Theological Distinctives

Biblical Generosity

At The Lighthouse Fremont, we believe that giving is an act of worship and a reflection of God’s generosity. From tithes and offerings to spontaneous and radical giving, we are called to live generously and grow in the grace of giving. If you are looking for ways to be more like Christ, giving is at the top of the list. For God so loved the world, He gave…..

Tithes and Offerings

Giving is one of the greatest privileges we have as Christ-followers. It is an act of worship to the King of Kings, an overflow from a grateful heart. Jesus taught us, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” And that doesn’t mean that we should simply give for giving sake. No, that’s where true joy is found—on the giving side of life. It starts with giving God the tithe, the first ten percent of our income. Giving above and beyond the tithe is called an offering, and it’s one way to grow in generosity. It is a discipline that produces tons of fruit in the life of the believer. 

2 Corinthians 8:7 tells us “Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us – I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.” That is a message to a church like ours at a real time in a real place. And look at the instructions: because the gathering is ripe with all kinds of fruit, the instructions are to “also excel in the gracious act of giving”. Not just give but excel in generosity.

Excelling in the Gracious Act of Giving

Generosity begins with properly understanding this fact: everything you have is a gift from God, and is meant to glorify God in its uses. Biblical generosity is giving above and beyond what is expected without expecting anything in return. You don’t give so that you can see the church look the way you want, or to build credentials up for trying to gain position. You don’t give to be better than those that don’t or to get a pat on the back from the Lord or from the leaders of the church. Giving is meant to be selfless and sacrificial, and it is both the simplest way to worship Him, and the hardest. New believers and new families are often the categories of people who struggle most with this idea because they can look at their back account and say “i cannot afford it” or they can look at their lifestyle and say “I’m not there yet”. 

“God can do more in your life with the 90% you still have after tithing, than you can do alone with 100% of your paycheck.I began tithing while I was already not making enough to pay our bills. I had just been hired by the church we were saved in as the janitor and even though it was part time, I was there every day all day so I could learn. God showed me the idea of tithing through the pastor there, but He taught me generosity through me actually doing it. The month we began tithing 10% was the first time in over a year that all our bills were paid, and on time! I’m not promising that God will do that in your life, I am a person with a story, not a principle to be followed; I am saying that trusting in God with my finances was the best decision I ever made and it will be for you too.” -Pastor Adam.

No matter where you are in your journey of generosity, here are some practical categories to understand that will help you make strides in the gracious act of giving. Which category do you find yourself in right now. That’s how you’ll know where to start.

1. Giving Spontaneously

You may hear a vision for something the church is trying to do or purchase, or you may sense a need, and you feel compelled to do something about it. Spontaneous generosity is stepping up and stepping into that need with a gift of time, talent or treasure. There may not be a rhythm to your giving, but there is a reason. You give as the Spirit leads, and that’s where generosity begins. Paul spotlights the generosity of the Macedonians in 2 Corinthians when he says that the giving of the Macedonians was of their own idea, totally surprising to Paul and his traveling companions, and came as a result of the church giving themselves to God. When you align with the Lord, you begin to grow in generosity, it’s His heart, part of His nature.

2. Giving Consistently

If you are going to grow in any area of your life, consistency is key. Hitting the gym once doesn’t give men huge biceps or ladies the perfect figure. This concept is never more true than with generosity. This is how those spontaneous desires to be generous grow into habits we can be consistent with, and we have the added advantage of options like recurring payments through an app. Like any spiritual discipline, we’ve got to be careful that it doesn’t turn into rote routine or empty ritual. Even if you give automatically, take time weekly to pray over the money that is taken out of your account. The idea of a weekly offering traces its origins back to I Corinthians 16:2: “On the first day of the week, each of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income.” 

“One way Amber and I practice consistent generosity is by putting it in our calendar. Instead of just a reminder that it’s payday, I have a reminder to give my tithe. I check the paycheck, I open the Church Center app and I give. It’s the first thing we do when we get paid.”-Pastor Adam

Calendar reminders or recurring giving turn consistent generosity into clockwork. Of course, you can continue to give spontaneously to a wide variety of kingdom causes as the Lord leads you as well.

3. Giving Proportionately

2 Corinthians 8:11 says, “Give in proportion to what you have.” This idea of “proportionate generosity” traces back to the Old Testament tithe, which literally means ten percent. So anyone who says that tithing is only an Old testament idea is not reading their Bible. Remember though, it’s not any ten percent, it’s the first ten percent or first fruits. The tithe isn’t the ultimate goal in the journey of generosity, but it’s a key benchmark. Does that mean that we should give more than 10%? Maybe. If you can proportionately give 20% without impacting your life, you should. We firmly believe and teach as a church that giving should make financial things a little bit harder. Why? Because even though we cannot out-give God, we are called to be like him, and if we are comfortable in our giving, we are not imitating Christ. Which leads us to…

4. Giving Radically

In 2 Corinthians, we read that the Macedonian church was being tested by severe trials and tribulations. Paul doesn’t detail how those early Christians were being harassed and oppressed, but he points out that their “extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” He says, “They gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.” Radical generosity is giving above and beyond the tithe, above and beyond your ability. That’s how we stretch our faith, and that’s the goal. If you live to give, you will grow in the grace of giving. And God’s kingdom will advance because of it. In fact, your generosity will turn into someone else’s miracle! You’ll see the church of Jesus Christ expanding, the neighborhood you live in changing, and the lives and legacies of those you know and love transforming through the grace of God poured out. The prophet malachi wrote these words of God: “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” Your radical giving is received and multiplied by God, He’s daring you to do it.

Introduction

The Bible teaches that God created two complementary sexes of humans, male and female, to bear His image together (Gen. 1:27-28; Matt. 19:4; Mark 10:6). This distinction in gender represents an essential characteristic of personhood and reflects an essential part of being created in God’s image.

As outlined in Scripture and in accordance with our Statement of Faith, we believe that men and women are absolutely equal in essence, dignity and value and are complementary by divine design. Gender does not merely represent a social construct but, instead, represents a reality present in every human from birth. Men and women are not interchangeable.

From the opening pages of Scripture, we find that God, in His wisdom and providence, created two complementary sexes for our good and His glory. In light of His good created order, and the fact that men and women both share in divine image bearing, God intends for men and women to have different yet complementary roles and responsibilities in the church and home. These role distinctions do not arise from cultural definitions of masculinity and femininity but are an integral part of God’s plan for humanity, as revealed in Scripture. We should recognize them as God’s grace to men and women, protecting, preserving and practicing them for His glory, our joy and for the sake of human flourishing (Gen. 2:18-25; 1 Cor. 11:2-16, 14:33-35; Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18-19; 1 Tim. 2:8-15; 1 Pet. 3:1-7).

To reflect God’s beautiful design as The Lighthouse, we desire to articulate and embody a theological vision of complementarianism. Specifically, when it comes to the consideration of women in ministry, we want to be obedient to Scripture, honor the Lord and give opportunities for women to flourish in their role(s) at The Lighthouse. This paper seeks to describe that vision by explaining what we believe Scripture teaches about gender complementarity as it relates to women in ministry at The Lighthouse.

Gender and the Role of Women in Scripture

Our foundation for life and ministry starts with the understanding that the Bible is God’s inspired and authoritative Word. As affirmed in our Statement of Basic Beliefs, “We believe the Scriptures are true, authoritative and sufficient” (Ps. 19:7-11; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21). Any attempt to understand personhood and gender must begin with divine revelation and God’s created order.

First, we believe that all Christians are charged with the Great Commission. All Christians, both men and women, participate in the ministry of the church. We believe the Bible explicitly encourages and assumes that women will be involved in the ministry of the church. Jesus welcomed women among His disciples, teaching them (Luke 10:39) and involving them in His ministry (Luke 8:1-3). Paul’s words to Titus teach that older women teaching biblical wisdom to younger women is a noble, beautiful and necessary task (Titus 2:3-5). Phoebe, a patron and deacon of the church of Cenchreae, is commended by Paul and was likely the courier for Paul’s epistle to the Romans, indicating her participation in gospel ministry (Rom. 16:1-2). Euodia and Syntyche labored with Paul “side-by-side” in the gospel (Phil. 4:3). Priscilla is described as “explaining the way of God more accurately” to Apollos (Acts 18:26). We celebrate the biblical picture of men and women serving the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ together. We rejoice in biblical examples of men and women using their gifts in the Church for the glory of God.

The Bible depicts a vision of men and women laboring alongside one another in the world and the Church for the sake of the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 12:4-31). When we don’t empower both sexes to engage and use their gifts, in complementarian partnership, both genders suffer, and the mission of the Church—to proclaim the gospel and make disciples of all nations—suffers.

Second, in light of the belief that male and female image bearers flourish in partnership, we expect that the primary relationship between Christian men and women is that of brotherly and sisterly love. We note that the Bible upholds the metaphor of siblinghood as the primary descriptor for male-female partnering in the Church. The concept that is taught in the New Testament is that the Church ought to have the kind of love for one another that is reserved for blood brothers and sisters. This uniquely Christian disposition reminds us that we ought to see each other as a family in a special sense. Therefore, the primary relationship in the local church between men and women is the relationship of brothers and sisters, united in Christ, not subordinates. We affirm that cultivating an environment of brotherly and sisterly love is at the heart of complementarianism. These relationships should be marked by honor, care and sacrifice for one another.

Third, we affirm that equal involvement in the church between men and women does not entail interchangeable involvement. Although men and women are portrayed as equals throughout Scripture, we believe the Bible reserves the office of elder/pastor specifically for qualified men.1 Scripture calls elders to lead the church (1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:1-2), preach the Word (1 Tim. 3:2; 2 Tim. 4:2; Titus 1:9), protect the church from false teaching (Acts 20:17, 28-31; Titus 1:9) pray for and visit the sick (Jas. 5:14; Acts 20:35), equip the saints for ministry (Eph. 4:11-12) and use proper judgment in theological and doctrinal matters (Acts 15). In shepherding, overseeing, leading, caring for and praying for the local church, elders practice sacrificial male headship. Therefore, although we encourage all men and women to actively participate in the life of the church, we reserve the office of elder, and the responsibilities unique to it, for certain qualified men within the church. Apart from the role of pastor/elder, we believe the Bible explicitly encourages and assumes that women will be involved in the ministry of the church.

Affirmations and Denials

Based on the conclusions drawn from Scripture, we have created a list of affirmations and denials that encompass our beliefs on gender and the role of women in ministry. We affirm that both men and women have been created in the image of God and are entitled to the privileges and held accountable to the responsibilities that come with reflecting our Creator.

We deny that either gender has been given or is entitled to greater dignity in society, the home, the church or the kingdom of God. We affirm that both men and women are needed and necessary for the health and ministry of the church. Godly men and women should be visible partners in the corporate life of the church, deploying their diverse gifts for the good of the body. Simply put, all Christians contribute to the ministry of the church.

We deny that the church can flourish without brotherly/ sisterly partnership. We deny that a church can exist in which the men flourish and the women do not, or vice versa.

We affirm that the role/function of elder is reserved for qualified men. Elders are distinctly responsible for overseeing the church (1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:1-2) and preaching the Word (1 Tim. 3:2; 2 Tim. 4:2; Titus 1:9)

We deny that the role of elder being withheld from women diminishes their importance or their influence in the church. The indispensable help women were created to give can and should be exercised in all manner of roles/offices in the church, excepting those reserved for qualified men.

We affirm that all members of the church should be in glad submission to the elder body, and that all should be in glad and sacrificial submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church.

We deny that all women are subject to the leadership and authority of all men. Further, biblical submission is not indicative of subordination or inequality, as seen in the Son’s submission to the Father (Phil. 2:1-11).

We affirm that complementarianism, rightly practiced, will lead to the recognizable flourishing of both sexes.

We deny any version of complementarianism or theological position that leads to the subjugation, abuse or neglect of any man or woman. We strongly denounce any distorted view of Scripture that contributes to the belief that biblical manhood or womanhood includes or permits practices such as marginalization, subjugation, intimidation, neglect or any form of abuse.

We affirm that all men and women have been created in the image of God, whether single or married.

We deny that single men and women must be married to be meaningful participants in the corporate life of the church. We deny that single men possess any authority over single women. The way that they love and serve their sisters should not patronize, victimize or show force, but rather should be the fruit of brotherly love, and vice versa.

Ministry at The Lighthouse

In coming to these conclusions and how to implement them, we recognize that some will find our position and practice on women in ministry far too conservative. We also recognize that others will find our position and practice on women in ministry far too progressive. We ask for charity from both as we focus on the primary task of making disciples of Jesus Christ. Additionally, we believe it is important to note that a theological confession of complementarianism does not necessarily result in uniform complementarian practice. We are eager to work with brothers and sisters, churches and other ministries who view these issues differently than we do.

Professional/Organizational

The elders have designated the role “pastor” for all present and future leaders of the church as reserved for elders/pastors/qualified men. The elders vet men for these roles and positions using a formal process. We seek to hire both men and women for every other role, for the health of the church within the framework outlined below. This gives both men and women opportunities to advance and grow in leadership and includes women participating in every level of the organization (except for the role of elder/pastor/qualified man).

The Gathering

Every member of the church body actively participates in our weekend worship services, not just those who are on the platform. Every role is open to both men and women, except the roles of preaching the Word of God and officiating the Sacraments (baptism/the Lord’s Supper). Every member is invited to baptize and distribute the elements of communion, but the roles of preaching and officiating the sacraments are reserved for elders/pastors/qualified men.

Teaching Environments

Mixed-gender teaching environments are overseen by elders and will be led by qualified men. These men should seek out, equip and utilize gifted men and women to help lead, teach and shape these ministries. Gender-specific teaching environments are taught by a leader of the same gender. Men teach men’s environments, and women teach women’s environments.

Home Groups, Student Ministry

Gender-specific groups are led by a leader of the same gender. Men lead men’s groups, and women lead women’s groups. Mixed-gender groups are led by both a man and woman. In mixed-gender group leadership we expect for there to be a co-discipleship relationship between the man and the woman. Co-discipleship in the group doesn’t mean that male and female leaders are interchangeable or lead in the exact same way, but as co-disciplers, the man and the woman operate in their roles according to gifting. Both men and women may serve as group coaches, group ministers and group leaders.

*1 A qualified man is a man who has been trained, has been vetted and meets all of the specific qualifications of an elder at The Lighthouse. However, not all qualified men hold the office of elder. There are men on staff and in the congregation who meet the qualifications of elder but do not hold the office. Though they are not currently in the office of elder (and may never be), we believe these men are trustworthy to teach the Word of God at The Lighthouse. A man who does not meet the qualifications of elder does not meet the requirements of being a qualified man. If a non-elder has been vetted and trained and meets the qualifications of elder, we do not want to restrict his ability to teach and preach at The Lighthouse by restricting preaching/teaching to only those who hold the office of elder.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit that we see on display in the New Testament are still active within the life of the church. These gifts did not end with the close of the New Testament or the death of the last apostle (1 Cor. 12:1-11). Rather, they remain essential for the building up of the body of Christ, the fulfillment of its mission, and the edification of believers.

Throughout the New Testament, the Apostle Paul teaches that these gifts—ranging from prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues to wisdom, faith, and discernment—are given to believers by the Holy Spirit for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7). Paul makes no suggestion that these gifts were intended to cease; instead, he calls the church to eagerly desire and practice them in an orderly and God-honoring way (1 Cor. 14:1, 40). The purpose of these gifts is to glorify God, empower believers for ministry, and serve as a sign of God’s active and present work in the world.

While some traditions hold to a cessationist view—that these gifts ceased after the apostolic era—we affirm a continuationist view, that the Holy Spirit continues to distribute gifts today as He wills (1 Cor. 12:11). This aligns with the nature and character of God, who is unchanging and continues to pour out His Spirit on all believers across time and cultures (Acts 2:17-18). The gifts of the Spirit are not confined to the first-century church; they are part of the ongoing movement of God’s kingdom on earth.

At The Lighthouse, we celebrate the gifts of the Spirit as vital expressions of God’s grace and power. We also emphasize that these gifts must operate in love and humility, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 13. Without love, even the most remarkable spiritual gifts become empty and ineffective. As a community of faith, we commit to discerning and exercising the gifts of the Spirit with biblical integrity, ensuring they bring glory to Christ, foster unity, and strengthen the church for the work of ministry.

Discernment in Practicing the Gifts of the Spirit

While we affirm the gifts of the Spirit, we also recognize the importance of discernment when these gifts are demonstrated. Scripture encourages believers to “test everything; hold fast to what is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). Discernment helps us avoid confusion, misuse, or misunderstanding while remaining open to the genuine work of the Holy Spirit. For example, when witnessing a miraculous healing, we rejoice in God’s power to heal and restore, as Jesus often demonstrated during His earthly ministry. However, even Jesus instructed those He healed to present themselves to the priests at the temple as confirmation of their restoration (Luke 17:14; Mark 1:44). This act served not only as obedience to the Law but also as a verification of the miraculous event. Similarly, when we see a claim of physical healing today, we have no reason to doubt God’s ability to heal supernaturally. Yet, it is wise and appropriate to seek confirmation through medical professionals to ensure the validity of the event. This approach does not diminish faith but strengthens our testimony of God’s work when the healing is confirmed.

Discernment, therefore, is not a rejection of the gifts but a safeguard to ensure they are genuine, biblical, and edifying to the body of Christ. The same applies to other gifts like prophecy, where Paul instructs the church to weigh and evaluate prophetic words (1 Cor. 14:29). Discernment, guided by Scripture and the Holy Spirit, allows us to celebrate what is truly of God while protecting against confusion or false claims.

In embracing the gifts of the Holy Spirit today, we acknowledge that the church does not rely on human strength alone but on the supernatural empowerment of God. The gifts are tangible reminders of His presence among us, enabling us to proclaim the gospel boldly, minister to the needs of others, and experience the reality of His kingdom breaking into our lives. With discernment and humility, we affirm and steward these gifts for the glory of Christ and the building up of His church.

The salvation of humanity is fundamentally the work of God, rooted entirely in His eternal plan, unmerited grace, and perfect love. Scripture testifies that before the foundation of the world, God elected His people, setting His affection upon them according to His divine purpose and good pleasure (Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:4-6). This election was not based on any foreseen merit, faith, or works of humanity but flowed solely from the counsel of God’s will and His infinite grace. God predestined His people for adoption into His family as beloved children through Jesus Christ, displaying the riches of His glorious grace.

The faith by which a person responds to the gospel is itself a gracious gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Human beings, in their natural state, are dead in their sins and incapable of choosing God or pursuing righteousness (Romans 3:10-12; Ephesians 2:1-3). The heart of humanity is enslaved to sin, unable to turn to God apart from His sovereign intervention. It is God who awakens the spiritually dead, opens blind eyes, and grants the repentance and faith necessary for salvation (John 6:44; Acts 16:14; 2 Timothy 2:25).

Although humanity often speaks of “free will,” this term is commonly misunderstood. True freedom does not mean autonomy or the ability to choose independently of God’s sovereignty. Scripture teaches that apart from God’s intervention, the human will is held captive to sin and entirely bent toward self-interest (Romans 6:16-20). While people freely choose according to their desires, those desires are inherently corrupt and self-serving. Thus, left to our own devices, we would never freely choose God over our own sinful inclinations. After salvation, the believer’s will is liberated and lovingly bound to the Word of God, where freedom is found in obedience to Christ (John 8:31-36; Romans 6:22). Even this transformation is not the result of human effort but the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.

God’s sovereignty in salvation is comprehensive and absolute. From eternity past to eternity future—from election and calling to justification, sanctification, and glorification—salvation is entirely the work of God. No aspect of salvation depends on human effort, worthiness, or cooperation apart from the enabling power of God’s grace. Therefore, God alone receives all the glory for the salvation of sinners (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).

This truth brings deep assurance and humility to God’s people. Knowing that salvation originates and is secured by God’s sovereign hand, believers rest in the certainty that He who began a good work in them will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6). At the same time, the doctrine of God’s sovereignty in salvation fuels evangelism and missions, as it is through the proclamation of the gospel that God calls His chosen people to Himself (Romans 10:14-17).

In summary, God’s sovereignty in salvation magnifies His grace, preserves His glory, and demonstrates His love. The human will, far from diminishing this truth, testifies to it. Before salvation, our will is enslaved to sin; after salvation, it is joyfully captive to Christ. From first to last, all of salvation is the work of God alone, and to Him belongs all praise, honor, and worship forever.

Being a “member” of a church is a man made idea that we don’t see in the Bible and that we’ve seen cause more harm than good to the body of Christ. So The Lighthouse chose instead to move in the complete other direction, following the example set for us in Acts Chapter 2.

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” -Acts 2:42-47

If you feel like this church is your home, the Bible says to fellowship with the other believers here, give generously to the church with your finances, serve in the church where your gifts allow and guide you and evangelize in the community for this church. Learn the mission, pray for the pastor, the elders and leaders, and grow in your love for Christ alongside us.

The Lighthouse is a church that welcomes everyone. If you’ve never stepped into a church or if a church didn’t accept you; whether you love the Lord or you’ve never met Him.

Most churches have membership with roadblocks for outsiders/non-members, a low expectation of its members and low participation. We want to be a church with high expectations, high participation and no roadblocks. So you won’t find any membership forms or membership classes here. If you feel like you belong here, it’s because you do. And if you want to grow deeper in your connections here, talk to our pastor or one of our elders to learn who we are and why this is a place you can see your life and legacy transformed.