Our Values

While the full doctrinal statement of Grace Bible Church of Boerne is provided here, we are guided by eight non-negotiable Biblical pillars of how we do ministry that will not be compromised in any way or at any time.

1. A High View of God

God is holy, righteous, and good; therefore, we must be holy. A failure to have a high view of God leads to a toleration of sin, a focus on man, and a church reflecting a man-centered ministry that attempts to please people rather than glorify God. The purpose of the church is to glorify God the Father through God the Son by the power of God the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:21; John 16:14-15).

2. A High View of Scripture

The Bible is totally sufficient to live the Christian life, for all counsel and wisdom (1 Tim 3:16-17). It is the sole authority for the church, is relevant in every situation, contains all sound doctrine, and mandates the teaching of this sound doctrine in the church. We interpret it with a literal, grammatical-historical hermeneutic system and preach it expositionally, verse-by-verse through books of the Bible (2 Tim 2:15).

3. A Biblical View of Mankind

Man was created in God’s image to glorify God, but because of sin after the Fall of Adam and Eve, he seeks to glorify himself. His sin alienates him from God and thus he seeks fulfillment in the world’s evil system. He is totally depraved and there is nothing good in man to commend himself to God.

4. A Biblical View of the Gospel

The gospel was Jesus’ message and the means by which God saves His elect. The gospel is the center of the life of the church and is a distinguishing mark of a true church. The church is to guard the gospel, which includes the key element of humble repentance of sin before the Lord and confession of having violated God’s holy standards, along with trust in Christ alone as Redeemer. The gospel is the foundation for our exaltation and worship of Christ, for only God can change a sinner’s heart and make him born again or born from above.

5. A Biblical View of the Church and Church Leadership

The local church is a body of believers gathered together under the care of an elder leadership, actively awaiting the return of Christ, while seeking to exalt Him in their lives. The church exists as a “called out” group of saints, to be separated from the defilement of the world to God. Leaders are to reflect the character of Christ as under shepherds of His flock as defined by 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. They are to teach, pray, lead, shepherd, and uphold sound doctrine. They must equip the saints to do the work of the ministry and reproduce themselves in the lives of others. GBC operates by the biblical mandate of leadership by qualified male elders.

6. A Biblical View of Worship

Worship is to be God-centered and gospel-focused. Worship is the supreme and only indispensable activity of the Christian Church. It alone will endure when the other activities of the church have ceased. Acceptable worship is always a response to God involving sacrifice. In worship we address God, mindful of His existence, character, and mercy to us through Christ.

7. A Biblical view of Discipleship

The church is to be the pillar and foundation of divine truth, providing a context of loving fellowship for the purpose of mutual edification. The church is not a entertainment venue, but instead it is a training center where people grow through application of teaching and using their spiritual gifts. It is to be a light in this dark world for the evangelization of lost. This is what it means to “make disciples.”

8. A Biblical View of Prayer

Prayer recognizes GBC’s desperate need for God to guide, equip, and empower the church to accomplish its purpose in our community. Both corporately and privately, the church is to ‘seek God’s face’ in prayer for guidance, blessing, power, holiness, evangelism, spiritual growth, and more.