We exist to glorify God by proclaiming and living out biblical truth. Our distinctives reflect our Word-centered approach to exalting God, edifying the saints, and engaging the world.

Reformed Baptist Theology

The Reformed Baptist theology of TRBC is expressed in three ways:

1. The “five solas” of the Protestant Reformation: Sola scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola fide (faith alone), Sola gratia (grace alone), Solus Christus (Christ alone), and Soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone). The five solas emphasize the authority of Scripture and the clarity of the Gospel as a call to unmerited salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
2. The five “doctrines of grace” associated with Reformed theology: Total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints. These doctrines affirm the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation and confess His desire and ability to save sinners.
3. The doctrinal statement of TRBC is the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689). This document explains the biblical understanding of God, man, and the Church within the Baptist tradition.

Affirmation of the Five Solas, the Doctrines of Grace, and the Second London Baptist Confession (1689) is required for membership at TRBC. While full ascription to each point of these doctrinal distinctives is not required, members of TRBC must avoid divisiveness over these or other doctrines of the church.

Regulative Principle of Worship

Observance of the regulative principle of worship simply means that TRBC seeks to worship God as He has revealed He desires to be worshipped in Scripture. This includes the ordinary means of grace: the public reading of Scripture, preaching from God’s Word, corporate prayer, congregational singing, the administration of the ordinances of baptism and communion, and fellowship. The regulative principle of worship prohibits expressions of worship that are not explicitly authorized in Scripture.

Expository, Christ-Centered Preaching

TRBC practices sequential exposition of books of the Bible as part of the corporate worship service. Biblical exposition aims for explanation of the biblical text in its historical, canonical, and theological context and application of the Scriptures for godly living. The responsibility of the expositor is to handle the biblical text with precision and accuracy. The effectiveness of expository preaching as a means of grace is wholly dependent on the empowering of the Holy Spirit rather than the skills or charisma of the preacher.

Congregational and Christ-Centered Singing

The congregational singing at TRBC glorifies God and edifies the saints by the clear expression of the Gospel message in musical form. The music has simple instrumental accompaniment, and the musicians and song leaders aim to assist and elevate the congregational singing rather than provide a musical performance. We sing psalms and hymns and avoid individual performances as part of the congregational singing.

Family-Integrated Ministry

We seek to promote family unity by encouraging, exhorting, and equipping the family to worship together at home and to worship together with the Church on the Lord’s Day. Families are encouraged to remain together during the worship service. Children are not seen as an inconvenience during the worship service, but a cry room and a nursing room are available to help mothers. TRBC is committed to equipping fathers and heads-of-household to lead in family worship in the home.

Active Church Membership

We believe in taking church membership seriously. Christian are to mutually submit themselves to in love to the care, oversight, doctrine, and discipline of a local church. Likewise, they are to be faithful and active in the life, fellowship, service, worship, and functions of the church body. The local church is the setting for Christians to utilize their spriritual gifts for the mutual edification of the body of Christ.

Biblical Counseling

TRBC believes that God’s Word is sufficient for counseling in all matters pertaining to life and godliness. Though the leadership of GBC offers formal Biblical counseling for its membership, biblical counseling takes place primarily in the regular preaching of the Word and organically in the weekly fellowship of the saints.

Church Discipline

Because God takes church membership and holiness seriously, TRBC practices careful church discipline. The goal of church discipline is accountability within the membership to live in accordance with God’s Word and restoration of wayward members to fellowship with the Church.

Biblical Leadership

TRBC has a plurality of biblically-qualified elders and deacons whose lives and doctrine are submitted to the authority of God’s Word and who carefully and lovingly look after the practical needs of the congregation. The elders lead the Church by teaching, preaching, and applying Scripture to the needs and questions of the Church. The Church leadership has biblical authority to make decisions about the operations of the Church but makes decisions only after seeking the Lord’s guidance in prayer and Scripture and seeking the wisdom of the Church body.

Mission-mindedness

Members are TRBC are to be gospel-bearers in the home, Church, and community. We promote, encourage, and equip the saints for family worship and personal evangelism. TRBC supports missionary efforts including Grace Bible Theological Seminary, international missionaries, and future church-planting opportunities.