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Why We Exist

purpose & mission

We exist to glorify God by making disciples – helping people belong to Christ, grow in Christ, and reach the world for Christ. Everything we do hinges on this mission as we create a disciple-making movement from Southeast Michigan to the ends of the earth.

our values

Our values represent who we are and who we want to be.

  • we are a family who love and live the Word
  • work hard, play hard
  • live to serve
  • radical compassion for people
  • multiply leaders
  • be generous
  • live courageously

our beliefs

What we believe is the foundation of everything we say and do at Woodside. Each one of our beliefs is rooted in Scripture.

The Bible

While God reveals Himself through His creation so that everyone is without excuse, He also reveals Himself through the Bible. The Bible is God’s Word to all mankind. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is complete in its present form, and we should not add to it or subtract from it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truthful, inerrant and infallible – the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried.

Romans 1:20; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Timothy 1:13; Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

God

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He eternally exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. These three comprise the Trinity, are co-equal and are one God. God the Father is the First Person of the Trinity. The Son and the Holy Spirit are equal with the Father, but voluntarily submit to His will. The Father is an invisible spirit who is all-knowing and present everywhere at all times.

Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:5- 11; Romans 1:20

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory where He sits at the right hand of the Father. We teach that Jesus will return for His Church before the Great Tribulation and before His Millennial Kingdom, at which time He will return again to Earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:27, 34; John 1:1-5; John 14:10-31; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, equal with the Father and the Son. He is present in the world to make mankind aware of our need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with sanctification – power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-14; John 14:25-26; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Galatians 5:25

Human Beings

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Because the first man Adam disobeyed the revealed will of God in the Garden of Eden, he passed down to mankind a sinful nature. All people are sinners by nature and by choice and are therefore spiritually dead, in need of salvation.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2

Salvation

Salvation is by God’s grace – a free gift to us; but we must accept it in order to obtain eternal life – thus avoiding eternity in hell. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we repent, turn from our self-ruled, sin-filled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one trusts Jesus Christ as Savior by faith.

John 3:16-17; Romans 6:23; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

Eternal Security

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is justified and secure in his or her salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and power of God that gives this security.

John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

The Believer

Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading. The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to full-time Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. The Holy Spirit endows each believer with spiritual gifts. Woodside Bible Church does not encourage the use of “sign gifts”. Instead, we seek to emphasize the more excellent way of love as well as zeal for the more edifying gifts.

1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 2:18; 1 Timothy 2:5; Matthew 4:4; 1 Corinthians 2:15; John 14:15; Ephesians 4:11- 12; 1 Corinthians 12:4-5, 12:11-13, 12:19, 12:31; Galatians 5:25

The Church

Christ is the recognized head of our Church, not any person, group or religious organization. While recognizing the value of associating and cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe every local church should be self-governing and independent from any denominational control. Woodside is one church with many locations working together to accomplish our mission statement in the region and beyond.

Matthew 16:16-18; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 1:19b-23, 4:3-10; Colossians 3:14-15.

Baptism

Water baptism is the symbol used to describe our salvation experience and to publicly declare our commitment to Christ. We practice baptism by immersion – in the manner Jesus was baptized.

Click here to learn more.

Acts 8:36-38; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:11-12; Acts 2:41-42; Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22.

The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper consists of two elements; the bread and the cup. The bread symbolizes the broken body of Jesus, and the cup represents the blood He shed. We as believers are to take the bread and cup in a worthy manner, after a period of self-examination, to remember what Jesus did for us on the cross.

Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32

Marriage

Marriage is a covenant relationship designed and ordained by God from the very beginning of creation as a union between one man and one woman. God instituted monogamous marriage between male and female as the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society. A civil government’s sanction of a union will be recognized as a legitimate marriage by this church only to the extent that it is consistent with the definition of “marriage” as found in this Article.

Genesis 2:24-25; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:22-33

Human Sexuality

Human sexuality is part of God’s plan and a gift to be expressed only within the context of marriage. God has commanded abstinence from any form of sexual activity outside of a marriage between one man and one woman and that any other expression is a perversion of God’s created order. God created human beings male and female; therefore we hold the distinction between the two sexes to be sacred. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to change the appearance or identity of one’s biological sex by medical, surgical, non-binary acts, conduct, or by any other means.

Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 1:18–32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-19

Angels & Demons

Angels are spirit beings, made by God before the creation of the world. They are personal, powerful and highly organized. The good angels perform God’s will including providing special care for believers. Satan was created holy but fell through pride and evil ambition. Those angels who followed Satan’s rebellion became agents for evil in the world in opposition to God, His work and His people.

Hebrews 1:14; Psalm 148:2,5; Job 38:4-7; Revelation 22:8,9; Psalm 103:20; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-17; Matthew 25:41 Acts 5:3; Zechariah 3:1

our history

Our story begins in 1955 when Pastor Harold Moran answered God’s calling to plant Troy, Michigan’s first evangelical church. In those days, our people met in homes to worship and study God’s Word together, praying He would use them to spread the life-changing message of the Gospel. Pastor Moran served faithfully for 10 years and was succeeded by Pastor Marvin Turner and Pastor David Andersen.

1991

After three years of searching, our church family praised God for bringing Pastor Doug Schmidt to Woodside and giving him a vision for who we would become.

2005

The vision of a multi-site church was realized when Woodside merged with a struggling church in Warren whose doors were closing. This would be the first of many mergers and church plants that make up the Woodside Family.

2019

Pastor Chris Brooks was elected as Senior Pastor and ushered us into the next chapter of God’s plan for our church family. As he seeks the Lord’s will for Woodside, we know the best is yet to come!

FAQ

Have questions about who we are at Woodside? We have answers!

What safety measures are in place to protect minors?

We have robust safety policies in place and would be happy to answer any questions you have about keeping your child safe. Here’s a brief overview to get us started:

Woodside Kids environments are secured before, during, and after services by security personnel who only permit appropriately identified individuals (kids, parents with a Pick-up Tag received during our secure check-in process, and approved volunteers) into our hallways, classrooms, and restrooms.

Every volunteer who wishes to serve with children, students, or individuals with special needs completes a certification process and undergoes safety training before being permitted to serve. This process includes a background check, status as a member of Woodside Bible Church, and completion of our Child Protection Program(CPP).

Interested in serving in one of these areas?  Reach out to a Ministry Leader at your campus to find out more!

How can I learn more about Woodside’s theology?

To learn more about our theology, connect with us to share your question or to set up a conversation with a member of our team. Even better, sign up for our NextSteps class where you’ll hear an in-depth explanation of who we are and what we believe, as well as connect with others in our Woodside Family.

 

Take My Next Step

What denomination is Woodside?

Woodside is a non-denominational Christian church. All of our teaching is directly from the Bible, where we learn who God is and who we are in light of Him.

How many locations does Woodside have?

Woodside has 14 campuses located throughout Southeast Michigan. Click below to find your new church home.

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What does “multi-site” look like for Woodside?

At Woodside, we are one church family across 14 communities. Every Woodside campus has a Campus Pastor who preaches, leads, and cares for the church family at that campus. Woodside’s Senior Pastor, Chris Brooks, leads and cares for Woodside as a whole, following God’s direction for the future of our church.

Woodside sounds really big. Is it?

At Woodside, our 14 campuses range in size from several thousand to less than 100 people. At all of our campuses, we’re passionate about getting to know each and every person who worships with us. We desire for you to feel seen, known, and loved by your Woodside Family because you’re seen, known, and loved by God! We can’t wait to meet you and hope you’ll introduce yourself at our Connect Desk this Sunday.

To learn more about the Woodside campus nearest you, check out our locations today.

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Are all Woodside locations the same?

All of our campuses, together, make up one Woodside Family and there are many things we have in common, such as committing to a shared purpose, mission, and set of beliefs; preaching the same message series on Sundays; and partnering in ways to serve our communities. At the same time, every campus is unique to its community and people. Each campus looks and feels a little different because it is.

Check out all of our locations to learn more about each campus’ pastor, worship gatherings, and ministries.

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What are your worship gatherings like?

At Woodside, we’re committed to worship gatherings that are right and relevant. They’re “right” in that they are Bible-based and gospel-centered. They’re “relevant” in that they’re pertinent to the Christ-follower living in America today. During our 60 minutes together each Sunday, we worship God through song, teach directly from the Bible, and spend time in prayer. Together we experience God’s power and presence and walk away changed by the Truth in His Word.

Each of our campuses gather at different times. Check out our locations today to learn more.

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Do you have programs for kids and students?

We’re passionate about partnering with parents and guardians to raise up a new generation of world-changers who love Jesus! Check out our locations to learn what opportunities your campus offers from birth through 12th grade.

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