greek words carry the same meaning: “to take out, to set aside, or to receive one tenth of a whole.” It is the practice of regularly setting aside and devoting to God the first tenth of our income, whether in money or some other form.  It is given to meet the general needs of the church.

Is tithing any different from what the Bible calls giving "offerings"?
Yes.  Offerings are what we give to God over and above the tithe; and, for the most part, they are left to the discretion of each worshipper.  They are distinguished from tithes as they are given to meet a special or specific need, usually accompanied by some personal sacrifice on the part of the giver (11 Sam. 24:24). An example of this might be in giving to a special fund or ministry.  Scripture exhorts us to bring our offerings to the Lord with a right attitude toward both God and our fellow man. (Mt. 5:23-24)

What about "alms"?
Alms differ from both tithes and offerings.  Alms are gifts that we give to meet the personal needs of our fellow man.  Scripture encourages us to do it in a quiet manner as unto God (Mt. 6:1-4). Alms, like offerings, are given over and above the tithe. These need not be in the form of money. In Acts 9:36 reference is made to “alms-deeds.” This is activity or work done for others in need. It could be a helping hand, an article of clothing, or even a “cup of cold water (Mk. 9:41).”

Isn't tithing just Old Testament legalism?
The answer is no.  For one thing, the practice of tithing predated the Law of Moses.  The first mention of it in Scripture is that of Abraham tithing to Melchizedek more than 400 years before the giving of the Law (Gen. 14:18-20).  Jacob also vowed to give to the Lord a tenth of all he would receive from the Lord.  This was also long before the Law.  What we see in this is that even in the days of the patriarchs, tithing was not a response to some legalistic demand but a free expression of love and trust in God.  Tithing, for the Christian, operates on the same principle.  We are children of Abraham by faith; and tithing, for us, is not generated out of a legalistic rule; rather the grace of God is at work in our hearts making us cheerful givers (11 Cor. 9:7).

Dedicating children to the Lord is a part of God's pattern for raising a child in a Godly manner.  Dedication is the act of setting apart and committing a child into the hands of Christ for the purpose of letting the Lord direct his/her spiritual growth and development.  It is demonstrated in both the Old and New Testaments.  Abraham dedicated Isaac to the Lord by being willing to sacrifice him (Genesis 22). Hannah dedicated Samuel by giving him back to the Lord (I Samuel 1:21-28). Jesus was dedicated according to the law of Moses (Luke 2:22-40).

Dedicating a child is a declaration of faith and obedience to the Lord.  Abraham showed his faith by being willing to offer Isaac (Hebrews 11:17).  His obedience meant death to self and all his plans for Isaac.  By completely relinquishing his son to God, he received him back.  God accepts the child dedicated to Him and promises to bless him/her and keep the child in a protected place.  “All your sons will be taught by the Lord; and great will be your children's peace” (Isaiah 54:13).

What does this experience do for the child?
The child that is dedicated to God is consecrated or “set apart” to a special place of blessing and care.  Jesus shows this special place when He said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these ... And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them” (Mark 10:14, 16) and “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones (you carry in the arms) for I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven (Matthew 18:10).”

For the parents?
Parents, in dedicating their children, acknowledge that he/she really belongs to the Lord.  They are in essence dedicating themselves to God and His plans for the child.  Thus parents are given peace and confidence in knowing that their dedicated child is under God's constant care and guidance.  They are assured that even if tragically their child were to die, he/she would go to heaven (2 Samuel 12:23). “I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day (II Timothy 1:12).”

What is the parents’ responsibility?
A child can only be “set apart” to God through faith and obedience to God's Word; therefore, it is imperative that the parent(s) demonstrate personal faith in Jesus Christ themselves. The Bible promises that children who have believing parent(s) are consecrated to God through their parent's faith. (1 Corinthians 7:14) Children who are presented to God in dedication are made holy by the faith of their parents until they reach the age of accountability, at which time they need to personally acknowledge their faith in Jesus and be baptized.

After the act of child dedication, the parents are responsible before God for:

• Training them in the Christian faith in both words and example. 
• Teaching them to respect God, His Word, His ministers and His people.
• Praying regularly for them. 
• Proper discipline and nurturing. 

Dedication Pledge: As the father and mother, you have been granted the privilege and responsibility to care for and nurture him/her in the faith.  You are to model the life of Christ and demonstrate the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your lives that he/she might taste and see that the Lord is good.  You are to pray for him/her, teach him/her from God's Word, and bring him/her faithfully to the gatherings of God's people.  As he/she grows in years, you are to encourage and nurture his/ her own person faith in Jesus, and at that time when he/she makes a personal confession of faith, bring him/her to the waters of baptism.  You are to place in his/her hands the Bible and provide instruction in the Christian faith so that your child may live a life worthy of his/her high calling and fulfill God's purpose for his/her life.  As the father and mother of is this the purpose of your heart and do you promise to fulfill these responsibilities?  If so say, “Yes, by the grace of God.” 

After reading this and understanding the requirements and responsibilities of child dedication, you desire to dedicate your child/children, please contact one of our pastors.  They will assist you in making the arrangements for your child’s dedication.