History
Jesus said: “I will build my church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it” Mathew 16:18. This means that wherever the true church of Jesus Christ is found, there is no mere human organization, but the supernatural work of the Son of God. With gratitude to God we believe that the Lynden United Reformed Church is part of this church building work of Jesus Christ. We hope that comparing our testimony with what the Bible teaches about the church will lead you to recognize the work of Jesus Christ among us.
The Lynden United Reformed Church was established and incorporated in January 1997. The need to form a new church was due to the fact that other churches had for several years been departing from the authority of the Bible and from historic creeds and confessions. The result was a breakdown of biblical worship, preaching and church discipline. After years of attempts to reform through proper church channels, it became clear that obedience to God required the formation of a new church.
The Lynden United Reformed Church was not established in order to start something new, but to maintain loyalty to what was true, reliable and unchanging, namely, the Word of God. The truth of the unchanging Word has been confessed and lived by the true Christian Church down through the centuries it is our solemn desire and purpose to confess and live that same truth and to stand with all others who share this commitment. What follows is a further explanation of what this commitment means to us.
What We Believe
The Bible
The Bible is the Word of God. Every word of the sixty-six books of the Bible has been spoken by God (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:21). Therefore, the Bible as God gave it is without error; it is accurate in every statement it makes (John 10:35; Psalm 12:6; Numbers 23:19). Because it is God’s inerrant Word, we believe that it is the standard by which all of life must be measured. In a world corrupted by sin, it is the only infallible and authoritative rule of faith and life.
Summary
We heartily embrace the faith of the Reformation, believing:
- Sola Scriptura: (Scripture Alone)
The Bible is God’s inspired and infallible Word and our ultimate authority for all of faith and life. - Sola Gratia: (Grace Alone)
Salvation is by the grace of God alone. We are not saved by works: nor do such works make any contribution whatsoever toward a right standing with God. However, the mercy of God is Christ compels and sanctifies all believers to a life of holiness and thanksgiving to God. - Sola Fide: (Faith Alone)
The only means by which God has ordained for us to lay hold of this grace is faith, through the preaching of the Word and the sacraments. We are not to engage in superstitious rites, nor anything of human invention, in order to appropriate the grace of God. - Sola Christo (Christ Alone)
We affirm that our salvation is accomplished by the mediatorial work of the historical Christ alone. His sinless life and substitutionary atonement alone are sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to the Father, and any “gospel” that fails to acknowledge this or denies this is a false gospel that will save no one. (To God be the Glory Alone). - Sola Deo Gloria (To God be all the Glory)
Therefore, we as Christians are called by grace to live our lives for the glory of God. Exclusive devotion to our infinitely glorious God is our supreme calling and ultimate happiness. “Whatever you do in word and deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Colossians 3:17)
Meet our Pastor
Rev. Christopher Gordon was ordained to the Ministry of the Word in October, 2004. Rev. Gordon is a native of Central California, and prior to answering God’s call into the ministry, he was a high school Bible teacher in the central Californian valley. Rev. Gordon, having a love for Reformed theology, pursued further theological studies and received his Master of Divinity degree from Westminster Seminary in Escondido, CA, where he studied under such scholars as Drs. Michael Horton, W. Robert Godfrey, R.S. Clark, S.M. Baugh, David VanDrunen and D.G.Hart. He has been the pastor of the Lynden United Reformed Church since 2004 and is the host of Abounding Grace Radio.
A Message From Pastor Gordon
At the Lynden United Reformed Church we are committed to preaching Christ clothed in his gospel from all of Scripture. Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Every Lord’s day we gather as needy beggars to receive the food and drink of eternal life.
We are a church family committed to the advancement of the gospel, and share with the saints of all ages in the grand drama of redemption that Christ has won for sinners.
So we invite you to come and share with us in the joy of this comfort. At the LURC, our commitment is to preach and teach the Word of God without compromise, with the goal of making disciples unto the glory of God. As we have received grace, so we desire to minister the exceeding greatness of this power to you.
For Christ and His Gospel,
Rev. Christopher Gordon
