WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER!
Join Us For Church:
Sunday Service Time: @ 10:30am (On-campus + Online)
Gathering Location: 2176 Jonesboro Road, McDonough, GA 30253
Contact us @ info@stillwaters.online
Our Mission
Bringing people wherever they are into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
The perfect place for imperfect people.
Our Core Values
Your Next Step is The Most Important Step
Growth and change are a natural part of life and that's also true with your faith. We believe that if you're not taking your next step, then you aren't growing, and you're missing out on all that God has for you.
The Perfect Place for Imperfect People
Because we believe in the Gospel and God’s grace, we realize that no one is perfect. There are no perfect people; the only perfect one is Jesus Christ.
We're Better Together
No one was meant to live the Christian life alone. Being in a community of people that will support you, pray for you, and love you is vital to the Christian life. Small groups and serving aren't just things we DO, it's core to who we ARE.
We Embrace the Mess
There are no perfect people at Still Waters Church and we could not be happier. When Christ changes us, it's not always an overnight transformation. Grace can be messy. We embrace the mess because that's what Jesus does. In other words, there are no perfect Christians. Only Jesus is perfect.
Generous People are Happy People
We've all heard it said that it's better to give than receive. We believe that it's better to live opened handed lives that can receive God's blessings.
Participation is Membership
People often ask how to become a member of Still Waters Church. A person must have received Christ, been baptized, and attend the Next Step Class. Being a "member" of Still Waters means you are participating. It's just that easy. Participation in church is the key. You can participate through giving, serving, small groups, and attending church.. You complete the Next Step Class to learn more. The class is brief and is available after church..
Inviting is Evangelism
A lot of times the term "evangelism" can be daunting, especially if you don't feel qualified. For us, it's simple; when we invite our friends and family to be a part of a church that IS evangelism.
Statement of Faith
In essential beliefs - we have unity. Ephesians 4:4-6
In non-essential beliefs - we have liberty. Romans 14:1,4,12,22
In all our beliefs - we show charity. I Corinthians 13:2
The Essentials We Believe…
About God
We believe in one God who eternally exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. God the Father is the Creator and Ruler of the Universe. We believe that He is limitless in power, knowledge, wisdom, love, and holiness. We also believe that He has revealed himself as the Father of the redeemed. Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 6:9; 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14
About Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is the second person of the Trinity and is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heavens glory where He sits at the right hand of the Father. He will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:18-23; John 1:1-18; 14:10-30; Acts 1:9- 11; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15
About The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make each person aware of his or her need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift or gifts when he or she is saved. At Avalon Church we believe that all of the gifts of the Spirit are alive and active today. When a believer is filled with the Holy Spirit, he or she has great power and authority for Christian living. The Holy Spirit gives power for faith, deliverance, freedom, supply, and healing. As Christians, we seek to live under His control every day. John 14:16-16; John 16:8,13;Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
About Human Beings
We believe that all people were created in the image of God to have fellowship with Him, but became alienated from that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, all people are totally incapable of coming back into a right relationship with God by their own efforts. Genesis 1:26-30; Psalms 1; 8:3-6; 32:1-5; Isaiah 6:5; 53:6a; 59:1-2; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18; 3:23; 5:6; 12; 19; 6:6; 7:1425; 8:14-18; 29; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; Ephesians 2:1-22
About Salvation
We believe that salvation is a gift from God to all who believe in Jesus Christ by faith. No one can ever make up for sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ and his finished work on the cross as Gods offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his or her life by faith. Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; Romans 2:4; 3:23-25; 5:1, 8-10; Galatians 3:26; 5:22-25; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Rev 3:20; 21:1 to 22:5
About Eternal Security
We believe that because God gives people eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security. John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
About Eternity
We believe that people were created to live forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is to live in Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence. Matthew 19:28; 24; 25:31-46; Mark 8:38; Luke 16:19-26; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 17:31 Romans 6:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; Revelation 20:15
About the Bible
We believe the Bible is God’s Word to all people. We believe God verbally inspired it and it is inerrant in the original writings and that it is the supreme, final, and infallible authority in doctrine and practice. Human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit wrote it. It is the supreme source of source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is absolute truth without any mixture of error. Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Psalm 19:7-10; 119:11, 89, 105, 140, 160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1: 13, 3:16-1 7; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21
About the Church
We believe that the church is the body of Christ of which Jesus Christ is the Head. The members are those who have trusted by faith the finished work of Christ. The purpose of the church is to glorify God by loving Him and by making Him known to a lost world, to make disciples, to serve Jesus by using one’s gifts to serve and help others, to fellowship by coming alongside of each other, to worship together, and to fulfill God’s mission on the earth until the church is united together as the Bride of Christ. Matthew 16:15-19; 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 47; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 3:8-11; 21 1 Timothy 3:1-15; Revelation 2-3; 2 1:2-3
About Church Government
We believe that the terms “elder”, “bishop”, and “pastor” are synonymous in Scripture. The Bible does not dictate a single style of church leadership as the only way to govern. It does, however, present a picture of servant-leadership roles in the church. In many instances in the New Testament churches were led by a plurality of pastors. A lead pastor or senior pastor, who is the chief overseer, leads Avalon Church. He is a servant leader who provides direction for the whole church. A team of elders oversees and protects the church and supports the pastor. A team of godly men and women serve as staff and deacons. They serve the church and help equip the members to do ministry. I Pet 5:1-2; Acts 14:20; Phil 1:1; I Tim 5:17
About Human Sexuality
We believe that God's design for human sexuality is the marriage of one woman to one man. All sexual practices outside of God's plan are sinful. Genesis 1:26-27; 2:18-24; Romans 1:18-32
Take Your Next Step.
Your next step is your most important step.
At Still Waters Church, we believe that your faith journey is more than a one-time decision. Receiving Christ is just the first step. We believe every person must be in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. That is why we say your next step is your most important step. Constantly taking your next step is how you grow closer to God.
At the end of every month, we have our Next Step Class on Sunday, after the 10:30 AM service.. This class will teach you some fundamental steps for your Christian growth. If you are new to faith or to Still Waters, then this is where you start. This class will equip you to grow closer to God, to read the Bible and pray more effectively, to connect with people in a meaningful way at church, to make friends, to use your gifts to serve God by serving others, to manage your finances in a way that God blesses, and to invite others to experience Jesus in their lives.
If you wish to become a member of Still Waters, then you will need to take this class. It is taught in a small group environment by Pastor Ritchie and is designed to feel like sitting around and talking with friends.
The Four Sections taught in the class:
IDENTIFY
INVEST
INVOLVE
INVITE