WHAT WE BELIEVE
We want everyone to get in on the everyday, Spirit-filled life of following Jesus. We believe that every person has a calling and that all disciples are "sent" - to a neighborhood or network of people - to make disciples.
Who We Are
-
Building Everyday People into Everyday Missionaries for Jesus Christ
-
We will become a multi-cultural, multiplying movement of disciples who love and serve their neighbors as they become like Jesus Christ
-
In 2023, we hosted numerous gatherings and dinner parties at our church to ask the question, “what are stories you tell about Cliff Temple?” From these stories, here is what we learned about what we value at Cliff Temple:
Authenticity - We are real people welcoming real people to meet the real Jesus (Romans 3:23).
Family|Community|Belonging - We are a multigenerational family pointing one another toward our true home in God (Genesis 1:27,
1 Corinthians 12:12).
Resilience - We are resilient people who are faithfully (and sometimes stubbornly) present (Isaiah 41:10).
Generous Service - We are servants at heart (Matthew. 10:8).
-
Everyday missionaries are those who love God with their whole hearts, are being transformed together by the love of Jesus, and who are sent by the Spirit to love others in places where they live, work, and play.
Within this definition there are three movements: up (in our relationship with God the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit), in (with brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ), and out (on mission to other people who do not know Jesus). We believe that when these three relationships are developing and in balance, the life of Christ continues through us and brings more of God's kingdom to earth.
Our History
Since 1898, Cliff Temple Baptist Church has been committed to ministering to the needs of the North Oak Cliff community. From its beginning with 26 members, we’ve served our neighborhood by proclaiming good news and caring for practical needs. We’re committed to loving and serving here in Dallas and around the world as we celebrate the rich heritage that has brought us together and give thanks for the fresh possibilities on the horizon.
Becoming a Member
"You are members of God's very own family ... and you belong in God's household with every other Christian." — Ephesians 2:19
Membership can be expressed at the conclusion of our Sunday services or during a visit with one of our ministerial staff. We recognize those who wish to become members at the conclusion of each Sunday morning service. A person may be accepted for membership at Cliff Temple in one of the following ways:
By Profession of Faith in Jesus Christ — Those who place their faith in Jesus, trusting in his grace and forgiveness of sin and committing their lives to His leadership, and who are willing to be baptized as a public expression of their faith and commitment to follow him.
By Transfer of Membershipfrom another Baptist church- Those who are already Christians and have a membership in another Baptist church where they have been baptized by immersion.
By Statement of Faith in Jesus Christand previous baptism- Those who come from churches in other Christian denominations and who have been previously baptized.
If you would like to discuss this or any other decision, you may talk to one of our pastors by calling the church at (214) 942-8601 and by filling out the membership survey at www.clifftemple.org/nextsteps.
What is Discipleship?
A disciple is a learner or apprentice. When anyone enters relationship with God through Jesus Christ, they are committing to a life of discipleship in three ways:
To learn to embody God’s love with all of one's heart, soul, mind and strength for the rest of one's life.
To love one's other family members in the community of the local church, being transformed together to love like God loves.
To share God’s love, in the power of the Holy Spirit, with our neighbors and others who don't know God in the everyday places of life- where one lives, works and plays.