Before explaining where we currently stand on specific issues, we want to explain how we think, how we lead, and how we seek to treat people along the way.

Everyone deserves to know someone who lives like Jesus.

This vision shapes more than our programs. It shapes how we carry our beliefs, how we handle disagreement, how we lead people, and how we treat those who see things differently.

We equip every generation to lead like Jesus where they live, work, study, and play.

We care not only about what Christians believe, but how Christians live what they believe. Our theology should form people who reflect Jesus in real life.

You do not need to understand everything, agree with everything, or have a perfect past to belong at Summit. You are welcome to attend, build relationships, ask hard questions, receive care, serve in appropriate places, and move toward Jesus at your own pace.

At the same time, leadership carries influence and responsibility. As people move into leadership, we ask for increasing alignment with Summit’s mission, doctrine, values, position, and posture.

The more influence a role carries, the more alignment it requires.

We believe there is ultimately one Church under Jesus Christ. Local churches are expressions of that one global Church.

That means we are not competitors with other churches. We are partners in the Kingdom of God.

There are many faithful churches that love Jesus, take Scripture seriously, and may differ from us on certain issues.

We are not the perfect church for everybody. But we may be the right church for you.

We believe the Church is the body of Christ. We also recognize that people representing the Church have sometimes acted in ways that deeply contradict the character of Christ.

Throughout history, Christians have abused power, justified injustice, manipulated people spiritually, and caused real harm. Many people carry wounds from places that were supposed to reflect Jesus.

We grieve that. We do not want to minimize it, excuse it, or pretend it only happens somewhere else.

So when people ask, “Is the church safe?” we want to answer honestly: not automatically, not perfectly, and not without wisdom, accountability, and ongoing care.

We are committed to becoming a trustworthy church where people are listened to, protected, honored, and shepherded well.

We believe Scripture is true, authoritative, and inspired by God.

At the same time, we recognize that our understanding and interpretation of Scripture can sometimes be incomplete or incorrect. God is perfect and omniscient. We are not.

Every person reads Scripture from within a culture, a tradition, a language, a historical moment, and personal experiences that shape perspective.

Humility does not mean truth is unknowable. Humility does not mean all interpretations are equally valid. Humility does not mean we avoid conviction.

We are not adapting Scripture to us. We are adapting ourselves to Scripture.

Some doctrines define Christianity itself. Other doctrines are important but allow room for faithful disagreement among Christians. Still other issues belong in the category of wisdom, preference, conscience, or speculation.

👉 Tier 1

Essential Christian Orthodoxy

How we hold it: Unified conviction
Examples: Trinity, deity and resurrection of Jesus, salvation through Christ, authority of Scripture.

👉 Tier 2

Convictional Doctrine & Church Practice

How we hold it: Church position with humility
Examples: baptism, spiritual gifts, church governance.

👉 Tier 3

Wisdom, Discernment & Personal Conviction

How we hold it: Open-handed charity
Examples: worship style, ministry methods, alcohol, political preferences.

Tier 2 is a category, not an exhaustive list. Not every Tier 2 issue has a formal Summit position. Some Tier 2 issues require an adopted church position because they directly shape our teaching, leadership, discipleship, or ministry practice. Other Tier 2 issues allow for broader faithful disagreement. Still others may require further study, prayer, and elder discernment before Summit adopts a formal position.

👉 Triage

How important is this issue?
Is it essential to Christianity, important for church practice, or an area of wisdom and conscience?

👉Position

What does Summit currently believe and practice?
Churches need clarity. A local church cannot function faithfully if it refuses to say where it stands on issues that shape discipleship and leadership.

👉 Posture

How do we treat people while holding conviction?
Posture is not the absence of conviction. Posture is the way conviction is carried.

We want clarity without arrogance, conviction without hostility, humility without compromise, compassion without abandoning truth, courage without cruelty, and kindness without confusion.

On Tier 2 issues, faithful Christians may disagree while remaining united in Christ. As an elder-led church, Summit adopts current church positions when an issue directly shapes our teaching, leadership, discipleship, or ministry practice.

Our elders may not all hold the same level of certainty, emphasis, or personal conviction on every Tier 2 matter. However, for the sake of clarity, unity, and faithful leadership, elders seek to discern how Summit will teach, practice, and lead as one local church.

A current church position does not mean, “No faithful Christian could ever see this differently.” It means, “This is where Summit currently stands as our elders seek to faithfully interpret Scripture and shepherd this local church.”

When we do not yet have a formal position on an issue, we do not pretend that we do. We seek to lead with Scripture, wisdom, humility, and care while continuing to discern what faithfulness requires.

The current church positions below are not exhaustive theological papers. They are brief summaries of Summit’s current understanding and practice on select issues.

They are meant to provide clarity about how Summit teaches, leads, and shepherds as a local church.

As you read them, keep three questions in mind:

Triage: How central is this issue to the Christian faith?

Position: What does Summit currently believe and practice?

Posture: How are we called to treat people as we hold this conviction?