About Us

What We Believe

While we are an independent, non-denominational church with our own distinctives, when it comes to our core beliefs we stand united with all other evangelical churches. Here are some specific core beliefs that serve as our foundation:

We believe the Bible is inspired by God and it is both trustworthy and authoritative. We believe it is our responsibility to study the whole Bible and submit to all its teachings. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

We believe in one eternal, infinite and unchanging God who reveals Himself to us in three Persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19)

We believe Jesus Christ is both 100% God and 100% human. We believe He was born of a virgin, He lived a perfect life, He died on a cross for the sins of all people, and He rose from the dead physically and ascended into heaven. We believe one day He will return to earth and will reign over it. (Matthew 1:23; John 8:58; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 3:18; Revelation 11:15)

We believe all people were created in the image of God but have a sinful nature, resulting in wrong actions. We believe all of us deserve eternal separation from God and none of us is able to save ourselves from this fate through our own efforts. (Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:10-12, 23, 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3, 8-9)

We believe we can be rescued from death and given the gift of an eternal relationship with God only by repenting of our sins and believing in Jesus Christ—that is, by trusting in His death as full payment for all our sins and in His resurrection as proof He is the Lord of all. Eternal life is a free and irrevocable gift. (Luke 24: 46-47, John 3:16; Romans 8:29-30; 10:9; Ephesians 2:1-3, 8-9)

We believe all Christians are baptized and indwelt with the Holy Spirit at the moment they believe in Christ and are empowered, guided and instructed by the Spirit as they yield their lives to Him. (Acts 2:38; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18)

We believe Jesus instituted baptism as the means of publicly professing faith in Him, and that, although baptism has no power to save, it is the first step of obedience expected of all believers in Christ. We believe Jesus instituted the practice of communion (or the Lord's Supper) to help us vividly remember His death for us and the Church should participate in this memorial regularly. (Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:38; 16:30-33; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

We believe followers of Jesus are called to a life of Spirit-empowered obedience, and that, when we disobey, we will experience God's loving discipline (which may be carried out through the Church). We also believe God gives all Christians spiritual gifts as He wills, which they are to use to help others in the Church grow. (Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 12:7, 11, 18; Galatians 5:16-25; Hebrews 12:7-11)

We believe the Church is Christ's "body" in today's world and is comprised of all true Christians. Each local church is to be shepherded by Jesus Himself through a group of spiritually qualified male elders. We believe every Christian is called to become involved in a local church. (John 10:11; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; 1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:5; Hebrews 10:25; 1 Peter 5:4)

We believe both heaven and hell are real, and every person will spend eternity either in joyful fellowship with God or agonizing separation from Him based on their response to Christ. (Luke 12:5; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Philippians 3:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; 1 Peter 1:4)

By-Laws

l. Name
The name of this organization is Sunridge Community Church (a registered dba for the California corporation Sunridge Community Church of Temecula, California).

II. Vision
The vision of this church is to Help People Find and Follow Jesus—that is, to fulfill the mission of seeking and saving the lost (Luke 19:10) by making disciples. (Matthew 28:19-20)

III. Doctrinal Statement
See "What We Believe" section above.

IV. Authority

A. The head of the church is Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; 2:19)

B. The expressed will of the Lord Jesus Christ is the Bible; thus it is the church's final authority. (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

C. The elders are responsible to oversee and shepherd the church, using the Bible as their blueprint. Collectively, they constitute the highest human authority in the church. (Acts 16:4; 1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:5; Hebrews 13:17)

1. Qualifications of Elders
-An elder must meet the biblical qualifications. (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9)
-An elder must be in agreement with the vision and doctrinal statement of the church.

2. Selection of Elders
-Elder candidates are to be appointed by current elders. (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5)
-It is the responsibility of the current elders to seek congregational input before appointing a new elder. (Acts 6:2-3)

3. Term of office
-Elders will serve one-year terms. At the end of each year the Board of Elders will appoint elders to serve for the following year.
-Before appointing elders each year, the Board of Elders will seek congregational input on every elder.

4. Responsibilities
-The elders are responsible to shepherd the members of the church.
-The elders are responsible to oversee the finances, administration and ministries of the church.
-The elders are responsible for all decisions concerning the hiring, compensation and termination of church employees. Church employees who serve as elders will relinquish these responsibilities when the Board of Elders recognizes the possibility of a conflict of interest.
-The lay elders are singularly responsible for the accountability of the senior pastor. The senior pastor will be evaluated annually based upon feedback provided by all staff, which will also include staff elders. Additionally, the lay elders reserve the right to table an issue for a decision exclusively made by the lay elders. The right would be reserved for items of "special significance" and would not be used lightly or often.

V. Regular Attendees
A. Those in the church who choose to put their faith in Jesus are taught to be baptized and are encouraged to attend church services regularly.

B. Beyond regular church attendance, attendees are encouraged to participate in a Life Group, to exercise their spiritual gifts in the church, and to share their faith with lost people.

C. Regular attendees of the church who persist in sinful behavior are subject to church discipline according to Matthew 18:15-18. This may involve public disclosure of sin and removal from the church.

VI. Licensing and Ordination
All pastoral staff members will be licensed by the church as Ministers of the Gospel upon hiring. This licensing shall continue until termination of employment.

VII. Officers
The officers and directors of the church are the elders.

VIII. Dissolution
Upon dissolution of the organization, all assets will be donated to a not-for-profit organization with like purposes.

IX. Amendments
Amendments to the by-laws will be by a consensus of the elders.