MCC - About

Our Mission

Moreland Christian Church exists to carry on the mission that Jesus Christ gave to His church nearly 2000 years ago. Our mission statement is:

"To make disciples of Jesus Christ from every nation, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey all that Jesus Christ has commanded."

(Matthew 28:18-20)

Everything that we do at Moreland Christian Church is done in order to fulfil this mission.


Our Beliefs

The Bible, the Word of God, contains all the statements of belief we hold to. Below is a summary of some of the foundational beliefs revealed in the Bible.

1. The Bible

We believe that the Bible is the infallible and authoritative word of God. The Bible was written by people of God who were inspired by him (Exod 34:27-28; Jer 30:1-2; Hab 2:2; Acts 1:16; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:19-21; Rev 1:1-3). We therefore believe that the whole Bible in the original text is without error. The Bible consists of the 39 Old Testament books and the 27 New Testament books, making a total of 66 books. The Bible has supreme authority in all matters of faith, how we live, history, science and anything else it teaches (Psa 119; Prov 2; Acts 17:10-11; Col 3:16; 1 Tim 4:16; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 4:2-5; Heb 4:12; Jam 1:22-25; 2 Pet 3:15-18).

2. God

We believe there is only one God (Deut 6:4; Isa 43:10; 45:5-6; Mark 12:29) who eternally exists in 3 persons:

3. The Fall of Mankind

We believe that men and women were created in the image of God (Gen 1:26-31; 5:1-2; 9:6) to have a loving relationship with him and to obey him (Ecc 12:13; Mat 22:34-40; Acts 17:26-28; 1 Cor 8:6; 10:31; Col 3:17). However mankind’s relationship with God was broken as a result of rebellion towards him, also known as sin (Gen 2:15-17; 3; Isa 59:1-3; 64:6-7; Rom 3:23; 5:12-21). As a result of this all people are spiritually dead (Gen 2:15-17; Rom 3:9-18,23; 6:23; Eph 2:1-5), under Satan’s dominion and control (Mat 13:24-30,36-43; John 8:42-47; Eph 2:1-2; 1 John 3:8-10; 5:19), subject to God’s wrath, condemnation and eternal death (Gen 3; Rom 1:18-32; 5:12-21; 6:23; Eph 5:6; 2 Thes 1:5-9) and all experience physical death (Gen 3:19; Rom 5:12-14). Also, as a result of sin, all of God’s creation is suffering (Gen 3:17-19; Rom 8:19-23).

4. The plan of salvation

We believe that all people can have their relationship with God restored (reconciliation), having their sins forgiven and its effect cancelled, because of Jesus Christ’s sinless life, sacrificial death on the cross as our substitute, and bodily resurrection to conquer sin and death (Isa 52:13-53:12; Mark 10:45; Luke 23; 24; Rom 3:21-26; 4:22-25; 5; 1 Cor 15:1-23; 2 Cor 5:14-21; Col 1:15-23; 1 Thes 4:13-14; Heb 2:5-18; 7:23-28; 9:11-28; 1 Pet 2:21-25; 3:18). In order to receive this forgiveness of our sins and have eternal life we must sincerely repent of our sins and believe (or have faith) in the Lord Jesus Christ – to believe in who he claimed he was and in what he did for us (Mark 1:14-15; Luke 5:31-32; 24:45-47; John 3:16-18; 5:24; 6:35-40,47; 8:24; 11:25-27; 17:1-3; 20:30-31; Acts 2:37-38; 20:17-21; Rom 1:16-17; 3:21-26; 5:1; 6:23; 10:9-13; Heb 6:1; 1 John 4:15; 5:1-13). Then our relationship with God is restored.

5. The old and new covenants

We believe that the law God gave to Moses for the people of Israel (also known as the Law of Moses, or the Old Covenant, and is found throughout Exod 19-40; Lev 1-27; Num 1-36 and Deut 1-34) was not given to offer eternal life (Acts 13:38-39; 15:1-11; Rom 3; 4; 8:1-17; 9:30-10:13; Gal 2:15-21; 3; Phil 3:2-9; Heb 2:2-3; 7:11-28; 9:9-10; 10:1-18), but was given to govern the life and worship of the nation of Israel (Exod 19:1-6; Lev 26:46; Deut 6:1-3,20-25; 10:12-13), to define, reveal and deal with sin, therefore showing the extent of man’s depravity (Rom 3:19-20; 4:13-15; 5:13,20-21; 7:5-25; 8:2; Gal 3:19-23; Heb 10:3-4; Jam 2:8-13), and to point to the necessary coming and redemptive work of Jesus Christ ([Deut 18:15-19 cf. Acts 3:14-26; 7:37,51-53]; Mat 5:17-20; Luke 16:16-17; 24:44-47; John 5:46-47; Rom 5:20-21; 8:1-4; 10:4; Gal 3:19-4:7; Col 2:16-17; Heb 8; 9; 10:1-18).

6. The new life and the work of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is present in the world making people aware of their need for Jesus Christ, leading them to personal faith in him as Lord and Saviour (John 15:26-27; 16:7-11; Rom 15:18-19; 1 Cor 2:2-5). The Holy Spirit lives in each person from the moment they believe, or have faith, in Jesus Christ (John 7:37-39; Acts 11:15-18; Rom 8:9-11; 1 Cor 12:3,12-13; Gal 3:14; Eph 1:13-14) – this is also known as being baptised with the Holy Spirit (Mat 3:11; Mark 1:7-8; Luke 3:15-17; John 1:29-34; Acts 1:1-11; 2:1-4; 10:44-48; 11:15-18).

Working within the life of the believer the Holy Spirit confirms their restored relationship with God (Rom 8:14-17; 1 John 3:23-24; 4:7-13), guides them into all truth (John 14:15-17,25-26; 15:26-27; 16:5-15; 1 Cor 2:6-16; 1 John 2:26-27), gives spiritual gifts to every believer for the growth of God’s kingdom (Acts 2:16-18; Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12; Eph 4:11-16; Heb 2:4; 1 Pet 4:10-11), and works in each believer to produce the fruits of righteousness (Acts 1:8; Rom 8:1-11; 2 Cor 3:18; Gal 5:22-23; Eph 3:14-17; 1 Pet 1:1-2). To be filled with the Spirit is to allow God’s Spirit to take control of your life and is shown by our obedience to God and the work that God does through us. We are commanded to be continually filled with the Spirit – we must continually surrender our lives to the control of the Spirit within us (Luke 1:67; 4:1-2; Acts 2:1-4; 4:8,31; 6:3-5; 7:55; 13:9-10; Eph 5:18-21).

7. Sin and the new life

We believe that after we have experienced the new life, it is possible to fall into sin. As Christians, we still retain the sin nature in this life but we are no longer in slavery to it (Rom 6; 7:15-25; Gal 5:16-17; Tit 3:3-7). By God’s grace, any Christian who has sinned will find forgiveness and restoration after they genuinely repent (Mat 6:9-15; 1 Tim 4:1,16; 1 John 1:8-2:2; Rev 2:1-5).

8. Water Baptism

We believe that water baptism was instituted by Jesus Christ for all Christians to obey, by total immersion in water, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Water baptism is a public declaration of our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour (Mat 28:18-20; John 3:22; Acts 8:35-38; 10:43-48).

9. The Lord's Supper

We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus Christ for all Christians to obey. It is to be celebrated with the elements of bread and drink (the “fruit of the vine”) by believers in Jesus Christ until the end of the age. The elements of the Lord’s Supper are symbols of Jesus Christ’s body and blood, reminding us of his sacrificial death on the cross as our substitute, resurrection and second coming. The bread also symbolises the unity of the church (Mat 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Cor 10:16-17; 11:17-34).

10. The Church

We believe that the church is the body of people whom God has separated from the world through faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour (Rom 12:4-8; 1 Cor 12; Eph 1:22-23; 2; 3:6; 4:11-16; 5:29-30; Col 1:18,24; 3:15). This is a universal church comprising many local churches in various localities each exercising autonomous government under the headship of Jesus Christ (Acts 9:31; 1 Cor 16:19; Eph 5:23-24; Col 1:15-18; 1 Pet 5:1-4). Jesus Christ set the mission for the church – to make disciples of all nations, baptising them and teaching them to obey all that he has commanded (Mat 28:18-20; Acts 1:6-8). Believers achieve this mission individually and collectively through the use of their spiritual gifts, time, energy and resources and through the means of worship, prayer, teaching, evangelism, encouragement, mutual accountability and community with each other (Acts 2:41-47; 4:32-37; 1 Cor 12; Eph 4:11-16; Heb 10:24-25).

11. The second coming of Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ will return again to Earth personally, physically and visibly just as he promised, to be the Judge of the living and the dead (Mat 16:27-28; 24; 25; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:6-11; 1 Thes 4:13-5:11; 2 Thes 1:5-12; Heb 9:27-28; Rev 1:4-7; 22:6-21).

12. The resurrection, final judgement and eternal state

We believe that our eternal destination of either Heaven or Hell is determined by our response to the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16,18,36; 5:24; 6:25-40). After physical death our bodies decay. The spirits and souls of those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation pass immediately into his presence, but the spirits and souls of the unbelieving remain conscious of condemnation and in misery (2 Kings 2:11-12; Mat 22:32; Luke 16:19-31; 23:39-43; Acts 7:54-60; 2 Cor 5:6-9; Phil 1:19-24; Jam 5:19-20; 1 Pet 1:8-9). At the end of the age there will be a resurrection of all people and they shall be reunited with new bodies and appear before the throne of God for judgement. Those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ will be condemned to eternal conscious punishment in Hell separated from the presence of God, but believers will be rewarded with eternal life in Heaven with God (Dan 12:1-2; Mat 10:26-33; 25:31-46; Mark 9:42-48; John 5:22-29; 6:39-40; 14:1-7; Acts 24:15; Rom 8:20-23; 1 Cor 15:35-57; 2 Cor 4:13-14; 5:1-10; Phil 3:20-21; 1 Thes 4:13-18; 5:23; 2 Thes 1:5-10; Heb 9:27-28; 2 Pet 3:1-13; 1 John 3:2; Jude 6-7,14-15; Rev 20:11-15; 21; 22:1-5).

13. Angels

We believe that angels are created, spiritual beings (Col 1:16; Heb 1:13-14). Angels were created to serve, obey and worship God (2 Chr 32:20-21; Psa 103:20-21; 148:2; Heb 1:6; Rev 5:11-12; 7:11-12) and minister to God’s people (2 Kings 6:8-19; Psa 91:11-12; Dan 6:19-22; Acts 10:1-8; 12:1-11; Heb 1:13-14).

We believe that all angels were at one time holy, but when Satan rebelled against God many other angels fell with him (Ezek 28:11-19; 2 Cor 11:14; 1 Tim 3:6; 2 Pet 2:4; Jude 6; Rev 12:1-9). Fallen angels are called demons or evil/unclean spirits (Mat 8:16,28-29; 12:43-45; Luke 8:2; 2 Pet 2:4; Rev 16:13-14) and are led by Satan (Luke 11:14-18; Rev 12:1-9). Satan and his angels are the enemies of both God and man (Gen 3:1-15; Zech 3:1-2; Mat 12:43-45; 13:24-30,36-43; Mark 5:1-20; John 8:44-45; 2 Cor 4:4; Eph 6:10-20; 1 Pet 5:8-9; Rev 12). At the end of the age Satan and his angels will be condemned to eternal conscious punishment in Hell (Mat 25:41; Jude 6-7; Rev 20:7-10).

14. Marriage

We believe that God designed marriage to be the lifelong union between one man and one woman and that sex occurs within this union (Gen 1:26-28; 2:18-25; Mat 19:1-6; 1 Cor 7:1-5; Eph 5:31). Sex outside of this standard is considered to be sin ([Gen 18:20-21 cf. 19:1-29]; Gen 39:6-10; Prov 5; 7; Mat 5:27-32; Mark 10:2-12; Rom 1:24-28; 7:2-3; 1 Cor 5; 6:9-20; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 5:3-5; 1 Tim 1:8-11; Heb 13:4). However, like those involved in other sin, a sexually immoral person who sincerely repents of their sin and accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour will have a restored relationship with God, and will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a fulfilling life that is holy, fruitful, obedient and pleasing to God (Mat 7:24-27; John 10:7-10; 14:25-26; 15:10-11; 16:7-15; 1 Cor 6:9-11; Gal 5:22-24; Tit 2:11-14; 1 John 1:9; Rev 2:18-23).

15. Church leadership

We believe that just as God created man and woman to have distinct roles within marriage, He also created man and woman to have distinct roles within the church. The blessing of salvation is equally available to both men and women (Acts 2:16-21; Gal 3:26-28; 1 Pet 3:7), nevertheless some teaching and authority roles within the church are assigned to men only, such as Elders, Deacons, and any other role where teaching and authority over men is involved (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Cor 11:2-16; 14:33-36; 1 Tim 2:8-15; 3:1-13; Tit 1:5-9; 2:3-5).

16. Creation

We believe that God is the creator of all things (Gen 1; 2; Jer 32:17; John 1:1-3; Acts 4:24; Col 1:15-17). Since all Scripture is inspired by God (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:19-21) and God is omnipotent (Job 42:1-2; Jer 32:17; Mat 19:26; Luke 1:37), we believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally and not figuratively. Mankind was created directly in God's own image and after his own likeness (Gen 1:26-31; 5:1-2; 9:6) and not in the image of another animal or through evolutionary change of species or by any other process not mentioned in the Genesis account. All animal and plant life was made directly by God, and God's established law was that they should bring forth only "after their kind". The days in the Genesis account of creation do not correspond to long ages but are six consecutive twenty-four hour days of creation (Gen 1; 2; Exod 20:8-11; Neh 9:6; Jer 10:12; Acts 17:23-26; Heb 11:3). A correct understanding of creation and the subsequent fall into sin by Adam and Eve (the first humans) are essential in understanding the foundational doctrines in the Bible such as marriage, death and disease, the meaning of life and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Please click here to download a PDF version of our beliefs.

Our Leadership

Pastor-Elders

At Moreland Christian Church we believe that the Biblical model for church leadership is found in the mutually submissive operation of a group of Biblically qualified and spiritually gifted male elders. Elders are also known as overseers, pastors or shepherds, and are sometimes called pastor-elders. The pastor-elders' main responsibilities are to govern, lead, shepherd, oversee all affairs of, and care for, the church. They are also the church's primary teachers and preachers (Acts 11:29-30; 14:23; 15:1-35; 16:4-5; 20:17-35; Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 5:17-22; Titus 1:5-9; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1-5).

Please contact the church if you would like to speak to a pastor-elder.


Home Group Leaders

We have several home group leaders at Moreland Christian Church. Please contact the church if you would like to speak to a home group leader.