THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE
We cherish the Doctrines of Grace as they ascribe glory to God through the work of Jesus Christ. This makes us a church that is distinctly Reformed in our teaching. That means we hold that man is so utterly sinful he is incapable of saving himself (Total Depravity), but that God being rich in mercy chose to save for Himself a special people from every tribe, and tongue and nation (Unconditional Election), to do this Jesus died for the sins of those God planned to save by offering Himself as a substitute in their place on the cross, bearing the full wrath of God (Limited Atonement), the Holy Spirit then applies this Salvation to those individuals through the preaching pf the Word in a way that actually brings about their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ (Irresistible Grace). All those that God has saved, He will keep till that Day when He returns, they are eternally saved (Perseverance of the Saints).
COMPLEMENTARIAN
We teach that masculinity and femininity are ordained by God and that men and women are created equal in value and in ways that complement each other. Gender roles found in the Bible are purposeful and meaningful distinctions. Both men and women are gifted for service in the church; however, we believe the Bible reserves the office of Pastor/Elder to biblically qualified men. In the church, redemption in Christ gives men and women an equal share in the blessings of salvation; nevertheless, some governing and teaching roles within the church are restricted to men.
MEANINGFUL MEMBERSHIP
God calls every Christian to attend, love, serve, and submit to a local church; this happens in membership. Church membership is about a church taking specific responsibility for you, and you for a church. Biblical church membership is important because the church presents God’s witness to himself in the world. It displays his glory. In the church’s membership, then, non-Christians should see in the lives of God’s changed people that God is holy and gracious and that his gospel is powerful for saving and transforming sinners. It shows our allegiance to one another and our commitment to encourage each other to holiness and godliness.
ELDER-LED CONGREGATIONALISM
We believe the Bible teaches that each local church should be led by a plurality of godly, qualified men called elders. The elders shepherd the flock God has entrusted to them as under-shepherds of our Great Shepherd.
We are also congregational. Congregational churches recognize the sovereignty of Christ over his Church and make that an important part of their faith. With this system, elders lead rather than rule. Pineland holds to the priesthood of all believers, and this comes through in the responsibility of all members to live in Christlikeness and service.