We believe that the local assembly of believers (church) is God’s instrument in this age. While all genuine, born again believers in Christ share an organic, family relationship, the overwhelming number of references of the word “church” in the Bible apply to the local, visible assembly of believers (Acts 14:23; Ephesians 1:22–23; Ephesians 4:11–16; 1Timothy 3:1–13) At the Second Coming of Christ all genuine believers from the time of Christ’s ascension will be united together as the Body of Christ (1Thessalonians 4:13–18; Revelation 19:7–8; Revelation 21:2). Until then, it is the responsibility of each local church to continue in evangelism, discipleship and missions both independently and interdependently (Matthew 28:18–20). We believe that each local assembly should be self-governing, self-supporting and self-propagating as possible, practicing the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Table, and operate under the leadership of those who hold the office of pastor (also known as “bishop” or “elder”) and assisted by those who hold the office of deacon (Matthew 28:18–20; 1Corinthians 11:23–34;    1Timothy 3:1–13; 1Peter 5:14; Hebrews 13:17). We believe that every member of the local church has the responsibility to minister the Word of God and support the ministry through prayer, holy living, tithes and offerings (1Corinthians 16:2; Malachi 3:10; Acts 4:34–37; 2Corinthians 8:7; Acts 2:41–47; 13:14).