The Distinctives Of
Horizon Christian Fellowship
"Hills Worth Dying On"
THIS IS NOT our statement of faith, instead this helps define the positions and motivations that make HCF distinct from other portions of the body of Christ.
We have our statement of faith on our website and volunteer application.
These 13 Distinctives are positions we take a stand on here at Horizon Christian Fellowship.
The phrase “Hills Worth Dying On” originates from military strategy, where holding a specific, high-ground position is crucial enough to justify heavy casualties.
(2Timothy 1:13-14) – “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.”
We have our statement of faith on our website and volunteer application.
These 13 Distinctives are positions we take a stand on here at Horizon Christian Fellowship.
The phrase “Hills Worth Dying On” originates from military strategy, where holding a specific, high-ground position is crucial enough to justify heavy casualties.
(2Timothy 1:13-14) – “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.”
Horizon La Crosse, A distinct Ministry
"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all."
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 NKJV
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 NKJV
As our “Identity in Christ” (2Cor 5:17) is important, so it is for a local church (1Tim 3:15). Referring to bible believing, born again bodies of believers; we are one body, but distinct ministries . . . “If Calvary Chapel (Horizon) is exactly like the church across the street, it would be better to simply merge the two. But if there are distinctives that make it different, then it has a unique and special place in the plan of God.”(cc Distinctives pg. 5) (i.e.) different families live in different homes, not opposed- just different.
We are a non-denominational church but we are associated (by choice) with the “Calvary Chapel Association” in which a relational bond of likeminded ministry is formed for encouragement and accountability.
We are an autonomous local church - at his departure from Indy, Matt's sending pastor, Bill encouraged him not to put new wine into old wineskins . . .(Matthew 9:17)
We are a non-denominational church but we are associated (by choice) with the “Calvary Chapel Association” in which a relational bond of likeminded ministry is formed for encouragement and accountability.
We are an autonomous local church - at his departure from Indy, Matt's sending pastor, Bill encouraged him not to put new wine into old wineskins . . .(Matthew 9:17)
The Distinctives Of Horizon
#1. A call to the Ministry
- Who calls? – (Gal 1:1) – A minister is qualified not by education, not by will, not by the will of others, not motivated by a job, paycheck etc. but by God.
- Our goal for you is (Acts 13:1-5, Ps 32:8).
- We simply agree with God in laying on of hands (1Tim 5:22-25)
- How do you know? (Jer 20, 1 Cor 9:16).
- Also, each believer is called to a local church body (1 Cor 12:18)
- What is Ministry? – (Mark 10:42-45, John 13).
- If anyone thinks ministry is a pulpit, title, office, or job, a means to feel needed, or to be noticed by men(Mt 6), a have to instead of a get to, or is above any task we care very little to have them serve here at HCF.
#2. A Simple Church Model
(Book of Acts – (Rev 2:1-7)
- Not History but “Original Design”( Like the telephone game, we don’t look to church history to define our model, we look to the original message laid in Acts)
- (The Book of Acts) – grid for our leadership
- The early church was a “simple” and Dynamic church(Acts 2:46)
- (Acts 2:1-4) – Initiator of a simple church
- (Acts 2:42) – The foundation of a simple church stands on 4 legs: Teaching of The Word, Fellowship, Breaking of bread and Prayer.
- (Acts 2:43-47) – Overflowing practice of a simple church.
- (Acts 2:47) – The result of a simple church.
- (Acts 4:13) – Simple people God uses in a simple church.
- (Acts 6:1-7) – Growth of a simple church.
- (Acts 13:1-4) – Missions in a simple church.
- The early church was a “simple” and Dynamic church(Acts 2:46)
- Distinctives – “The Divine Ideal is in the book of Acts . . . It’s a church that is led by the Spirit, teaches the Word, and develops oneness or fellowship (koinonia). It’s a church that breaks bread together and prays together. The rest is His work-He will add to the church daily those that should be saved.” And the GOAL (Acts 3) –In contrast to the simple church “. . . taking the credit or receiving applause. That’s the shortest path to the end of the anointing of God’s Spirit”
#3. Church Government
“Church government should be simplistic rather than a complex bureaucracy”.
- (episkopos) = 1Tim 3:1 pastor led – the rule of an individual pastor, elder, Bishop.
- Problem, man can’t lead men well on his own, centralized unchecked power.
- (presbyteros) = Acts 14:23 elder board – the rule of a group of men “voting on things” etc.
- Problem, the pastor can become a hireling, hired by the board and directed by the board to do a “job”. Again, men don’t rule men well.
- (Congregational) = Exodus 16:2, Num 14:1-3, Corinth?
- Problem, where the congregation rules things never goes well, sheep don’t direct shepherds.
- Problem, where the congregation rules things never goes well, sheep don’t direct shepherds.
- (Theocracy) – (Col 1:18), Exodus 18, Numbers 11, Exodus 17:12-14) God’s Goal for the early church - Moses, Israel and the NT Ideal is a hybrid of (episkopos) and (presbyteros) lead by the Head(Jesus). – “I believe God’s model is that the pastor is ruled over by the Lord and recognized by the congregation as God’s anointed instrument to lead the church, with the board guiding and directing. Complimenting this is the role of the assisting pastors. They are there to minister to the spiritual needs of the people on a daily basis.
- Practically at HCF – far as I can see, Jesus wanted to plant HCF in La Crosse, God has called me (Matt) to serve here(1Cor 1:26), We have an elder board of Godly men that serve HCF spiritually, hold me accountable, lift my arms and help me discern God’s will for HCF, and I don’t make big, or financial decision unless we are in agreement, or can concede.
- Turn the power pyramid upside down - (Mk 10:42-45)
- We do believe in strong, servanthood, male leadership, - - at HCF women will not be elders, nor teach scripture over men. . . (1Cor 11, 1Tim 2-3, Eph 5)
- This is not about ability nor value but simply obeying the Word of God. We see in Titus 2 women are to teach other women and children
- Deacons - 1 Timothy 3 gives qualifications for both elders and deacons, character first . . .
- Eph 4:11-12 – though we have people who function officially, we avoid titles, and believe every believer ought to be a deacon, HCF is not a one man band (1Cor 12). . . “God doesn’t need you but we do”.
- “No church membership” – There is one body (1Cor 12), you are God’s people (Acts 20), and you can only be born into it (John 3), it is a spiritual relationship, not a political one.
- NOTE: as a Theocracy we believe it is of utmost importance that every believer have an autonomous individual, abiding relationship with Jesus Christ (John 15:1-5) hears the voice of God and searches the Scriptures (Acts 17:11) and God will direct all of this in unity (1Cor 12). . . In a perfect world like Moses I would heartily say (Numbers 11:29) – “Then Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the LORD’S people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them all”
#4. Empowered by the Spirit
(Acts 1:4-8)
We are Charismatic not Charis-maniac
We are Charismatic not Charis-maniac
- We believe in the empowering of the Spirit at or subsequent to salvation for service (John 14:17, John 20:22, Acts 1, 2, 8, 9, 10-11, 19). = Para, en, epi
- We believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today, and necessary as the Scripture never says they will pass away (Acts 2:39, Acts 28, 1Cor 12-13) but that they should be done decently and in order (1Cor 12-14). 1 Corinthians 14:40 Says “Let all things be done” AND “decently and in order”
- We do not emphasize experience over Truth, instead Truth will produce experience.
- The greatest evidence is (Gal 5:22) Love, (John 7:37-38) an overflow.
- “I am most grateful for this promise, because when it comes to our next point it takes all the stress off of us. (Zechariah 4:6 Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit says the LORD of hosts)”
#5. Building the Church God’s Way
- We believe the Church, including HCF, is God's invention, plan, and work not ours – (Matthew 16:18, Psalm 127, 1Cor 3:6-7).
- We aren’t motivated by numbers but fruit, we don’t count heads – (2Sam 24)
- CC Distinctives - “ . . . . a relaxed casual style. There isn’t a lot of spiritual hype. The pastor doesn’t try to motivate people carnally nor is apt to shout at the congregation. This stems from the belief that if the Lord doesn’t build the house, they labor in vain who build it. A lot of hype and pressure aren’t really going to do the job. We simply trust in the work of the Holy Spirit and that Jesus is building His church as He said He would.”
- “We have discovered that whenever you strive to gain, you must strive to maintain what you have gained.”
- We are “minus the hype. There isn’t the carnal pursuit of new programs or spiritual hype to try to appeal to people. We trust in the Word of God and teach it and rely upon it. It’s the foundation upon which we are built. It’s inexhaustible. There’s no burnout with it. The Word of God just keeps going on and on.”
- For finances –
- We don’t take offerings – (2 Cor 9:6-7, Matthew 6)
- We trust God – (Psalm 50, Matthew 6)
- “where God guides God provides”
- “God’s work, done God’s way, will never lack God’s supplies”
- For volunteers –
- We pray (Matthew 9:38) so that (2 Cor 9:6-7).
#6. A Grace Place
It only makes sense (Eph 4:32), and it emulates the ministry of Jesus (Luke 4:18).
- We desire to be paramedics, not police officers.
- Always looking to restore the fallen and wayward to Jesus (Gal 6:1-2)
- (Gen 30:32) – we will take all the speckled and spotted sheep . . . (Mt 9:12-13) the sick, (Mt 9:36) the weary and scattered without a shepherd, (1Sam 22:2) the distressed, indebt, and discontented to make the mighty army of the Son of David, and (1Cor 1:26-30) the weak, foolish, have nots in order to confound the wise and bring glory to God.
- (Rom 14-15) – also a place where we aim to be gracious to one another in extrabiblical, external gray areas allowing the Lord to be the judge
- (i.e.) music, smoking cigarettes, clothing, etc
#7. Priority of the Word
- CC Distinctives “. . . endeavor to declare to people the whole counsel of God.” “In the majority of the Calvary Chapels(Horizon). And the most successful ones you’ll find systematic teaching of the entire Word of God, going through the Bible from cover to cover.”. . . “Simply teaching the Bible simply”
- “The whole Bible makes a whole Christian” – (Acts 20:27, Mt 4:4).
- With very few exceptions, on Sunday we study the New Testament straight through, Wednesday is the same with the Old Testament.
- SIMPLE INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY . . . Scripture interprets scripture
- Observation – Interpretation – Correlation – Application
- This means we don’t get to teach pet topics, nor avoid difficult passages, you will be fed a well balanced diet.
- God picks the message, no pressure on the pastor to select a particular scripture.
- It’s not the fast way, no flash, but it’s the fruitful way (Mark 4) and it takes time to grow a seed. . . . “I planted the seed . . . But God made it grow. . . .!
- The bible alone is sufficient (2Tim 3:15-17).
- It’s where we see Jesus (2Cor 3:18) and become more like Him. . . This leads us to our next point
#8. Jesus front and Center
(John 5, Heb 10, John 16)
- (Rev 2:1) – We have 7 lamps behind the stage, a reminder that Jesus walks in the midst of His church.
- “if Jesus’ presence is ignored nothing matters, but if Jesus’ presence is acknowledged, nothing else matters”
- Avoid distractions . . . – Distinctives – “We dissuade any practice or behavior that would distract people from focusing on Him.” i.e. – teaching, worship, décor etc.
#9. The Rapture of the Church
(John 14:1-3, 1Cor 15:52, 1Thess 4:17)
- Scripture says “But I do not want you to be ignorant…” (1Thess 4:13)
- It matters because it changes the way we live and what we look for (Luke 21:28)
- Distinctives – “The rapture refers to the time when Jesus is going to come, without warning, and take away His church from the earth. After the rapture, the Lord will pour out His wrath upon this sinful world.”
- We take a literal approach to the book of Revelation with an easy to understand outline! (Rev 1:19 John wrote what he saw-The Risen Jesus, the things that are - The Church Age, and the things that will be after the Church - Rev 6-22) and believe it is to be taught in the church today – (Rev 22:16)
- We reject replacement theology, which says that the church has replaced Israel, and believe the tribulation is a time in which God is dealing with Israel as He has promised (Dan 9-70th week) and is essential for the hope of the gospel we believe (Rom 11) that Jesus will return pre-millennial and will yet fulfill His promise to Israel and set up His kingdom for 1,000 years (Rev 20) from Jerusalem.
- We believe the imminent Pre-Tribulation rapture is important for 3 reasons
- Produces purity (1John 3:2)
- Produces urgency (Romans 13:11-14)
- Produces comfort and hope (1Thess 4:17-18, Titus 2:13, Lu 21:28)
- SO WHAT IF YOU DON’T AGREE . . . We still love you, you’re welcome to attend and serve at HCF, probably won’t be in a teaching role, and you may miss out on a simple crown (2Tim 4)
#10. Continuing in the Spirit
(Gal 3:3) – We don’t want to get stuck in ruts, trying to perfect what began in the Spirit with fleshly efforts (such as fleshly education, organization, or efforts of man power).
- I think it’s good that we remain the simple church of Philadelphia . . . (Revelation 3:7-13)
- We are not opposed to Spirit filled education but Calvary chapels are overwhelmingly pastored by pastors who didn’t go to college, lucky if they graduated high school, but are spirit filled men who know the bible and have a doctorate in the “school of Jesus” like the disciples (Acts 4:13).. .. even Paul (Phil 3:7-8)
#11. The Supremacy of Love
(1Cor 13, John 13:34-35)
- Bible focused, Spirit filled (1Thess 1:5), and wrapped in Love (Eph 4)
- Without it we become annoying, useless and ineffective (1Cor 13:1-4, 1 Cor 8:1)
- Most important to us is do you know “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so . . .” (John 4:19) and that it overflows (2Cor 5:14) . . .
- I hear it often, and I pray it continues, “those people are the most loving group of people I have ever been around.”
#12. Striking the Balance
- We accept that we don’t understand everything, but we do trust Him and His Word – (Prov 3:5-6, Psalm 131).
- i.e. Arminianism Vs. Calvinism - - depends on the verse, God is sovereign and has free will AND man has free will. How that works is up to Him.
- i.e. Once saved always saved - - If you’re not in the right relationship with God, you need to be.
#13. Ventures in Faith: Win – Disciple – Send
- If we win people to Christ (Mk 16:15), Disciple people in Christ (Mt 28:19-20), but it goes nowhere and we fail to send people for Christ (Acts 1:8) on ventures of faith; we become a stagnant pond, or fat sheep with poor health.
- We believe God is at work, and want to be a part of what He is doing. . . (i.e.) 1 Samuel 14 - Jonathan and his armorbearer
- For me it’s as simple as Ask – Seek – Knock (Luke 11)
- Experiencing God – “The major turning point is where many people miss out on experiencing God’s mighty power working through them. If they cannot understand exactly how everything is going to happen, they won’t proceed. They want to walk with God by sight, not faith. To follow God, you’ll have to walk by faith because without faith, it is impossible to please Him (Heb 11:6).”
- We’ve seen this when starting Sunday services in a dance studio, FOL in riverside, moving to the train station, moving into this building in 2025
- As my pastor Bill was always saying “WHAT IS THE LORD DOING?” . . . get on board (Eph 3:20).